New Ranger Rules Ford’s Scene-stealing Display in L.A.

Ford is using the Los Angeles Auto Show to show what the new Ranger is and what it could be.

The dealership debut of the all-new Ford Ranger is right around the corner and at the Los Angeles Auto Show, which opens to the public on Nov. 30, the Motor Company has made the midsize pickup the main attraction. The North American debut came earlier this year in Detroit and production began in late October, so as the company prepares to begin deliveries, they want to make sure that the huge auto show crowd gets a good look at the new Ranger.

To showcase the new Ranger in a way that will attract the most eyes, Ford brought out a collection of the new midsize trucks, but they didn’t stop at basic production models. In addition to an array of trucks that are identical to those which will be sold at dealerships around the United States, Ford showed off a pair of new Rangers that had been modified in two very different ways.

Production Trucks

First up, Ford had a handful of normal production versions of the new Ranger, including a red Lariat, a Blue Lightning XLT Sport, a Dark Gray FX4 and a white XLT. The red and blue trucks were parked on the floor where attendees could check them out up close, as well as getting in for a closer look at the cabin.

The gray FX4 was suspended high in the air, allowing people to check out the undercarriage of the new Ranger.

Finally, the white XLT was hung on the wall over a large monitor, presenting the overhead look that it was driving in various conditions.

For the most part, these Rangers were part of a pretty typical layout for an auto show, giving prospective buyers a great chance to look at and touch the new midsize Ford pickup.

What was atypical for a big auto show was the pair of modified Ford pickups, including the Base Camp Ranger and the Desert Runner Ranger.

New Ranger Rules Ford’s Display in L.A. continued…

Ford Accessories Base Camp Ranger

First up, we have the Ford Accessories Base Camp Ranger, which was a collaboration for the SEMA Show between Ford Performance, Ford’s accessories division and a handful of popular aftermarket suppliers. The idea was to build a midsize truck that could get just about anywhere and once there, you could set up camp and live comfortably.

The basis of this build is a 2019 Ford Ranger XLT 4×4 SuperCrew with the 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine and the 10-speed automatic transmission. This truck also came with the Sport Appearance Package, the FX4 Off-Road Package and a 3.73 rear gear.

On the outside, Ford Performance added a cat-back exhaust system, an engine air snorkel kit, differential cover and skid plates. BDS added an upper control arm kit and Fox provided a 3-inch leveling kit. Ford Accessories added a bed mat, a bed extender, a cargo management system, a keyless entry pad, off-road steps, a spray-in bedliner, and Touchlink LED bed lighting.

Ford Accessories by Yakima added eyebolts and load stops in the bed, heavy duty hook straps, a heavy duty cargo rack kit, the “Skinny Warrior” roof basket and a “Slim Shady” awning. Rigid Industries added custom lighting up front, out back and under the truck. RotopaX added 2.2-gallon carriers for both fuel and water and Warn added new front and rear bumpers, as well as a winch.

Finally, the inside of the Ford Accessories Base Camp Ranger has a Ford Performance by Warn recovery kit and an assortment of Ford Accessories items including door sill plates, floor mats, a console safe and seat covers.

New Ranger Rules Ford’s Display in L.A. continued…

Ford Performance Desert Runner Ranger

While the Base Camp truck was intended to get a Ranger owner to a camping spot deep in the woods, the Desert Runner is designed to get the owner through rough conditions in a hurry. This truck was also built for SEMA with help from Ford Performance, Ford Accessories and a handful of aftermarket suppliers. The result is a midsized truck that looks like it is ready to take on any off-road situation.

The Desert Runner is based on a 2019 Ford Ranger Lariat 4×4 SuperCrew. It is powered by the 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine mated to a 10-speed transmission and to enhance output, Ford Performance has added one of their cat-back exhaust systems. Ford Performance also added a differential cover and underbody skid plates, while a set of BDS upper control arms and a Fox 3-inch leveling kit make this Ranger Lariat more capable on rough trails. The truck rides on Ranger Raptor wheels wrapped in BFGoodrich KO2 all-terrain tires.

Around the outside, Ford Accessories added a bed mat, a spray-in bedliner and bed lighting while Rigid Industries has added a huge spread of aftermarket lighting. Addictive Desert Designs has added a front bumper with an integrated skid plate, an off-road rear bumper, a light bar and illuminated side steps and RotopaX has included two of the 3.5-gallon fuel containers.

Finally, the inside of the Desert Runner Ranger has a Ford Performance by Warn recovery kit along with floor mats and a camera system from Ford Accessories.

In short, Ford Motor Company is making sure that anyone who attends the 2018 L.A. Auto Show with interest in the new Ranger gets a great look at the midsize pickup in stock form, along with seeing what it could be with a few upgrades.

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Patrick Rall

"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.

"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.

"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.

"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.

"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.

"Being based on Detroit," says Rall, "I never miss the North American International Auto Show, the Woodward Dream Cruise and Roadkill Nights, along with spending plenty of time raising hell on Detroit's Woodward Avenue with the best muscle car crowd in the world.

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