4X4 AUSTRALIA RANGER
MAYBE there’s an element of bias here, but we reckon our Ford Ranger cuts the mustard as a highly capable Ranger build. Purchased as a stock-standard XLS with a six-speed manual cog-swapper, the Ranger has received a bounty of aftermarket equipment in its relatively short time with us.
We initially picked a Ranger as we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to aftermarket equipment for the Blue Oval 4x4. Plus, as mentioned, it’s also a great seller, consistently at the pointy end of the sales charts.
The first call of action after signing on the dotted line was to replace the stock tyres – initially Maxxis RAZR muddies, but more recently with Goodyear MT/RS – upgrade the wheels to a set of bronze KMC Addict 2 alloys, and improve the suspension setup. This was done by Ironman 4x4, with the Aussie brand employing Foam Cell Pro front struts and uprated coil springs, new forged aluminium upper control arms and a constant-load rear leaf spring mated to another set of Foam Cell Pro shocks.
A loopless AFN 4x4 bullbar was then secured up front, housing a Warn winch, Narva Ultima 180 lights and aerials for both the Cel-fi Go booster and GME UHF radio. The aluminium plate underbody protection is also from AFN 4x4. Those Narva lights are a recent addition, as we were previously running a set of Bushranger Nighthawk driving lights.
That tidy canopy, constructed by Queensland’s AMVE, is custom-made from powdercoated aluminium. Inside the canopy you’ll find a MYCOOLMAN 60-litre fridge on an MSA fridge slide, an integrated water tank and oodles of storage facilities. Power needs are controlled and monitored by an integrated Redvision Total Vehicle Management System, incorporating a Manager 30 DC-DC charger and a Redarc 2000-watt pure sine wave inverter.
Other equipment includes a Hayman Reese X-bar, a Rola Titan Tray rack system atop the canopy, Maxtrax Extreme recovery boards, a second Titan Tray atop the Ranger, Narva LED work lights, a Pacemaker Exhausts’ King Brown exhaust system, a Water Watch unit and a Provent oil separator catchcan from Direction Plus.
It’s definitely been put to work since we took ownership of the vehicle, ferrying camping and photography gear on a number of 4X4 Adventure Series trips, including to Tasmania, the Flinders Ranges and Central Australia. There’s plenty of life left in our Ranger yet!