Ford Ranger Super Duty is set to change the Ute buying minds in Australia. With a towing capacity the same at the bigger American Pickup Trucks, the SuperDuty will appeal to a wide spectrum of buyers.
- Ranger Super Duty offers 4500kg Gross Vehicle Mass1, 4500kg maximum braked towing2, and 8000kg Gross Combined Mass1
- Born from intel received from heavy-duty industry, Ranger Super Duty provides enhanced capability, durability and productivity
- Ranger Super Duty development involved learnings from the F-Series Super Duty program
Ford Ranger Super Duty revealed at Melbourne Motor Show
The first-ever Ford Ranger Super Duty was revealed today. Uncompromising in its ability to help those who do the toughest jobs carry, tow, and do more, it features Ranger’s Driver Assist Technology, safety features, incredible versatility and immense capability.
“We listened to what the hardest working fleet operators told us they needed to be more productive, and we’ve developed a Ranger with heavy-duty hardware and enhanced capability to stay on the job longer and help get it done sooner,” said Jim Baumbick, vice president, advanced product development, cycle planning and programs, Ford Motor Company. “We are taking global mid-size truck capability to a whole new level, straight from the factory.”
Available in Australia as either a Single, Super or Double Cab Chassis from launch in 2026, Ranger Super Duty will also be available as a Double Cab with style-side box in mid-2026. Ranger Super Duty will be available in two trim levels, Ranger Super Duty and Ranger Super Duty XLT (arriving mid-2026) which is designed for those who need refined long-distance capability. This variant will boast unique alloy wheels and touring-focussed upgrades and will be exclusively available on Double Cab chassis and pick-up variants only.
Redefining the heavy-duty, mid-size pickup3 segment, Ranger Super Duty will deliver safety, versatility, connectivity, and creature comforts.
From its available Integrated Device Mounting System to its on-board scales, and sealed snorkel, front and rear differential locks, heavy-duty axles, suspension and chassis, the Ford engineering team has developed a new kind of Ranger that’s commercial grade but consumer friendly.
Tough tests
Developing a truck like Ranger Super Duty and ensuring it could live a life doing the toughest jobs in the most extreme locations required an extensive durability program.
“We torture test our trucks to earn the name Super Duty,” said Baumbick. “For instance, to make sure Ranger Super Duty is ready for almost any work environment, we created an even tougher mud pack test to simulate mine work. Ranger Super Duty had to continue working, even with 600 kilograms of mud stuck to the bottom of the truck.”
Some Ranger Super Duty testing was too tough for humans, with autonomous driving robots being used to run 24/7 tests on Ford Australia’s infamous test track at its You Yangs Proving Ground, Silver Creek, which simulates driving down a rocky dry riverbed.
“Our Silver Creek and autonomous driving robots were designed and developed in North America for the testing and development of the original F-Series Super Duty and have been a part of global Built Ford Tough testing ever since,” said Baumbick.
The truck also ran the usual durability tests including:
- 24/7 corrosion baths,
- towing dynos,
- shaker rig testing,
- extreme real-world off-roading, and
- more low-speed,
- low-range heavy load driving.
Smarter towing
Being able to tow more than any other factory-built mid-size3 pickup is just part of Ranger Super Duty’s story.
Starting with a recalibrated integrated trailer brake controller, Ranger Super Duty also gets Ranger’s Pro-Trailer Backup Assist.™ That makes backing up as easy as turning a dial. The latest version uses a yaw rate sensor to help automatically manage trailer angle.
“Using a yaw rate sensor to guide Pro-Trailer Backup Assist™ makes for faster set up and running of the system. Which we felt was important given Ranger Super Duty is all about work,” said Dave Burn, chief program engineer, Ford Australia. “Able to store up to 10 trailers and only requiring calibration once per trailer, Pro Trailer Backup Assist™ makes manoeuvring heavy trailers much easier.”
Ranger Super Duty debuts Ford’s Smart Hitch and Onboard Scales on a Ranger.
