2004 Ford Ranger Fx4 Level 2 Motor Review
FX4 Quick Facts:
In 2002, there was only one level of FX4.
From 2003-2007, you had the option between a FX4 Off-Road and FX4 Level 2
In 2007, the Ford Ranger FX4 Level II had a FX4 Off-Road sticker on the bed, and a decal on the doors that said 'Level II'.
From 2008-2009, at that place was only a FX4 Off-Road (no Level Ii).
The 2002, 2008, 2009 FX4, and 2003-2007 FX4 Level Ii accept either an all black interior, or black with either red or blueish inserts. All other FX4 Off-Road models with either have the grey or tan interior.
Not all FX4's received the 31-spline 8.8-inch rear with the Torsen limited skid differential. Only the 2002 FX4, and 2003-2007 FX4 Level 2'southward. In 2008-2009, the Torsen was optional.
Only the 2002 Ford FX4, and 2003 Ford Ranger FX4 Level Two had the optional manual transfer case.
The FX4 Level 2 was not sold (or offered) as a flareside (stepside). But the 2003-2004 FX4 Off-Road models had a flareside option.
2002 – The Introduction of The Ford Ranger FX4:
The Ford Ranger FX4. This was Ford's answer to the serious off-roader. Ford new that these trucks were seeing a lot of off-road use, and took in involvement in how guys were modifying their trucks. At present, Ford was not about to offering lift kits on their new 2002 Ford Ranger FX4, but information technology did come with these notable features:
- 4.0L SOHC V6
- Bilstein Shocks
- Skid Plates
- 31-spline Ford eight.8-inch rear beam
- Torsen Limited Slip Differential
- 4.x Gears
- 31×ten.50×15 BF Goodrich All Terrain Tires
- xv-inch Alcoa wheels
- Tow hooks
- Manual transfer case
- Sport bucket seats
Ford was serious nearly this truck as well. Their engineers brought the truck and went offroading with united states in 2001 (before it's release) (See 'Wheeling With Ford).
This is what Fourwheeler Mag had to say about the new FX4 Ranger:
Ford is proud to inform us that the Ranger has been the meaty-truck sales leader for the past 14 years. Of form with plenty of contest in the meaty-truck market place, one does not stay at the top of the heap by only putting out the same vehicle year after year. To stay on superlative, the Ranger has been reengineered several times since its introduction in '83, with plenty of refinements and upgrades along the mode. For the '02 model year, one of these refinements is the FX4 off-road bundle.You lot may call back that when we tested the Ranger's bigger brother, the F-150, with the FX4 parcel ("2002 Ford F-150 FX4," April '02), that vehicle yielded marginal results. Fortunately, the Ranger and F-150 FX4 packages are similar in proper noun simply. The Ranger's includes a more substantial list of clay-ready equipment. When it's equipped with the FX4 packet, the Ranger receives a 4.0L Five-half-dozen, iv.10:1 ring-and-pinion gears with a express-slip rear unequal, Alcoa aluminum wheels, 31-inch BFGoodrich All-Terrain KO tires, Bilstein shocks, and heavy-duty springs. Also included are tow hooks, a heavier front skidplate, sport saucepan seats, special prophylactic floor mats, and the power equipment group. Nosotros were eager to see what the Ranger, newly armed with this impressive listing of equipment, was capable of.
The Ranger FX4 is powered by Ford'southward iv.0L 5-6. It provided good acceleration when combined with the 4.10:1 ring-and-pinion gears.
Right from the start of our exam, nosotros noticed that the 4.10:ane gears, five-speed trans, and 4.0L V-6, which makes 207 hp and 238 lb-ft of torque, is a sugariness combo. Coupling this power with the 4.x:1 gears meant that the Ranger gets up and goes when the accelerator pedal is stomped on. Calculation to the fun is that the peak torque for the 4.0L comes in at a low 3,000 rpm. Yes, it was fun to stomp on the Ranger's go-pedal, every bit plenty of ability is available down low in the rpm bend. Meshing nicely with the 4.0L 5-6 is an electronically controlled five-speed automatic transmission that always seemed to have the appropriate gear on hand.Another high point for the Ranger included its rack-and-pinion steering. While a bit on the heavy side in terms of effort, the rack-and-pinion setup provides quick, precise steering. The steering likewise gives a good road feel and that was a do good whether guiding the Ranger through city traffic or across a twisty mountain pass.
