ST users advice for future Ranger

[P M]

I was thinking about what I might want to get a few years down the road, and nothing really makes me want to consider getting rid of the ST. However, if the 2012 Ranger is in fact a true 4 door that might interest me. There are some things about he ST I would really not want to lose with another truck. So, as a "note to Ford", here are some of the things I would want on a new Ranger (I'm assuming the ST is going away with the transition to the new Explorer).

1) Must have hooks on side of bed. I use those things all the time. (New F-150s don't have them, ugh). Dirtbikes, furniture, mattresses, and on and on.

2) Must have a locking hard Tonneau cover that folds in half like the ST. For things like mowers, aerators, etc, you just fold it forward, strap down and go. Very handy. It is also strong enough to support a 'rooftop' cargo bag tied to the aforementioned cargo hooks. Works great for vacations. Keeps the additional cargo out of the wind.

3) Front tow hooks from the Gen 1 ST. I do miss that on the Gen 2.

4) Make rear seat fold into a flat platform. More like the Gen 1 than the Gen 2.

5) The small storage bins in the bed are quite handy. Don't know what I would do without them now. They keep all my tie downs, bungies, straps, etc, on one side and duct tape, bug spray, and other handy outdoor items on the other. The larger front storage bin I don't find as useful because it's inconvenient to reach.



Not really tied to the ST, but more off road capability would be a 'nice to have'. I assume a Ranger configuration would, but I'll throw it out there anyway. Think scaled down Raptor Supercrew! Also, make it look cool like the Ranger Max, or a scaled down F-150, not like the semi-dorky looking euro Rangers.



Thoughts? Over to the creative ST owners. What do you want to see Ford do with a future Ranger so it's everything the ST is and more.

 

[Gavin Allan]

Better yet- keep the SportTrac in production!

 

[TomT]

Rear window needs to lower. It's one of my favorite things about the Trac.

 

[Kevin Lang]

I still don't understand this ranger love--a ranger is a tinier looking ST. Shallow bed, no cab space, no foot room to properly get at the pedals, a bed that is unlined and can get cut and rust, and altogether feels sissier than the ST.



The ranger's shallow bed probably holds the same cubic footage as the ST's shorter but vastly deeper bed.



I hated the ranger, thus I got the ST.



The ranger doesn't get significantly better gas mileage either, so why bother with a baby ST?

What do you want to see Ford do with a future Ranger so it's everything the ST is and more.

The ST is a super explorer which is a super ranger...so the Ranger coming up to be better than the ST seems nigh unlikely.



Modifying a ranger to get it to have 4 doors would give you a short bed that is still shallow, so less space than the st, it would sit lower and be more cramped. Also, a modified ranger would equate in the current lineage to being an Explorer, which is still one generation short of being the ST.



Keep the ST, because the ranger can't replace it nor even try, without actually becoming the ST.

 

[David Ponder]

Agree with TomT.. The rear window is one of the best features.

Would like to see a V8 available in the ranger too..

 

[P M]

Wow, can't believe I forgot the window. I ordered a Gen 2 ST and when it arrived without the window (that I had ordered) I declined to take it. Showstopper for me.



KL, I agree with about everything you are saying. I used to have a Ranger. But everything I've seen indicates the future Ranger will be similar in size to an ST/Tacoma. In other words, for me to be interested in a future Ranger, I would say it needs to have roughly the interior room of the ST with a 4'-5' bed. I think there is plenty of potential to save room up front to allow that to happen. Especially, if they go with either a 4 or 6 cyl eco-boost engine.

 

[Mark Stadnicki]

I LIKE THIS VERSION!!!!

<a href="http://s80.photobucket.com/albums/j178/StadEMS3/?action=viewt=ford-ranger-max-concept-6.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j178/StadEMS3/ford-ranger-max-concept-6.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s80.photobucket.com/albums/j178/StadEMS3/?action=viewt=ford-ranger-max-concept-4.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j178/StadEMS3/ford-ranger-max-concept-4.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s80.photobucket.com/albums/j178/StadEMS3/?action=viewt=ford-ranger-max-concept-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j178/StadEMS3/ford-ranger-max-concept-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[Mrlunchbox]

Now that I would buy!

 

[Mark K 2]

Ugly and orange. And it's only got two doors.

 

[Shaun Tucker]

those tires look intense. I bet a 4door version of that truck would look pretty cool!



Still, I agree with KL and will most likely be upgrading to a used Gen 2 ST when...i mean if...my 2003 XLT kicks the bucket.

 

[Ken Crockett]

Too much like a Ridgeline. Keep the ST look and feel!

 

[Jim parnell]

was gonna say avalalanche

 

[Sandy Curry]

I was looking for the next generation ST and found out that there isn't going to be one! So then I poked around the internet and found this link. Winding Road has pics of the 2011(12 ?) Ranger Double Cab under cloak. Looks a bit bigger than a Ranger by the photos. I might be interested if it is really coming to the states. My Gen1 is doing fine, but give me a couple years and a similar replacement will be welcome.

 

[David Roll]

Some features I love on my ST:

1. Power rear window

2. Interior room for 5 (easy) adults

3. Rubber interior floor - easy to clean

4. Bed with compartments, tiedowns, liner, extender and hard folding cover

5. Cool styling, especially the way the door and rear qtr panel are curved

6. Nice color schemes

 

[Tom Schindler]

Better yet- keep the SportTrac in production!

With only 14,000 Sport Tracs being built this year, sales are just not there.





Tom

 

[Thomas Rogers]

2. Interior room for 5 (easy) adults

I've even fit 5 "non-easy" Adults in mine. :banana:



TJR

 

[H D]

I mentioned this in another post at one point.



I wish SVT would take all the best from the F-150 Raptor, take the size and utility of the ST and put those together. My perfect truck would have a shorter wheel base, powerful V6, optional NA V8 (or even better: an inline 5 cylinder turbo diesel), with a solid front axle, 35 inch tires, and a bed just large enough to fit an ATV. They can put a Ranger badge on it, ST, whatever, I don't care what it's called. This is just the truck that I want.

 

[H D]

Oh, yeah, and the power back window is a must.