Ranger
Ford’s Ranger was a top trim package of the big pickups and even the later Broncos up until 1982. Two sub-levels of trim were also made available during this era. These were Ranger XLT, and Ranger Lariat.
The 1973-1977s had the same basic look. So did the 1978-1979s. The 1980-1982s were updated to a more modern look yet.
The ‘real’ Ranger, as its own official model, was marketed starting as a 1983 model year vehicle as a replacement for the discontinued Ford Courier. Ford needed an American-built compact truck in answer to the Chevy S10 which arrived the previous year. Body styles were as follows. Standard cab/short bed, standard cab/long bed, and finally, extended cab/short bed. Base, XLS and XLT were the trim levels.
There was a relative wide variety of engines available for Ford’s new compact truck. Standard was a 2.0L SOHC 1bbl I4 making 73hp and 107 ft/lb of torque. The optional four cylinder was a 2.3L SOHC 1bbl I4 that made 82hp and 126ft/lb of torque.
The next step up the option chain was a 2.8L 2bbl V6. It made 115hp and 150ft/lb of torque. The V6 was based on an early Mercury Capri engine design from Ford of Germany.
The top engine was a 2.2L Diesel Perkins I4. This one had 59hp and 90ft/lbs of torque. It’s a very rare engine to have in a Ranger.
Transmissions were quite varied also. Standard was a 4-speed Toyo Koygo manual. Next up the chain was a 5-speed Toyo Koygo manual. For automatics there were two choices. Two wheel drive trucks got a 3-speed Ford C3, whereas four wheel drive trucks got a 3-speed Ford C5.
