The Ford Ranger has a commanding presence on the off-road and commercial scenes. It has won a legion of awards for the privilege, including the title of Auto Express Pick-up of the Year five years in a row! While a pickup designed with off-road performance in mind, it needs a little extra help to take it from light off-roading and green laning to extreme terrain as Autocar explains:
“The Ranger coped with a mild off-road course with no drama and hardly any wheelspin. Ultimately, you will be limited in how far off the beaten path you can take a Ranger by its sheer size. Green lanes that a Suzuki Jimny would saunter through will scratch both sides of a modern pick-up truck.”
Thankfully, there’s one classic upgrade combo that will prepare your Ranger for pretty much anything performance-wise, including more challenging conditions.
Adventure smarter with a snorkel
Fitting a snorkel to a Ford Ranger, or any capable 4WD pickup for that matter, is one of the smartest upgrades an avid off-roader can make. A snorkel relocates the engine’s air intake from under the bonnet to a higher point where the air is cleaner, cooler and drier. This simple modification can make a dramatic difference when navigating dusty trails, water crossings and remote environments that are on the unpredictable side.
Protecting your engine from dust and water ingress will prevent the clogging that can lead to inefficiencies, damage and eventually failure. The intake of cleaner, cooler air – and the increase of airflow in some cases – can also safeguard your vehicle from within and unlock fuel savings.
Snorkels are easier to fit than you might think too – just read our 4×4 snorkel installation guide for tips.
Toughen up your suspension system
Another area that’ll need your attention if you’re looking to take on tougher trails is your suspension system. Even a capable vehicle like the Ranger needs help in this department, with factory suspension setups generally tuned for comfort and everyday driving rather than the punishing conditions of more rugged settings. The added weight of gear and accessories doesn’t make things any easier for your OE suspension. That’s where a suspension upgrade comes in!
By switching your OE suspension with one of our Ranger suspension packages, you can give your T6 the strength, control and adaptability to tackle more extreme environments. You’ll also pave the way to increased ground clearance and enhanced ride quality.
The load handling capacity of your Ranger will be improved too, making lightwork of heavy rooftop tents, additional fuel tanks and other off-roading accessories.
A match made in heaven?
While an unlikely duo, a high quality snorkel and heavy duty suspension system make the perfect pair for those venturing into challenging terrain.
A snorkel provides engine protection by raising the air intake above water and debris, while a lift kit increases clearance to help the Ranger navigate rough terrain and accommodate larger tyres. This combination helps a lot for adventurers pushing further into the wild.
Ready to find the snorkel and suspension pairing that’s right for you and your usage patterns? Explore our snorkels and suspension systems to get started.