The trucks are always army greener on the other side of the pond. That’s the saying, right? Forbidden automotive fruit seems that much more so when it’s a model don’t get being upgraded for use by a foreign military. BlameThe Drivefor bringing this one to our attention.
Six Is Better Than Four
With the help of some partners, Ford wants to turn its Ranger Super Duty trucks into military vehicles, specifically to meet the needs of the U.K. Ministry of Defence’s Light Mobility Vehicle Program. Ford supplies its most rough-and-tumble Ranger, Ricardo does some of the engineering for the upfit, and General Dynamics Land Systems U.K. handles the dirty work of bringing it all together. The result, if they win the contract, will be some pretty rad military trucks.
Among the many proposed form factors—a light tactical vehicle and Bronco-esque armored model among them—are a few with six wheels. There’s a droolworthy crew cab with a bed tray sitting over two axles as well as a troop carrier and an ambulance based on an extended-cab truck.
Ford hasn’t shared many details about the proposed trucks, but we have a hunch the six-wheel-drive versions are designed to carry a good amount of weight. Without being militarized, the Ranger Super Duty already puts up some formidable stats: a 9921-pound max tow rating and 4370 pounds of payload capacity. That’s thanks in part to a diesel 3.0-liter V-6 that makes 443 pound-feet of torque, which Ford doesn’t hesitate to point out is made in England. With that powertrain and another axle pitching in, this has to be the most capable Ranger. Again, if it comes to be, in another country’s military.
More Payload Than an F-150
Those numbers also help explain why the mightiest Ranger is not and won’t be offered in the U.S.—it would take too big a bite out of F-150 sales. Ford’s half-ton full-size truck maxes out at 13,500 pounds of towing capacity but can only carry 2440 pounds of stuff in its bed. (U.S.-spec Rangers max out at a 7500-pound tow rating and a very specific 1767-pound payload capacity.)
Ford says the Ranger is its most global model, with production taking place at five plants on four continents and the truck sold in more than 180 markets. For the military procurement professionals in the audience, that means less chance of parts constraints and a ready supply of spares wherever the trucks are deployed.
A little closer to home, GM Defense supplies a version of the last-gen Chevy Colorado ZR2 to the U.S. Army. Its nine-passenger Infantry Squad Vehicle is hardly recognizable as a truck, and it carries the same enlistment requirements to get behind the wheel. At least you wouldn’t need a different passport.