The interior of the Ranger too earned loftier marks in our test. While the seats are somewhat bones, they are comfortable for a wide range of body types and exercise offer a good corporeality of adjustability. A full complement of gauges also conveys all of the necessary information to the driver. The only drawback to our Supercab Ranger was that there was non a lot of room behind the seats. However, this is common amidst compact pickups as there is simply so much space available to work with; the Ranger was no worse than its competitors.
Articulation on the rear of the Ranger is impressive for a stock vehicle. This combined with the effective limited-slip diff in the rear axle helped the Ranger maintain traction on the trail. Our Ranger featured this interesting tonneau cover that opens from either the front or rear and features a centre divider. While it was useful, it is an $895 option when combined with the bedliner. The interior of the Ranger was fairly basic every bit information technology didn't have any of the loftier-end luxury components such equally leather, GPS navigation systems, and heated seats we oft meet in test vehicles. Good. We can practice without all that stuff. More important to us was that information technology was enough comfortable.
While the drivetrain and the interior of the Ranger received compliments, the brakes didn't draw much praise from our testers. While the brakes provide excellent pedal feel and were easy to modulate, they but provided average stopping distances at the track when going from lx to 0 mph. Loading the Ranger up to half of its ane,333-pound payload taxed the brakes and produced longer stopping distances.
And so what almost the functioning of the components included in the FX4 packet? Pretty effective, overall. At the core of the package are its heavy-duty springs and Bilstein shocks. Spring rates are merely almost correct for a diversity of activities from cruising down the highway to bouncing along a rutted ii-rail. The shocks did an effective chore of treatment impacts of all sizes. Their effectiveness gave the Ranger a smoothen ride on the highway, permit it absorb slow-speed impacts when itch around in low-range, and also allowed for spirited high-speed dirt running where bigger bumps must exist absorbed. Merely the lack of cycle travel inherent to the design of the Ranger's contained front pause express the suspension'southward functioning; luckily, the rear of the Ranger has a good amount of articulation. A pleasant surprise was the Ranger's twisty pavement ability. Its handling was in a higher place average for a compact pickup.
A key role of the FX4 packet is the 31-inch BFGoodrich All-Terrain KO tires on Alcoa aluminum wheels. This combo means that we won't have to supersede the wheels and tires first thing, as the Alcoa wheels look swell and the BFGs provide plenty of traction.
The 31-inch BFGoodrich All-Terrain KO tires provide excellent trail traction. Having a three-ply sidewall too meant we didn't have to worry almost changing flats resulting from cut sidewalls. The only slight drawback was a minimal increase in tire noise at thruway speeds, thanks to their aggressive tread pattern; simply their performance, when compared to the rider car tires that we normally see on trucks, was well worth this pocket-sized price.
Also helping to provide traction in the dirt was the Ranger'due south limited-slip rear differential. It was tighter than many of the other limited-slips we have tested, and transferred ability quickly, helping the Ranger find traction on the loose and rocky sections of our test trails. The only major drawback of the Ranger on the trail is that its abdomen is somewhat low and this caused it to drag in some sections.
With our examination over, nosotros grudgingly returned the Ranger FX4 to Ford'south test fleet. While we did take a few minor complaints, for the almost part we were impressed by the F-150's petty blood brother. A fun engine, nice manual, functional interior, and not bad steering made the Ranger a boom to drive. Coupling those fine traits with the FX4 packet make it capable on the trail making it a proficient pick for someone looking for a compact pickup with some trail capability straight from the factory.
Cost $24,830-$27,525
2002 Ford Ranger FX4 Photos:
Fourwheeler Magazine testing the new Ford Ranger FX4
2003 – Ford At present Offered a FX4 Off-Road, and FX4 Level Two:
This is where things go disruptive for people. Honestly, Ford should never have created the Level II name. It should have been the FX4, or merely a 4X4 Offroad model. To this twenty-four hours, people still don't know the difference, and some probably don't even realize there's 2 levels of the FX4.
