The Roush version of the Ford Ranger took some time to develop but now that it is here the tuner is excited by its prospects.
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It’s getting closer. What is it? It’s quite simple, Ford’s Ranger Raptor, the one that has been on sale for the last couple of years in Europe, but isn’t on sale here. In fact, according to various Ford sources, the Ranger Raptor is a single model year away (2022), and it will feature many changes.
Roush Ranger Features Many Changes
That said, there is a special version of the Ranger available now that could easily be the outline for an American Ranger Raptor. Roush Performance has done some fundamental changes under the skin and has tuned the Ranger into a special Roush vehicle.
Let me take this paragraph to tell you that the vehicle I am talking about – the Roush Ranger – is very Raptor-like, but it is not – and I repeat not – a Raptor. For that will make you wait another two years (one model year) for the real product. That’s when Ford plans to bring the Ranger Raptor to the American market.
Plans call for significant changes to the Ranger in 2022 and the addition of an American Raptor, at that time, powered by an updated 2.7-liter V-6 twin-turbo that kicks out 325 horsepower and 400-pounds-feet of torque.
Currently, the Roush Ranger is powered by Ford’s standard 2.3-liter EcoBoost powerplant. The engine cranks out 270 horsepower and 310-pounds-feet of torque. Roush uses the Lariat SuperCrew 4X4 trim level as the base version of their Ranger. The Roush Ranger carries a price premium of $12,750 over the manufacturer’s suggested retail, so the Roush Ranger has a price of $51,425.
Roush Ranger Is Exciting Developmentd
Roush is excited by the 2020 Roush Ranger. “The Roush Ranger is a project we’ve been excited about for a long time,” says Jack Roush. “The 2020 Roush Ranger is an exceptional midsized truck that combines both style and capability.”
So what have we here? According to Roush, the Ranger combines both off-road prowess and rugged looks to create the ultimate midsized pickup. It features the signature Roush grille with dual LED light bars, and Magnetic Grey painted fender flares with integrated accent lighting.
Both the flares with their lighting and the dual LED light bars make the Roush Ranger stand out wherever it goes. The Ranger also features custom fender vent badging and Roush puddle lamps that give the Ranger its style.
Aside from the noticeable external changes, most of the good stuff is underneath. For example, the Roush equips the Ranger with a Roush/Fox 2.0 performance suspension system. The suspension system features General 32-inch Grabber ATX tires on custom 18-inch satin black Roush wheels. This means it can handle any terrain you are thinking of taking on.
The Roush Ranger features a suspension has been lifted about 1.5 inches or so to level the stance of the truck. In turn, this improves the on-road performance of off-road capability. Meantime, a dual-tip performance cat-back exhaust system delivers an aggressive exhaust note. The tips are stainless steel.
Roush Ranger Features Options
The Roush Ranger features a number of options that allow you to really customize your trucks. For example, you can add the optional Roush Chase Rack, which features dual rigid 10-inch light bars for a Baja-inspired look. The rack sits above the bed without sacrificing cargo space and features 7,290-lumen light bars. They feature translucent black enamel lights and an integrated thermal management system to extend the longevity of the LEDs.
There is also an optional retractable aluminum bed cover that opens or closes in seconds. There is no drilling required, just the twist of a knob and the cover retracts, securing cargo from unwanted viewing.
When the optional bed cover is selected, drivers can pick a cargo management system that automatically holds the cargo in place as you drive.
Other additional options include the Roush off0road utility kid, a Roush center console vault, and a rear seat vault for additional secure storage under the rear bench.
Marc Stern has been an auto writer since 1971. It was a position that filled two boyhood dreams: One was that I would write, and two that I write about cars. When I took over as my newspaper's auto editor, I began a 32-year career as an automotive columnist. There isn't much on four wheels that I haven't driven or reviewed. My work has appeared in Popular Mechanics, Mechanix Illustrated, AutoWeek, SuperStock, Trailer Life, Old Cars Weekly, Special Interest Autos, and others. Today, I am the Ford F150 reporter for Torque News. I write how-to and help columns for online sites such as Fixya.com and others. You can follow me on Twitter or Facebook. Most of Marc's stories can be found at Torque News Ford coverage. Check back again and search for Torque News Ford F-150 news for more F-150 truck news coverage.
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