SEMA show: Ford Ranger gets insane tuner treatment
BY ROBBIE WALLIS | 2nd Nov 2018
AHEAD of its imminent release to the American market after a six-year hiatus, Ford has revealed seven wild Ranger pick-up concepts that showcase off the best available off-road and performance parts from both the brand’s genuine accessories and an extensive aftermarket.
Two of the concepts have been designed by the Ford Performance and Ford Accessories teams using genuine parts, while the other five showcase the best of the automotive aftermarket.
The first example is the Ranger Pre-Runner from Ford Performance, which starts with the factory FX4 off-road package and enhances its 4x4 capability with a locking rear differential, Fox three-inch suspension kit with off-road shocks, Ford Performance differential cover and skid plates, and a BDS suspension upper control arm kit.
Chunky 33-inch BF Goodrich all-terrain rubber and 17-inch Ford Performance wheels help fill the wheelarches, while the exterior is further enhanced by an Addictive Desert Designs Desert Racer front bumper, skid plate, rear bumper and side steps, Ford Performance rock light kit, 40-inch light bar, bed mat, spray-in bed liner and a silver graphics kit.
The 2.3-litre EcoBoost petrol engine’s aural experience is enhanced by a Ford Performance by Borla cat-back exhaust, while inside the Ranger scores an off-road recovery kit, all-weather floor mats and front and rear-facing cameras.
Overlanding enthusiasts will be drawn to the Ford Performance Ranger Base Camp, which sports the same exhaust, suspension, tyres, diff covers and skid plates as the Pre-Runner, but adds a number of other camping and off-roading features.
The Base Camp is equipped with a snorkel, a bed extender, a bed rail cargo management system, a heavy-duty rack kit, a rooftop tent, an awning, Warn front and rear bumpers, a Zeon 10k winch, off-road hoop steps and recovery board mounts.
Addictive Desert Design has gone overboard with with an insane Ranger inspired by the Xbox design lab, which stands out with its BDS suspension upper control arms and six-inch lift with Fox coil-over front suspension kit, 2.5-inch Fox coil-over front and rear shocks, colour-matched 17-inch beadlocked wheels and massive 34.4-inch BFG KM3 mud-terrain tyres.
The exterior features an Arctic camo, an Xbox-themed vinyl wrap, Addictive Desert Design front and rear bumpers, white roofrack with sports bar, a tyre carrier, side steps and two LED light bars, while the interior comes with a recovery kit, a tray-style floor liner, custom Xbox mounts with Xbox One X consoles, a leather interior, headrest-mounted screens and 42-inch exterior screens.
Ranger Project Nightfall has been designed as a vehicle combining off-road capability with edgy urban styling, featuring the three-inch suspenion upgrades, cat-back exhaust and and diff cover, as well as fluorescent 20-inch rims and 33-inch Cooper Discoverer STT Pro tyres.
It is also set apart by Ford Performance custom stealth bumpers, paintwork by Lynch Concepts, Bushwacker fender flares, a bed tray, wheel well insulation, side steps, a tyre carrier, a bed canopy, a roof rack and bike carriers.
BDS Suspension has created its own Ranger, the Project Ranger X, which features a 136-inch wheelbase extension with custom long bed, an extended rear driveshaft, a six-inch BDS suspension lift with upper control arms, Fox coil-overs, an AirLift rear airbag system, and 35-inch KM3 rubber with 17-inch rims.
The distinguishing feature of the Project Ranger X is its custom-built utility box, while fender flares, front and rear barwork, LED lighting, 40-watt cooler fuel containers and MaxTrax recovery boards also feature.
Inspired by the military, the next custom Ranger features army green, bronze and yellow paint; Icon front suspension with remote reservoir coil-overs and secondary shocks, aluminium upper control arms, lower A-arm skid plate, rear suspension with bypass chocks, hydraulic bump stops and an Icon leaf pack, and 35-inch KM3 tyres with 17-inch bronze alloys.
It also comes equipped with tube-style front and rear bumpers, LED light bar on the roof rack and a bumper, fender flares, and a spray-in bed liner.
The final Ranger, modified by Airdesign USA, features an aggressive bodykit including door rocker mouldings, wheelarch flares, a custom bumper, a hood scoop, and rear cab and tailgate spoilers.
A Fox 2.5 Factory Series coil-over kit and 2.0 rear shocks feature, while 20-inch rims and 33-inch Nitto Ridge Grappler tyres enhance style and ability.
First American deliveries of the Ranger will commence before the end of the year.