In addition to the standard features on every Ranger model, listed beneath are a few of the key features included on the FX4.
| 2003 Ford Ranger FX4 | 2003 Ford Ranger FX4 Level II |
| 4.0L SOHC 12-valve V6 engine | four.0L SOHC 12-valve V6 engine |
| Limited-slip rear beam | Limited-slip rear axle – Torsen® |
| Axle ratio – iv.10:1 | Axle ratio – four.ten:1 |
| Slip plates | Skid plates |
| 16″ 5-spoke cast aluminum wheels (4) | 15″ 8-pigsty Alcoa® forged-aluminum wheels (4) |
| P245/75R16 all-terrain OWL tires (4) | 31″/10.5″ BF Goodrich® KO all-terrain tires (4) |
| Tow hooks – Front, black | Tow hooks – Front, stainless steel |
| Bumpers – Chrome | Bumpers – Chrome |
| Grille – Painted-platinum honeycomb | Grille – Black |
| Side step bars | Bilstein® shock absorbers |
| 4-door SuperCab | iv-door SuperCab |
| Sliding rear window | Sliding rear window |
| Power Equipment Group – Includes power windows, ability door locks and remote keyless entry organization | Power Equipment Group – Includes power windows, power door locks and remote keyless entry system |
| Tilt steering wheel with speed control | Tilt steering cycle with speed control |
| Leather-wrapped steering wheel | Leather-wrapped steering bicycle |
| Front 60/40 cloth split-bench seat | Front cloth sport bucket seats |
| MACH® AM/FM stereo with MP3/CD, clock and iv speakers | AM/FM stereo with CD/cassette dual media, clock and 4 speakers |
| Floor mats – Color-keyed (front only) | Floor mats – Vinyl all-atmospheric condition spill-containing |
| Rear vinyl leap seats | Rear vinyl spring seats (SuperCab models only) |
2003 Ford Ranger FX4 Features/Options From The Ford Sales Brochure:
See the whole 2003 Ford Ranger Sales Brochure HERE.
2003 Ford Ranger FX4 Photos:
2003 Ford Ranger FX4 Level II
Some people refer to this every bit "twin sticks". Information technology's a term that's non used properly. In the off-road community, "twin sticks" refers to (ii) transfer case levers
Ford Ranger Medium Pebble Interior
2004 Ford Ranger FX4 Off-Road and FX4 Level II
Off-Route
In add-on to the standard features on every Ranger, listed below are a few key features included on the FX4 Off-Road in add-on to or in place of those on the XLT.
- iv.0L V6 engine with 5-speed manual transmission
- sixteen" five-spoke bandage aluminum wheels
- P245/75Rx16 all-terrain OWL tires
- 2 Steel sideslip plates and ii tow hooks
Level Two
In addition to the standard features on every Ranger, listed below are a few fundamental features included on the FX4 Level Ii in addition to or in place of those on the FX4 Off-Road.
- 15" Alcoa® forged-aluminum wheels
- BFG KO 31×10.v all-terrain RWL tires
- Bilstein® gas-charged shocks
- Torsen® limited-slip rear axle
2004 Ford Ranger FX4 Photos:
2004 Ford Ranger FX4 Off-Road
Note the greyness interior in the FX4 Off-Road (not Level II)
We do not have the sales brochure for the 2004 Ford Ranger. We are looking for a .pdf version of it.
2005 Ford Ranger FX4 Off-Route and FX4 Level II:
| 2005 Ford Ranger FX4 Off-Road | 2005 Ford Ranger FX4 Level Ii |
| iv.0L SOHC V6 engine | 4.0L SOHC V6 engine |
| Electronic shift transfer case | Electronic shift transfer instance |
| Shocks, premium | Shocks, Bilstein® |
| Limited slip axle | Limited-slip rear axle – Torsen® (not listed in the brochure) |
| xvi″ 5-spoke cast aluminum, 4 | 15″ forged aluminum, 4 (FX4/Level II) |
| P255/70Rx16 all-terrain OWL, 4 | 31×ten.v BFGoodrich® KO, 4 (FX4/Level Ii simply |
| Sliding rear window (requires Privacy Glass | Sliding rear window (requires Privacy Glass |
| 4×iv sideslip plates – mid and aft | 4×4 skid plates – front end, mid and aft |
| Mud flaps – rear only on vehicles with wheellip moldings | Mud flaps – rear only on vehicles with wheellip moldings |
| Black wheellip moldings | Blackness wheellip moldings |
| Fog lamps | Fog lamps |
| Stride bars – black | |
| Tow hooks (4×4 only) – ii black steel in front | Tow hooks (iv×4) – two silver-tone steel in front, 1 blackness steel in rear |
| Grille – black honeycomb-mesh insert with chrome environs | Grille – black honeycomb-mesh insert with body colour environment |
| Chrome front and rear step bumpers | Chrome front and rear step bumpers |
| Color-coordinated carpeting and carpeted front floor mats | Colour-coordinated carpet, vinyl "slush" mats |
| High-series door trim panels with textile insert and map pockets | Unique high-serial door trim panels with cloth inserts and map pockets |
| Tachometer/gauge cluster – black-faced with matching trim rings | Tachometer/judge cluster – black-faced with silvery brushed trim rings |
| AM/FM stereo/single CD player with clock (four speakers | (not listed?) |
| Forepart textile sixty/twoscore split bench seat with child safety seat LATCH restraint | Cloth sport saucepan seats with extra-thick side bolstering, manual adjustable driver's side lumbar support and centre flooring console |
| Rear vinyl spring seats | Rear vinyl leap seats |
2005 Ford Ranger FX4 Features/Options From The Ford Sales Brochure:
Come across the whole 2005 Ford Ranger Sales Brochure Here.
