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Rack ‘em up.
Choose 2023 Ford Ranger variants can be accessible with the Blue Oval’s Versatile Rack System (FRS).
Developed by a crew of Ford Australia engineers in collaboration with JAC Merchandise, the set-up – patents pending – can be utilized to hold all the things from timber to surfboards and bicycles.
The FRS consists of a Sliding Load Rack and a Folding Roof Rack, and permits homeowners to load gadgets to span the size of each the bathtub and the automobile’s roof.
The Sliding Load Rack will be operated by one particular person and slid alongside a C-shaped channel mounted to the highest of the bathtub sidewalls and locked into considered one of 5 preset places.
Unlocking it on one aspect mechanically releases it on the opposite aspect, permitting the ring to slip simply within the rails.
The function employs 4 curler bearings plus retractable stabilisers to make sure it strikes simply when unlocked however stays solidly in place when locked in place. Drain holes imply you possibly can wash it clear with a hose.
The static load restrict is 250kg, whereas the dynamic load restrict – each on- and off-road – is 80kg.
A pop-up crossbar will increase the peak of the loading platform to match the Folding Roof Racks, which function crossbars that may be adjusted into two completely different positions or stowed away when the roof rails aren’t getting used.
Ford hasn’t confirmed which Rangers will provide the FRS or how a lot it is going to value.
“The Versatile Rack System redefines how prospects can use their Subsequent-Gen Ranger and is simply one other instance of Ford’s ingenious design options on Subsequent-Gen product,” stated senior engineer Nik Tibhuvan of Ford Australia Particular Car Engineering.
“Each will be operated simply by one particular person and have been put by way of lots of the identical sturdiness testing as Ranger itself.”
Ford recognized the necessity for such an choice after conducting buyer clinics with ute homeowners.
“We discovered from our prospects that they might load issues like canoes into the load field after which lean them up in opposition to the sports activities hoop earlier than tying them down. This was awkward and meant the load field couldn’t actually be used for storing the rest a buyer would possibly wish to take with them,” stated Ford Ranger software specialist Danny Trentin.
“We additionally discovered of their frustrations when it got here to carrying gadgets of longer lengths. With an 80-kilogram dynamic load restrict, the Versatile Rack System eliminates these frustrations.”
Ford says it has extensively torture-tested the FRS, subjecting it to most of the identical sturdiness exams because the Ranger itself whereas additionally testing it with fragile masses throughout quite a lot of surfaces.
“We examined the system with bulldust, pink filth, salt and water, to copy the kind of real-world grit and muck homeowners will encounter,” stated Mr Tribhuvan.
Ford says as soon as it was coated in filth, its engineers cycled the Sliding Load Rack greater than 3500 instances to copy roughly 10 years of use.
Earlier this month, Ford launched pricing and specs for the 2023 Ranger line-up.
Pricing has elevated by as much as $1300, relying on the variant.
The flagship Ranger Raptor now receives a brand new $3500 energy curler shutter choice, in addition to a plastic drop-in bedliner.
All Ranger XLT and Sport variants now come customary with an built-in trailer brake controller, whereas XL cab-chassis variants now come customary with a rear-view digicam, like the remainder of the vary.
There’s a brand new $500 non-obligatory wheel pack for the Ranger Wildtrak which provides 20-inch machined-face alloy wheels, wrapped in all-season tyres.
The non-obligatory Touring Pack, which is obtainable on XLT pickup and Sport fashions, is now $395 dearer at $1295 and features a cargo administration system and auxiliary swap financial institution.
The XLT cab-chassis variants additionally obtain a standalone choice for the auxiliary swap financial institution which prices $250.
The non-obligatory Wildtrak Premium pack is now $350 dearer at $1850, with no modifications by way of spec, and status paint which is $25 extra at $700.
MORE: 2023 Ford Ranger worth and specs
MORE: The whole lot Ford Ranger
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