For truck lovers who want a little more toughness in their already rugged pickup trucks, Ford has the answer for you.

The 2002 Ford Ranger features the new FX4 premium off-road package, which is built on the four-door SuperCab chassis. Ford first promised this when the Ranger was redesigned for the 2001 model year, and now delivers it.

According to the automakers, one of the benefits of this package is that owners do not have to purchase a lot of aftermarket parts to toughen the truck for off-road adventures. This is for the most part true, as Ford has done a good job outfitting the Ranger with many off-road features that enthusiasts of this type of vehicle covet. This includes:• 4.0-liter engine with a four-wheel-drive system and 8.8-inch rear axle with 4.10:1 ratio and 24-inch water fording capability.
• Manual transmission with manual transfer case or automatic transmission with electronic transfer case.
• Bilstein off-road shock absorbers and heavy-duty springs.
• Heavier front skid plate, two stainless-steel tow hooks in front and a black tow hook in rear, forged aluminum wheels with exposed stainless lug nuts and 31-inch by 10.5-inch BF Goodrich T/A Ko tires.
• Styleside box with four available exterior colors, black exterior trim and FX4 badging on the right and left rear quarter panels.
• Two available interior colors, special 4×4 rubber floor mats, unique sport bucket seats and fabric; A-pillar grab handles for driver and passenger and unique interior trim.
• A power equipment group, including power windows, door locks, mirrors and remote keyless entry system. Other features in this group are an AM/FM stereo system with compact disc and cassette players, cruise control, tilt steering wheel, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and sliding rear window.

One of the best benefits of the FX4 package is the powerful 4.0-liter engine, which produces 207 horsepower and 238 lb.-ft. of torque. While it doesn’t get the gas mileage (16 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway) compared to the smaller engines for the Ranger, it does deliver plenty of performance that drivers will enjoy for their off- and on-road adventures.

Mated to that engine is either the five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission. The vehicle I drove had the automatic transmission, which shifted smoothly through the gears. The Ranger brakes well, with just the right amount of resistance when pressing down on the pedal. The steering is adequate, but I do feel that it floats a little. It could be more precise.

The ride of the Ranger is quite comfortable on paved streets, thanks to a firm suspension and tires bigger than ones on the regular Ranger. On trails, the ride is a little bumpier than expected, but it still won’t shake you around the interior.

Since it is a compact pickup, the Ranger offers some benefits that larger trucks can’t match. It’s easy to enter and exit the cabin. There is no need for running boards or handles to get in the Ranger. In addition, accessing cargo through the tailgate doesn’t require a step stool and long arms.

Having a short truck also helps when using the tonneau cover, which not only protects cargo from the elements and would-be thieves, but also separate the cargo bed into two sections. The only problem is that the cover is a bit tricky to remove completely if you need to haul large items. Two people are needed to lift the heavy and bulky cover from the bed.

On the inside, the seats offer firm support for occupants. While there is plenty of room in the front seat for driver and front passenger, the rear jump seats are uncomfortably small even for older children. Adults are advised to stake claims for shotgun quickly before getting stuck in the back.

The dashboard and instrument panel are laid out smartly. All gauges and buttons are easy to understand and well within the reach of the driver. The cabin does a good job of muffling exterior wind and road noise.

Overall, the exterior design is attractive, but nothing too ground breaking. This is good thing for pickup trucks. Most customers looking for vehicles in the category aren’t interested in trendy styling. They want a reliable, strong performing truck.

The Ranger FX4 gives them that. The only major issue with this package is the price. For $27,000 plus, consumers can get a full-size, four-wheel drive pickup with a V8 engine. The price is simply too high for a pickup this size, even one with an impressive off-road package. But for people who do decide to buy the Ranger FX4, they will be getting nice-looking, good-performing truck with plenty of enhancements for off-road travels.

2002 Ford Ranger FX4
Base price: $24,830
As tested: $27,525

Standard equipment includes: 4.0-liter SOHC V6 engine; five-speed manual transmission; part-time full-wheel drive with low range; Torsen limited-slip rear differential; Bilstein off-road shock absorbers; skid plates under engine and fuel tank; anti-lock brakes; on-off switch for passenger air bag; air conditioning; AM/FM stereo with compact disc and cassette players; power steering, brakes, windows, locks, mirrors and remote-control locks; variable-interval windshield wipers; sliding rear window; fog lights; stainless steel tow hooks; BF Goodrich all-terrain tires; cast-aluminum 15-inch wheels; special 4×4 floor mats; unique sport bucket seats and fabric.

Optional equipment: five-speed automatic transmission ($1000); Class III trailer tow ($215); hard tonneau cover with bed liner ($895).

Mileage: 16 mpg (city), 19 mpg (highway)
Length: 207.7 inches
Width: 70.3 inches
Wheelbase: 126 inches
Height: 67.5 inches
Cargo volume: 34.4 cubic feet
Curb weight: 4034 lbs.
Fuel tank: 19.5 gal.
Built at: Claycomo, Missouri; Norfolk, Virginia; Ontario, Canada

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