Thilan’s Ranger XL has muscles to flex

THIS column is not always all about the fastest or loudest ride in town. Rather, it’s a platform for all levels of auto enthusiasts who love their fourwheeled friends.

One such person is assembly manager Thilan Naidoo, 39, who lives in Phoenix. His 2016 Ford Ranger 2.2XL is this week’s featured vehicle.

Naidoo said he loved white, so of course the first new vehicle he bought was ordered in the colour of choice.

The Ford Ranger might just be one of the most desirable double-cab bakkies on South African roads at present.

Even in its vanilla specification, the Ranger has a rugged presence that is hard to beat and I’m told the driveability is also noteworthy.

Naidoo’s Ranger has a host of add-ons, such as a full Raptor kit installation, a pair of customised chrome side steps, a bonnet guard, a roll bar, a set of retro-fitted windshields, a nudge bar, tonneau cover and, of course, no Ranger is complete without a tow bar.

This Ranger also sports a cool set of contrasting black alloy 16-inch mag wheels, for form and function.

The interior of Naidoo’s Ranger, as well as the mechanical aspects, were kept stock standard. I suspect that this might have something to do with preserving the vehicle’s warranty and service plan.

The Ranger comes standard with a fairly decent audio set-up and this, too, was left unchanged.

He did not say how much he spent on this build.

SERVICE PROVIDERS: Tyres and More Motorised Styling