Ford has continued to drip-feed information on its looming 2022 Ford Ranger, with the Blue Oval’s European arm unveiling key specifications related to the vehicle’s cargo tub.
As the best-selling 4×4 vehicle in Australia in 2021, the Ford Ranger is now the vehicle of choice for families opting for a lap of the map, grey nomads with camper trailer in tow, and even for parents as the daily runabout – so, clearly, it’s not just used to ferry tools to the worksite.
To this end, Ford has ensured the cargo area of its 2022 Ranger remains useful and practical for its evolving demographic. To the average eye it mightn’t look like anything special, but dig a bit deeper and it’s obvious the design boffins at Ford put in considerable effort to optimise the cargo space with useful features and accessories. Let’s take a closer look.
A new drop-in bedliner incorporates functional divider locators, allowing owners to organise the tub using custom-made dividers – which can be added or removed at any time. The bedliner is also said to be more comfy on knees, provide better grip, and be easier to clean.
In addition to external tie-down rails and six fixed tie-down points, internal rails on either side of the tub feature spring-loaded, adjustable cleats, which can slide and lock into nine locations along the rail – making it easier to secure loads of different shapes and sizes. Wildtrak models come with aluminium extrusions that double as tie-down rails.
The easy-lift tailgate doubles as a work surface when lowered, featuring two clamp pockets concealed by spring-loaded caps, and a built-in ruler with 10 millimetre increments (only available when no bedliner is fitted).
Reaching contents in the tub is made immensely easier – especially for shorter folk – thanks to the addition of an access step, directly attached to it via two steel supports.
To easily attach accessories such as roof racks, the Ranger features roof-top channel mounts – roof load limits are up to 350 kilograms (static) and 85kg (dynamic).
The tub itself features a volume of 1200 litres, with Ford claiming it can accommodate up to 1224mm between the wheel arches – the load-box length varies from 1638 to 2305mm, depending on the variant.
A powered roller shutter is available as an optional extra; power comes in the form of 12-volt sockets and a 400W inverter; and there are better lighting solutions in the tub, as well as “Zone” lighting, which is controlled via the FordPass app.
Ford has also engineered space for a second battery in the engine bay, as well as a pre-wired overhead auxiliary switch panel. At launch, the 2022 Ranger will be available with more than 150 factory-backed accessories in Europe.
The 2022 Ford Ranger will come with a V6 diesel engine and full-time 4×4 options, as well as a 50mm wider track and 50mm longer wheelbase.
The next-gen Ranger will be on sale in Australia from mid-2022.
Keyword: Next-gen Ford Ranger: Cargo tub specs