dfritz
Member
- First Name
- Doug
- Joined
- May 4, 2024
- Threads
- 3
- Messages
- 15
- Reaction score
- 11
- Location
- Western Colorado
- Vehicle(s)
- 2024 Ranger XLT
- Thread starter
- #1
First off, I own and owned a number of Ford trucks, and manage others- F-100s, F-150s, F-250s, F-350s, F-450, and F-550s model years from the late 40's to 2000s.
This is my 2nd Ranger, or 3rd if you count the later Courier versions. All of these are work trucks, not runabouts or leisure/recreation units, except this new Ranger. Obviously, I'm an old guy, and I don't consider myself an expert on all things Ford, or trucks.
I got the Ranger in early April, and I have to say I really like it, even though I haven't put a lot of miles on it. It's my favorite so far, and I think it's the perfect truck for me as a semi-retired guy who needs more than a "cruck", like the Maverick. It does however have some short comings that will affect those who have expectations that may be out of line with the actual build.
Most amazing- I just got 27 MPG on a tank of gas, (odometer and gas pump calc)on rural Colorado driving, 100 degree weather, ac on, with a 500 lb load. Since I drove it off the lot, I'm just over a 24 mpg average overall.
I'm liking the cruise control, lane keeping, ect. I turn the speed limit feature on when I'm in the areas with speed traps, because I've got a bit of a lead foot and I had a bit of trouble at first adjusting to the new rig and keeping remotely close to the speed limit.
It's adequately fast in Normal Mode, really soft in Eco, and a bit of a surprise in Sport. You can't really feel much change in ride or performance with a few hundred pounds of load, 700+ is the most I've had in it so far, not much drop off in acceleration or handling. The transmission is really cool. If the 4wd drivetrain is as good as my previous Ranger, I would assume it will be good in snow, but I'll have to wait a few more months to find out.
It's super comfortable. The handling/cornering is flat, predictable with no leaning, but the steering feels a bit soft. Emergency stops are fast, the brake feels good, I had a pedestrian step out between two cars parked on the street, not sure if it was me or the truck, but together we stopped really really fast. The steering wheel controls are very good, but the dash and center display are quirky and are taking way too much attention to learn while driving ( did I already mention I'm old? Not Biden old, but old). The camera system is great to get into our tight garage, or backing up to loading docks. I really love the trip odometer and MPG display.
I haven't gotten to use all the other features like parking and trailering or the off-road modes yet.
What's lacking:
I'm really glad I don't need this truck for work. It's got the thinnest steel I've ever seen in a pick up bed, and the method of construction for assembling the sides and front wall of the bed end seem exceptionally sketchy. The tailgate is nice to open and close, but I can see it getting easily damaged loading heavy items. I think add-ons like lumber racks, cross bed tool boxes, etc are going to bust the bed up over time. I actually repair pickup beds on just about every make of truck from damage caused poorly designed racks or tool box installations, and I have little faith the Ranger would hold up compared to what's out there.
I would also extend similar concerns to the frame, again, the lightest steel I've ever seen on a truck. Those of you who think this is going to be an off road beast may have some unpleasant surprises at alignment time when you are referred to a frame straightening shop. I think it's a bit of a pavement queen you can take to the garden center, and still be ok off-road as long as you aren't pretending you're driving in the Baja 500.
I'd also suggest to new owners to hedge your bet by upping the Ford warranty a bit more than you have on previous purchases if you're planning on keeping it a few years past factory warranty. I think costs for even moderate repairs are going to greatly exceed the extended warranty price.
This is my 2nd Ranger, or 3rd if you count the later Courier versions. All of these are work trucks, not runabouts or leisure/recreation units, except this new Ranger. Obviously, I'm an old guy, and I don't consider myself an expert on all things Ford, or trucks.
I got the Ranger in early April, and I have to say I really like it, even though I haven't put a lot of miles on it. It's my favorite so far, and I think it's the perfect truck for me as a semi-retired guy who needs more than a "cruck", like the Maverick. It does however have some short comings that will affect those who have expectations that may be out of line with the actual build.
Most amazing- I just got 27 MPG on a tank of gas, (odometer and gas pump calc)on rural Colorado driving, 100 degree weather, ac on, with a 500 lb load. Since I drove it off the lot, I'm just over a 24 mpg average overall.
I'm liking the cruise control, lane keeping, ect. I turn the speed limit feature on when I'm in the areas with speed traps, because I've got a bit of a lead foot and I had a bit of trouble at first adjusting to the new rig and keeping remotely close to the speed limit.
It's adequately fast in Normal Mode, really soft in Eco, and a bit of a surprise in Sport. You can't really feel much change in ride or performance with a few hundred pounds of load, 700+ is the most I've had in it so far, not much drop off in acceleration or handling. The transmission is really cool. If the 4wd drivetrain is as good as my previous Ranger, I would assume it will be good in snow, but I'll have to wait a few more months to find out.
It's super comfortable. The handling/cornering is flat, predictable with no leaning, but the steering feels a bit soft. Emergency stops are fast, the brake feels good, I had a pedestrian step out between two cars parked on the street, not sure if it was me or the truck, but together we stopped really really fast. The steering wheel controls are very good, but the dash and center display are quirky and are taking way too much attention to learn while driving ( did I already mention I'm old? Not Biden old, but old). The camera system is great to get into our tight garage, or backing up to loading docks. I really love the trip odometer and MPG display.
I haven't gotten to use all the other features like parking and trailering or the off-road modes yet.
What's lacking:
I'm really glad I don't need this truck for work. It's got the thinnest steel I've ever seen in a pick up bed, and the method of construction for assembling the sides and front wall of the bed end seem exceptionally sketchy. The tailgate is nice to open and close, but I can see it getting easily damaged loading heavy items. I think add-ons like lumber racks, cross bed tool boxes, etc are going to bust the bed up over time. I actually repair pickup beds on just about every make of truck from damage caused poorly designed racks or tool box installations, and I have little faith the Ranger would hold up compared to what's out there.
I would also extend similar concerns to the frame, again, the lightest steel I've ever seen on a truck. Those of you who think this is going to be an off road beast may have some unpleasant surprises at alignment time when you are referred to a frame straightening shop. I think it's a bit of a pavement queen you can take to the garden center, and still be ok off-road as long as you aren't pretending you're driving in the Baja 500.
I'd also suggest to new owners to hedge your bet by upping the Ford warranty a bit more than you have on previous purchases if you're planning on keeping it a few years past factory warranty. I think costs for even moderate repairs are going to greatly exceed the extended warranty price.
Sponsored
and overall design. 
Up to now I am satisfied with the New 2024 Ford Ranger Lariat.
