Ranger Super Duty Confirmed for 2026

[DFB FGXR6]

Unlike many, I don't begrudge Ford leveraging the Ranger's success. It's a fantastic vehicle, worlds better than the competition and the local engineering makes it truly the only vehicle on sale that is capable of dealing with all road conditions in Australia.

In theory, Ford would make the most of the Ranger by covering as many bases as possible with the vehicle. However, all they have done is focus on several variants of the top end dual cabs, all differentiated by wheels and how much chrome or black paint they trowel on the thing. Clearly this has worked for them, but they have lost sales elsewhere in the range.

Now, the well-worn argument is that's what buyers want, and that its more profitable for Ford to pursue high end models. All true, but with factory volume not a problem, there is no reason why Ford can't cater for all segments of the pickup sector.

The next argument would be that people don't want single cabs, and sales reflect that. But if you put up barriers to the sale of these models, then obviously sales will reflect that. In other words, they are writing the script. In my opinion, being more proactive with the single cab won't detract from the double cab models, they are very different users with different requirements. As it sits, Ford are not listening.

Ever since the current Ranger went on sale, Ford do not represent the single cab on their Build & Price configurator. I also note when researching this post, they won't even allow you to "build" an XL at the moment either.

https://www.ford.com.au/buy/build-an...rThaiAUS202450



And that's despite the main page for Ranger suggesting you can Build & Price a XL single cab.......................

https://www.ford.com.au/showroom/tru...ans/ranger/xl/



See what I mean by "road blocks", Ford make it so you can't "Build & Price" a single cab, despite the model existing. There are no pictorial references on the Ford website that show the single cab is available. And while I have seen a couple of single cabs on the dealer lot, you would be easily convinced they don't exist.

When I asked Ford back when the new-gen launched if the single cab would be offered in Australia, prompted because of the lack of reference on the Ford website, I was told that the single cab was no longer offered. A day later, my salesman told me they had two new-gen single cabs out back. So even Ford themselves don't know what they are doing.

So, all of the above considered, how can potential customers buy something if the company doesn't promote it? And I don't mean advertising, rather seeing the product on a website, brochure or any sales material. How can a customer buy something that's not represented on the brands website? Or when your own people tell customers it doesn't exist? For a company who told the world they were going to focus on trucks and SUV's, and for a company that has focused 90% of their effort on a single model, to not cover all the bases is ludicrous.

I think its pretty obvious that I'm a Ford man, I like the brand and have bought many Ford's new and used. But Ford are backing themselves into a corner and sadly, if I had to replace a vehicle tomorrow, Ford simply won't have what I need. Which makes me sad because ultimately, both Ford and I lose out.

[jpd80]

Just on the single cab offerings,
Use 2.3 EB for basic XL/XLT single cab models to do battle with Hilux Tradie

Second idea, low rider RWD single and Super cab with 2.7/3.0 EB, call it XR6 Turbo

[CyberWasp]

The other thing I keep harping on about is the market for tradies that do service and install work, who put ladders on the roof and need to get into underground car parks in the cities / apartments ect.

There has to be demand for a Lo-Rider Vehicle if it was set up properly to cater for this market.

[tbro4123]

Originally Posted by smoo

Which is a scary prospect, considering most of them in their thai specials or SUV derivatives in a hurry to get no where act as a rolling 90kmh road block oblivious to what’s behind them as the **** end of what they’re driving is dragging on the ground while the head lights are blinding oncoming motorists.

Simply put, there needs to be another license class for towing this much weight and authorities should be treating them the same as heavy commercial vehicles (scales).

It be good if Ford could really set this apart from the rest - an option of coyote or Godzilla V8.

Your obviously not from QLD, 100kph is a suggested speed limit and is +- 15% on any main highway. Mirrors, who needs mirrors, I drive a v8 Cruiser so I'm bulletproof!!! and the van is supposed to sway like that, geez does no-one know how to drive?

And as a side note, never ever turn on your lights in the rain especially heavy rain, the truck coming up behind you might actually see ya!

Guess who did a change-over up the Bruce with it pi**ing down!

Terry

[simon varley]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Ever since the current Ranger went on sale, Ford do not represent the single cab on their Build & Price configurator. I also note when researching this post, they won't even allow you to "build" an XL at the moment either.


There are no pictorial references on the Ford website that show the single cab is available.

so yes, but the site also states

XL Single and Super Cab Chassis is available, contact your nearest dealer for more information.

so the models ARE there, but, I accept, not easily accessible.

[XR Martin]

SD Ranger will be built at the Auto Alliance Thailand factory, which only makes XL, XLS and XLT trims.
The Ford Thailand Manufacturing plant makes the higher spec models.

[vanman_75]

Originally Posted by Smoke Pursuit

No hes actually pretty spot on. I also believe he has the licence to back his claim up too.

Lol .. I think its more to do with the fact most people are crap drivers to start with .. you may be 1 of them .. most cars are not set up to tow regardless of what the salesman says .. I have owned most of them . Not sure if you have actually owned and towed a 3 ton van but most cars can't get over 90 without either towing issues, or struggling power wise so a lot slow down realising they are not driving an ideal setup ( insert father inlaw who just upgraded to new van and a new hilux .. ) i totally agree that some old folks should be directed to a driving / towing course even if just online for some courtesy education. But the likes of myself get held up by more city folks than other vanners .

