Is it possible for a Ford Ranger pickup truck to beat a larger, more powerful Ford F-150 in a tug-of-war competition? Mat Watson put his theory to the test in a Carwow YouTube video. The Ranger does better than expected, and then dominates with a little help from its friend.
Introducing The Ford Lineup Of Competitors
In the first tug-of-war competition, on the left, we see a late model single cab Ford Ranger pickup truck. The Ranger is sporting four-wheel-drive, a 2.0-liter diesel engine producing 170 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque equipped with a six-speed manual transmission, an available low-range via four-wheel-low drive mode, and rear locking differential.
On the right, we have a Ford Transit custom van. The Transit appears much less work-like than the Ranger with its optional MS-RT package consisting of a sporty body kit, custom wheels, and low profile tires. However, the Transit's 2.0-liter diesel engine produces 184 hp (14 hp more than the Ranger), but less torque at 306 lb-ft of torque. The Transit lacks the four-wheel-drive and low range options enjoyed by the Ranger, but it is 441 pounds heavier than the 4,409-pound Ranger at 4,450 pounds, and it's equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission.
The winner of the first round puts its new crown on the line right away against a Ford F-150 Raptor. The F-150 Raptor is larger and more powerful than either the Ranger or the Transit. The Raptor weighs in at 5,752 pounds and its twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 generates 450 hp, about 2.5 times as much as either of the 2.0-liter diesels powering the other competitors and 509 lb-ft of torque.
Ranger Versus Transit Tug-Of-War
Before starting the tug of war, Watson turns off the Ranger's traction control, engages four-wheel-high drive mode, and chooses to start in second gear. At the start, Watson immediacy stalls the Ranger's engine and the Transit begins to pull him across the line. Watson quickly restarts the Ranger, shifts into first gear and easily pulls the Transit across the middle line for the easy win. The slippery grass surface of the field obviously lends the advantage to the four-wheel-drive Ranger over the front-wheel-drive Transit.
Battle of the Pickup Trucks: Ranger Vs Raptor
Round two pits the Ranger against the F-150 Raptor which also has four-wheel-drive, more power, and more weight. As both trucks start round two it appears that the little Ranger is putting up a fight as the Raptor slowly, but steadily, pulls it across the center line for the win!
Round three descends into hilarity with both the Ranger and Transit tethered to the Raptor. After a near collision between the Ranger and the Transit the two smaller vehicles take down the Raptor, pull it across the center line, and crown themselves winners of the two-on-one tug of war games.