Were Rangers always off-road beasts?

[DukeCanBuildit]

I’ve owned a 1991, a 1996, a 2001, and now a 2019 Ranger. All have been 4x4 XLT SuperCabs with a V6 except the 2019 with its 2.3 power house. Only my 2001 had the 4x4 Off Road package (likely thanks to Phil ? actually, he was likely responsible for all my previous rigs) but I don’t recall Rangers being such a big deal for off-road and overlanding enthusiasts - at least not like the 5G.

I always viewed my older Rangers as typical work trucks and the Ranger Edge as a “Sport Truck”. I never really viewed them as serious off-road trucks - well, not until the Aussies went nuts on them and until I joined the Ranger5G forum.

Mine only ever saw saw snow-covered roads and the occasional gravel back road. Where did you get with yours? Share your stories and pics of your early off-road Rangers and tell us how they stack up to your 5g machine.

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[AzScorpion]

I think it's because back then the F150 was used for this. It wasn't as big as it is now and most would opt for them instead of the Ranger. Our Rangers now are basically like the older F150 so it's more capable of all these things while still maintaining a smaller platform.

 

[Jrel209]

I’ve owned a 1991, a 1996, a 2001, and now a 2019 Ranger. All have been 4x4 XLT SuperCabs with a V6 except the 2019 with its 2.3 power house. Only my 2001 had the 4x4 Off Road package (likely thanks to Phil ? actually, he was likely responsible for all my previous rigs) but I don’t recall Rangers being such a big deal for off-road and overlanding enthusiasts - at least not like the 5G.

I always viewed my older Rangers as typical work trucks and the Ranger Edge as a “Sport Truck”. I never really viewed them as serious off-road trucks - well, not until the Aussies went nuts on them and until I joined the Ranger5G forum.

Mine only ever saw saw snow-covered roads and the occasional gravel back road. Where did you get with yours? Share your stories and pics of your early off-road Rangers and tell us how they stack up to your 5g machine.

It has something to do with the ‘overland’ crowd. They kind of popularized the 3-4g rangers as good affordable options for overland rig builds. That just kinda helped the 5g popularity for offroad imo.

I think if it werent for some popular and well known issues with the colorados, they’d be just as popular.

 

[Mcssls]

Dunno. Would you consider an 83 ranger with giant old school steering wheel. Manual steering and a 60hp 2.3 a beast?

 

[runner69]

I had a 94 and it never had any trouble off road, so I say yes!!

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Dunno. Would you consider an 83 ranger with giant old school steering wheel. Manual steering and a 60hp 2.3 a beast?

Was that a Ranger or a still a Courier in ‘83?

 

[12Bravo20]

Dunno. Would you consider an 83 ranger with giant old school steering wheel. Manual steering and a 60hp 2.3 a beast?

But man would they go for ever, especially with the dual fuel tanks. My 83 XLT had dual tanks and I could go a long way before needing to fill up.

 

[12Bravo20]

Was that a Ranger or a still a Courier in ‘83?

1983 was the first year for the Ranger.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Dunno. Would you consider an 83 ranger with giant old school steering wheel. Manual steering and a 60hp 2.3 a beast?

A bit of a beast to drive I bet - had a ‘69 Fargo with manual steering - it was not an off-road beast either.

Guys we’re jacking up their Toyotas and Chevy short boxes but I don’t recall seeing modified early generation Rangers out there. Maybe it’s only a 5g thing - maybe it’s my way past mid-life crisis.

 

[Mcssls]

My 83 was on a 3” list with 32s. My 85 2wd ended up with a built 302.

 

[Dr. Zaius]

The previous gen Rangers were basically 4WD trucks with nothing special as far as off road capability.

That changed a bit when Phil and team came up with the FX4 package for the 2002 model year.

It added a Torsen rear differential, slight lift, and better suspension to the mix to make it a very capable stock truck.

The popularity of Overlanding has all the manufacturers now offering a dedicated off road package with locking axle in at least the rear (ZR2, TRD Off Road, Pro4X, and our own FX4).

Even though most users will never come close to the capability of these trucks, just knowing that they COULD sells them.

And Ford, if you are reading this, Why did you place the alternator so low on the Ranger and market it as off road capable? The number of dead alternators from water crossings is troubling to say the least.

If you did the same thing with your new Bronco, the Jeep Wrangler is going to eat your lunch once the word gets out.

 

[9zero1790]

i often wanted an older ranger 4x4. they are light, narrow and cheap to modify and maintain mixed with reliable. in my mind that means awesome off road. think on all the places a 2010 single cab short bed ranger could slip into without having to worry about rashing up the body vs the new generation. short front and rear over hang on the older ones too.

 

[Eoj]

I can guarantee you I never thought about off-roading my 85 with a 2.3. I was afraid something would fall off that gutless wonder. My 83 didn’t get off-roaded but it was a short bed 2wd std cab with manual steering and brakes. I had slapped a 302 in it from a 70 mustang. It was a handful

 

[ParkerAzJeff]

everywhere you look in our area you see 6 inch lifted Rangers with 33's and glass front fenders. Our 94 would go anywhere comfortably.

 

[Msfitoy]

I’ve owned a 1991, a 1996, a 2001, and now a 2019 Ranger. All have been 4x4 XLT SuperCabs with a V6 except the 2019 with its 2.3 power house. Only my 2001 had the 4x4 Off Road package (likely thanks to Phil ? actually, he was likely responsible for all my previous rigs) but I don’t recall Rangers being such a big deal for off-road and overlanding enthusiasts - at least not like the 5G.

I always viewed my older Rangers as typical work trucks and the Ranger Edge as a “Sport Truck”. I never really viewed them as serious off-road trucks - well, not until the Aussies went nuts on them and until I joined the Ranger5G forum.

Mine only ever saw saw snow-covered roads and the occasional gravel back road. Where did you get with yours? Share your stories and pics of your early off-road Rangers and tell us how they stack up to your 5g machine.

Don't think so...

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