Ford's Ranger Super Duty is Highly Capable and Extremely Costly | Carscoops

      Ford has increased the Ranger's ground clearance, track width, and enhanced its wading depth.

      15 hours ago by Brad Anderson

      The worker-oriented Super Duty is nearly as pricey as the formidable Ranger Raptor.

      A modified 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V6 engine generates 206 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque.

      The Super Duty has a towing capacity of up to 9,920 lbs (4,500 kg) and provides three cab configurations.

      Australia's new Ford Ranger Super Duty claims to be the most robust and versatile version of the mid-size pickup to date, offering payload and towing capacities that are remarkable for its class. However, these capabilities come at a price, as the Super Duty is only slightly less expensive than the impressive Raptor. Nevertheless, it would have been advantageous for Ford to introduce the Super Duty in the U.S.

      **Pricing and Configurations**

      Ford has revealed that the most affordable Super Duty, featuring a single cab-chassis design, will commence at AU$82,990 (approximately US$53,900 at the current exchange rate) excluding on-road costs. It will also be available in a super cab-chassis version starting at AU$86,490 (US$56,200) and a double cab-chassis model priced from AU$89,990 (US$58,500), which is only AU$450 (US$290) less than a comparable Ranger Raptor.

      Note that these prices do not include the cost of a tray/bed, which is an additional dealer-installed accessory. Depending on personal preferences, Ford offers a variety of trays: galvanized steel, body-colored steel, and matte black steel.

      The cost of the galvanized steel tray varies from AU$5,966 to AU$7,121 (US$3,800 to US$4,600), while the body-colored option is priced between AU$7,176 and AU$8,331 (US$4,600 to US$5,400). If you opt for the matte black steel tray, expect to pay between AU$8,166 (US$5,300) and AU$9,376 (US$6,100). It's clear that the trays contribute significantly to the overall cost.

      **The Upgrades**

      So, what do buyers receive for their investment? Most importantly, the Ranger Super Duty boasts the same towing capacity of 9,920 lbs (4,500 kg) as the F-150. Furthermore, the single cab-chassis model can carry a peak payload of 4,369 lbs (1,982 kg), which surpasses the F-150 as well. The payload for the super cab-chassis and double cab-chassis configurations stands at 4,179 lbs (1,896 kg) and 4,023 lbs (1,825 kg), respectively.

      Although the Super Duty does not feature the powerful 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 of the Raptor, it is equipped with a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V6 that has been enhanced to fulfill heavy-duty vehicle standards. This engine produces 206 hp (154 kW) at 3,250 rpm and 442 lb-ft (600 Nm) of torque at 1,750 rpm. The engine now requires AdBlue and has received an upgraded cooling system that is claimed to be 25% more efficient compared to the existing 3.0-liter Ranger models.

      In addition to its strong towing and payload abilities, the Ranger Super Duty enhances its off-road performance with notable improvements. Ground clearance has been raised to 11.7 inches (299 mm), track width has been widened to 67.3 inches (1,710 mm), and it can now traverse water up to 33.4 inches (850 mm) deep.

      So, if you’re searching for a truck capable of hauling a boat and wading through a river without hesitation, this could be the vehicle for you. Just ensure your budget is aligned.