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The Ford Ranger was originally not a model of truck, but a package in the F-Series Trucks from the 1960's, 70's, and 80's. Positioned in the middle of the compact pickup-truck market, the Ford Ranger was designed as its own model to appeal to buyers who wanted rugged dependability in a contemporary, aerodynamic package. The Ranger was originally designed back in 1983 in cooperation with Mazda's B-Series trucks, having the same dimensions and engines, but with the Ford branding. The Ranger's primary competitors were the Chevrolet S-Series, GMC Sonoma and Toyota pickup, as well as its successor, the Tacoma.

Year-to-year changes[]

1991[]

The Ranger was originally sold in the early '90s as base, S and Super Cab pickup trucks. All three were available as Short Bed pickup trucks, while the base pickup truck also had a Long Bed.

1995[]

The Ranger spruced up with a number of major improvements in 1995. New safety features included a driver's-side airbag, improved front-end crash protection, and a brake-transmission shift interlock (which prevents shifting automatic transmissions into gear unless the brake is applied).

Cosmetically, the Ranger got a new grille and interior. Functional improvements included a better performing, quieter base-level engine and upgraded engine cooling.

The Ford Ranger was available in two body styles, Regular Cab and Supercab, three different wheelbases and two different cargo-bed lengths. Ford offered the Ranger in five trim levels: XL (base), XL Sport, Splash, XLT and STX. (The Splash features a narrow cargo box with bulging fenders and vestigial running boards, styling that Ford calls Flareside.)

The base-level engine remained a 112-horsepower 2.3-liter inline 4-cylinder. The optional engines were a 145-horsepower 3.0-liter V6 and a 160-horsepower 4.0-liter V6. The base transmission was a 5-speed manual, and a 4-speed automatic was optional.

Four-wheel-drive versions had Ford's Touch Drive electric transfer case and automatic locking hubs for shift-on-the-fly 4wd operation.

1996[]

The Ford Ranger continues its impressive run as the best-selling compact pickup in the country. For 1996, Ford hopes to keep the streak going with a number of significant upgrades. Foremost is an optional passenger's-side airbag (to complement the standard driver's-side airbag), which includes a safety feature that is an industry first—the supplemental restraint can be deactivated with a key-operated switch to accommodate a rear-facing child seat. A warning light on the dash indicates the airbag's on/off status.

In addition, the Flareside cargo box option has been made available on selected XL and XLT models, the underhood 12-volt battery boasts a new shield to keep it from overheating and the base-level 2.3-liter engine gets platinum-tipped 100,000-mile spark plugs. Positioned in the middle of the compact pickup truck market, the Ford Ranger is designed to appeal to buyers who want rugged dependability in a contemporary, aerodynamic package. Primary competition comes from the Chevrolet S-Series, GMC Sonoma and Toyota Tacoma.

The Ford Ranger is available in 2wd and 4wd in two body styles (called Regular Cab and SuperCab), three different wheelbases, two cargo-bed lengths and two widths—Styleside (wide) and Flareside (narrow box with bulging fenders and running boards). There are four trim levels: XL (base), Splash, XLT and STX. The base-level engine is a 2.3-liter inline 4-cylinder. Optional engines for the Ranger include a 147-hp 3.0-liter V6 and a 160-hp 4.0-liter V6. The base transmission is a 5-speed manual. A 4-speed automatic is optional.

2001[]

4-door Ford Rangers were introduced in the 2001 model year.

Retail prices[]

As of May 2, 1994:

  • $9,449 (1994 Ford Ranger XL 4x2 Regular Cab Pickup)
  • $11,892 (1994 Ford Ranger XL 4x2 Supercab Pickup)
  • $11,171 (1994 Ford Ranger XLT 4x2 Regular Cab Pickup)
  • $12,388 (1994 Ford Ranger XLT 4x2 Supercab Pickup)
  • $12,320 (1994 Ford Ranger STX 4x2 Regular Cab Pickup)
  • $13,488 (1994 Ford Ranger STX 4x2 Supercab Pickup)
  • $12,545 (1994 Ford Ranger Splash 4x2 Regular Cab Pickup)
  • $14,014 (1994 Ford Ranger Splash 4x2 Supercab Pickup)
  • $13,918 (1994 Ford Ranger XL 4x4 Regular Cab Pickup)
  • $15,625 (1994 Ford Ranger XL 4x4 Supercab Pickup)
  • '$15,486' (1994 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 Regular Cab Pickup)
  • $16,928 (1994 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 Supercab Pickup)
  • $16,482 (1994 Ford Ranger STX 4x4 Regular Cab Pickup)
  • $17,607 (1994 Ford Ranger STX 4x4 Supercab Pickup)
  • $15,486 (1994 Ford Ranger Splash 4x4 Regular Cab Pickup)
  • $18,328 (1994 Ford Ranger Splash 4x4 Supercab Pickup)

