I'm sure most here are aware of the new global Ranger that currently sells just about everywhere except North America. I'm torn as to why Ford keeps this out of the home market. I understand they would rather work on the ecoboost to improve MPG on the huge F150. But that truck is way too big.

I spend time in the US and in Fiji. I just ordered a gunmetal blue 2014 Ranger with the 6 speed auto and 5 cylinder diesel (3.2) liters. These new models get 30 MPG on the highway and can tow 7000 lbs. The torque is enormous on this bad boy ecoboost from overseas. Ford needs to import this but I think they are afraid it will hurt F150 sales and it will. The 2015 F-150 will be 700 lbs lighter and will offer a 2.7 ecoboost engine. But it will still be a huge box of a truck. IMO, the new ranger is the perfect mid sized truck ever produced. These are highly regarded in Fiji and blow the Nissan Navara and and Mitsubishi L200 for fuel economy and raw performance, ride etc.. Its such a shame that Ford decided to keep the best from North America. I can't wait to drive this truck in Fiji.

 

Nice looking truck! It looks like it could use a lift kit and some bigger tires though

 

This is exactly why. The topic has been discussed to the point of exhaustion, but another reason if I remember right is I that the global ranger does not meet US crash safety requirements.

 

Well, this site says its safe, Global 2012 Ford Ranger Scores Highest In Euro Crash Tests - PickupTrucks.com News

Ford has good sales with the F-150 and the bigger trucks have high profit margins. There is still a 20 percent tax on truck imports so Ford would have to build another plant in the US to produce rangers to be competitive. Only if F-150 sales drop would they reconsider that decision. Personally I feel that mid size trucks did poorly in the US for lack of updating. The new ranger boasts a very advanced transmission and ecoboost 5 cylinder diesel. This truck would sell well in the states being the US has never had anything remotely this good in a mid size package. It would be a hot cake no doubt.

 

I would buy that in a heartbeat. I really don't want a F150 when my Ranger is finally worn out. 99% of the time I don't need anything that big.

 

You have to understand this Ranger is considerably bigger and more powerful then the old ranger. I think the older ranger was a compact and the new global one is mid size for sure.

This site shows the new ranger pulling a 353,000-pound Victorian Railways R Class locomotive. I doubt any ranger from the past could do this. 2012 Ford Ranger Tows a Train to Remind Us What We

 

If it's still smaller than the F150 then that's what I'm after. Ultimately I want something slightly larger than the current version but smaller than the full size trucks. I guess I really should look at the stats on it. Not that I'm going to get one.

 

Well in the Fiji Islands the Toyota Hilux diesel truck and Nissan Navara diesel truck have ruled the market for years. But on my last trip I saw the new global ford's all over the place and asked many over there which they preferred. Basically, almost everyone concluded that the older designed Hilux/navara are no match for the new ranger's power and fuel economy which is a big deal where diesel costs about 5 USD a gallon. There is also a 2.2 liter diesel that gets 35 MPG. And as usual, diesel costs less then gas in Fiji like most countries. There is some conspiracy in the US for Diesel to cost 20 percent more.
I don't know why its so hard for domestics to build more diesel cars and trucks? Its like pulling teeth with these guys. Even the new Dakota probably won't see a diesel until 2016? People in this country don't know what they are missing. Stuff you never see here like the very good Mitsubishi L200 diesel truck, or the Toyota hilux, or Isuzu Dmax diesel. I even saw some Chinese diesel trucks in Fiji that looked pretty nice, but I would not buy any Chinese junk. The global Ranger is so good and Ford knows it. IMO, they are not afraid that it would not sell well in the states. Just the opposite. Ford probably knows this could very easily take off in spades and gut F-150 sales. Ford has huge investments in production and capacity for the bigger truck. Heck, it comes in almost infinite configurations that you could ever dream of. Unlike many euro fords of the past that never saw the day of light in the states, this Australian designed Ranger is a gem that even Ford probably did not know would be this popular. And with the internet, people in the states are more aware of its presence. Ford really does not want Americans to know about this model. Its a real threat. Unfortunately, the new Dakota and Chevy do nothing for me.
I really don't know why Ford worries about losing margins. The new Ranger in XLT trim that I am buying in Fiji works out to 45000 USD. IMO, Ford would make just as much margin on the ranger as the big one. But its cool enough and capable that I believe people would pay a similar price as the bigger ford. I think Ford would corner the truck market if they offered both the F-150 and new ranger. What Ford worries about is putting out a basic Ranger that could eat into its margins. But I don't think that would happen. The 2015 F150 will shed 700 lbs and get a new 2.7 ecoboost engine. That will keep interests going for years. But unfortunately, that 2.7 ecoboost is Ford's answer to not providing a mid sized truck.

