T hawker

I've copied the following from the Wish List topic: Posted 15 September 2018 - 09:30 PM So perhaps Ford is listening. News articles identifying a unibody subcompact truck possibly being built in Mexico for the 2022 model year are circulating. This vehicle may be based on the Focus platform, some have also mentioned Fusion. At first I thought, bringing back the Ranchero? I'm all for that, but a Focus sized car? Until I did a little research, I am a fan of the original Ranger. Love the size and capabilities so I compared the 2018 Focus to the 1991 Ranger, regular cab, short wheelbase 2wd. This is what I came up with: Measurement 1991 Ranger 2018 Focus Length 176.5" 172.8" Wheelbase 108 104.3 Height 63.7 58 Head Room 39.2 38.3 Leg Room 42.4 43.1 Hip Room 52.7 53.9 Shoulder Room 54.6 55.6 So basically all of the measurements are real close except for the height, the Focus is about 6 inches lower. The Focus is available with AWD, 2.3L I4 EB putting out 350 hp. Don't believe a "Ranchero" needs that kind of power so perhaps detune the engine to 349 hp. I would love to have the Ranchero return. I know there as been discussions on using the Courier name. To me I don't care what Ford calls it, although I would prefer Ranchero.

It's possible. I also remember the Mercury Grand Marquis commercials with the guy cutting the diamond in the back seat going down I believe a cobble stone road. Try that in one of today's sedans The last really nice riding car I remember is my parents 1990 Town Car, it just needed another 100 hp.

I call it comfy cozy

Sorry, I can't agree with your statement. Most "modern" cars ride like rocks, I want to be completely isolated from the road. I don't want anything transmitted through the steering wheel, seats...nothing. If I'm going to pay a small fortune for a vehicle why would I want to feel or hear tar strips, lane delineators, a blade of grass? I've purchased a lot of cars and I've test driven dozens more. Even the luxury brands have horrible ride quality today. Last year I test drove the Continental, MKZ and MKX back to back. The best one in my opinion was the MKX AWD with the drive line in "comfort" mode, was not impressed. Today's standards are transmit as much road "feel" to the driver as possible...wtf.

That's why I bought the 2014 F150 SCrew. It was quiet and smooth, but thought it was ridiculous to buy a 6000 lb vehicle to get those two features. Learning to drive in 1978/79 I was use to smooth quiet vehicles, LTD's and T-Birds. I did not need anywhere near the hauling or towing capacity the F150 supplied. I only used the bed once for a dump run, those items that were longer then the bed allowed, I would use the trailer. The lift over height was so high I would need to get into the bed to retrieve cargo, a major pain in the … Most of the time the cargo was placed in the back seat. So for me, just a regular home owner needing to occasionally haul a larger item an original Ranger or Ranchero is perfect. Not too large, low lift over height, decent mpg's and it will easily fit in the garage. Some of you may remember Ford sending some Fairmont Futura's to National Coach Works in Los Angeles. Most believe less then 200 were converted into "Ranchero's"

Hope the looks are closer to these: https://www.motor1.com/news/260750/ford-focus-pickup-renders/

So perhaps Ford is listening. News articles identifying a unibody subcompact truck possibly being built in Mexico for the 2022 model year are circulating. This vehicle may be based on the Focus platform, some have also mentioned Fusion. At first I thought, bringing back the Ranchero? I'm all for that, but a Focus sized car? Until I did a little research, I am a fan of the original Ranger. Love the size and capabilities so I compared the 2018 Focus to the 1991 Ranger, regular cab, short wheelbase 2wd. This is what I came up with: Measurement 1991 Ranger 2018 Focus Length 176.5" 172.8" Wheelbase 108 104.3 Height 63.7 58 Head Room 39.2 38.3 Leg Room 42.4 43.1 Hip Room 52.7 53.9 Shoulder Room 54.6 55.6 So basically all of the measurements are real close except for the height, the Focus is about 6 inches lower. The Focus is available with AWD, 2.3L I4 EB putting out 350 hp. Don't believe a "Ranchero" needs that kind of power so perhaps detune the engine to 349 hp. What would I want in a new "Ranchero"? A quiet comfortable ride, not a stiff ride. Two doors vs four doors and an automatic transmission without auto start/stop. I know I have said in the past that I don't think a 4 cylinder is in my future but if Ford built a Ranchero I would buy it.

Found my order sheet, paid $12,271.00 before tax and license. Don't remember what I paid. I was getting fleet pricing back then. I ordered this one, could not find a regular cab with power windows/door locks on the lot. This one did have the AOD transmission, tow package, cruise/tilt and air. I still think it's a fine looking truck today. The pic is of my '85 XLT 4x4, 2.8L V6 with the AOD. Bad combo, engine did not have enough power to support the AOD and 4wd.

