Ford · 1998-2011
Ranger (3rd Gen)
The 1998-2011 Ranger was a major mechanical update with SLA independent front suspension, rack-and-pinion steering and a boxed frame, powered by 2.5/2.3 fours, a 3.0 Vulcan or 4.0 V6 up to 207 hp. Trims ranged from XL to FX4 Level II and Tremor, and the last one left St. Paul in December 2011.
- Years
- 1998-2011
- Drivetrain
- RWD · 4WD (vacuum hubs, permanently engaged from 2001)
- Engines
- 2.5 L Pinto LL25 · 2.3 L Duratec (Mazda L3) · 3.0 L Vulcan
- Sold in
- US · Canada · Mexico
Spec sheet
- Generation
- 3rd Gen
- Production
- 1998–2011
Production: August 1997 to December 2011; the 2012 model year was fleet-only.
- Assembly
- St. Paul, MN (Twin Cities, final vehicle Dec 2011)
- Edison, NJ
- General Pacheco, Argentina (to 2011)
- Sold in
- US
- Canada
- Mexico
- South America
- Body styles
- Regular cab
- SuperCab (2-door, 4-door from 1999)
- Bed lengths
- 6 ft (111.6 in WB)
- 7 ft (117.6 in WB)
- SuperCab 6 ft (125.9 in WB)
- Drivetrains
- RWD
- 4WD (vacuum hubs, permanently engaged from 2001)
- Transmissions
- Mazda M5OD-R1 / R1HD 5-speed manual
- 4R44E 4-speed automatic
- 5R44E / 5R55E 5-speed automatic
- Trims
- XL
- XLT
- XL/XLT Sport & Off-Road (1999)
- Splash (1998 only)
- Edge (2001-2005, ex-XL Trailhead 2000)
- FX4 Level II (2002-2007; 17,971 built)
- FX4 Off-Road (2003-2009; 45,172 built)
- Tremor (2002-2004, audio-focused)
- STX (returned 2005; dropped after 2007)
- Sport (2006-2011)
- Wheelbase
- 111.6 / 117.6 / 125.9 in
- Length
- 188.5 / 189.4 / 200.5 / 202.9 / 203.6 in
- Width
- 69.3 / 71.3 in
- Height
- 66.2 / 69.4 in
- Payload
- 1,130-1,560 lb (2011 2.3 Regular Cab 4x2 to 4.0 V6 SuperCab 4x2 with Payload Package #2)
- Towing
- 1,340-5,800 lb (2011 2.3 manual SuperCab to 4.0 V6 automatic SuperCab 4x2)
Engines
| Engine | Disp. | Config | HP | Torque | Years | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L Pinto LL25 | 2.5 L | I4 | 117 | 149 lb-ft | 1998-early 2001 | 119 hp / 146 lb-ft in 2000-01 |
| 2.3 L Duratec (Mazda L3) | 2.3 L | I4 | 135 | 153 lb-ft | late 2001-2011 | 143 hp / 154 lb-ft 2004-11 |
| 3.0 L Vulcan | 3.0 L | V6 | 145 | 178 lb-ft | 1998-2008 | 150-154 hp in 2000-04; 148 hp 2005-08 |
| 4.0 L Cologne OHV | 4.0 L | V6 | 160 | 225 lb-ft | 1998-2000 | |
| 4.0 L Cologne SOHC | 4.0 L | V6 | 207 | 238 lb-ft | 2001-2011 |
Related
Overview
The 1998 Ranger looked like its predecessor but changed underneath: a boxed front frame, short/long-arm independent front suspension on all models in place of Twin I-Beam, and rack-and-pinion steering. A longer wheelbase gave the cab more room, and from 1999 SuperCabs gained two small rear-hinged doors - a first for a compact pickup.
Engines started with a 2.5-liter four (117 hp), the 3.0-liter Vulcan V6 and the 4.0-liter Cologne OHV V6 (160 hp). In late 2001 a DOHC 2.3-liter Duratec four replaced the 2.5 and the 4.0 moved to a SOHC design with 207 hp. The 3.0 ended after 2008.
Trims grew to XL, XLT, Edge (2001-05), FX4 (2002-09), Tremor (2002-04) and later Sport. Ford says 17,971 FX4 Level IIs were built from 2002 to 2007 and 45,172 FX4 Off-Roads from 2003 to 2009. After a fleet-only 2012 model year, the final Ranger left Twin Cities Assembly in December 2011, ending US compact-pickup production until the Maverick.
Trims, Bodies and Drivetrains
Trims
- XL — base trim with a vinyl 60/40 seat (cloth on SuperCab), black vinyl floor covering and black bumpers (2011)
- XLT — cloth 60/40 seat, carpet, power windows/locks/mirrors with remote keyless entry, chrome grille; 15-in aluminum wheels on 4x4 (2011)
- XL/XLT Sport & Off-Road (1999)
- Splash (1998 only)
- Edge (2001-2005, ex-XL Trailhead 2000) — 4x2 and 4x4 share the same raised stance; fog lamps, P235/75R15 all-terrain tires, color-keyed bumpers, honeycomb grille and power-dome hood (2002)
- FX4 Level II (2002-2007; 17,971 built) — Bilstein shocks, Torsen limited-slip rear axle, 31x10.5 BFGoodrich KO tires on 15-in forged Alcoa wheels and stainless front tow hooks (2002 FX4 group)
- FX4 Off-Road (2003-2009; 45,172 built) — skid plates, Bilstein gas shocks and all-terrain tires on 16-in cast-aluminum wheels (2003)
- Tremor (2002-2004, audio-focused) — Pioneer Tremor audio system with amplifier and 10-in subwoofer (485 W peak) and color-keyed bumpers (2002)
- STX (returned 2005; dropped after 2007)
- Sport (2006-2011)
Cab and bed
- Body styles: Regular cab, SuperCab (2-door, 4-door from 1999)
- Beds: 6 ft (111.6 in WB), 7 ft (117.6 in WB), SuperCab 6 ft (125.9 in WB)
Drivetrain and transmissions
- Drivetrains: RWD, 4WD (vacuum hubs, permanently engaged from 2001)
- Mazda M5OD-R1 / R1HD 5-speed manual
- 4R44E 4-speed automatic
- 5R44E / 5R55E 5-speed automatic
Highlights
- New boxed front frame and SLA (short/long-arm) IFS replaced Twin I-Beam (1998)
- Rack-and-pinion steering replaced recirculating ball
- 1999: first in segment with two rear-hinged SuperCab doors
- 2001: DOHC 2.3 Duratec and SOHC 4.0 V6 (207 hp)
- Last compact pickup built in the US; final 2012 Sport SuperCab 4x4 left St. Paul 15/16 Dec 2011
- FX4 Level II: Bilstein shocks, Alcoa wheels, Torsen rear diff
- Updates: 2001 front-fascia redesign with new grille and headlamps; 2004 larger F-150-style grille plus new front seats, instrument panel and steering wheel; 2006 final exterior update with a 3-slot grille and clear-lens headlamps
- From 2010 only the XL, XLT and Sport trims were offered (the FX4 ended in the US after 2009)