- fx4 gives you: skid plates, rear locker, off-road traction electronics, off-road cruise control (more useful than you'd think when shit gets really sketchy).
- Tremor only adds Fox 2.0, plus some appearance stuff.
- Fox 2.0 is a very, very basic system. I don't think there's even extra travel available from it.
- FX4 gives you everything you need/want on a stock truck you intend to modify, without asking you to pay more for suspension if you plan on replacing that anyways.
- Consider Tremor if you're leasing, really need everything rolled into a single finance payment, or are scared of performing modifications.
- understand that Tremor cannot match the ride quality, payload, handling, or travel of a really good aftermarket suspension system like OME BP-51.
I am a big fan of the Ranger and can’t wait for the US release of the 2024. I’m really hoping ARB USA partners with Ford like they do in Australia offering their full line of products to be order and installed by Ford dealers. To be able to go pick up a brand new Ranger with bull bar, skids, sliders, and BP51 set up sounds pretty perfect.
I'll second the Nokian tire selection. I've been very impressed in the conditions and lifespan I've ran my Hakkapiletta R3 passenger tires in on my car. I'm in my fourth season @ 58,000 miles (mid Nov-mid Apr, tons of highway miles), and the tread looks like I can get another season out of them. We'll see by the end of it. I know I give up some performance to Blizzaks in some conditions, but I don't regret the purchase ... Yet.
Some great stuff here - aftermarket support for the Ranger almost makes me regret going with it's big brother.
I have the Raingler cargo net as well. I'm satisfied with the final product, but installation was a hassle. Had to Dremel some interior piece of plastic just to reach the metal frame, and then the screws they included for installation were garbage. I pre-drilled the holes and hand tightened with as much care as possible, and still completely stripped all of them before I could get them halfway in. Worked after purchasing some higher quality screws, but not a very smooth process.
It also looks like Shrockworks is out of business as of sometime in December. Maybe that complete lack of customer support caught up with them!
Thanks Wes, great read. Been enjoying my 2021 TRD off road Taco for over a year now. It’s still stock but after nearly getting stuck in the mud a few weeks ago, I already got maxtrax boards and have an appointment to get an ARB front recovery point added. Also considering swapping the stock tires too, will be reading your write up on that. Thanks again for your work and cheers!
I am a big fan of the functionality of this vehicle! I am in need of the bigger f150 for work and children. I was wondering what would be your "Ultimate Ford F150" build?
Wes, what are your thoughts on upgrading fog lights? I am in the mountains of NC and frequently find my ranger in dense fog with bad visibility. Worth the upgrade?
This thread is super helpful, but we are ready for a refresh! Is the 2024 Ranger worth waiting for and paying full (new) price? Or is a 2021-2023 a better deal for the price drop on a used truck? I ask because my 2011 Taco is ready to take a dive and you've made me a Ranger covert.
So here is the question Wes, I am slowly becoming a Ranger believer due to you and me digging in rather ruthlessly on the Australian born history there. I do believe Toyota gave the US the finger with the Tacoma, and we took it hook, line, and sinker! Soooo as I get a little older I want a 4DSB midsize truck. But not the Tacoma…. I’m thinking the Ranger…
I’m hoping my 2015 4x4 Tacoma Access Cab is still worth keeping, solely due to two reasons.
A-2.7L
B-Manual transmission
I have a feeling in a few years having a nice basic 4-cyl 4x4 with a manual will be something others will appreciate.
Hi Wes. To echo others, thanks for compiling a lot of your thoughts in this consolidated space. My wife and I just upgraded from an old Forester to our first truck, a 2022 Ranger SuperCrew XLT FX4 (tow package, no current mods other than topper and bike rack) with the 'Splash' package (18" wheels) 3 months ago as that was the only one available where I live near Denver.
Adventuring, we pretty exclusively dispersed camp with our dogs and two MTBs bikes on the back of the truck. When adding all the associated bike stuff, we are close to payload.
We don't plan to spend much time deliberately hitting off-road trails in the truck, but do spend a lot of time driving off-road in the desert ('West End', Moab, Hurricane/St. George, etc) and everywhere in between... with eventual goals to complete the White Rim or similar trails with some friends.
I've been trawling Ranger5G, etc and am still trying to learn about wheel/tire size combos and their implications so I'm wondering what your guidance would be on the utility in down-sizing the stock 18" wheels to a 17" wheel and associated tires based on our use case. I can find the 17" Ranger Raptor wheels online for $950+tax.
Great write up Wes- appreciate you taking the time to do this!
Question: could the exact same build be done to an F150, to make an outstanding yet slightly larger vehicle? Obviously spec’d for the bigger truck but same idea/concept? Or is this best built on Ranger platform?
Hi Wes, dittos on the thanks for the article, much appreciated. I’m in the Midwest so really don’t have a need for studded tires but have considered some winter tires or a more winter capable AT. Any recommendations?
Thanks for this writeup. It's great to have a resource that pulls together all your IG mentions and other articles into a comprehensive explanation of what you did, and more importantly why you did it.
One question: Would you recommend a SuperCab over the SuperCrew for someone with less dogs than yourself?
And one comment: You didn't mention which Ranger model or packages you started with. Was it XLT + FX4 + tow?
Wes: I’m a 4Runner fan and in the market for a new one. Your comment, “ This is a Hilux beater, not a Tacoma competitor”. Could you elaborate a little about what you mean here? Is a Hilux a 4Runner, Japanese version? Thanks. Joe
Great write-up, Wes. It's awesome to have all the info in one place!
One question, what does the wheel spacer do for your tires? I may be remembering wrong, but I seem to recall one of your other articles saying your tires were the same width as stock, just larger diameter.
