The Pickup truck segment is enduringly dominant, and quite frankly, it has been from the very start. As one of the top segments, this automotive division only favors the very best. That’s where the Ranger cuts in.

The Ford Ranger is largely considered the most robust and high-performance pickup truck. It’s the pickup truck that everyone wishes they had. And why? It’s beautiful. It's robust. It's timeless. The Ranger is essentially what you imagine yourself driving on off-road adventures and those daily commutes around the city. The Ford Ranger is the most popular in its market segment and has made it to all corners of the globe.

Rangers have been known for packing strong engines, which are attached to even stronger drivetrains. And if you aren’t familiar with their bonnet kits, you’d recognize their distinct appearance anywhere, even in the most crowded parking lots. Even though it's renowned as a truck, there was a time when the ranger was offered in other body shapes, larger and smaller.

Fun fact: The Ford Ranger was once produced as a sedan. This was actually the first Ford car to have the Ranger nameplate. There are few of these available today, but you can spot one at the Ford museum and occasional classic car shows. Overall, the Ford Ranger has a rich history and continues to gleam over its competition.

While the Ford Ranger is among the fanciest and tasteful pickup trucks today, it comes from humble beginnings. We’ll be looking at how the Ford Ranger has evolved to become one of the best pickup trucks of all time.

The First-Generation Ford Ranger Arrives In The Market

1983-ford-ranger-xlt-2dr-standard-cab-lb
Via: carsforsale.com

The First-generation ranger truck rolled out of the assembly line for the first time in 1982, and it made its way to showrooms across the United States shortly after. Retailed at around $6,203, the ranger was an affordable pickup truck that quickly became everyone’s top choice. Unlike its predecessors, the first-generation ranger came at a time when Ford made a decision to tank the trim packages.

So instead, the 1982 Ford ranger became its own line. With the truck's innovative design, powerful engine, and reasonable price tag, sales of the F-150 ranger reached the skies, exceeding the F-100 – its closest sibling.

The F-150 was considered a great upgrade to the previous F-100 and every customer happily upgraded to the then-newer ranger. Generally, the F-150 was originally designed by the brand to replace the Mazda-based Courier line-up. It was smaller in dimension and had powertrain selections consisting of a standard inline-4-cylinder diesel engine and an available V6 engine. These engines are either paired with a three-speed automatic, four-speed manual, or a five-speed manual transmission system.

By 1984, a new version of the ranger made its debut: The Ranger S. This addition bared similar features and used the same engine and drivetrain selections. But unlike the others, it had a stripped-down design and packed a better performance. It was had either with a 4x4 or standard rear-wheel-drive configuration. The latter featured an independent suspension system, which paved the way for a fun off-roading experience. What’s more, it came with a 1600 lbs towing capacity, allowing it to haul more stuff.

Four years later, a 140 hp fuel-injected 2.9-liter V6 engine was introduced, along with the SuperCab body construction, with a wheelbase of 125 inches, sporty seats, and an additional jump seat. By 1989, the ranger received major refinements to its exterior and interior styling. All 1989 models used a base 2.3-liter four-cylinder, which combined with a 5-speed manual to produce 100 hp. The first generation was discontinued in 1992, after being in production for an entire decade.

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The Second-Generation Ranger Saw A Major Revamp

1994-ford-ranger-4x4
Via: carandbids.com

By late 1992, Ford’s designers worked on a new ranger model. They wanted a powerful version that would make a perfect replacement and upgrade of the axed F-150. The following year, Ford released the second-generation ranger. This version was like no other truck offered by any brand. The second-generation model bared a redesigned exterior body, complemented by a new, smaller grille aerodynamic body construction, and unique fender flares.

Aside from its design revamps, this newer ranger came equipped with a new set of powertrains. It could be had with a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine that made 98 hp, a 3.0-liter V6 engine that produced 145 hp, and a high-end 4.0-liter V6 engine, which produced a staggering 160 hp. All second-generation interiors received a sporty splash and a six-disc CD changer.

These great features made the second-generation a lot more desirable than its discontinued sibling. Later in 1994, the ranger was sold as part of the Mazda B-series. The only change made on the exterior design was a new grille.

The newer model used the same base 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine, but its power was bumped up to 112 hp. About 300,000 units of this version were sold per year until it was discontinued in 1997.

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1998: The Third-Generation Ford Ranger, And Its Electric Sibling Go Into Production

2005 Ford Ranger black pickup
Carsandbids

In 1998, Ford introduced the third-generation ford ranger and the ranger EV – the official electric version of the ranger. This electric truck used a powerful motor that could propel it to speeds of up to 65 mph. Some of the most outstanding features of the classic electric EV were the 65-mile driving range and standard four-wheel-drive config. But this didn’t come cheap. The electric ranger was retailed at $52,720 in its production years. Unfortunately, Ford decided to cease its production in 2002, after selling thousands of units in the United States, most of which were recalled and crushed. Only around 400 of these exist today.

The third generation offered an elevated design, featuring an extended body, rear suicide doors, a lowered hood line, larger rear windows, and minor changes were seen on the grille and bumpers. By 2000, the third-generation ranger was sold at $11,485. This model went on to sell throughout the years that followed. Its sales started declining in 2008, and the ranger had its last hurrah in 2012.

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The Fourth Generation Ford Ranger

Ford-ranger-raptor
Via: Ford

Between 2012 and 2018, Ford Rangers were still making great sales in markets around the world, except the US market. And throughout these years, the Ford ranger didn’t receive any major changes. This time around, the brand decided to relaunch its smaller Ranger version to retail alongside the larger siblings.

In 2019, the fourth generation was debuted in the United States market for the first time in a while. Like the predecessor, the 2019 release didn’t have significant refinements, apart from an extended grille, aluminum chassis, as well as several advanced safety and driver assistance features.

Today, the ranger boasts a lot of power and confidence. Its exceptional construction is second to none. Ultimately, the Ford Ranger has evolved into the most powerful and reliable truck ever made.