bigblueford

I still think the biggest issue is the diesel emissions stuff. Euro emissions is getting tougher and the US emissions are getting tougher. The Euro IV and V emission requirements almost eliminates the diesels overseas, but you know they will find a way to make those diesels meet the requirements. Overseas, about half or more of cars sold are diesels. Here in the US it is about 1%. I don't think us Americans are in the economical frame of mind, so small diesels aren't going to be a big seller - at least in the minds of the Big 3 corporate folks. They would rather sell the big profit vehicles, rather than a low profit ranger anything. So the Big 3 aren't into helping us, but helping themselves. But isn't that the name of the game - big $$$ and making the stockholders happy? (How happy are they now?) The big problem with the Big 3 that I see, is that they don't have the products to keep them afloat. Once the big profit items stop selling, they are forced with losses, plant shutdowns and layoffs. If they had a varied engine product line (for example), they could ramp up that production and at least minimize those losses. Having a CRD (common rail diesel) that could fit and be an option for many of the vehicle line, they could keep selling those vehicles. They could have a standard issue V6 diesel, for example, for anything from the ranger, F150, SportTrac, and other vehicles. That diesel could then be tuned for the vehicle it is in for reliablility of each drivetrain and components. I think right now they are just waiting it out. I think they hope we all start buying 400hp vehicles again once the gas prices drop a few more cents. After all, a vehicle isn't about transportation, it's about flaunting status and impressing the neighbors, right? So in conclusion: They can build a 4 door diesel Ranger if they wanted to. It's there and they are doing it. Just not here in the US. Somebody did a Six Sigma project and figured that there wasn't enough profit in building them for the American market, I suppose. So we are stuck wishing in one hand... I am staying with my paid for '96 F250 Powerstroke that gets 18 mpg, and my paid for '99 Chevy Metro (50+ mpg). Got cash in hand ready to spend and nothing on the market that interests me. I'd really like to buy a Ranger, but economically (and doing the math), my fuel economy will remain the same, my insurance would go up, and I'd have a vehicle payment to boot. It's funny how a 4.0L Ranger gets the same fuel economy as an F250 7.3L diesel! I'm done now.

So if the Ranger will be built off the Explorer/Sport Trac chassis, then you don't think there will be a 4-door Ranger? I was thinking the opposite - the last I saw the Sport Trac and Explorer have 4 doors. I think it is hopeful that we'll see a 4 door Ranger if Ford wants to remain competitive in the small/mid-size truck market if it will built off that chassis. Add a small V8 or a little diesel and you got a best seller on your hands. Diesels make up about 50% of overseas markets, but us Americans love our gas-guzzling horsepower! Once we get our minds away from that mentality and start buying vehicles for function/transportation, then the manufacturers will build to what the public wants. I have an F250 Diesel (15mpg) and a Chevy Metro (50 mpg). Obviously a small 4-door pickup with great economy (read: diesel) will meet my two in the middle!

VW has stopped selling diesels so that they can meet the new requirements. Everyone is having a problem getting their diesels "certified". I do believe that the big 3 have gotten their 3/4 ton+ diesel engines certified, but all the rest have pulled their diesel lines - VW and Jeep's Liberty included.

I'd like to see a crew cab 4 door Ranger. The Ranger is way out of competition with the other guys as far as offering a 4 door small pickup. I guess that puts the Ranger in a class by itself! The 4.0 should be freshened up for about 250+ horsepower to remain competitive, or replaced by the 4.6 V8. I have to mention the diesel option. I'd think that if the 6.x diesel can meet the new emission requirements, surely a small diesel can be modified to do the same. The 4.5 powerstroke 4 door Ranger is already built in other parts of the world. Brazil has a diesel 4 door version, and England has a diesel 4 door coming up. A thought - if they make E85 gas engines, why not B20 diesel engines? B20/B100 would at least help along with the emission problem. I know I can run diesel #1/#2 or B20 in my current engine with no harmful affects. The way the current trends are going, we will soon be able to buy a Ford Escape with 400 hp! Anyway, I currently have a 1996 F250 powerstroke that I ordered new. 215,000 miles on it and so far there isn't much out there that has attracted my attention to replace it. I am selling my 5th wheel RV, so I have no need for a 3/4 ton pickup as a daily driver. I am looking at the Colorado/Canyon/Isuzu Crew Cabs and Nissan Frontier Crew Cabs, but still I'd like to stay with Ford. I think a crew cab FXII Ranger powerstroke would be one heck of a best seller! My future ex has a 2003 SportTrac, but it has issues (can't rent from U-Haul). I'm sure the standard answer is "no" to the above, but it would be nice to hear "no comment" to at least know y'all are already planning some of these! Anyway, thanks for reading.