X

1983-1992 Ford Ranger: The beginning of Ford's compact pickup truck

The Ford Ranger's story in the US started with its debut for the 1983 model year where the compact pickup truck replaced the Mazda-built Courier in the Blue Oval lineup. Production would then continue for two model generations until ceasing following the 2011 model year.

jonwong.jpg
jonwong.jpg
Jon Wong
1983-ford-ranger-1
1 of 26 Ford

1983 Ford Ranger

Production of the first-generation Ford Ranger began in 1982 as a 1983 model. 

1983-ford-ranger-2
2 of 26 Ford

1983 Ford Ranger

A 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine served as the Ranger's base engine with 73 horsepower and 107 pound-feet of torque.

1983-ford-ranger-3
3 of 26 Ford

1983 Ford Ranger

A slightly more powerful 2.3-liter four-cylinder was also offered with 79 horsepower and 124 pound-feet of torque.

1983-ford-ranger-4
4 of 26 Ford

1983 Ford Ranger

For 1983 and 1984, Ford offered a Mazda-sourced naturally aspirated diesel four-cylinder in the Ranger pumping out 59 horsepower and 90 pound-feet of torque.

1983-ford-ranger-5
5 of 26 Ford

1983 Ford Ranger

The range-topping engine for the Ranger at launch was a 2.8-liter V6 delivering 115 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of twist.

1984-ford-ranger-explorer-v6-1
6 of 26 Ford

1984 Ford Ranger V6

For the 1985 model year, Ford upgraded the diesel engine sliding in a 2.3-liter turbocharged unit built by Mitsubishi making 86 horsepower and 134 pound-feet of torque.

1984-ford-ranger-v6-2
7 of 26 Ford

1984 Ford Ranger V6

Diesel would cease offering a diesel engine option in the Ranger following the 1986 model year.

1985-ford-ranger-xlt
8 of 26 Ford

1985 Ford Ranger XLT

The 1986 model year saw a 2.9-liter V6 with 140 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque replace the 2.8-liter in the Ranger lineup. 

1985-ford-ranger-stx
9 of 26 Ford

1985 Ford Ranger STX

The Ranger underwent a major facelift for the 1989 model year with some frame improvements, exterior styling updates and a freshened interior. 

1986-ford-ranger-crew-cab
10 of 26 Ford

1986 Ford Range Crew Cab

The optional automatic transmission was also upgraded for 1989 from a three-speed to a four-speed unit.

1986-ford-ranger-xl
11 of 26 Ford

1986 Ford Ranger XL

1987-ford-ranger-stx
12 of 26 Ford

1987 Ford Ranger STX

1987-ford-ranger
13 of 26 Ford

1987 Ford Ranger

1987-ford-ranger-race-truck
14 of 26 Ford

1987 Ford Ranger race truck

1988-ford-ranger-1
15 of 26 Ford

1988 Ford Ranger

1988-ford-ranger-2
16 of 26 Ford

1988 Ford Ranger

1988-ford-ranger-stx-1
17 of 26 Ford

1988 Ford Ranger STX

1988-ford-ranger-stx-2
18 of 26 Ford

1988 Ford Ranger STX

1989-ford-ranger-stx-1
19 of 26 Ford

1989 Ford Ranger STX

1989-ford-ranger-stx-2
20 of 26 Ford

1989 Ford Ranger STX

1989-ford-ranger-stx-3
21 of 26 Ford

1989 Ford Ranger STX

1990-ford-ranger
22 of 26 Ford

1990 Ford Ranger

1990-ford-ranger-stx
23 of 26 Ford

1990 Ford Ranger STX

1991-ford-ranger-xlt
24 of 26 Ford

1991 Ford Ranger XLT

1992-ford-ranger
25 of 26 Ford

1992 Ford Ranger

1992-ford-ranger-product-lit
26 of 26 Ford

1992 Ford Ranger brochure

More Galleries

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features and Settings on Your iPhone
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features and Settings on Your iPhone

18 Photos
Take a Look at Apple's iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro: New Colors, Prices and More
iphone 15 in different color from an angled view

Take a Look at Apple's iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro: New Colors, Prices and More

19 Photos
I Got an Early Look at Intel's Glass Packaging Tech for Faster Chips
Rahul Manepalli, right, Intel's module engineering leader, shows a glass substrate panel before it's sliced into the small rectangles that will be bonded to the undersides of hundreds of test processors. The technology, shown here at Intel's CH8 facility in Chandler, Arizona, stands to improve performance and power consumption of advanced processors arriving later this decade. Glass substrates should permit physically larger processors comprised of several small "chiplets" for AI and data center work, but Intel expects they'll trickle down to PCs, too.

I Got an Early Look at Intel's Glass Packaging Tech for Faster Chips

20 Photos
Astronomy Photographer of the Year Winners Reveal Our Stunning Universe
andromeda

Astronomy Photographer of the Year Winners Reveal Our Stunning Universe

16 Photos
Check Out the iPhone 15's New Camera in Action
A photo of a silhouette of buildings on the water taken on the iPhone 15

Check Out the iPhone 15's New Camera in Action

12 Photos
Disney Treasure Cruise Ship: Bookings Now Open for $9K+ Maiden Voyage
disney-treasure-tomorrow-tower-suite-3

Disney Treasure Cruise Ship: Bookings Now Open for $9K+ Maiden Voyage

16 Photos
Take a Closer Look at the iOS Settings You Should Change Right Now
A smart man holding an iPhone 14 Pro Max

Take a Closer Look at the iOS Settings You Should Change Right Now

10 Photos