My mothers 08 Acadia had similar issues, the 17 Acadia 3.6L is an entirely new engine. The engine and transmission now work together beautifully. Enjoy the new Ranger when you get it, I've always been a big fan of the Ranger. Attached is a little historical picture of a Ranger test truck at Ford's Yucca AZ proving grounds in Aug 1981. They let me in by mistake, just because I was driving a Ford (Pinto).

GM's 3.6L is a wonderful engine. I'm running it in my 2017 GMC Acadia FWD, the power is amazing. When I make my runs from SW New Mexico to Salt Lake City the transmission stays in top gear (6th) going through the mountains except for 2 spots. For the most part it's back roads, not interstate once you pass Albq so I set the cruise at 65 mph and I typically avg over 35 mpg. I don't see a 4 cylinder in my future, just prefer the 6's. Did test drive the MKX with the 3.7 and 2.7EB, both had plenty of power and they should return excellent fuel mileage. Parked next to a new Colorado 4 door today, it's larger then my Acadia. To big for a small truck, prefer the old Ranger size.

I wish I could have my loaded 1991 XLT 4.0 back. Stickered at $14301.00

Not sure of the color name, the Econoline van in '82 called in Light Blue, enjoy. I would love to see the Ranchero return, although I would want it on the upcoming Mustang platform with AWD and the 2.7L EB.

I will check out the Ranger when it hits the showrooms. If it has a smooth quiet ride I will probably order one in 3 years or so and it will be a fully loaded SCrew. Trying to get on a schedule of replacing vehicles every 3 years now that I'm retired. Pretty sure it's a sickness

When I purchased my 14 F150 SCrew sticker was over $40k but the rebates/incentives brought it down to $33k. This was less then what you could purchase a Tacoma for, so people buy the full size because of final cost and they are the only thing out there. You literally have hundreds of F150's/Silverado's ect vs a hand full of Tacoma's at least in rural America available for purchase. I for one did have a problem driving around a 6000 lb vehicle just to get a quite and smooth riding vehicle. I did enjoy the F150, never had a problem except a little taxing on the old back because of step in height and egress. My point is, do we need a mid-size truck that's almost as large as a full size? Most will not use anywhere near the max hauling or towing capacity of the new Ranger so should Ford offer something closer to the original Ranger. Perhaps when the Hyundai Santa Cruz is released we will have our answer.

The original Ranger was built for the average home owner that need a good tough little truck to make the occasional run to the dump and lumber yard on weekends. During the week he could use it for his commute to work because it had a good ride and decent gas mileage. We are now looking at a Ranger that is what, 85% the size of a full size truck, 90% of the cost? Four doors, a bed so high you can't reach into the back of? If you need a truck to carry the wife, your 1.3 kids and 1.2 dogs around you would be better off with a full size truck. Lets go back to a good little truck for the home owner, remember when the Ranger first came out they were a huge success. I have had 5 Rangers and loved them all, well except for the '85 4x4, the 2.8 and 4AOD, it lacked speed, even going down hill Personally I would love to see the Ranchero return, give me a MKZ 2 door with all wheel drive and the 2.7L EB with a pickup bed.

The best handling car I've owned was my 01 CrownVic, it was a fully loaded LX with the handling package. It came with the larger sway bars and air bags for the rear. I put the Michelin X-One's on it rightaway and I could fly around curves and on/off ramps. Had a lot of fun with that car, just wish it had another 100 hp though. Even my C350 could not handle the curves like the Vic. Steve

Thanks Rick and akirby. I drove the 2.7L down here in Las Cruces and the 3.7L in Draper UT, liked both engines. I'm not a speed demon like I use to be but still like to blow out the exhaust every now and then. A lot of my miles are short 2 mile drives and I'm thinking that will be harder on the turbo then the NA engine. About every two or three weeks I do a 120 mile round trip to Las Cruces, 75mph "to keep the battery charged". Thanks, Steve

rmcclain, congrats on your MKX order. I am getting close to placing mine, met with my sales manager Saturday and tried to get an AWD Reserve, White Platinum/Hazelnut out of Mesa AZ but it was ordered for a customer. So will place an order next week, just need to decide on an engine. Would you mind telling me which engine you chose and why. For me the pro for the 3.7L is port fuel injection, no carbon build up. The 2.7L GTDI pro is the power at the lower RPM range but the con is direct injection and the carbon issue. Thanks, Steve

If I read the order guide correctly, the limited slip rear end and the Payload #2 package are not available on the reg cab lwb 2wd 4.0. I hope this is a mistake! My last Ranger was an 02, I would like to get an 09 setup the same way. My daily driver is a 93 F250 SC long bed with the 460, that's a 7.5L for the kid's out there. I would like to double my mpg's.