Are you impressed by the recently unveiled Ford F-150 Lightning from the US? Do you fancy the local F-150 and the current lineup of the Ranger, but find these trucks a bit too out of reach?
If you've had an affirmative answer on all of the above, then take a look at the three generations of the Ranger. With the first one introduced way back in 1999, you'd have a good number of choices in the used market.
But as with any car or truck, it's ideal to get to know them before the test drive.
First generation (1999 - 2005)
While the Ranger nameplate has been used in the US since the early '80s, this codenamed "PE/PG/PH" Ranger was the first truck Ford made in collaboration with Mazda. This model was sold in and intended for Africa, Europe, in some areas of the Latin America, and the Asia-Pacific.
And so the "international" version of the Ranger entered the Philippine market in 1999. It was the Blue Oval's attempt to steal the sales success of its Japanese-badged rivals such as the the Nissan Frontier and Isuzu Fuego.
Depending on variant, the first Ranger was powered by a set of 2.5 liter diesel engines. The lower, rear-wheel drive variants got a naturally aspirated 2.5, while the four-wheel drive trucks had the turbo mill, which made 280Nm at a low 2,000rpm. A five-speed stick shift was standard.
As standard for the time, the truck carried an AM/FM radio with CD and cassette players with four speakers.
The Ranger also tried to excite in 2000 with a limited model called the Pinatubo. The Pinatubo Ranger wore bright yellow paint, front bull bars with fog lights, skid plates, and side step boards. Another exterior highlight was a snorkel for those who'd like to wade in water without drowning the engine.
However, the yellow truck was phased out when Ford updated the Ranger and its specs in 2002 to 2003. The updated Ranger wore a new face, new materials in the interior, and introduced a five-speed automatic transmission.
While the engine choice was still the same, this new truck featured tie-down hooks and a bed liner out back. The model was phased out in 2006.
Prices for this first Ranger can range from P200,000 to almost P400,000, particularly for facelifted models. Good luck finding an example, especially for the unicorn Pinatubo edition.
While the truck may have found some success when new, many buyers still favored the offerings from the Japanese makes.
Second generation (2006 - 2011)
Some say this "PJ/PK" Ranger is the same as the first iteration, and that Ford only took an extensive redesign. All-new or not, however, the aggressive exterior styling and a new dashboard design in 2006 were well-received anyway.
While the old 2.5 engine is retained for the base model, new 2.5 and three-liter diesels with common rail direct injection technology were introduced.
Features were, again, the usual for the time. This Ranger had the expected radio with CD and MP3 capabilities. Back then, pickups were simply no-frills workhorses, and this model stayed true to that quality.
A facelift in 2009 brought a redesigned nose, an auxiliary jack for the audio system, and the Wildtrak special edition. The Wildtrak had the stock running gear, but wore a striking blue paint job and accessories.
The accessories included a snowflake-design alloy wheels, side step boards, rails on the sides of the bed, and "Wildtrak" stickers in yellow which contrasted with the rest of the Ranger's color.
As the second Ranger was phased out in 2011, its resale value is higher at between P400,000 to P500,000.
Third generation (2011 - present)
This is when Ford, particularly the Australian arm of the brand, pulled all the stops. When launched in Australia in 2011 and the Philippines a year later, Ford said this "T6" generation was designed for and tested in as many markets as possible.
At its local launch, there were only 2.2 turbo diesel powerplants and a choice of six-speed auto and manual on offer. This third Ranger also featured Bluetooth connectivity and voice command, which were fresh equipment back in the day.
Then, the succeeding Ranger special editions really fanned the flames for the nameplate.
In 2013, the Ranger Wildtrak entered the market with striking orange paint, accessories, and a 3.2 liter inline-five cylinder diesel engine. That mill made 197hp and 290Nm of torque, which are sent to all four wheels by a six-speed manual or automatic.
Aside from those, it also packed a 12V socket in its bedliner and leather seats in the cabin.
The Ranger Wildtrak also wore the new nose Ford gave to the rest of the Ranger line in 2015. In 2018, the truck packed more modern features such as autonomous emergency braking, active park assist, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning.
Also in 2018, Ford brought in the Ranger Raptor, which packed a new 2.0-liter bi-turbo diesel engine that puts out 210hp and 500Nm, paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission.
The Ranger Raptor is also underpinned by Fox Racing shocks and BF Goodrich all-terrain tires, which fit nicely under the truck's beefed-up fenders.
The same running gear and shock absorbers made their way to the latest special edition Ranger, the FX4 Max. This variant was launched this year, and aimed to "deliver off-road driving capabilities inspired by the... Raptor while living up to the Ranger’s brand of comfort, safety, and versatility."
Prices of this Ranger (when used) range from P600,000 to almost P1 million. Raging Raptors go even higher.
Photos from Ford, Ford Philippines, Ruben D. Manahan IV
Also read:
Ford US to pack F-150 with class-exclusive towing tech
Ford PH Launches Ford Ranger Raptor, Updated Ford Ranger
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