 

That thing is horrifically ugly..........no thanks.

 

Sorry, to me it looks like a big jelly bean. Especially since if it was sold here, they'd probably do like GM and not even offer a regular cab... I'd rather keep my 97 or another pre-2011 Ranger and keep it until Ford comes to their senses again.

 

I'm in Fiji ATM and love the hell out of this truck. The torque is enormous. You have to see it, drive it, to believe how good this truck is. But it will never pass EPA diesel regulations. As far as bringing back the old Ranger in the US.. Never going to happen. They destroyed the plant in Minn and laid off all the workers. Ford hated that union and wanted to off them for years and they did. What I hear they will bring back in the US is a uni-body POS that can't do anything truck like. So I would post on socialford.com and ask for the global ford. Because what they have in mind is something far far worse. A modern day VW rabbit truck uni-body POS. If you want a decent mid size American truck do just that. Or buy a Nissan Frontier or Tacoma gas guzzler. Or you can just keep rebuilding your old ranger for eternity.

 

Thats our government...$4.00 a gallon for gas now and the rest of the world is getting diesel engines in small compact cars and truck and getting ove 30/40 mpg's. I guess crash tests, epa targets and the fact that every car in the USA has to pass them to be sold here has no chance of ever changing...I live in Illinois and we are forced to use that "Summer Blend" of gasoline from April to October because were supposed to be a farming state. When the whole planet starts using that type of fuel then the whole palnet will benefit from it. Diesel is about the worst source of hydrocarbons there is so if the big 3 get into small deisel engines in a big way then the cost of that fuel will be going up. Will these engines require that DEF additive? Thats $4.00 buck a gallon too. The real egg on our face here is the biggest country in the global market is being strangled by OPEC. I know, I know ...I own 3 cars myself and need to drive aswell to get to where I need to be but there are way to many cars on the road everywhere!!!! There is never anywhere I drive that doesn't have a back-up, construction, mall rats and truck after truck after truck traffic...I almost always avoid driving after 3 pm...traffic is worse now then its ever been....Keep in mind that the big 3 are making cars right now that no one ordered...yep keep making cars then try to sell them when the dealer gets his order forced down his throat....I don't believe any other way of bussiness would survive that kind or manufactoring.....I can't order a car???? Why ...because its cheaper to offer it in group packages on car so we dont shut down the assembly line. HUH??? You want to make cars that YOU HAVE to try and sell instead of making a car that someone ordered to their liking???? AMEN for car rental companies....

 

I don't think anybody actually was thinking that Ford would or could start building the old Ranger again. I would also prefer to buy a new Ranger someday and not "rebuild mine for eternity". But Ford's going to have to actually sell me a truck that fits my needs and what I had before, which it doesn't sound like anybody is going to do. Not something that's too big, ugly, expensive, doesn't have the right drivetrain/cab combos, etc. Until then, my only choice is keeping an old style Ranger around.

 

Supposedly the US govt. doesn't want non-commercial competition for diesel fuel.......In the late '70s during the oil embargo & subsequent shortages,MFGs started making and/or importing diesel cars(most were Mercedes-Benz) and they imedately noticed the price spikes & shortages affecting commercial & industrial/agricultural markets.
So,they have been avoiding that scenario every since then,by trying to limit saturation of the market(as much as possible) by non-commercial diesel powered passenger vehicles,through EPA reg.s & govt. incentives/subsidies to the auto mfgs.

 

You would be surprised how many folks want the old ranger back.. People ask for that all the time on socialford.com The old ranger was considered a compact truck and I hear they will re enter the market with another compact. Possible something like the unibody Falcon. It looks ok but not very truck like.. not a truck actually. I see them running around here in Fiji. I'll try to take a pic of one next time I'm in Lautoka.

 

Oh, don't get me wrong, I know a lot of people want the old Ranger back or something close to it, me included. I think a lot of people (and when I say that I mean people in the Ranger and small pickup scene) realize it's an old platform as is and wouldn't be made forever in it's current form. As far as something not looking very truck like, that would be an exact complaint of mine on the Global Ranger, even if it is a truck underneath.