[XR Martin]

There was a Ssangyong Rexton at the servo the other day with a massive caravan attached. Back end was on the bump stops and front was sky high. It even had aftermarket springs which you could see.
Apparently they can tow 3.5t, not sure how heavy the van was but looked scary as hell.

People spend top dollar on the caravan, then buy the cheapest thing they can to tow.
Crazy.

[Interceptor]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

I am genuinely impressed - 4500kg GVM is Jappo truck competitor, this is firing a shot at Isuzu Truck and their N series sales, those things are around $60K DA mark for their base model tray 'ready to work' range.

Several years ago a customer ran dually F350's in preference to an N series Isuzu in the same weight class.... simply because "They dont drive like a truck"

Originally Posted by csv8

So, you dont like caravanners? What you wrote is a load of rubbish

Smoo isnt on his own if he hates them, though I would consider "hate" a mild word if describing my feelings towards them.

Originally Posted by kevino

It’s a case of trying to lift their driving skills

Which is a bit like trying to get a horse to drink when its prefectly content just standing there and looking at you.....

Originally Posted by simon varley

then the development costs outweigh the profit.

Disappointing considering how ford managed to produce an RTV with absolutely zero changes to the main body/subframe, neglecting to make the Ranger chassis capable of supporting high or low ride format is exactly that, negligence.

Originally Posted by vanman_75

Not sure if you have actually owned and towed a 3 ton van but most cars can't get over 90 without either towing issues, or struggling power wise so a lot slow down realising they are not driving an ideal setup

If the vehicle isnt up to towing its rated towing capacity at the posted speed limit, it shouldnt be on the road.
If the driver doesnt feel they are safe driving a legal car & trailer combination at the posted speed limit, they are unsafe to be on the road with that combination, regardless of their speed.

Originally Posted by XR Martin

There was a Ssangyong Rexton at the servo the other day with a massive caravan attached. Back end was on the bump stops and front was sky high. It even had aftermarket springs which you could see.
Apparently they can tow 3.5t, not sure how heavy the van was but looked scary as hell.

People spend top dollar on the caravan, then buy the cheapest thing they can to tow.
Crazy.

All the gear & no idea.

Whats got me is that if anything, ADDING another model defies logic, the Ranger fills the void at the entry leval of the ute market, the F150 doesnt really do anything a Ranger does except tow 4500kg at its rated GVM with a bigger body while pampering to the yank truck lovers, then theres the F250, with its 4499kg GVM, higher towing capacity again over a F150

A Ranger super duty doesnt really seem to do anything that the F250 doesnt already do, so why create another, unique, development costly model when the F250 already exists, already has import approvals in place and just needs to be built in RHD?

Well.... I suppose you can build a Ranger SD much more cost effectively in Thailand and make more profit than a RHD F250.

[smoo]

Na I don’t hate them Interceptor, and me saying ‘most’ caravaners are guilty of what I described is an exaggeration but the stereotype exists for a reason.

I also thought wouldn’t it have been easier/cheaper for ford to import base spec F250 instead of going through the drama R and D for this.
I did a quick search and from memory the base petrol V8 F250 retail price equated to about $90k aud. V8 diesel added another $10k. Plus conversion cost.
And the dollar has weakened approx 10% since then.
And I don’t think the entry F250 has the payload of this.

Although if the payload rating is the same as the dual cab Thai specials, it will be aspirational as 1 tonne in them without changing springs or using airbags is only good for the sales brochure.

[Interceptor]

Originally Posted by smoo

Na I don’t hate them Interceptor, and me saying ‘most’ caravaners are guilty of what I described is an exaggeration but the stereotype exists for a reason.

I did say "if" you hate them.... and yes, the stereotype is well earned.

Originally Posted by smoo

I also thought wouldn’t it have been easier/cheaper for ford to import base spec F250 instead of going through the drama R and D for this.

It'd be interesting to compare R&D costs vs actual build costs VS that of an F250.
Production capacity argument is a moot point, the extra units have gotta be built somewhere and do you choose to utilise & expand an existing production line, or do you go to the expense of building a whole new production line & the attendant logistics supply chain to suit?

Originally Posted by smoo

And I don’t think the entry F250 has the payload of this.

Although if the payload rating is the same as the dual cab Thai specials, it will be aspirational as 1 tonne in them without changing springs or using airbags is only good for the sales brochure.

Quick google search search suggests in the US the max GVM for a current F250 as being 10,500lbs/4762KG with a payload of 4268lbs-4048lbs, drop the GVM to 9899lbs/4490kg to allow people to drive an F250 on a car licence, and I dont see why you cant have a 3307lbs/1500kg payload, I know theres at least one importer that offers this.

[simon varley]

Originally Posted by XR Martin

Back end was on the bump stops and front was sky high.

more likely, that they simply have no idea how to load the van. I'm tipping that nose weight was waaaay too high!