Smart Hitch helps customers better understand the weight on their vehicle’s towball. And how to adjust the load in the trailer to ensure optimum load distribution and avoid under or overloading the towball.
Sensors mounted in the suspension on all four wheels means that Ford’s Onboard Scales can help customers estimate their payload as they add items to their vehicle. It also allows for customers to specify additional load for inclusion in payload estimation. Customers can monitor the weight being loaded into the load box via the SYNC screen.
Ranger Super Duty suit of armour – ready to go further
To ensure extended off-road range a 130-litre long-range fuel tank is standard. While thick steel shielding is designed to protect the tank from damage caused by impact when driving off-road.
Indeed, Ranger Super Duty’s underbelly is armoured with a series of high-strength steel bash plates. Everything from the engine, front differential and transfer case, transmission and fuel tank are shielded.
“With enhanced capability and developed for hard work. We know Ranger Super Duty will be pushed to the limits on some of the toughest terrain on the planet,” said Burn. “That’s why we made sure the underneath had high strength protection.”
Weightlifter – Built to carry more
While its overall chassis dimensions might be the same as Ranger, Ranger Super Duty runs a unique frame. Engineered to provide increased strength, performance and load carrying capacity. The frame is thicker, while suspension mounts, box mount brackets and tow bar mounts have been reinforced. This allows Ranger Super Duty to achieve its incredible 4500-kilogram GVM rating.1
For enhanced durability, Ranger Super Duty runs stronger front and rear driveshaft. While a new heavy-duty rear axle provides enhanced load carrying capacity. The new rear differential is the biggest and strongest to ever be fitted to a production Ranger.
To help spread the load, Ranger Super Duty gets eight-stud wheel hubs with larger bolts.
Ranger Super Duty has been developed with upfitting in mind. The reinforced frame and readily accessible mounting points make it easy to integrate a variety of aftermarket accessories and specialised equipment. This versatility means that Ranger Super Duty arrives ready to work from the factory.
“These enhancements are key to Ranger Super Duty being able to carry and tow bigger loads than any other factory-built mid-size pickup,” said Burn. “These larger, stronger components improve vehicle durability and reliability which is something we know our customers will appreciate.”
Proven powertrain – heavy duty ready
Under Ranger Super Duty’s sculpted bonnet is Ford’s 3.0-litre turbo diesel V6. Calibrated for heavy-duty emissions standards. Improved cooling ensures optimum temperature management under load and during sustained off-roading in difficult terrain.
“This drivetrain will be delivered with EU6.2 compliance for global markets, meaning Ranger Super Duty is ready to work for years to come,” said Burn.
Ranger Super Duty also offers customers the option of delaying the automatic diesel particulate filter (DPF) regeneration. And then manually initiating the clean at a time that suits.
“While a DPF is part of the emissions management system, being able to delay and then manually initiate a DPF clean will be a useful feature for those customers who operate in a high fire risk environment,” said Burn.
Extreme terrain capability
Knowing the Ute will be pushed harder than most off-road vehicles and driven in more extreme locations. Engineers ensured differential, transmission, fuel and transfer case breathers are all mounted up nice and high. Ranger Super Duty also boasts an improved water wading depth compared to other diesel Ranger variants.
“Extensive testing in controlled and real-world situations proved Ranger Super Duty has the capability needed for all manner of users From emergency services to farmers and recreational off-roaders,” said Burn.
Ranger Super Duty offers six selectable drive modes (Normal, Eco, Tow/Haul, Mud/Ruts, Sand and Rock Crawl). These modes tailor a range of vehicle settings. From throttle and transmission response to stability control to aid when driving off-road.
Equipped with Ford’s advanced four-wheel drive system, Ranger Super Duty comes with 4A (Automatic 4WD) as the permanent setting. To ensure the vehicle always delivers the maximum amount of torque. To provide enhanced traction and control on both high and low grip surfaces and under load.
