2020 Ranger: Will it get the 2.7 V-6 Eco Boost?

[RedlandRanger]

After owning and driving this Ranger for almost 1,000 miles now, I can say that I was pretty much spot on with my assessment of the 2.3L after coming from a 2.7L F-150/6 speed. The 2.3L does compare very favorably to a V6 naturally aspirated offering and I think it is a far superior choice to Ford's 3.3L V6. The 2.7L would be a game changer in this truck, whether any of us think the 2.3L is fine or adequate or whatever, the 2.7L would simply blow everybody away. The 2.3L/10 Speed is impressive, but I'm comparing it to the 2.7 as this post is about the 2.7L. The 2.3L definitely feels like it requires more throttle input to get going in spirited driving. It feels like a powerful, very capable, 4 cyl turbo, because, well, it is. The 2.7L feels more like a powerful naturally aspirated V8. I am very impressed with the 10 speed. I thought for sure I'd be getting an occasional down shift "bump" when it by passes gears in certain situations. This thing is smooth as butter thus far. Granted I have not ran it extra hard due to break in. I was impressed enough with the 2.3/10 speed to make the purchase. I still believe based of my real world experience in an F-150, that the 2.7 ( now with the 10 speed ) would likely achieve the same mpg and be an animal in the Ranger. I do not think it would cannibalize the F-150 sales as some keep beating to death. I think the size and price are the main factors for purchasing a Ranger over the F-150. It absolutely was for me. I will say again, that I don't think we'll see a 2.7L Ranger any sooner than the next generation redo. Even if we get a Raptor before that, I think it may be a slighty tuned 2.3L.

I think the key reason they didn't put the 2.7 in the Ranger was its size. I think it would have been tough to fit a v6 in the existing space. It will be interesting to see if they fit a 2.7 into the redo in a couple of years, though. While I intend to keep this truck for quite some time, if they did a 2.7 in the new Ranger it might make me re-think that decision. I think you are right, a 2.7 with the 10 speed would be a beast....

As far as cannibalizing F-150 sales, I think that to some degree they are different markets. For me, I like the F-150 but it is just too darn big, so no matter what they do, it isn't a truck for me. I don't think I'm unique either. That is one of the big advantages of the Ranger I think - very capable, but small enough to drive in the city - driving an F.150 in cramped parking lots is not fun.

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[VAMike]

I agree it wouldn't really impact f150 sales. It just won't fit, and would cost too much.

 

[Floyd]

Did I say Tacoma v6 was more powerful or better? Care to go find that and quote it?

I have a 4banger ~265hp ~273tq, can beat a Ranger any day of the week because it's about 325lbs lighter and the auto trans is better.
But like I said before, I not so impressed with 275hp/300tq in a ~4000lb vehicle.

So, when will Ranger get a motor with more hp and tq ??

Agreed - I had a 2005 with the 4 liter (and a 2000 with the 3 liter, which wasn't quite strong enough) - and it was OK, but the 2019 is WAY stronger. WAY WAY stronger.

I think the other reason for limited options - at least for the first year - was to help with the new production line - trying to keep things relatively simple. I'm guessing next year they will have more options, but I'd agree- there probably won't be other drive train options until the new one in 2021.

My 2001 Ranger 4.0L 5spd manual 2WD regular cab was strong and torquey.
I love the 2.7 EcoBoost but I was ecstatic to see the 2.3L EcoBoost in the new Ranger.
WOW! What a Bargain! especially when mated to the best Automatic ever made.
I was also glad to see that it had R A N G E R written big across the tailgate, so that the Tacoma drivers could still read it as it receded into the distance in front of them!
One good reason I put those black stainless letters on to enhance the visibility even further.

 

[chuck stein]

My 2001 Ranger 4.0L 5spd manual 2WD regular cab was strong and torquey.
I love the 2.7 EcoBoost but I was ecstatic to see the 2.3L EcoBoost in the new Ranger.
WOW! What a Bargain! especially when mated to the best Automatic ever made.
I was also glad to see that it had R A N G E R written big across the tailgate, so that the Tacoma drivers could still read it as it receded into the distance in front of them!
One good reason I put those black stainless letters on to enhance the visibility even further.

