Posts by tag
ranger
Ranger Plug-In Hybrid Will Run Your Campsite
HOW IT WORKS – HYBRID 4X4S
For the last 100 years or so the powertrains motoring us down the tracks haven’t changed a great deal. Sure, they’ve gotten more complex, but the same basic things are happening whether you’re cruising into camp in a Model T or a twin-turbo V6 Ranger Raptor. Fuel and air makes its way into a chamber, it’s combusted, pushes a piston down, spins a crank, goes through some sort of gearing arrangement to make the power usable, turns a diff, drives a wheel. You can look at a supercar and a flathead V8 and see the same basic principles. But things are rapidly changing. With the push for electric vehicles that paradigm has shifted so dramatically someone from 2004 could barely recognise the propulsion systems in an all-electric F-150 Lightning. But are hybrids much simpler? They promise to be the perfect middle ground between old and new, proven technology and the stuff of the future. But how do they actually work? We take a closer look at this often understood technology and do a deep dive to see its viability in a 4X4 landscape. WHERE’S THE MOTOR? When it comes to talking hybrid drivetrains the actual ‘how’ can be far more confusing than the ‘what’. Like any new technology there’s a whole host of different manufacturers trying to get a jump…
Ranger Gets Capability Boost with New Tremor Pack
Ride Along with Ian Foston: The Mind Behind the Ranger and Everest
Episode 5 – Beyond the Blueies
Would the Aussie 4X4 Crowd Embrace a Rally-Inspired Rig?
Ford Enhances Towing Experience with Pro Trailer Backup Assist
Ford’s Ranger Raptor: Tough as Finke
What is traction control and how does it work?
News flash: Us Aussies love our 4X4s
Spotlight on: Pat’s FX4 Max
How Pat turned something special, into something amazing While it’d be hard to find a downside with Pat’s line of work, it’s certainly easy to find more than a few upsides. Where people typically buy and build one 4X4 that’ll do them for most of their travels, Pat gets the unique opportunity to not only try out 2-3 new vehicles a year as his personal tourer and the camera cars, but also to try all the weird and wonderful aftermarket accessories available. If you’ve been eyeing off his latest chariot, a 2021 Ford Ranger in battleship grey, this is your chance to get a little up close and personal with it. Even before it left the factory, Pat’s new ride was something special. Dubbed FX4 Max, the Ranger slots in somewhere around the top of the line Wildtrak, with a little Raptor DNA thrown in for good measure. It rode both higher and smoother than stock thanks to factory fitted upgraded shocks. It also had a wider stance, bigger offset wheels, taller tyres, and sleek fender flares adding to the look. The inside was spiced up plenty too making it just as good to drive as it is to look at. Front and rear pews were wrapped in tough-as-nails leather, while a trick dash mounted switch panel was designed right…
Pat’s thoughts on the Next-Gen Ranger
In a world seemingly screaming for new electric vehicles, the new Ford Ranger is an unusual rockstar. Powered purely by diesel engines, it has attracted popularity hitherto unseen in this nation. Before a single vehicle was shipped to an owner, 17,000 orders were placed. This unprecedented demand is anyone’s guess, but by my estimation it comes for three good reasons. The last model, particularly in its latest incarnation, was incredibly popular and packed with good tech. Always number one or two on the best sellers list, it was great to look at and feature-packed. The new model features an even bolder look, which quite obviously appeals to the Australian market. It’s no ugly duckling. There’s a bold and striking front end with C-clamp headlamps that give little doubt as to its family resemblance. If it was a child. You’d say it’s a chip off the old man’s block (the old man being an F-Truck). And Aussies do like a tough-looking ute. But the killer blow in the new Ford Ranger. And the reason for so many confident pre-orders is the new 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel engine. The previous gen 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel was no slouch, but in Australia, V6 means sales. And with 600Nm on tap, Australia, your prayers have been answered. The most popular model thus far, is the Wildtrak…