people don’t realize just how much it shares with Bronco. Everything from the firewall forward is shared with Bronco, save for some different bracketry on the crash rails and rad supports. 

The whole point of T6 Ranger was a truck designed for up to 125 international countries in RHD and LHD, some of that will lead to a less than ideal American product.   Its just horses for courses, and Everest joined at the hip complements that.

While. SD is not subject to CAFE, I think the 6.8 probably sent the wrong message to those buyers, noting that Ford now under scoring that the 7.3 is once again the base engine again. standardise production for 7.3 and build a heap more, could be very good for business    Such a pity that the 6.8 seems to be a waste of time, Ford got it right first time with the 7.3?   and so much for those internet rumours  of a new 7.0

The 3.0eb has almost exactly the same power as the coyote in truck form.   Departments have a lot of vehicles that aren't used for patrol so that's why it's offered.  If they're too cheap to get the hybrid or 3.0 that's on them.

End of CAFE enforcement probably has something to do with it.

I plead old age (and yes I did look)...

Or it was a temporary supplier issue.

When has Ford had a skunkworks that totally changed the assembly process?

I didn't say it was rational....