But then I pass you by in my 4banger turbo
Why is this now a Tacoma bashing ceremony?
For every 1 Ranger sold, 10 Tacoma owners say theirs is better.

 

[chuck stein]

My 2001 Ranger 4.0L 5spd manual 2WD regular cab was strong and torquey.
I love the 2.7 EcoBoost but I was ecstatic to see the 2.3L EcoBoost in the new Ranger.
WOW! What a Bargain! especially when mated to the best Automatic ever made.
I was also glad to see that it had R A N G E R written big across the tailgate, so that the Tacoma drivers could still read it as it receded into the distance in front of them!
One good reason I put those black stainless letters on to enhance the visibility even further.

What is the diff, about 1.5 truck lengths? I don't know many 4x4 folks who drag race their low powered vehicle. I do like that Ranger has better cabin space.


Features are comparable to Tacoma, but Tacoma has better offroad ability. So some may say, a mall queen vs a 4x4.
The comments are interesting



And oh, forgot to mention, Ranger is not getting anything new for 2020.

 

[Floyd]

But then I pass you by in my 4banger turbo
Why is this now a Tacoma bashing ceremony?
For every 1 Ranger sold, 10 Tacoma owners say theirs is better.

Well now, that's sure a lot of wrong opinions, but they are certainly welcome with thanks to help keep the price down on the Ranger!

BTW, Unless your "4Banger Turbo" is a Formula Atlantic or an old Indy Car it would stand no chance of passing my 1980 Pinto which had a 2.3L SVO turbo with a 5SPD manual.

So tell us... what is your "4Banger Turbo" anyway? And is it street legal?
Is it a road car, or only capable of going a1/4 mile?
I always said... " If I was only going a 1/4 mile, I wouldn't need a car... I can still walk that far!

Compare my STX 2WD any day to the Tocoma SR "4Banger"

 

[chuck stein]

Well now, that's sure a lot of wrong opinions, but they are certainly welcome with thanks to help keep the price down on the Ranger!

BTW, Unless your "4Banger Turbo" is a Formula Atlantic or an old Indy Car it would stand no chance of passing my 1980 Pinto which had a 2.3L SVO turbo with a 5SPD manual.

So tell us... what is your "4Banger Turbo" anyway? And is it street legal?
Is it a road car, or only capable of going a1/4 mile?
I always said... " If I was only going a 1/4 mile, I wouldn't need a car... I can still walk that far!

Compare my STX 2WD any day to the Tocoma SR "4Banger"

The 4banger I have is a bone stock Mercedes C300. It will (and has) beat the 2019 Ranger. The vehicle is a lot lighter. I am used to 400hp+ 6's and 8's in NA, turbo, and supercharged. These smaller 4's are just weird to me.

 

[Floyd]

The 4banger I have is a bone stock Mercedes C300. It will (and has) beat the 2019 Ranger. The vehicle is a lot lighter. I am used to 400hp+ 6's and 8's in NA, turbo, and supercharged. These smaller 4's are just weird to me.

The 4banger I have is a bone stock Mercedes C300. It will (and has) beat the 2019 Ranger. The vehicle is a lot lighter. I am used to 400hp+ 6's and 8's in NA, turbo, and supercharged. These smaller 4's are just weird to me.

Nice car, but I'm left with more questions...
Was the Ranger a 2WD SuperCab with no load in the box? (doubtful)
Was the Ranger driver aware that he was racing?
Would you like to try to take on the 2.3L Ecoboost in the RS Focus, or the new Mustang HP.?
Did you know you can get another 90HP from the Ranger with a simple OBD plug-in?
Could your Merc haul 1860 pounds in the trunk or tow 7500 pounds?
If the Ranger was 4WD, could you match it off road with the Merc.

Now I like a good Sports Sedan as much as anybody, but the real fruit of this discussion is...
Some likes Apples and some likes Oranges!

Now I mean no offense, but the comparison doesn't fly,
That's why I have more than one vehicle.

You have a nice car, now if you want the best midsized truck in the world, buy the Ranger and build it to fit your needs.

