Thread: New Ute Dilemma

Originally Posted by No.3

You've just nailed the main problem with the new ranger. The V6 option only comes in at the premium end, Ford man reckons he can't get one in the poverty pack. If you are running heavily loaded, or towing and want the V6 you only have one option currently and that is the last remaining Platinum editions if there are any left, otherwise he reckons end of 2025 to start of 2026. Or, you get the 2L two hair drier model which pulls OK once the revs are up but can struggle at low speeds (same as the earlier Amarok with the 10 speed auto and 2L 2hair drier setup). Also, the 2L does not have much in the way of engine braking, and at full load they eat brakes. Best effort I hear of is rotors and pads after 9000K's - this at long runs downhill where you need to middle peddle it to haul the combination up and keep it under the speed limit.

My current problem child is one of the first of the PXII series ranger XLT's, six speed manual 4wd 3.2L. Had to wait for the PXII as they were the first Rangers to carry the 3500Kg tow rating (earlier versions were all 3250Kg). It's on aftermarket 7leaf+overload spring packs with foam cell shocks, and a tweak up front to level the thing back out. It rides fine not a problem on the road provided it doesn't have the ute drawer taken out, and is good all the way up to full load with trailer. It can be done without giving a crap ride, but a lot of the factory aftermarket gear is not built for that purpose it's either play lift, heavy winch bar setups, or full commercial with fully loaded being the norm. You don't often get a truly versatile setup off the shelf, to tweak essentially a factory setup and improve the ride and load carrying.

I'll add to my comment on the V6 option, they tell me it's due to the calculated CO2 emissions of the two motors vs what Ford wants to pay in climate tax. I asked how the hell that works out considering the 2L blows a shiteload of black smoke when towing and I offered to take the dashcam footage in to show them. er, ahh, um, mumble ahh erm yes well hmm no that's OK thanks. The 2L motors are totally reliant on the forced induction, and the slight lag on foot down before the turbo's decide to play means unburnt fuel. The V6 is much better in this regard, producing the goods at lower RPM. No replacement for displacement unfortunately but they tell me the calcs are all done on track testing and at pretty much unloaded...

Years ago in HB contractors flocked to the 2.5 Ford utes. Some wit called them Spinning Jennys. Unfortunately contractors put heavy loads on the trays. They all struggled to get up Titiokura. As you said no replacement for displacement. Those Fords disappeared quicker than the Italian army on the battle field.