2005 Ford Ranger FX4 Photos:
2005 Ford Ranger FX4 Level Ii
2006 Ford Ranger FX4 Off-Road and FX4 Level II:
| 2006 Ford Ranger FX4 Off-Road | 2006 Ford Ranger FX4 Level Two |
| four.0L SOHC V6 engine | 4.0L SOHC V6 engine |
| 16″ 5-spoke cast-aluminum wheels with Dark Shadow Grey-painted insets (4) | 15″ Alcoa® viii-hole forged-aluminum wheels with Dark Shadow Grey paint (4) |
| Limited-slip rear axle | Limited-slip rear beam – Torsen® (non listed in the brochure) |
| Skid plates — Mid and aft (SuperCab 4×iv only) | Skid plates — Fore, mid and aft |
| Forepart 60/forty carve up bench seat — Cloth | Forepart sport bucket seats — Cloth with heart console and driver's-side manual lumbar support |
| Rear jump seats — Vinyl | Rear jump seats — Vinyl |
| AM/FM stereo with single-CD player, clock and 4 speakers | AM/FM stereo/cassette/single-CD thespian with MP3 adequacy, clock and 4 speakers (Dual-Media) |
| Floor mats — Black vinyl, slush-type (front simply) | Floor mats — Black vinyl, slush-type (front only) |
| Leather-wrapped steering wheel | Leather-wrapped steering bike |
| Cargo box — 6′ | Cargo box — 6′ |
| Side step bars — Black | |
| Sliding rear window | Sliding rear window |
| Tow hooks — ii blackness steel in front end | Tow hooks — 2 silver-tone steel in front and ane blackness steel in rear |
| Cycle-lip moldings — Molded-in-color | Wheel-lip moldings — Molded-in-color |
| Power Equipment Grouping — Includes power windows, door locks and sideview mirrors with remote keyless-entry arrangement | Power Equipment Grouping — Includes power windows, door locks and sideview mirrors with remote keyless-entry system |
2006 Ford Ranger FX4 Features/Options From The Ford Sales Brochure:
Meet the whole 2006 Ford Ranger Sales Brochure Hither.
2006 Ford Ranger FX4 Photos:
2006 Ford Ranger FX4 Level II
2006 Ford Ranger FX4 Off-Route
2007 Ford Ranger FX4 Off-Road and FX4 Level II:
| 2007 Ford Ranger FX4 Off-Road | 2007 Ford Ranger FX4 Level II |
| 4.0L SOHC V6 | 4.0L SOHC V6 |
| Shocks, Bilstein | |
| Express skid axle | Limited sideslip beam |
| Class I trailer tow wiring harness, 4-pin | Class I trailer tow wiring harness, 4-pin |
| 16″ Y-spoke bandage aluminum wheel with silver painted insets (4) | xv″ Alcoa forged aluminum with dark shadow gray finish (4) |
| P255/70Rx16 all-terrain OWL (four) | 31×10.v BF Goodrich® KO (4) |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring Arrangement | Tire Pressure level Monitoring Arrangement |
| four×iv sideslip plates – mid and aft | 4×4 skid plates – front end, mid and aft (SuperCab just) |
| Night Shadow wheellip moldings | Dark Shadow wheellip moldings |
| Tow hooks (iv×4 simply) – 2 black steel in front | Tow hooks (4×4) – 2 silver-tone steel in front, 1 blackness steel in rear |
| Pace bars – black | |
| Mirrors, power | Mirrors, power |
| Cargo box – Styleside 6' | Cargo box – Styleside 6' |
| Grille – torso color "nostril bar" insert and surround | Grille – body colour "nostril bar" insert and environment |
| Dark Shadow Grey front and rear pace bumpers with black lower front valance and painted face | Dark Shadow Greyness front and rear step bumpers with blackness lower forepart valance and painted face |
| Black rugged textured vinyl floor covering and front "slush" mats | |
| High-series door trim panels with cloth insert and map pockets (Sport with Power Equipment) | Unique FX4 Level II loftier-serial door trim panels with cloth inserts and map pockets |
| Leather-wrapped steering bike | Leather-wrapped steering wheel |
| Tachometer/rally guess cluster – black-faced with matching trim rings | Tachometer/judge cluster – black faced with silvery brushed trim rings |
| AM/FM stereo CD/MP3 capability with clock (2 speakers) and audio accessory input jack | |
| Rear vinyl spring seats | |
| Front material threescore/forty split up bench seat with child safety LATCH restraint | Two-tone fabric sport saucepan seats, adjustable driver's side lumbar support and center floor console and storage |
2007 Ford Ranger FX4 Features/Options From The Ford Sales Brochure:
See the whole 2007 Ford Ranger Sales Brochure HERE.