 

[doug910]

Nice car, but I'm left with more questions...
Was the Ranger a 2WD SuperCab with no load in the box? (doubtful)
Was the Ranger driver aware that he was racing?
Would you like to try to take on the 2.3L Ecoboost in the RS Focus, or the new Mustang HP.?
Did you know you can get another 90HP from the Ranger with a simple OBD plug-in?
Could your Merc haul 1860 pounds in the trunk or tow 7500 pounds?
If the Ranger was 4WD, could you match it off road with the Merc.

Now I like a good Sports Sedan as much as anybody, but the real fruit of this discussion is...
Some likes Apples and some likes Oranges!

Now I mean no offense, but the comparison doesn't fly,
That's why I have more than one vehicle.

You have a nice car, now if you want the best midsized truck in the world, buy the Ranger and build it to fit your needs.

He's just going to come back with some other ridiculous claims to confuse and piss you off, man. Don't feed him, we should all just ignore the guy. He's just here to pick fights and derails everyone.

 

[Cape Cruiser]

He's just going to come back with some other ridiculous claims to confuse and piss you off, man. Don't feed him, we should all just ignore the guy. He's just here to pick fights and derails everyone.

Yep,sketchy dude . No intention on buying a Ranger. He needs to go back to Taco World

 

[Oregon Comrade]

IMO, there is no reason to step up to the 2.7 in the Ranger and don't see why Ford would. We only need to look at the vehicle platform, it's design intent and it's capabilities to see that the current 2.3 has plenty of power for what it needs to do and could be hopped up for more performance quite easily. But with engine upgrades comes potential axle upgrades, t-case upgrades and a complete change in the architecture to fit that engine. It's my understanding it was a tight fit as is....

The Toyota guys always complain about something similar, they want a V8 in the Tacoma platform. It would be cool I'm sure, but what's the point? Having that sort of power in a mid-size truck doesn't make engineering sense like it does emotional sense.

I think people forget sometimes that not that long ago 300hp was a big number. Lots of HD full size 1 Ton pickups just a few years ago didn't have the numbers our 2.3 EB puts out.

But leave it to Ford to prove us wrong....

 

[Texasota]

I agree it wouldn't really impact f150 sales. It just won't fit, and would cost too much.

Is the Colorado significantly bigger in the engine bay? How do they fit the 3.6 V6 in it?

 

[doug910]

Is the Colorado significantly bigger in the engine bay? How do they fit the 3.6 V6 in it?

The biggest difference is that the Colorado V6 doesn't have turbos stuck to it. With a turbo stuck to each side of the bank, Ecoboost engines take up quite a bit more space.

Also, I doubt that the engineers wouldn't be able to get a EB V6 to fit in the Ranger. It's most likely the case that with the current hard point of the frame, body, and subframe would make it a tough fit for a EB V6 without major rework. That kind of rework would have delayed bringing the Ranger to North America.

 

[VAMike]

Yup, it's the turbo. No manufacturer has a turbo v6 in a midsize. It would be easier with an inline 6 but nobody is making a new one of those. It would be easy with a transverse mount but that would suck for a pickup. You could dramatically redesign the engine, but then it would be too expensive to sell. There's just not that much extra space under the hood, and the cooling system would only get bigger with a bigger engine, not smaller. The ranger is like 5.5 inches narrower than the narrowest current application for a longitudinal Ecoboost v6, and 6.5 inches narrower than most. If were easy to fit the engines in that small a space you'd have already seen a v6 Ecoboost in the mustang.

 

[RedlandRanger]

I wouldn't be surprised to see a v6 option in the new Ranger however. Designing from the ground up allows them to make some decisions about space which might allow them to squeeze a 2.7 in. It will be really interesting to see what the new Ranger looks like as well as how they are going to outfit it. I guess the new Ranger (6g?) will be releases in 2021 MY? Isn't that the current plan? Or is is 2022?

With all the talk about the "wimpy 4banger", I'm extremely happy with the power train in my Ranger. Even if they don't put a v6 in, it is still a GREAT power train. That review that was posted yesterday illustrated it best - nothing much got the guy excited about the Ranger until he hit the gas hard and his face just lighted up and he said "WOW!" - while I didn't really find the review all that interesting, that was the best part of it, I thought. That is really what Ford needs to highlight - the 2.3 with the 10 speed is really a surprisingly strong power train.

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