Ford Ranger

[33chinacars]

Hi guys . I'm looking at buying a Ford Ranger PX dual cab ute . 4x4 3.2 5 cylinder auto. What are the + / - on this.
Need a Dual cab ute for around the farm to replace my Overlander. Would love a VW Amarok but only 3000 kg towing and must be auto for SWMBO.
Need something with a towing capacity of 3500kg as a back up to my Range Rover.
Would also love a big Chev / GMC but way out of my price range as is Toyota Landcruiser dc ute.
Any way what's others ideas. Looking at good second hand.
Thanks Gary

[discotwinturbo]

Just so you know the 3.5 tonne update was very recent and involved some strengthening.

I like the Amarok because I have a Touareg which has been sensational, but from research I would go with the 3.2 Ranger if a ute was needed. I have friends that have the updated Ranger and they are super impressed and tows the 3.5 tonne horse float as good as my D4 or Touareg.

Brett...

[frantic]

If you like the ranger, consider a Mazda bt50, it's virtually the same with just a different nose and slightly stiffer springs at about 5-7,000 less. To improve its look fit a bullbar and some shocks/springs if the ride is not to your taste.

[loanrangie]

If you like the ranger, consider a Mazda bt50, it's virtually the same with just a different nose and slightly stiffer springs at about 5-7,000 less. To improve its look fit a bullbar and some shocks/springs if the ride is not to your taste.

Only a close up with a mack truck could improve ghe bt50, cant believe one maker got it so right and the other so wrong.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using AULRO mobile app

[Vern]

I was all for the ranger, then I drove one for a day, meh as they say, I'll be keeping my amarok and possibly buying a second one.
A chipped auto one would be OK though.

[Ean Austral]

I have a friend who is a Toyota fanatic, has almost a car yard full of Toyota's, he recently traded his 75(?) series ute on a 2014 wildtrak ranger, and he reckons its the best ute ever, leave his Toyota for dead.


Believe me for him to say that they must be ok. Sadly I drive a PJ ranger about 2007 model 2.5l diesel and its a piece of crap.


Take one for a drive and see what you think.


Cheers Ean

[33chinacars]

Thanks for all your reply's

Yes Brett, early PX's were 3350 kg towing . As said I love the 'Rok just not heavy enough towing.

Yes BT50 ugly as all .......

Ean drove a PX the other day. Not as refined as the the 'Rok but more heavy duty.

The only other thing that appears to be close is the new model Holden Colorado. Being a Holden boy I still think the Ford is slightly better. Shame on me.

Gary

[LandyAndy]

DO NOT consider a DMax.
Was driving the bosses new one for a couple of days this week.
All the boys rave about it,Im spoilt having a new D4 which I guess Im comparing it to,an unfair comparison.
DMax auto is harsh,only 5 speed,lots of engine noise,wind noise.Ride and handling isnt too bad for a dualcab.Not big on the HP front,not gutless just not willing to fly.Apparently its turning very good fuel numbers,less than 9.0/100km.I rekon the traded PJ Ranger was much better to drive/punish etc.Auto gearbox was much better suited to the motor too.
Enjoyed it so much its sitting in the workshop,still driving my ancient POS Rodeo.Boss is away in NZ hunting sheep so Im the boss at the moment,can have the ute if I see fit.Only sticking with mine as it has my grader fuel supply onboard,cant be bothered swapping anything around.
Andrew

[Chucaro]

.................................................. ..
The only other thing that appears to be close is the new model Holden Colorado. Being a Holden boy I still think the Ford is slightly better. Shame on me.

Gary

The auto box in the Holden ute it is bullet proof, if I am not wrong it is the same as the one in the Lexus.

[TerryO]

Before buying a Ranger for heavy towing duties have a read of the following information that is cut and pasted from the Statewide4x4.com.au website. It makes for interesting reading and shows that some times manufacturers claims don't always add up.



How Much Can I Really Tow?
What a lot of vehicle manufacturers will not tell you is that towing up to your maximum towing capability can sometimes (but not always) affect the amount of weight you can carry in your vehicle.

For Example:

Ford PX Ranger: GVM 3,200kg / GCM 6,000kg

Ford advertises that the vehicle has the ability to tow 3.5T which it does, however if you take a closer look at the vehicles specifications you will see that the GCM cannot exceed 6000kg. If you take 3500kg max towing capacity from the GCM that leaves you a maximum allowable vehicle weight of only 2,500kg.

GCM: 6000kg - 3500kg (max towing) = 2,500kg

To be able to tow, 3.5T with the PX Ranger you need to take 700kg out of your maximum allowed GVM figure of 3,200kg. If you then look even further into the vehicle specifications it is even more of an eye-opener. Lets assume that you are still towing the maximum amount of 3.5T with the PX Ranger which we will say is a Dual Cab XLT.

GVM (with max towing): 2,500kg - Vehicle Tare Weight: 2,159kg = 341kg

So you are now left with a payload of 341kg. Lets take out a couple more essential items from that figure.

Payload: 341kg - Tow Ball Down Force Approx: 280kg - Fuel approx 70kg = - 9kg

So on a Ford PX Ranger XLT towing 3.5T with a full tank of fuel and approx 280kg of ball weight you are already over your GCM. Now try to add a driver, additional passengers, any luggage, a fridge, bull bar, winch etc and you will be well over your allowable limit. This makes your vehicle unroadworthy and in the case of an accident you risk voiding your insurance payout. As you can understand it is important information that the consumer really should be made aware of.