Ford Ranger RTR Is an Inexpensive Off-Road Upgrade
Although hard-core off-road racers like the Ford F-150 Raptor and PaxPower Ranger Raptor have a passionate following, not everyone wants or needs a Baja Trophy Truck. At the same time, potential overlanders may want to haul their Rangers to haul campers with a bit more speed. For those in that middle ground, Ford may have a solution. At this year’s SEMA, Ford Performance and tuner RTR Vehicles are once again joining forces. This time, for the Ford Ranger RTR. Here are the details.
Ford Ranger RTR Visual Mods
It wouldn’t be an RTR vehicle without the signature grille. Those ‘fangs’ are LEDs and are part of a whole visual appearance package. The grille can even be upgraded with an additional LED light bar.
The fenders gain bigger flares both front and rear. The front flares also feature functional vents for the engine. An RTR graphics package completes the purely visual modifications on the outside. On the inside, buyers can also upgrade to a leather interior package. But according to RTR, all buyers will get an interior plaque signed by Vaughn Gittin, Jr.
Visual changes, though, are only part of the story.
Performance Mods
Performance-wise, the 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder hasn’t been touched. However, the exhaust has been swapped out for a Ford Performance cat-back unit. Motor1 reports that the power output remains the same. Instead, RTR focused on improving the Ranger’s off-road capabilities.
The stock suspension has been swapped out for a set of Fox 2.0 coilovers, according to Motor1. The tires are now 17” RTR Tech 6 units, meant for off-roading. The tires are Nitto Ridge Grapplers.
All in all, the RTR upgrades don’t exactly make the Ranger into a Raptor like PaxPower. However, getting your hands on a Ranger RTR should be considerably easier.
Ranger RTR Pricing and Availability
Ford states that the RTR Package is available right now. Installation can be performed at select Ford dealers or at RTR’s shop. The package costs $9,800 before upgrades. Ford and RTR have not released specific warranty information, although past RTR upgrades have offered them.
Ford states that ‘almost’ every Ranger can be fitted with the RTR Package. However, neither Ford nor RTR have stated which Ranger trims are incompatible.
Can the Ranger RTR Go Further?
It is worth noting that the Ranger RTR could potentially be upgraded further. Ford is also displaying the RTR Rambler Ranger at SEMA. Although it shares many components with the Ranger RTR, the Rambler also features additional underbody protection. The Rambler also features a fridge, Yakima rooftop tent, snowboard racks, and a winch-ready bumper.
At this time, RTR doesn’t offer a Ranger-specific skid plate. However, one is available for the F-150. RTR also doesn’t offer a winch-ready bumper, although an ARB winch-ready bumper is available through Ford Performance.
The Ranger RTR isn’t a Raptor, but it isn’t meant to be. With how popular the Ranger and other mid-size trucks have been with modifiers, future off-roaders will have a lot of options to choose from.