Ford Ranger Accessories and Upgrades (to Make the Most of Your 4x4)

We never adopted full sized pick up trucks originating from the United States. The ute used to be our national workhorse vehicle and it remains so to this day. This doesn’t mean we take nothing coming from the Yanks. The Ford Ranger is a case in point, and its superb built serves us Aussies just fine.

Regardless of the high quality and the manufacturing process put into the Ranger, there is always a touch up or two that can be done to upgrade this ute. As many other ‘midsize pickup trucks’ it is not made exclusively for the Australian frontier, so you might be interested in ways to make it feel more at home.

Several useful distinctions at the very start. Exhaust systems are usually made either of stock parts or they are crafted by hand. Vehicles coming directly from the manufacturing line usually have stock exhausts which are made en masse. They are made using the crash-bend technique and this cuts costs (in material and in time). When compared to the mandrel bent Ford Ranger exhaust systems which are handcrafted from high performing materials, they are far less efficient. Crash bending results in restrictions of the flow in the pipes. On the other hand, the flexing rod that is used during mandrel bending leads to greater diameter of the pipes, a restriction free area in the exhaust and ultimately more horse power for you.

When you go for custom made exhaust, take your time to establish whether the maker did their best because they are prone to cutting costs, too. One of the most apparent signs would be the material that went into the project in the first place. Using high grade stainless steel (409) is the best bet to get durable performance off of Ford Ranger exhaust systems. You can also choose aluminized steel and similar alloys, however do expect that this will compromise the overall service life. Then you want to have a look at the enamel. If it’s painted across the whole exhaust, you are getting the value for your money. If not, you are getting welds and paying for heat resistant enamel.

Is there anyone that wouldn’t welcome extra storage space on a ute? The Ford Ranger has ample useful space in the luggage compartment, however we all know that will never be enough. Not when the whole family is around, or when you’re headed on a multi day trip.

Now people put all sorts of stuff up there. Professionals put ladders, and long pieces of gear that don’t fit in any other place within the Ranger. 4WD enthusiasts put recovery tracks, jerry cans, tents and canisters, while the family off to a weekend puts their sports equipment there.

It can get fairly specific with the Ford Ranger too, for there are telescoping racks able to take full sized SUP (Stand up paddle) board. Not your usual roof rail, however it works as long everyone is happy. Mounting designs vary and they can be adjusted to the type of gear you are most comfortable with, be it meant for cycling, kite surfing or cross country skiing. You can even put an extra luggage box up there to keep your bags outside of the passenger cabin. One can’t go wrong as long as the roof rails are compatible and heavy duty.

High quality bull bars serve to protect your vehicle from preventable damage in case of collision. Even if there is no animal in sight, you can still end up hitting a tree, and the stats show that this happens far more often than what you’d imagine. Since the driving conditions are specific there are road safety rules and vehicle design guidelines meant to make your adventure as safe as possible. They have been tested over time, so if you stick to the recommendations and fit appropriate bull bar your hood will be far more secure and you can focus on your driving.

The Ford Ranger doesn’t lack mounting points for off road gear. However choosing a heavy duty bull bar from stainless steel will be conducive to the next upgrades you have in mind. These might include a powerful winch for vehicle recovery, an antenna, additional LED headlights bar or simply as a preparation for crossing a body of water on a regular basis.