Ford is heading to
the 2018 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show with a range of
models, but none will feature more variety than the 2019 Ranger line-up. The
Blue Oval will be displaying seven custom-built Rangers with more than 150
performance parts and accessories that will be available when the pick-up truck
gets launched in the US early next year.
Let’s start with
the Ranger Pre-Runner, seen above. Built by Ford Performance, this model
highlights the truck’s go-anywhere, do-anything capabilities. It’s fitted with
the FX4 Off-Road Package and adds a 3.73 electronic locking rear differential
as well as a Fox/BDS Suspension three-inch levelling kit with off-road shocks.
Also on are a BDS
upper control arm kit and a Ford Performance cat-back exhaust, and the
Pre-Runner rides on 17-inch wheels shod with BFGoodrich High-Performance
All-Terrain KO2 tyres, which is the same setup as the Ranger Raptor.
Off-road
accessories include a Desert Racer front bumper with integrated skid plate and
rear bumper, illuminated Rock Slider side steps and chase rack from Addictive
Desert Designs with LED light bar, LED underbody lighting and off-road light
kit. A Rotopax FuelpaX fuel canister system (two 13-litre canisters) and swing case
from Undercover can also be specified, which can come in handy during lengthy
adventures.
Next, the Ranger
Base Camp, also by Ford Performance, and this one is equipped with a Fox/BDS
Suspension three-inch levelling kit and off-road shocks, BDS upper control arm
kit, skid plates and differential cover. It comes with Ascent front and rear
bumpers by Warn Industries, and there’s also a Warn 10k Zeon front winch and
grille guard for added protection.
Along the A-pillar
is a snorkel that keeps the engine breathing, and it sits on 18-inch machined
black wheels with BFGoodrich All-Terrain KO2 tyres. Lighting is most crucial
here, so it gets Rigid LED lighting and an illuminated cargo bed to aid night
time visibility.
Ford licensed
accessories by Yakima include a Skinny Warrior roof basket, heavy-duty rack kit
by Outpost, Slim Shady awning, heavy-duty hook straps and recovery track mount.
Interior upgrades include black chrome door sill plates and all-weather floor
liners, along with a security safe and recovery kit for added security.
The third model is
the Xbox Ranger by Addictive Desert Designs. Here, passengers can play games in
the rear seat – there are only two seats and two integrated, custom-mounted
Xbox One Xs. However, both consoles can be linked, enabling multiplayer support
for games such as Forza Horizon 4.
Besides that, it
features BDS Suspension upper control arms and lift kit, 17-inch Rev 883 wheels
wrapped with BFGoodrich Mud Terrain KM3 tyres, special front and rear bumpers,
a HoneyBadger chase rack with tyre carrier and Rigid LED lighting for style.
The package is topped off with an Xbox Design Labs winter forces-themed vinyl
wrap and Fox 2.5-inch coilovers for the front and rear shocks.
The Ranger Project
Nightfall combines off-road capability with a sleek
styling. The accessories list begin with an A.R.E. CX Revo cap, BDS Suspension
upper control arms, Airlift load lifter, Fox shocks, Bushwacker fender flares,
custom Ford Performance stealth bumpers, NFab Epyx side steps and Black Rhino
Mint 20-inch wheels with Cooper Discoverer STT Pro tyres for a smooth
silhouette.
This one gets a
custom Axalta paint by Lynch Concepts, partly wrapped with matte grey vinyl
with vivid green highlights. There’s also a Borla cat-back exhaust and
differential cover, as well as Yakima JetStream roof rack and Highroads bicycle
carriers.
For avid
off-roaders, the Project Ranger X is potentially the ultimate back-country
adventurer. It boasts a custom long-bed conversion and Knapheide utility box with
custom-built rack system for tools, supplies and recovery gear.
Hardware includes a
BDS six-inch suspension lift kit with upper control arms, Fox 2.5 Factory
Series DSC coil-overs, AirLift rear airbag system and KMC XD Series Grenade
17-inch off-road wheels with BFGoodrich Mud Terrain KM3 tyres. It wears a
special front bumper with Aeon 10-S winch, rock sliders and full under-body
skid plates.
For city slickers,
the Baja-forged Ranger is a decent starting point, with a full army green paint
with bronze and yellow accents, signature Baja-forged tube-style front and rear
bumpers, bed cage with Pro Eagle jack, rock rail and fender flares. It gets
upgraded mid-travel suspension with lift function, and the cabin gets Katzkin
seat covers in black leather with black and yellow barracuda leather inserts.
Last of the seven
special models is the Airdesign USA Ranger. The clean look is accentuated by an
Airdesign off-road series body kit, complemented with Ford licensed accessories
such as door rocker mouldings, front bumper lower centre bar with bumper
flares, fender vents, hood scoop, rear cab spoiler, tailgate spoiler and
tailgate appliqué.
Of course, there
are mechanical tweaks – it rides on BDS Suspension upper control arms, Fox 2.5
Factory Series DSC coilovers, Fox 2.0 rear shocks and huge 20-inch Fuel Ripper
satin black wheels with Nitto Ridge Grappler tyres. All seven models are
powered by the 2.3 litre EcoBoost inline-four petrol engine, mated to the new
10-speed SelectShift automatic transmission.