Personally I don't want one of the Falcons either. I just want a small truck, that actually looks like a truck, actually is a truck, and is actually smaller than a 90s full size.

 

I tried to post some real pictures of my Ranger from Fiji but this site won't allow overseas attachments I'm afraid. The ones I posted on this thread are not a XLT like mine. The XLT has 17 inch wheels and nicer trim. Funny folks don't think the Global Ranger does not look like a truck.. Its modeled after the F-150. Especially from the rear deck... its high like the big brother and very similar. What I really like about this truck it drives like a SUV and has a very nice ride over bad terrain but can still deliver truck performance. In Low 4WD this can climb anything. Back seat can accommodate 6 footers easily. Its big.. too close to the size of the F-150. If you don't like it, don't worry, it will never see the light of day in the US. And its expensive, I paid 47K USD. So its not fair to compare this to the old Ranger. This truck will destroy the old ranger being this has all the newest tech that Ford could throw at it. A very advanced engine unlike the aging SOHC of the old ranger. I'm afraid we will never see the simple compacts of yesteryear. The white Ranger that rolled off the line in Minn in 2011 was the last of its kind.

 

I think it would be easiest for me to address things on a point-by-point basis.



It actually does when I look at it. Way too rounded and shallow window rake, which is more like a car.

The current and '15 F-150 is much more squared off than the Global Ranger, I don't see any real similarities other than a tall beltline / bodywork, which seems to be the case in all vehicles today. A tall beltline by itself doesn't make something look more truck-like to me.

Not disagreeing, but this has nothing to do with my point.

This is exactly my point.

Agreed, I think that was already mentioned.


I know what you mean, but it does depend on the metrics that are important to you. The old Ranger is really reliable / serviceable, has a bed I can easily reach into without stepping on the tire, and next to no blind spots compared to a newer truck. I agree with you, there are trade-offs you make either way.

Yeah, it's a shame there isn't enough demand for a small truck. Everyone wants big, expensive, and complicated unfortunately. And I'm not dissing your truck by any means, but it just doesn't suit my needs or styling preferences like the old Ranger. Which means I'm stuck with old Rangers unless Ford changes their mind.

 

Well I hear Ford does plan a small truck. Not a mid size but a compact. Hopefully its on a truck chassis and not a unibody. The people at the Ford Dealer in Albuquerque said in 2015/16 time frame. I'm pretty sure it will be a compact. Ford market share on the F-150 outsells Chevy 2 to 1 so they won't go near that.

 

Yeah, like that Toyota Ridgeline on a Camary chasis....don't see many of them...

 

I thought the Ridgeline was Honda? At any rate, Honda plans a re design of that as well in 2016. It will be interesting to see if Chevy fan get the mid size market back on track for US trucks when they come back next year. And they promise a duramax diesel option in 2016. Not sure what Dodge will do with the Dakota.

 

Yeah, I though about that when I shut the computer off. Its was Honda.

 

OK, I compressed the images and was able to post my actual Ranger in Fiji. A bit nicer then the one I posted from the dealer.

 

oh look its a glorified car. how nice, they SUV'ized the ranger.

 

Except it has an insanely strong truck chassis not a car chassis. The Chassis has more strength then the Toyota Hilux and that's saying something. Sure its has creature comforts but it probably has three times the pulling power and payload of the old compact Ranger. Call it a car all you want. 7500 lb towing is no joke. Driving in 800 ml of water is also not very car like (I've done it in Nadi Fiji during a flood). If you like ugly just order a basic XL model with steel wheels. They also make it in extra cab and just two door 2WD 4WD, short and long bed, 2.2 diesel, 3.2 diesel (5 cylinder) and gas engines. Its just my choice to have 4 doors so I can transport more people in Fiji and having the money to afford XLT trim so I can have a decent stereo, back up camera, BT etc.. They have it in all flavors... except in the US. Sold in 180 countries with huge success.

I think you have this truck confused with the Ford Explorer truck (sport trac) that was based on a car chassis and truly was a POS. Although, it was popular when produced I have no idea why. Most likely the US will see even far worse with some kind of unibody compact truck in 2016 that might be able to haul a big screen TV on a nice tar sealed road. Although for 80 percent of Ranger owners, that would probably be enough. Most just get stuff from home depot but a Unibody POS would buckle if you put a ton of gravel or cement blocks in the bed. With the global Ranger, you would hardly notice a ton of gravel in the bed (especially with the torque of the 5 cylinder diesel) being it has a 2,954-pound payload capacity. Again, not very car like.