2007 Ford Ranger FX4 Photos:
Starting in 2007, the FX4 Level Two used the FX4 Off-Route decal, and has 'Level Ii' on the doors
Note the 'Level 2' on the door
2007 Ford Ranger FX4 Level II
2008 Ford Ranger FX4 Off-Road:
Starting in 2008, there was merely one Ford Ranger FX4 option. It featured:
| 4.0L SOHC V6 engine | F ront sport saucepan seats — Two-tone fabric with middle console and driver-side manual lumbar back up |
| 5-speed manual transmission with overdrive (tardily availability on FX4 OFF-Route) | Steering bicycle — Leather-wrapped — Tilt, with cruise command |
| Limited-slip rear beam (Limited-sideslip rear axle — TORSEN® optional) | AM/FM stereo/single-CD player with MP3/SAT adequacy, clock, iv speakers and audio input jack |
| Axle ratio — four.x:1 | Floor covering — Black rugged vinyl |
| Skid plates — Fore, mid and aft | Floor mats — Blackness vinyl, slush-type (front only) |
| Shocks — Rancho® heavy-duty | 2-door SuperCab (4-door optional) |
| 16″ Y-spoke cast-aluminum wheels with silver-painted insets — 4 | Bed rails and tailgate lip protectors — iii-piece |
| P255/70R16 all-terrain OWL tires — 4 | Ability Equipment Group — Includes power windows, door locks and sideview mirrors with remote keyless-entry system |
| Tow hooks – two-black steel in forepart | Side step bars – blackness |
| Bumpers — Accent-colour with black lower valance | Trailer tow — Class 3 hitch receiver |
| Grille — Torso-color H-bar | Wheel-lip moldings — Molded-in-color |
| Fog lamps |
See the whole 2008 Ford Ranger Sales Brochure HERE.
2008 Ford Ranger FX4 Photos:
2008 Ford Ranger FX4 Off-Road
2009 Ford Ranger FX4 Off-Route:
2009 was the last year for the Ford Ranger FX4. Features included:
| four.0L V6 engine | SIRIUS Satellite Radio2 – Includes receiver, antenna and 6-calendar month subscription |
| 4×4 drivetrain with Electronic Shift-On-the-Fly (ESOF) | Floor covering – Black rugged vinyl |
| 16″ Y-spoke cast-aluminum wheels with silver-painted insets – 4 | Flooring mats – Black vinyl, slush-type (front only) |
| P255/70R16 all-terrain OWL tires – iv | Steering bike – Leather-wrapped (Tilt, with prowl control) |
| Beam ratio – iv.x:1 | 2-door SuperCab (four-door optional) |
| Limited-skid rear differential (Limited-slip rear differential – TORSEN® optional) | Bed-rails and tailgate lip protectors – iii-piece |
| Shocks – Rancho® heavy-duty gas-charged | Bumpers – Accent-color with black lower valance |
| Skid plates – Fore, mid and aft | Grille – Body-color H-bar |
| Tow hooks – 2 black steel in front | Side footstep bars – blackness |
| F ront sport bucket seats – Two-tone cloth with driverside transmission lumbar back up and middle panel | Trailer tow hitch receiver |
| AM/FM stereo/single-CD player with MP3/Sabbatum radio adequacy, clock, 4 speakers and audio input jack | Ability Equipment Group – Includes power windows, door locks and sideview mirrors, and remote keyless-entry organization |
See the whole 2009 Ford Ranger Sales Brochure Here.
2009 Ford Ranger FX4 Photos:
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Source: https://www.therangerstation.com/articles/ford-ranger-fx4-off-road-and-level-ii-by-the-years/
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