May12
When Ford discontinues its aging Ranger pickup in the next couple of years, it won’t be abandoning the small truck market for good. Rather, the automaker is expected to launch a new hauler called the F-100 by 2011, according to a new report.
The F-100 is rumored to share a platform — albeit shortened — with the next-generation 2012 F-150, which is expected to be considerably lighter than the existing model. The automaker will save weight on both vehicles by using stronger, higher-quality steel, and therefore less of it, according to PickupTrucks. Meanwhile, aluminum will be used for the hood and other body panels, the report claims.
With platform sharing in mind, it should come as no surprise the F-100 will be built in the same Dearborn Truck Plant as the F-150. This will allow Ford not only to reduce costs, but also adjust supply of either model depending on market conditions.
The last time Ford used the F-100 nameplate was in 1983. While the new truck won’t be as small as that vehicle, it is expected to be less than 90% the size of the F-150. Since the current F-150’s wheelbase is 126 inches, the F-100s will be 113 or less. That’s not far from the Ranger’s current 111.5 inches. Engine choices are expected to include a turbocharged V6, a regular V8, and a diesel V8.
Ford recently announced the Ranger will stay in production through 2009, despite rumors about an imminent discontinuation. Ford says market demand will dictate how much longer it keeps building the compact truck. That said, Ford plans to close its St. Paul, Minnesota plant by the end of 2009, which means we may have a pretty firm timetable for its demise.
“I’d rather F-99″, Maxwell Smart.
Sounds like a recipe for a nice small truck. I’m glad Ford is focusing on weight reduction. Improves fuel economy and performance - a win-win.
Sounds good to me, helps with a more consistent name, as well. Now if only they could streamline the names of the rest of their vehicles (Taurus, Taurus X, Focus, Fusion, Escape, Edge, Flex, Explorer, Expedition - agh! so many!).
I was having a hard time believing they were going to abandon this market. I still like the current Ranger/B-Series, and even if they don’t sell like they used to they must generate be some pretty easy profit considering all the tooling is loooong since paid for. They haven’t exactly been shelling out a lot for advertising either.
Two words: Turbo Diesel
I would imagine that there would be option for unibody construction smallish truck. It would lighter and more fuel efficient. How much frame one need to haul 500 lbs? It’s like a pair of diet concisions in-laws in a back seat.
Nissan Titan and Frontier share platforms.
Unibody kills ability to have different specialized truck bodies for commercial market (think plumbers, tradesmen and delivery people).
Doesn’t sound that exciting. For the size of the F-100 and engine options, it won’t get great fuel economy. Back to the drawing board Ford.
BOF doesn’t mean heavier. A Town Car and 7-series are about the same weight despite the town car being significantly larger.
Unibody makes the vehicle less durable, ride crappier, cost more (its more complicated to assemble a unibody versus BOF), less capable as far as towing/payload, etc, impossible to use specialized bodies, etc. On a work vehicle BOF is the only way to go.
Ford, did you get a brain implant from a smart guy? Turbo6? V8 and DieselV8? In an F-100?
Just make sure you offer a Crew Cab and a Long Bed and an Off Roader. Then you can own the market.
Just cut out the crap and call it the F-TaurusRanger100
^ Waiting for FordTaurusForever response.
Sounds good, but where is the 4-cylinder?? A 4-cylinder for a compact truck is perfect, especially a regular cab work-truck basic model. I hope they continue to offer a simple regular cab with 4-cyl.
A 4-cyl is necessary to break into developing markets. Gas is too expensive in Europe, and I have a lot of agrarian friends in rural Greece that are dying to get an American pickup truck with a thrifty 4-cyl.
I’ve always liked the Ranger. It is the only “light pickup” still in existance and is a great seller. The Dakota/Raider, Tacoma, & Frontier are just as big and bad on gas as their even larger full-sized brothers. Ford needs to stick with a 4-cyl… maybe a turbo one if they need extra power. But please, don’t make the truck too much bigger or its sales will drop like a rock.
So they’re going to replace the Ranger with something bigger? Now there’s a bold move for ya… Let’s just hope this doesn’t turn out to be another 500/Taurus debacle… Ford should have already learned their mistake by dumping a name with so much built-in brand equity. If they do this, I guarantee the name will be changed back to Ranger within a year of its release… They should call it the “F100 Ranger,” or at the very least, use the “Ranger” name for maybe the top trim level..
fords reliving the 80s: 5.0 stang and the f100
Uh, the F-100 of 1983 was the EXACT same size as the 150s, 250s, and 350s. It was exactly the same truck, just with less payload, trim, and engine.
An F-100 that’s 90% of the size of an F-150 would be all of 0.7″ longer than the smallest Ranger.
It’s obvious that this is pure speculation.
well just a rumor, but if true, it would be a dumb idea to be this big. I think the market is ripe for a modern fuel-efficient true compact truck, whether unibody or body on frame.
Looks like Ford finally took my advice, I’ve been saying this for years!
small truck, diesel engine, light frame - sounds like a winner. If it looks good too, I’d buy it! Just don’t source the diesel to International…build it yourself Ford.
they just need something with an F-series badge on it so they can boost sales numbers and still say that “f-series is americas best selling truck” now people have realized how good silverados are - NOT including colorado/canyon/sierra sales etc. If GM wanted that title im sure they could rebadge every truck a C/K #### and then pull some fancy numbers too.