ControlNode
Well-Known Member
- First Name
- John
- Joined
- Nov 29, 2021
- Threads
- 16
- Messages
- 1,709
- Reaction score
- 3,640
- Location
- Eastern NC
- Vehicle(s)
- 84 Civic "2000S"/16 Focus RS/21 Ranger XLT
- Occupation
- Computers
If you don't want the FX4 package, you could look into getting the normal shocks for truck, I hear there are some Bilstein shocks that are really good for road use, and pull the extra bash guards off the bottom to save some weight. You may be able to sell some of those parts to someone wanting to get the "FX4" kit. You'll find the tonneau cover to be worth keeping, some of the nice ones are well over $1k. I think every Ranger should have included the tow package, or the tow package as an option should have included the electronic brake controller. Also, be aware that according to Ford you can only pull 1,650lb without using trailer brakes. Yeah, that XLT 301A with tech package is a really good entry point to a well equipped Ranger, I love the adaptive cruise and it's something I was not looking for when I bought mine.So after having an unfortunate run in with the state department of health and human services in regards to emmision testing my 2010 Fusion Hybrid I had to get a 'new' vehicle. I test drove a 2019 Tacoma (they want how much for something that drives like an 80s beater?) and a 2019 Canyon 4 cylinder (nice but what is up with those seats and haven't they ever heard of balance shafts?). I couldn't find a local Maverick to test under 2x MSRP. I had my eyes on a 2019 Fusion hybrid as a fill the gap car but decided to test drive a 2021 Ranger on the lot for 50% more than my agreed with the wife budget just to see if I liked it and if I should look for one closer to budget.
It was everything I wasn't looking for. Quad cab, I wanted extended at the most. Sparkly velocity blue when I wanted white or silver. XLT with tech package with FX4 and tow when I wanted an XL 4x4 at most. Tricked out with running boards, hard folding bed cover, and a pair of console vaults (minus lock codes...). It drove beautifully though, truckish yes, but that is likely due to the bouncy a/t tires and me coming from 10 years of car ownership since my last pickup (2004 Ram 1500 quad cab 4x4). The seats were as I expected, comfortable but nothing to rave about. The engine was responsive, idled incredibly smooth. Cab was quite, even with the A/Ts, oh my gosh it had adaptive cruise.
The sales guy seeing my smile and smelling blood didn't take my lackluster refusal and talked me into a 24 hour test drive. The next day I was back to see if they had anything in the US closer to my in brain build that could be transferred and stay under the blue beasts price.
So now I own it.
I've still got a year and 16k miles on the base 3/36k to determine if I want the ford ESP warranty.
I wonder how strange it will be to see a FX4 on Conti Terrain Contact H/Ts....
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Hard to go wrong with such a beautiful color though. I like the metallic blues from Ford a lot. But Cyber Orange Metallic was just a little more to my liking on the 2021 model.
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