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The Ford Ranger story
The other day I was on the phone with another writer for Unsealed 4X4. We were flapping our gums and having the usual yarn about the things we’ve broken, the tracks we’ve been driving, and where we’re headed next. Then, the topic changed, and we began chatting about the high school syllabus and all the things we had never learned about through formal education. Y’know, like taxes, mental health, cultivating healthy relationships, and, of course, the history of the Ford Ranger.
Now, anyone who knows me also knows I’m far from an expert on anything to do with tax, health, or relationships (especially relationships). However, having built and owned my very own Rangers, I’m more than qualified to give you the rundown on the history of the Ford Ranger, Australia’s best-selling ute.
Let’s go back in time
Let’s start in the 1950s. Cast your mind back to when that dapper-looking fella from the United Kingdom, King George VI, passed away and Queen Elizabeth got her crown. There was a war going on in Korea and famine in China. Over in Cuba, a revolution was ending with a polarising and fundamentally flawed dictator rising to power, and a cold war was brewing.
It wasn’t all doom and gloom, though! Elvis released his hit song “Heartbreak Hotel,” and the story of the Ford Ranger began—and not in the way you’d imagine. Nope, the Ford Ranger story starts with a two-wheel drive convertible with curves in all the right places and a 5.9L V8 upfront; it was dubbed the Edsel Ranger, built by the Edsel Division of Ford. Yeah, it turns out the market-dominating ute has the lineage of a vehicle that couldn’t be more different.
Image via CarAdvice
The PX Ranger
V8’s and convertibles aside, it wasn’t until decades later, in 2011, that the Ford Ranger as we know it today arrived on the scene. Ford built the PX Ranger to handle anything thrown its way, whether it was for work or play. It was designed to be a “one-size fits all” ute, capable of being a workhorse during the week and a warrior on weekends.
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The PX Ranger brought a ton of changes compared to its Courier and Ranger predecessors. It hit the tracks sporting an all-new chassis, suspension, and engine variants. It also had the latest technology for the time, making it a more comfortable and capable ute. The design was sleek and modern, with a bold front grille and muscular lines that gave it a commanding presence on the road, though it’s worth admitting that I don’t reckon it’s a look that aged too well.
Ford offered a range of engine options for the PX Ranger, including the 2.2L four-cylinder turbo diesel and the 3.2L five-cylinder turbo diesel. The 2.2L engine produced 110 kW of power and 375 Nm of torque, which was quickly adopted by tradies and fleets Australia-wide, while the 3.2L engine offered 147 kW of power and 470 Nm of torque, more than the V8 turbo-diesel found in the 79 Series Land Cruiser, making it the logical option for 4X4’ers and caravanners alike.
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In addition to the engine options, Ford also offered a range of factory-fitted accessories and trim levels. These included the XL, XLS, XLT, and Wildtrak models. The XL was the base model, with the XLS adding some extra features like alloy wheels and a larger infotainment system. The XLT I offered even more features, like leather seats, a premium audio system, and a reversing camera. Finally, the Wildtrak was the top-of-the-line model, with a unique look and additional creature comforts.
The technology didn’t stop there, though. Ford had put a concerted effort into listening to what their future ute owners wanted and fitted off-road aids such as factory rear-diff locks and hill descent control to most models.
Thanks to its factory offerings, price point, power, and prowess, the PX Ranger was a hit with buyers in Australia. It was a worthy adversary to some of the market-dominating utes of the day. It received significant praise from the industry for its comfort and capability.
Image via CarsGuide
The PX2 Ranger
In 2015, having seen the Ranger’s success, Ford opted to make some extensive updates to the Ranger, including a new look for the front end, revised suspension tuning, and some new safety features like lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control. Dubbing the latest iteration, the PX2 Ford Ranger.
As well as listening to its consumers, Ford wanted to make sure it impressed them for years to come, thus starting an epic (and bloody rigorous) testing program. All over Australia, Ford Rangers were pushed to their limits in every terrain and weather condition imaginable, racking up over a million kilometres in the process.
Image via CarsGuide
The PX3 Ranger
In 2018, Ford unveiled yet another updated Ranger, featuring a bold new look and some significant changes under the skin. The updated Ranger boasted a new front grille, new headlights, and a redesigned tailgate. It also featured a new 10-speed automatic transmission, which improved fuel economy and performance. This was coined, yep, you guessed it, the PX3 Ford Ranger.
Under the bonnet, the updated Ranger featured the choice of two diesel engines: a 2.0L four-cylinder twin-turbo diesel and a 3.2L five-cylinder turbo diesel. The 2.0L engine produced 157 kW of power and 500 Nm of torque, while the 3.2L engine offered the same 147 kW of power and 470 Nm of torque it always had.
Around this time, Ford rocked the performance off-road categories with the introduction of their Ranger Raptor, a high-performance off-road, Baja-inspired iteration of the Ranger. The Ranger Raptor was powered by the 2.0L twin-turbo diesel engine previously mentioned. With standard delivery including FOX Racing Shocks and a bunch of off-road aimed modifications, which made it incredibly capable both on and off the road.
Image via CarsSales
The Next-Gen Ford Ranger
In 2022, Ford decided it was time for another change and announced the arrival of the next-generation Ranger, promising even more capability, technology, style, and the biggest motor ever fitted to the range.
The Next-Gen Ranger is essentially a ground-up rebuild. That means it’s sporting an entirely new exterior, interior, powertrain, and engine.
In terms of design, the Next-Gen Ranger is more rugged and muscular than its predecessors, with a bold, aggressive front end and flared wheel arches. It’s clear to see that Ford drew a lot of their design inspiration from the full-size Ford F-150. When you get inside, you’ll find a comfortable, modern, and tech-filled cockpit with features like a digital instrument cluster and a large vertical touchscreen infotainment system.
Ford’s newest Ranger arrives from the factory with two engine options on offer: a 2.0L Bi-Turbo diesel engine capable of generating up to 157 kW of power and 500 Nm of torque, or a V6 Twin Turbo Diesel powerhouse that produces 184 kW and 600 Nm of torque. Additionally, the Next-Gen Ranger features an advanced 10-speed automatic transmission system designed to provide smooth and responsive gear shifts.
Aside from the introduction of the PX2 models, this iteration is certainly the most extensive and exciting redesign. During production, Ford teamed up with ARB, which took the lead in designing and manufacturing a range of aftermarket accessories that were given the final tick of approval by Ford. The beauty of the partnership is that any ARB accessories fitted won’t void Ford’s factory warranty and will meet or exceed their rigorous testing standards.
Image via CarsSales
And there you have it: the history of the Ford Ranger, from its humble beginnings as a two-wheel-drive convertible with a V8 to the best-selling ute in Australia today. It’s been quite a journey, but one thing is clear: The Ford Ranger is here to stay. With each new iteration, it gets better and better, offering more power, more features, and more capability.
From its early days as a simple workhorse (you know, when it wasn’t a convertible) to the modern-day adventure vehicle, the Ford Ranger has earned a special place in the hearts of Aussie wheelers. Whether you’re looking for a reliable work ute, a rugged off-roader, or a comfortable family car, Ford has worked hard to ensure they have something on offer for everything in their Ranger offerings.
So, if you’re in the market for a new ute, don’t overlook the Ford Ranger. With its rich history, impressive performance, and endless customisation options, it’s no wonder why the Ford Ranger remains the top choice for Aussies. And who knows, maybe one day its history will be taught in schools alongside taxes, mental health, and relationships.
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