The conversion options real elements from the present Ranger and an 8-inch raise equipment, however sadly, it’s nonetheless caught with a measly 80 hp underneath the hood
- A primary-generation Ford Ranger acquired in depth visible modifications in Thailand.
- The truck options elements from the fourth-gen Ranger, alongside a lifted suspension.
- Regardless of the Raptor-inspired seems, the workhorse retains the inventory 80 hp diesel.
The brand new Ford Ranger is a cool midsize truck, however in some elements of the world, it comes with a price ticket that’s a bit too steep for the typical purchaser. Enter a ship builder from Thailand, who has discovered a intelligent manner round that subject by remodeling an outdated Ranger right into a budget-friendly Raptor wannabe.
Beginning with a first-generation Ford Ranger—one of many least expensive vans you’ll find in Thailand—Fb person Sky Fall determined to offer the outdated workhorse a contemporary makeover, utilizing real elements from the present fourth-generation mannequin.
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The transformation concerned borrowing the grille, hood, headlights, and taillights from the brand new Ranger, whereas custom-fabricated fenders had been essential to mix with the older physique. To offer it an off-road edge, the builder ditched the entrance bumper altogether, as a result of who wants a kind of anyway?
The notable measurement distinction between the primary and fourth-generation of the truck make this modified instance appear to be a slimmed down model of the Raptor. And let’s simply say the gathering of Ford, Ranger, F-150, and 4×4 decals doesn’t do a lot to clear up the id disaster this truck goes by way of.
What actually stands out, although, are the 18-inch Ranger Wildtrak wheels wrapped in chunky off-road tires, coupled with a lifted suspension that jacks the truck up a formidable 8 inches. It’s a Frankenstein mixture of outdated and new elements that in some way works—not less than till you look underneath the hood.
Sadly, the donor truck got here with the naturally-aspirated 2.5-litre diesel powertrain that makes solely 80 hp (60 kW / 82 PS) from the manufacturing facility. Whereas the builder teased the potential of upgrading to a turbocharged model that might push it as much as 113 hp, don’t get your hopes up for the Raptor’s twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6. It merely received’t match within the 26-year-old engine bay, irrespective of how a lot wishful pondering is concerned.
Inside, the seats acquired a Raptor-style facelift with black and orange upholstery. The remainder of the inside? Effectively, it’s just about inventory, reminding you that the bones of this truck are nonetheless from the late ’90s.
Sky Fall instructed Carscoops that the pictured Ranger is only a prototype, noting that the subsequent one might be up on the market. The entire undertaking took 11 months to drag off, costing $1,350 for the donor truck, $1,900 for elements, and one other $1,900 for the lifted suspension and wheels. In case you’re retaining rating, that’s a fairly budget-friendly solution to rework a beat-up outdated Ranger right into a head-turner.
The proprietor of Newton’s Ship in Nakornnayok, Thailand, is very happy to take orders for related conversions, probably turning his aspect gig right into a full-blown enterprise.
For a little bit of backstory, the unique Ford Ranger, launched in 1998 as a rebadged Mazda B Sequence, acquired a facelift in 2002. Its underpinnings went on to function the muse for the second-gen Ranger in 2006, which acquired a mid-lifecycle replace in 2009 and stayed in manufacturing till 2011. Even then, it appears this truck’s legacy is much from over.