Oh, and thoughts on FX4 vs Tremor:
- fx4 gives you: skid plates, rear locker, off-road traction electronics, off-road cruise control (more useful than you'd think when shit gets really sketchy).
- Tremor only adds Fox 2.0, plus some appearance stuff.
- Fox 2.0 is a very, very basic system. I don't think there's even extra travel available from it.
- FX4 gives you everything you need/want on a stock truck you intend to modify, without asking you to pay more for suspension if you plan on replacing that anyways.
- Consider Tremor if you're leasing, really need everything rolled into a single finance payment, or are scared of performing modifications.
- understand that Tremor cannot match the ride quality, payload, handling, or travel of a really good aftermarket suspension system like OME BP-51.
I am a big fan of the Ranger and can’t wait for the US release of the 2024. I’m really hoping ARB USA partners with Ford like they do in Australia offering their full line of products to be order and installed by Ford dealers. To be able to go pick up a brand new Ranger with bull bar, skids, sliders, and BP51 set up sounds pretty perfect.
I'll second the Nokian tire selection. I've been very impressed in the conditions and lifespan I've ran my Hakkapiletta R3 passenger tires in on my car. I'm in my fourth season @ 58,000 miles (mid Nov-mid Apr, tons of highway miles), and the tread looks like I can get another season out of them. We'll see by the end of it. I know I give up some performance to Blizzaks in some conditions, but I don't regret the purchase ... Yet.
Some great stuff here - aftermarket support for the Ranger almost makes me regret going with it's big brother.
I have the Raingler cargo net as well. I'm satisfied with the final product, but installation was a hassle. Had to Dremel some interior piece of plastic just to reach the metal frame, and then the screws they included for installation were garbage. I pre-drilled the holes and hand tightened with as much care as possible, and still completely stripped all of them before I could get them halfway in. Worked after purchasing some higher quality screws, but not a very smooth process.
It also looks like Shrockworks is out of business as of sometime in December. Maybe that complete lack of customer support caught up with them!
Thanks Wes, great read. Been enjoying my 2021 TRD off road Taco for over a year now. It’s still stock but after nearly getting stuck in the mud a few weeks ago, I already got maxtrax boards and have an appointment to get an ARB front recovery point added. Also considering swapping the stock tires too, will be reading your write up on that. Thanks again for your work and cheers!
I am a big fan of the functionality of this vehicle! I am in need of the bigger f150 for work and children. I was wondering what would be your "Ultimate Ford F150" build?
Wes, what are your thoughts on upgrading fog lights? I am in the mountains of NC and frequently find my ranger in dense fog with bad visibility. Worth the upgrade?
This thread is super helpful, but we are ready for a refresh! Is the 2024 Ranger worth waiting for and paying full (new) price? Or is a 2021-2023 a better deal for the price drop on a used truck? I ask because my 2011 Taco is ready to take a dive and you've made me a Ranger covert.
So here is the question Wes, I am slowly becoming a Ranger believer due to you and me digging in rather ruthlessly on the Australian born history there. I do believe Toyota gave the US the finger with the Tacoma, and we took it hook, line, and sinker! Soooo as I get a little older I want a 4DSB midsize truck. But not the Tacoma…. I’m thinking the Ranger…
I’m hoping my 2015 4x4 Tacoma Access Cab is still worth keeping, solely due to two reasons.
A-2.7L
B-Manual transmission
I have a feeling in a few years having a nice basic 4-cyl 4x4 with a manual will be something others will appreciate.
Why does the word "overlanding" make you cringe? (I feel the same way btw, but can't explain why.)
Hi Wes. To echo others, thanks for compiling a lot of your thoughts in this consolidated space. My wife and I just upgraded from an old Forester to our first truck, a 2022 Ranger SuperCrew XLT FX4 (tow package, no current mods other than topper and bike rack) with the 'Splash' package (18" wheels) 3 months ago as that was the only one available where I live near Denver.
Adventuring, we pretty exclusively dispersed camp with our dogs and two MTBs bikes on the back of the truck. When adding all the associated bike stuff, we are close to payload.
We don't plan to spend much time deliberately hitting off-road trails in the truck, but do spend a lot of time driving off-road in the desert ('West End', Moab, Hurricane/St. George, etc) and everywhere in between... with eventual goals to complete the White Rim or similar trails with some friends.
I've been trawling Ranger5G, etc and am still trying to learn about wheel/tire size combos and their implications so I'm wondering what your guidance would be on the utility in down-sizing the stock 18" wheels to a 17" wheel and associated tires based on our use case. I can find the 17" Ranger Raptor wheels online for $950+tax.
Thanks for your time.
Great write up Wes- appreciate you taking the time to do this!
Question: could the exact same build be done to an F150, to make an outstanding yet slightly larger vehicle? Obviously spec’d for the bigger truck but same idea/concept? Or is this best built on Ranger platform?
Hi Wes, dittos on the thanks for the article, much appreciated. I’m in the Midwest so really don’t have a need for studded tires but have considered some winter tires or a more winter capable AT. Any recommendations?
Thanks for this writeup. It's great to have a resource that pulls together all your IG mentions and other articles into a comprehensive explanation of what you did, and more importantly why you did it.
One question: Would you recommend a SuperCab over the SuperCrew for someone with less dogs than yourself?
And one comment: You didn't mention which Ranger model or packages you started with. Was it XLT + FX4 + tow?
Wes: I’m a 4Runner fan and in the market for a new one. Your comment, “ This is a Hilux beater, not a Tacoma competitor”. Could you elaborate a little about what you mean here? Is a Hilux a 4Runner, Japanese version? Thanks. Joe
Great write-up, Wes. It's awesome to have all the info in one place!
One question, what does the wheel spacer do for your tires? I may be remembering wrong, but I seem to recall one of your other articles saying your tires were the same width as stock, just larger diameter.