“Ranger Super Duty’s two-speed transfer case features larger, stronger components than other Ranger variants for enhanced durability,” said Burn. “To ensure this truck can handle life in low-range in extreme terrain, the low-range gearset has been upgraded to match the F-Series Super Duty.”
Extreme conditions
Boasting front and rear locking differentials as standard on all variants, It has been set up to perform in the toughest terrain. The front differential is a modified version of the differential in the Bronco Raptor, updated for enhanced load capacity.
“We’ve tested it in extreme conditions where a vehicle with open differentials would have become stuck and unable to proceed. But thanks to
- a locking front and rear differential and an
- enhanced low-range gearset and a
- host of other off-road capability improvements,
- Ranger Super Duty performed flawlessly,” said Burn.
“The capability is unmatched in the mid-sized truck segment. It really is the sum of all its parts and we’re confident that whether your job is extreme or you’re an adventurer who likes to go a long way off the beaten track. It will get you there and back again,” said Burn.
Ordering in Australia and New Zealand opens later this year with arrivals in dealerships expected in 2026. Details about model line-up and on-sale dates for Thailand and other markets through Global Fleet Sales will be confirmed at a later date. More information is available on ford.com.au
Disclaimers
1 Gross Vehicle Mass is the maximum allowable weight of a vehicle including any load transported by the vehicle. Including tow ball down weight of a trailer but excluding the weight of a trailer itself. GCM is the maximum allowable weight of the vehicle and its trailer. Subject to State and Territory regulations. Stated vehicle weights are approximate and subject to individual variances. Vehicles should be weighed before and after adding any load. To ensure the maximum GVM, GCM and Gross Axle Weight Ratings (to be released closer to on-sale date) are not exceeded.
2 Maximum towing capacity braked using Genuine Ford tow equipment. Does not include tow ball—available at additional cost. Subject to State and Territory regulations. To comply with these limits, any load transported by the vehicle may need to be restricted to not exceed the GCM and GVM limits.
3 Mid-size refers to vehicles within the PU/CC 4X4 category of the VFACTS Light Commercial Model Segment.
Ford Ranger SuperDuty update December 2024
Ford has developed the Ute for hard work and gave the world another glimpse of the pickup truck. In a short video revealing that it is equipped with an eight-stud wheel hub, steel wheel and all-terrain tyre.
The engineers selected the heavy-duty, eight-stud wheel hub, shared with F-250 Super Duty. To provide enhanced strength and load-carrying capacity. Combined with a tough 18-inch steel wheel and 33-inch all-terrain tyre. The Ford will get the job done in the most difficult terrain.
“The eight-stud configuration offers a significant advantage in terms of load capacity and ensures an even distribution of weight across the wheel,” said Drew O’Shannassy, Ranger Super Duty Engineering Program Supervisor.
“This is important for a vehicle like this which will be expected to frequently carry and tow heavy loads. The wheel and tyre we’ve selected provide a great combination of strength, grip and reliability that our hard-working customers need. Our testing is pushing this vehicle to the limit so that customers can be confident in its capability.”
Ranger Super Duty Towing capacity and GCM
Towing capacity has been confirmed at 4500kg braked towing capacity. A 4500kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) and a massive 8000kg gross combination mass.
A standard Ranger XLS has a towing capacity of 3500kg, GVM of 3230kg and a GCM of 6350kg.
A Ram Big Horn has a towing capacity of 4500kg, a GVM of 3450kg and a GCM of 7713kg.
This is certainly expected to be a thorn in the sales of the big American Pickup Trucks. They are often bought for two things. Their towing capacity and the internal space. The Ranger looks like it will match them for towing capacity. But will come nowhere near them for internal space or comfort.
The engine to be used and the Price are yet to be confirmed.
If they go with the Raptor 3.0L V6 petrol engine then it can match the bigger Pickups for power and torque. It has some 292kW of power and 583Nm of torque available
The Ute will arrive in Australia and New Zealand in 2026.
