Its just a concept but it looks pretty good- http://i.tnpv.us/2004/WKA200412/WKA2004122071364_pv.jpg

 

OEM shaved door handles?

It's ok. I'm tired of these avalanche/explorer half suv half pickup things though. hell, even cadillac has one out now.

 

Cadillac has had one out for 4 model years, Welcome to 2001

I think it looks pretty good, nice improvement over the current model. What Ford really needs is a new Ranger.

 

What Ford really needs to do is come off the truck thing and invest some time and energy in some cars that dont suck.

 

Actually the new Ranger is in the works

 

Actually, Ford's just doing a "market study" to determine if there's going to be a new Ranger. Ford's already cancelled 2 redesigns of the Ranger in the past 5 years.

Right now, virturally all of Ford's truck budget is going into the 2007 F150 redesign...... yes, I said redesign!!

While Ford is clearly taking no prisoners with their full sized trucks, the Ranger will get yet another facelift next year, and Ford projects Ranger will soon drop to second place in sales.

Providing Ford doesn't decide to pull out of the small pickup truck market and Ford concludes that the F150 can't do it all itself, the next Ranger won't be out before 2010MY (just over 4 years from now).

 

I'm wondering why people still buy Rangers. Who are these people? The platform is so far behind the times it isn't even funny, it still looks basically the same as it did 15 years ago...but I like Ford's agressiveness with the F150. A quick redesign will keep it interesting and fresh even if little changes are made underneath the skin. GM needs their all-new full size line BAD. The goofy front-end redesign sure hasn't helped.

 

I dont get it it is a TRUCK!! Trucks haul crap run through crap and over crap. They shouldnt be all fancy and have redesigns more than the cars. I dont understand how it could be the most selling auto if most of the people use them just like cars? What wrong with people.

 

Looks like a smaller duplicate of the Lightning concept.

 

Looks like it is based on the current Explorer Sport Trac, which has been out for the past 2-3 years. The front is freshened up to be in theme with current F150

 

Maybe they can call an SVT Explorer Sport-Trac the "THUNDER".

 

The existing Sport Trac is based on the last generation Explorer, not the current one. This redesign will put it on the current Explorer platform. The Explorer will then get a refreshening for MY 2006 that will include a new interior, new front and rear fashias, a 6-speed automatic, and the 3-valve 4.6L.

On a side note, you will also see the 6-speed automatic in the F-series for MY2006. At least that is my understanding.

 

That 6 speed is the GM/Ford joint venture one right? If so that means that the Zetas will definately have them the 1st year as well as the GMT 900s. Interesting .

 

GMT355 twins combined are already out selling the Ranger, and Toyota Tocoma is set to outsell the Ranger very soon.

I guess Ford doesn't care about 150,000 sales a year

 

The GM/Ford joint venture 6-speed is a FWD transaxle. The 6-speed coming in the Explorer will be the same on that is going in the F150, and is currently in the Lincolns.