The compact-size pickup from Ford was restyled two years ago but for 2003 shows enhancements to control noise and upgrade equipment. It's easy to detect a Ranger because the truck reveals a strong prow marked by dual reflector-type headlamps, and the hood bulges from a power dome bump as sides flare around wheelwells. Ranger has two cab sizes. A Regular Cab installs a bench for three, while SuperCab pushes the rear cabin wall back to carve out an interior storage area. Two side-facing jump seats mount in the bay, as do a pair of rear-hinged doors for easy access. The Edge edition dresses Ranger in a monochromatic color with body-colored bumpers and a power dome on the hood. The 2WD Edge stands as high as a 4WD Ranger since 4WD suspension elements apply. Ranger FX4 presents the serious look of a tough off-road truck and supports that image with hardware designed to take trail abuses, with everything packaged in a comprehensive kit that eliminates the need to add 4WD gear after the sale. With four-door SuperCab and deluxe XLT trim the FX4 adds 4WD equipment like Bilstein off-road shocks and stiffer springs, a Torsen limited-slip rear differential, plus thick undercarriage skid plates to shield engine, transfer case and fuel tank, plus tow hooks front and rear, and forged aluminum wheels rimmed with all-terrain rubber. Also, Ranger's Tremor 2WD SuperCab returns with a serious audio package by Pioneer. An optional engine crowns Ranger's power chart and boosts the truck's trailer-towing ability. The 4.0-liter V6 musters best-in-class performance of 207 hp. Coupled to the six-pack is either a heavy-duty five-speed manual or optional five-speed automatic.
