The Ford Ranger will be a domestically built, small pickup truck engineered to many design objectives typical of a fullsize pickup, yet with four cylinder engine fuel efficiency. Ranger is a full-function on-and-off road pickup truck with a uniquely smooth ride and a capacity to carry up to a 725.7 kg. (1600 lb.) payload. The truck features a three passenger body-on-frame cab and a double wall pickup box with provision for 1.2m × 2.4m (4 ft. × 8 ft.) sheets of construction material. Featured in this comprehensive paper are the engineering highlights and innovations contributing to the accomplishment of these Small Truck objectives. Of particular significance are:
styling for aerodynamic efficiency
industry firsts in special uses of lightweight material
downsizing the Ford 4×2 and 4×4 twin-I-beam front suspensions
harmonically indexed wheels and tires at assembly
improved reliability actions in body and chassis design, manufacturing, and assembly
computer graphics and computer assisted design analysis
implementation of an assembly plant employe involvement program.
