The massive, thrilling information surrounding the Ford Ranger is the arrival of a brand new off-road-ready Tremor trim for the 2021 mannequin 12 months. Spoiler alert: it is good. However in the event you’re a present Ranger proprietor, possibly do not scramble to your supplier for a trade-up instantly, as a result of Ford Efficiency has you coated.
Launched in June of 2020, the Ranger Efficiency Packs cowl three worth factors. The $2,495 Degree 1 is an easy suspension replace, new wheels, and a graphics pack. The $4,495 Degree 2 expands on that with an ECU tune, BFGoodrich KO2 tires, Inflexible lighting, and neat blue tow hooks. What now we have right here, although, is the $8,995 Degree 3 package deal.
That includes a cat-back exhaust, a 40-inch Inflexible lightbar, a winch-capable metal bumper, a chase rack, and pink tow hooks (along with all of the aforementioned gear), the Degree 3 Vary Efficiency Pack is an intriguing various to the Ranger Tremor and a greater, extra economical alternative than related packages from different aftermarket firms.
Professionals
This truck appears the enterprise. Very similar to the Roush Ranger we examined late final 12 months, this Ford Efficiency mannequin advantages from a 2.0-inch carry on the entrance finish (technically a part of the included Efficiency Pack 1), which balances out the journey top. The meatier tires additional enhance the stance, whereas the black metal bumper and chase rack are a robust indication that that is greater than your extraordinary Ranger. We might go on the Ford Efficiency window decal – it is obtrusive, as all windshield graphics are – and go for a shade aside from pink. However past these adjustments, the Ford Efficiency Pack 3 makes a mean-looking Ranger.
Within the grand scheme of issues, $8,995 (plus set up) is a considerable amount of cash. But it surely’s price maintaining in thoughts the cluck for that buck, and what the opposite guys are doing. The Efficiency Packs make a severe take care of must-have gadgets that remodel an honest truck into an ideal one. Additional energy, bigger tires, and tweaked suspension parts alone would lead us to advocate the PP3 – that it comes with neat aesthetic touches is only a bonus.
On the similar time, the PP3 serves as a strong argument in opposition to each the Roush Ranger and the Ranger Tremor. It is extra highly effective than each, whereas the $9,000 price ticket simply undercuts the $12,750 Roush Ranger package deal. And in contrast to the Ranger Tremor, the PP3 frees you from the requirement of a SuperCrew physique. And no, Ford Efficiency’s components will not void your guarantee.
Enhancements from the tires and suspension communicate for themselves, nevertheless it’s laborious to overstate the distinction added energy makes. The usual truck’s turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder had stout figures, with 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, however they weren’t the 315 hp or the 370 lb-ft you will get right here. Beneath laborious acceleration, this truck is way extra assured and pleasing, with much more prodigious low-end torque – max twist is offered at 2,500 rpm, fairly than the usual truck’s 3,000-rpm peak. And one of the best little bit of all? The engine reflash is a part of the center tier, not the range-topping Efficiency Pack 3.
Cons
Whereas we just like the punch that comes with the Ford Efficiency packs, we would go on the PP3’s cat-back exhaust. This plumbing makes an acoustically disagreeable engine worse. There’s drone at freeway speeds owing to the elevated quantity and a common buzziness and lack of character that is unbecoming of a pickup beneath even modest acceleration.
Including large, knobby tires and tweaking the suspension for off-road efficiency can compromise on-road conduct. Sky blue, water moist. However whereas that is hardly a shock, we would single out that the combo of the BFG KO2 tires and an additional 60 lb-ft of torque goes a step additional and makes the Ranger PP3 tougher to drive. We spent a good chunk of our testing driving within the chilly and rain and this setup is just much less manageable in inclement situations. Switching to four-wheel drive solved the problems for probably the most half, however you clearly do not wish to go away the automobile in 4H always.
Nearly as good because the Efficiency Pack 3 is, nothing on it seems like a must have merchandise. Positive, a winch-capable bumper appears cool and is sweet in the event you’re planning on becoming a winch, and the 40-inch Inflexible gentle bar can brighten up most environments, however this combo of package is not sufficient to beat the $4,500 premium that the PP3 calls for. The $4,495 Efficiency Pack 2, although, ticks each field – higher tires, uprated suspension, further energy, and an exhaust that does not make your ears bleed are all readily available. We would not begrudge anybody that orders the PP3, however for us, the center little one makes all of the sense.
