You Don’t Have to Wait For the Ford Ranger Raptor To Have An Off-Road Ranger

The Ford Ranger, the smaller of Ford’s pickup trucks, was reintroduced in the 2019 model year. The Ranger, unlike the Ford F-150 Raptor is not known to be overly rugged although the FX2 Package is an affordable, attractive off-road feature. Plus, coming soon is the 2021 Ford Ranger Raptor.

If you don’t want to wait for the Ranger Raptor, one California company has introduced a conversion package that will turn current Ford Rangers into rugged, off-road beasts.

How To Make a 2019-2020 Ford Ranger More Rugged?
Automotive Performance Group, a specialized automotive aftermarket builder and manufacturer based in Orange County, California, has introduced its PRORUNNER Series 1 conversion package that is the ultimate off-road upgrade to the 2019-2020 Ford Ranger 2WD or 4WD platform. The APG PRORUNNER Series 1 package includes a hand-laid and vacuum infused carbon fiber widebody, adjustable long travel suspension for high performance off-road driving and an all-aluminum front bumper.

The APG PRORUNNER Series 1 package includes carbon fiber front fenders and bedsides that widen the Ranger by 10 inches over factory width, as well as an entirely new carbon fiber fuel door and housing. Hand-laid and vacuum infused by APG in Southern California, the carbon fiber components offer OEM-level fit and finish.
Delivering off-road performance and on-road comfort, the long travel suspension system allows up to 12.5 inches of wheel travel and accommodates the fitment of up to 35-inch tires. It includes wider upper and lower control arms, a tie rod extension kit with FK rod ends, extended front axle shafts, front hub centric wheel rings, spacers for the factory front coil overs and CNC machined rear wheel adapter/spacers and Gorilla lug nuts, all designed and manufactured by APG. The APG PRORUNNER Series 1 kit does not include shocks, wheels or tires, allowing owners to fine tune their vehicle to their personal preference.

The Series 1 package also includes a powder coated, all-aluminum, front bumper capable of housing a winch, complete with parking sensor cutouts, OEM fog light brackets, D-Rings, and winch and light closeout brackets. Additional upgrade options available through APG include, but are not limited to, an integrated Warn 8000-S front bumper winch; Factor 55 Fairlead and ProLink; an aluminum rear bumper with D-rings; KC HiLiTES FLEX lights for the front and rear bumpers; KC HiLiTES roof rack with light bar and side lights; and an sPOD light controller.

How Much Will It Cost To Convert A Ford Ranger To An Off-Road Package?
The APG PRORUNNER Series 1 conversion package is compatible with 2019-2020 Ford Ranger 2WD and 4WD models. Pricing starts at $10,573 without installation and $15,948 with installation and paint. APG offers various shock, wheel and tire options to complete the conversion, and installation is available at APG’s state-of-the-art facility in Garden Grove, California. APG designs and manufactures its components in the USA from high-quality materials.

Ford Ranger FX2 package
The current Ford Ranger is never going to be the Raptor but even without the aforementioned APG conversion, the FX2 package can add a nice amount of ruggedness to the midsize truck. The Ranger is offered with the FX2 package, which is a tough, rugged option The Ranger FX2 Package has tough styling and capability upgrades for two-wheel drive trucks, including an electronic-locking rear differential, off-road tires, off-road-tuned suspension, front underbody guard and Ford’s off-road cluster screen.

The Ranger’s FX2 package also comes with frame-mounted steel front bash plates and skid plates. Additionally it comes with Ford’s Terrain Management System with four distinct drive modes and Trail Control.

“FX2 expands Ranger’s options for customers who want tough, off-road style with the functionality of a locking differential but don’t need four-wheel drive,” said Brian Bell, Ford Ranger marketing manager. “This is another way our customers can personalize Ranger to match their lifestyle while getting a great value.”
“We’re seeing sales trends that tell us to grow Ranger’s capability and appearance options even further,” said Chad Callander, Ford Ranger consumer marketing manager. “The FX2 Package is a result of us listening to our customers and what they’re demanding from their trucks.”

The FX2 package is available on both 2019 and 2020 Ford Ranger trucks at a cost of $595 and can be ordered at dealers.

2021 Ford Ranger Raptor
Ford will be introducing a Ranger version of the Raptor and it sounds like it will be awesome. While not much is known as Ford hasn’t even officially announced it yet, I anticipate much of the goodness from the F-150 to carry onto the Ranger Raptor.

The Raptor look on a Ranger will look great with flared out fenders, higher ground clearance and unique grille all on big, rugged tires. I will be very interested to see this truck get a proper reveal.

The 2019 Ford Ranger has a minor recall issued on it related to an HVAC issue as I wrote about. And speaking of recalls, hopefully you've been following my recall stories on the $400 frozen door lock payout for Ford F-150.

As for other off-road trucks, I’ve written extensively about the Ford Bronco that is coming very soon. Due to the corona virus outbreak, the reveal has been delayed of the Bronco, as I reported here, and my colleague Marc Stern also wrote. We still expect to see the Ford Bronco and the Bronco Sport (baby Bronco) very soon.

Ford is gathering quite a stable of off-road trucks and that stable will get even bigger soon. I for one, can’t wait. Which off-road truck are you most excited about? Me, nothing gets me more than the 2017 Ford Raptor, as I waxed poetically about earlier this month. I just love the Raptor so much.

Jimmy Dinsmore has been an automotive journalist for more than a decade and been a writer since high school. His Driver’s Side column features new car reviews and runs in several newspapers throughout the country. In addition to being a nationally syndicated automotive columnist, Jimmy is also author of the book “Mustang by Design” and “Ford Trucks: A Unique Look at the Technical History of America’s Most Popular Truck”. Follow Jimmy on Facebook, and Twitter and Twitter.