2005 Ford 4-Trac Review

Specifications

Is This the Next-Gen Ranger?

Strange but true: did you know that outside of the United States, the worlds largest pickup truck market belongs to the small Asian country, Thailand? Of course, the word truck is taken into a different context there. Its not the full-size diesel-powered dually crew cabs offered by Ford, Chevy, GMC and Dodge that we in North America tend to think of, but rather, compact, light-duty single and double cab pickups with small displacement engines.

Currently, Thailand is the home to no less than five compact trucks, most of which wear Japanese brands. They include the new Mitsubishi Triton, Toyota Hi-Lux, Isuzu D-Max/Rodeo, Mazda B-Series, and most relevantly, the Ford Ranger. With the exception of the North American market, the majority of the worlds Rangers are built in Fords Thailand assembly plant, and then distributed to Europe, Australia, Africa, and beyond. Given these circumstances, its no wonder Ford has chosen this years Thailand International Motor Expo to debut their 4-Trac pickup concept.

Prior to the 4-Trac seeing prototype production, Fords research team investigated the buying audience to find out exactly what they wanted in a truck. Aside from durability and reliability, owners and would-be buyers alike needed a product that not only was up to various work and play related hauling tasks, but also one that looked cool - the latter not exactly part of the docile-looking Ranger package. Adding flare would also help Ford to target a younger audience group.

The 4-Trac concept more than delivers in the looks department: show goers should be pleased. The truck is far more aggressive than any previous compact truck, yet also family friendly with a proper crew cab and four doors. The 4-Trac has grown in size significantly: its taller, wider and longer than the previous Ranger, making it more of a midsize truck like the Dodge Dakota or Toyota Tacoma. It also features much more ground clearance than current 4×4 Rangers, and rides on off-road ready 17-inch Turbine wheels and Bridgestone Dueler tires - a wheel and tire package that most Thai-built Rangers dont include.

The small, plain grille and nondescript headlamps have given way to Fords new horizontal-slat chromed corporate face, similar to the mild facelift made to the 2006 production Ranger, while a bulging hood and cyber-like LED lighting completes the concepts forward thinking package. Bright blue LEDs fitted within brushed-metal housings on the mirrors and sport-bar provide additional lighting. Interestingly, additional turn signal indicator lights are located on the fender arches, providing better visibility.

In sync with its off-road image, the 4-Trac comes equipped with the kind of goodies that workhorse truck owners desire. Dual rope hooks are standard, but theyre also made of brushed aluminum and fold away into the front valance where a winch is also located. Around back, the bed of the truck features an electronically operated dual folding tailgate, with three-step access for easier access. The rear of the cab also incorporates a liftgate for direct bed access, as well as six covered storage boxes to protect such items as tools and equipment from thieves and the elements.

Ford has left out information on the 4-Trac concepts powertrain and interior, but it is expected to be powered by a version of Mazdas 2.3-liter four in base models, the Ford Duratec 30 3.0-liter V6, producing somewhere in the vicinity of 220-horsepower, in mid-grade models, plus the new 250-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 in top trim levels. Outside of North America, an efficient yet torquey common-rail turbodiesel engine will also be offered. Only Dodge offers a V8 in this segment, so it is unlikely one of Fords V8s will be made available.

Bigger, bolder and better, the 4-Trac concept reinforces the blue-oval brands “Built Ford Tough” motto established long ago, but a question has arisen: will it outclass Fords recently introduced Sport Trac when it arrives in North America? Both seem to be of similar size and configuration, but the production version is more likely to be smaller, lighter, tougher and most importantly, cheaper. It will be interesting to see what kind of changes Ford makes with this Tonka toy of a concept for the production version. The Dearborn-based automaker should give us a concrete answer within the next year or so.