Is it me or does the base Ranger seem "too tall"

[RANGER_MARC]

Keith, from your profile, your retired, so I guess your up there in years, like me and sothers here.
If it's a functional issue for you getting up into the bed, there are a few ways to help.
There is a power step that mounts to the left side under the bumper, but it's lots of $$$.
Dee Zee also has a step that mounts under the left side under the bumper, that works well. It doesn't retract, but only runs around $70-$75.
And then there's the simple, but popular small folding step ladder.
I have both the Dee Zee step and carry a small step ladder, and due to squeaky and grindy knees, couldn't get up into the bed without them

Or you can do what I do: climb in over the side of the bed by using the top of either rear tire. Does not clutter up the truck with mounted gizmos, and does not cost a thing to install (beyond the price of the tires, which you have to buy anyway)!

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[FunInTheSun]

Or you can do what I do: climb in over the side of the bed by using the top of either rear tire. Does not clutter up the truck with mounted gizmos, and does not cost a thing to install (beyond the price of the tires, which you have to buy anyway)!

This is me, too. I find it easier than the tailgate. I have to be careful of my tonneau cover frame, though. Can't just yank myself up there any old way. Gotta use a little finesse.

 

[MrBirdman330]

Or you can do what I do: climb in over the side of the bed by using the top of either rear tire. Does not clutter up the truck with mounted gizmos, and does not cost a thing to install (beyond the price of the tires, which you have to buy anyway)!

That's what I do, fold up the tonneau go over the side using the tire as a step.

 

[Rocketeer61]

Yeah, it's too tall. That said, you shouldn't have a problem getting up in the bed if you use the rear tires as steps. Just grab the bed rail over the tire with both hands, put your foot in the top center of the tread and climb up.

 

[uthunter]

I feel like these "step on the tire and pull yourself up" instructions are somewhat akin to a how-to for opening a closet door - "grasp the door knob with a single hand, twist the knob, and pull towards you."

Is this not common sense?

Do we have fellow Ranger owners circling their truck in the Home Depot parking lot trying to figure out to get a bag of mulch into the bed?

"Grasp bag with two hands, bend arms towards your chest and step towards tailgate. Extend arms while releasing grasp. Congratulations, you've deposited the bag into the truck. Repeat as necessary."

 

[Jason B]

I feel like these "step on the tire and pull yourself up" instructions are somewhat akin to a how-to for opening a closet door - "grasp the door knob with a single hand, twist the knob, and pull towards you."

Is this not common sense?

Do we have fellow Ranger owners circling their truck in the Home Depot parking lot trying to figure out to get a bag of mulch into the bed?

"Grasp bag with two hands, bend arms towards your chest and step towards tailgate. Extend arms while releasing grasp. Congratulations, you've deposited the bag into the truck. Repeat as necessary."

With today's youth, do you really expect an answer to that question?

 

[IdahoRanger]

At least the tailgate doesn't specify "open other end".

 

[KJRR]

I feel like these "step on the tire and pull yourself up" instructions are somewhat akin to a how-to for opening a closet door - "grasp the door knob with a single hand, twist the knob, and pull towards you."

Is this not common sense?

I think we need a tictac video showing how it's done and title it, "newly discovered hack to get into your pickup bed"

I've done that but can see where it may be difficult to do for people with knee problems and those that are vertically or horizontally challenged.
In that case, sit your butt on the tailgate, swing your legs around while folding them up to the top of the tailgate, and rotate onto your knees while pushing up with your arm and then stand.
Hmmm, maybe I should make a video of that newly discovered hack. ?

 

[Fordup]

I think we need a tictac video showing how it's done and title it, "newly discovered hack to get into your pickup bed"

I've done that but can see where it may be difficult to do for people with knee problems and those that are vertically or horizontally challenged.
In that case, sit your butt on the tailgate, swing your legs around while folding them up to the top of the tailgate, and rotate onto your knees while pushing up with your arm and then stand.
Hmmm, maybe I should make a video of that newly discovered hack. ?

You could be the next one hit wonder of tic toc.

 

[Grumpaw]

Yeah, it's too tall. That said, you shouldn't have a problem getting up in the bed if you use the rear tires as steps. Just grab the bed rail over the tire with both hands, put your foot in the top center of the tread and climb up.

You think if I could, I would ???
If my knees are bad enough that it's hard for me to crawl into the bed, don't you think it's even harder to raise my leg/knee to step on the top of the tire ???
DUHHHHH !!!
You have to remember, it's not only getting up. it's also getting down !!!
I'll stick to my Dee Zee Bumper Step and the little step ladder I carry in the bed, thankyou.

 

[Rocketeer61]

Yeah, it's too tall. That said, you shouldn't have a problem getting up in the bed if you use the rear tires as steps. Just grab the bed rail over the tire with both hands, put your foot in the top center of the tread and climb up.

Wow-thin skin all around. My suggestion was for those who hadn't figured it out yet-it took me a year, so I'm a member of the club.

 

[Grumpaw]

Wow-thin skin all around. My suggestion was for those who hadn't figured it out yet-it took me a year, so I'm a member of the club.

THIN SKIN ???? Now I'm gonna whup you with my cane !!!!

 

[seanellaz]

Full disclosure, my previous truck was a 2015 Tacoma so perhaps I'm still getting used to the 23 Ranger XL I got last week. The suspension on the base XL with stock wheels/tires seems awful tall, significant amount of room between the top of the tires and the bottom of the fenderwells. Wonder if Ford only made 1 suspension height that can cover everything from the base XL with stock wheels/tires to the FX-4 and other offroad packages with larger tires.

If it was a few inches lower I can't imagine it would hurt payload capacity, the tailgate would be lower, and the truck would have a tiny bit less aerodynamic drag.

I must admit I got a 3.5" Lift / Level kit from BDS installed. I love the tall truck. I love my 295/70 R17" Toyo Open Country R/T's. I like to climb over stuff on the trail. I think the stock hi butt allows for one to load the rear with stuff and then it would settle to level instead of nose hi.

 

[Cmar]

If you think the Ranger is too tall have a look at one of its latest competitors in the market over here.

 

[Rocketeer61]

THIN SKIN ???? Now I'm gonna whup you with my cane !!!!

And we're walking.

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