Overview of the Ford Ranger
After the demise of the Falcon large car, the Ranger has become the new hero of Ford Australia showrooms on the back of the ever-increasing dual-purpose appeal of dual-cab utes as both workhorses and lifestyle vehicles.
Internationally, the Ranger name replaced Courier in 1998 before also been applied locally in 2007.
The current-generation, Thai-built Ranger released in 2011 was engineered and designed in Australia, though updated significantly in 2015. It is related to the Mazda BT-50 as part of a joint-venture.
FORD RANGER GENERATIONS (SINCE 2007)
2007-2011
2011-present
RUNNING COSTS
Fuel Consumption (current model)
2.2L 4-cylinder turbo diesel: 6.5 to 7.0 litres per 100km
3.2L 5-cylinder turbo diesel: 8.1 to 8.9 litres per 100km
= Highly economical.
= Good economy.
= Average fuel use.
= Heavy consumption.
Servicing
Every 15,000km or 12 months, whichever sooner. Each service currently costs between $400 and $665, depending on age/kilometres of vehicle. Ford Ranger parts and equipment can be found on Gumtree.
SIMILAR MODELS TO FORD RANGER
Holden Colorado
Mazda BT-50
Nissan Navara
Toyota HiLux
WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR: FORD RANGER
One of Ford Australia's hottest sellers in recent years, so there are plenty to choose from second-hand.
Like many modern turbo-diesels, the common-rail technology in use can mean short fuel-injector lifespan. And there are five injectors, not four, in a Ranger's 3.2-litre engine.
Injector pump valves can stick, leading to the fuel overheating and the vehicle entering limp-home mode.
Unusual chain-driven oil pump requires that the engine not sit without oil in it during servicing. Old oil must be dumped and new oil added immediately to prevent pump bleeding dry and not being able to pump new oil when engine is restarted.
Very early Rangers had a dual-mass flywheel which could lead to premature clutch wear. Pulsing through the clutch pedal or shuddering during take-offs are warning signs. Ford changed to a single-mass design from 2012 onwards.
