Owning a Ford Ranger means you can easily access the most pristine, secluded and precious locations in Australia. It could be anyplace – from bushes to beaches, having a capable 4WD like the Ranger allows you to relish the natural sites in all their glory. In fact, it opens up a whole new world of entertainment and amazement.
However, you probably paid a premium price for your Ranger, so it’s very important to keep it in as good of a condition as possible to make it last longer. Moreover, it’s important to keep it safe when on the road. This is done using the right Ranger accessories. The online marketplace is full of Ranger accessories, some of which can come in handy, whereas others can only hinder your Ranger’s capabilities and make it unsafe. And that’s the last thing you want.
That being said, here are a few tips that will help you make the right buying decision, and make sure you improve the functionality of your ranger.
Know Your Needs
The more you know about your Ranger and what you expect from it, the better decisions you’ll make when buying Ranger accessories. Moreover, you have to figure out what type of driving you intend on doing for the most part. If you’re into sand driving, you’ll need tyres with the pressure needed for that type of driving. Having the wrong tyres on can become problematic, and you may end up stuck or damaging your vehicle. Having the correct tyre pressure is also important, as it will impact comfort and efficiency. A crucial piece of equipment, no matter what type of off-roading you do, is recovery equipment such as winches, recovery tracks or high-lift jacks. These pieces of recovery equipment will help you get unstuck in any situation.
Avoid Over-Modifying
Your focus should be on improving the functionality and driveability of your Ranger. If you buy and install all the modifications you find online, you’ll ruin your vehicle and do the complete opposite. Don’t fall victim to marketing schemes that will shove every accessory down your throat claiming their accessories will do this and that. If it’s too good to be true – it probably is. There are many different types of 4x4ing, and every type has different demands from your Ranger.
That being said, adopt a step-by-step approach, and get accessories that are essential to your Ranger and the type of off-roading you intend on doing. Making the wrong decision can be detrimental to your safety, and your vehicle’s reliability. For instance, don’t get a suspension kit without considering your Ranger’s weight now, and in the foreseeable future. It’s a common mistake that many people make. They get a suspension upgrade, and then install a bull bar, rear bar, fuel tank and spare tyres that sag the suspension springs. Ideally, you should get the suspension after you know how much weight you’ll add to your vehicle.
Similarly, if you upgrade the engine before upgrading your exhaust system, you can end up experiencing problems. That being said, buying accessories in the right order will ensure you make the most out of them, and save time, money and nerves.
Ensure Compliance
It’s a fine line between making a capable off-road beast and remaining road compliant. If you go overboard and make the wrong choice, you’ll make your Ranger road illegal. If you get stopped, you might get fined. For instance, in WA, driving a vehicle with tyres over 50mm or a roof over 50mm makes it illegal to drive without an engineering certificate. Additionally, if your tyres stick outside your guards is also illegal. You need to fit flares that make it compliant, and prevent damage to your paintwork and panels when going over rocks.
Due Diligence
You’ll come across many 4x4s with large tyres and huge lifts that look very impressive, but are they useful when it comes to doing what they’re supposed to do? Your Ranger should be much more than a sight to look at. Huge tyres will put a strain on your fuel budget, and your Ranger will be difficult to handle. While adding different modifications can help, moderation is key. Make practical improvements instead of just piling up accessories to make it look grand. Do your due diligence on how to make it practical and comfortable. There’s plenty of information online, even if you search for things that can improve your Ranger, specifically. That way, you can get the right offset rims before outfitting it with large tyres to make sure the tyres remain stuck within the confines of the guards. And before adding a lift kit, figure out whether your brake lines and other parts may need adjusting. Last but not least, compare different brands before making a buying decision, not just based on price, but performance and buyer satisfaction as well.