As of late 1994:

  • $10,099 (1995 Ford Ranger XL 4x2 Regular Cab Pickup)
  • $12,651 (1995 Ford Ranger XL 4x2 Supercab Pickup)
  • $11,756 (1995 Ford Ranger XLT 4x2 Regular Cab Pickup)
  • $13,151 (1995 Ford Ranger XLT 4x2 Supercab Pickup)
  • $13,234 (1995 Ford Ranger Splash 4x2 Regular Cab Pickup)
  • $14,808 (1995 Ford Ranger Splash 4x2 Supercab Pickup)
  • $15,253 (1995 Ford Ranger XL 4x4 Regular Cab Pickup)
  • $17,115 (1995 Ford Ranger XL 4x4 Supercab Pickup)
  • $16,756 (1995 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 Regular Cab Pickup)
  • $18,509 (1995 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 Supercab Pickup)
  • $17,232 (1995 Ford Ranger STX 4x4 Regular Cab Pickup)
  • $18,428 (1995 Ford Ranger STX 4x4 Supercab Pickup)
  • $18,459 (1995 Ford Ranger Splash 4x4 Regular Cab Pickup)
  • $19,466 (1995 Ford Ranger Splash 4x4 Supercab Pickup)

As of January 12, 1995:

  • $10,224 (1995 Ford Ranger XL 4x2 Short Bed Regular Cab Pickup)
  • $10,608 (1995 Ford Ranger XL 4x2 Long Bed Regular Cab Pickup)
  • $12,776 (1995 Ford Ranger XL 4x2 Supercab Pickup)
  • $11,881 (1995 Ford Ranger XLT 4x2 Short Bed Regular Cab Pickup)
  • $12,412 (1995 Ford Ranger XLT 4x2 Long Bed Regular Cab Pickup)
  • $13,276 (1995 Ford Ranger XLT 4x2 Supercab Pickup)
  • $13,359 (1995 Ford Ranger Splash 4x2 Regular Cab Pickup)
  • $14,833 (1995 Ford Ranger Splash 4x2 Supercab Pickup)
  • $15,378 (1995 Ford Ranger XL 4x4 Short Bed Regular Cab Pickup)
  • $15,851 (1995 Ford Ranger XL 4x4 Long Bed Regular Cab Pickup)
  • $17,240 (1995 Ford Ranger XL 4x4 Supercab Pickup)
  • $16,881 (1995 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 Short Bed Regular Cab Pickup)
  • $17,474 (1995 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 Long Bed Regular Cab Pickup)
  • $18,634 (1995 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 Supercab Pickup)
  • $17,356 (1995 Ford Ranger STX 4x4 Short Bed Regular Cab Pickup)
  • $17,949 (1995 Ford Ranger STX 4x4 Long Bed Regular Cab Pickup)
  • $18,553 (1995 Ford Ranger STX 4x4 Supercab Pickup)
  • $18,584 (1995 Ford Ranger Splash 4x4 Regular Cab Pickup)
  • $19,571 (1995 Ford Ranger Splash 4x4 Supercab Pickup)

As of October 1, 1995:

  • $11,040 (1996 Ford Ranger XL 4x2 Regular Cab Pickup)
  • $13,610 (1996 Ford Ranger XL 4x2 Supercab Pickup)
  • $12,715 (1996 Ford Ranger XLT 4x2 Regular Cab Pickup)
  • $14,095 (1996 Ford Ranger XLT 4x2 Club Cab Pickup)
  • $14,190 (1996 Ford Ranger Splash 4x2 Regular Cab Pickup)
  • $15,750 (1996 Ford Ranger Splash 4x2 Supercab Pickup)
  • $16,650 (1996 Ford Ranger XL 4x4 Regular Cab Pickup)
  • $18,055 (1996 Ford Ranger XL 4x4 Supercab Pickup)
  • $18,290 (1996 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 Regular Cab Pickup)
  • $19,440 (1996 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 Supercab Pickup)
  • $18,175 (1996 Ford Ranger STX 4x4 Short Bed Pickup)
  • $18,765 (1996 Ford Ranger STX 4x4 Long Bed Pickup)
  • $19,355 (1996 Ford Ranger STX 4x4 Supercab Pickup)
  • $19,400 (1996 Ford Ranger Splash 4x4 Regular Cab Pickup)
  • $20,375 (1996 Ford Ranger Splash 4x4 Supercab Pickup)

Shipping prices[]

  • $470 (1994 and early 1995 models)
  • $485 (1995 models)
  • $510 (1996-1999 models)

Gallery[]

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