‘The Science of Truck’: a smart phrase that Ford’s marketing side has coined, where they are looking to marry up mechanical toughness and sharp electronic aids as the ultimate ute.
It’s a slick piece of marketing by Ford, but the first thing I noticed was the tyres: ‘they’re not standard’, I thought. ‘They look like BF Goodrich All Terrains’. I watched the video, and was impressed by the combination of action and technological explanation. Like I said, slick marketing for the 2nd best-selling 4X4 ute in Australia.
Part-way through the video, a small blip of text pops up, saying “Overseas Ranger WildTrak Model shown with aftermarket tyres”. I think this points out that the standard tyres fitted to a Ranger, some passenger-construction highway terrain, simply aren’t up to the task of serious off-road work. If they can’t make a climb when a vehicle sitting close to GVM, then in my opinion, they aren’t fit for purpose. Let’s be honest, OEM 4X4 tyres are more often than not just a bad combination of chasing good off-road manners and a low price.
If I started harping on again about the importance of a quality tyre with a strong, light-truck construction, you’d probably reach through that screen and punch me in the throat. This little detail, revealed in Ford’s own promotion material, just seems to vindicate it. If you haven’t seen the video footage, check it out below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57TlaWZ-8U0
On another note, I’d have to voice my concerns against putting your driveline under heavy duress in reverse. The way that gears mesh together, in your differentials particularly, have a ‘strong’ side and a ‘weak’ side. Towing, dragging or recovering something in reverse, especially in low-range is never a good idea.
What do you think? Are you happy with OEM-spec tyres on your 4X4? Or do you think they need replacement straight off the bat?
