Off-Roading With Ranger Super Duty

Drive to Conquer: The Core Powertrain​

At the heart of Ranger Super Duty’s formidable capability is its proven 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain is optimised to maximise torque delivery for the relentless demands of navigating extreme off-road terrain that increases wheel resistance. It delivers an immense 600Nm of torque, offering more in lower gears compared to the base Ranger.

Harnessing this torque for off-road requires intelligent control. Ranger Super Duty puts this at your fingertips with its suite of advanced systems, accessible through the selectable drive mode control dial and the off-road button on the centre console.

Dial In Your Terrain:

Selectable Drive Modes¹ and the Four-Wheel Drive System

Ranger Super Duty’s Selectable Drive Modes and advanced Four-Wheel Drive system work in harmony to optimize your vehicle's performance across diverse conditions. Accessed via the control dial on the centre console, these systems give you precise control, whether you let the truck choose for you or manually select the driveline state.

Selectable Drive Modes

Ranger Super Duty has seven Selectable Drive Modes that are designed to conquer a wide range of challenging terrain. Engaged with a twist of the control dial, they instantly reconfigure the truck's steering feel, throttle response, transmission shifting and traction control for optimal performance to suit the terrain you’re driving on. When tackling rugged off-road conditions, these specialised modes also automatically engage the optimal Four-Wheel Drive setting for you:

• Mud/Ruts²: For off-road driving. This mode enhances vehicle performance to traverse muddy, rutted, or uneven terrains. Four-Wheel Drive High (4H) is the default four-wheel drive mode, and the rear electronic locking differential is engaged for increased traction.
• Sand²: For driving on soft, dry sand. This mode automatically engages Four-Wheel Drive High (4H) and optimises power delivery and transmission shifts to help you maintain momentum. The rear electronic locking differential is also engaged for increased traction.
• Rock Crawl²: For driving on rocky terrain and optimum rock climbing . This mode automatically engages Four-Wheel Drive Low (4L) and the rear electronic locking differential, softening throttle response to give you enhanced control. (Note: Because Rock Crawl selects 4L, engaging and disengaging this mode requires the vehicle to be stationary and the transmission in Neutral.)

Four-Wheel Drive System

Beyond the automatic selection in off-road selectable drive modes, you can manually engage Ranger Super Duty’s advanced four-wheel-drive system using the buttons on the same control dial. This allows you to choose the driveline state best suited for current conditions:

• Four-Wheel Drive Auto (4A): This is the intelligent mode for everyday confidence. It continuously varies torque between the front and rear axles , providing optimal traction for all on-road conditions. It delivers confidence in changing weather without sacrificing performance.
• Four-Wheel Drive High (4H): When the trail gets tough, 4H is your go-to. It mechanically locks the front and rear driveshafts together, sending a consistent 50:50 drive split to both axles. This mode is designed for off-road or consistently slippery surfaces like deep snow, sand or mud. It is not for use on high grip surfaces.
• Four-Wheel Drive Low (4L): This is your tool for maximum control in the most extreme off-road situations. 4L engages additional gearing for increased torque multiplication, giving you the drive and control needed for conditions like deep sand, steep slopes, or technical rock crawling. Changing to and from 4L requires the vehicle to be stationary and with the transmission in Neutral.

Once you've selected your ideal Selectable Drive Mode and Four-Wheel Drive setting, staying in control means having instant access to vital information and precise command over your vehicle's capabilities. That's where Ranger Super Duty's integrated SYNC® screen becomes your indispensable off-road command centre.

Your Off-Road Command Centre: SYNC® Off-Road Screen³

When navigating challenging terrain, especially narrow tracks, steep inclines, or areas with hidden obstacles, Ranger Super Duty’s SYNC® screen offers crucial visual and informational support.

Automatic Front Camera Feed: When an off-road Selectable Drive Mode (Mud/Ruts, Sand, Rock Crawl) or Four-Wheel Drive Low (4L) is engaged, the front camera feed is automatically displayed on your SYNC® screen. This provides a virtual spotter, helping you spot obstacles and choose the best line forward with predictive steering overlays.

The Off-Road Screen: For more precise control and comprehensive vehicle data, press the dedicated off-road button on the centre console, or select ‘Off-Road’ within the Controls tab of the Settings menu on SYNC®. The Off-Road Screen assists you by:

• Providing an expanded virtual spotter view: Using the 360-degree camera to display the view directly in front of and behind your vehicle, helping you spot obstacles and choose the best line forward with predictive steering overlays.
• Displaying crucial vehicle data: Displaying information related to tire pressure and drivetrain status.
• Offering on-demand feature control: Allowing you to enable or disable a variety of off-road features directly from the screen.

Using the buttons at the bottom of the off-road screen, you can activate the following off-road features:

Trail Control¹: When you’re navigating a tricky section of trail, the less you have to worry about, the better. That’s where Trail Control comes in. Think of it as cruise control for off-roading. When enabled, you set the target speed just as you would for regular cruise control, and the truck manages the throttle and brakes automatically, letting you focus entirely on driving. It functions when going uphill, downhill, and along the flat. To use Trail Control:

1. Tap the Trail Control icon.
2. Set your target speed using the SET + / - buttons on the steering wheel. SET+ increases the set speed, while SET- decreases it.
3. Trail Control functions within specific speed ranges:
   • In 4A or 4H: Up to 32km/h.
   • In 4L: Up to 15km/h.
   • In Reverse (R): Up to 8km/h.

Trail Turn Assist⁴: Negotiating tight bends on narrow tracks with slippery or loose surfaces becomes easier with Trail Turn Assist, which reduces the turning radius of your vehicle by applying the brakes to the inside rear wheel in low-speed, high steering-angle maneuvers. To engage Trail Turn Assist:

1. Switch on Trail Turn Assist.
2. Once enabled, it engages when all of the following conditions are met:
   • Speed is less than 19km/h.
   • Vehicle is in 4H or 4L.
   • Rear differential is unlocked.
   • Steering wheel is turned towards full left or right lock.

Front and Rear Locking Differentials¹: When traction is scarce, the electronic locking differentials are your most valuable tool. With the press of a button, you can lock the wheels on an axle together, forcing them to turn at the same speed. This ensures that the wheel with traction receives the drive it needs to propel you forward. Ranger Super Duty offers both front and rear locking differentials, which can be activated on the fly within their specific operating conditions and never on high-grip surfaces.

1. For the rear differential:
   • Press the rear differential lock button to engage.
   • When used with off-road selectable drive modes (Mud / Ruts, Sand, Rock Crawl) and 4L, it offers maximum grip, allowing you to vary your speed as terrain demands from, maintaining momentum to crawling.
   • When used with on-road selectable drive modes, engagement is possible only at speeds up to 32km/h. The lock automatically disengages if vehicle speeds exceed 41km/h, and will re-engage when speed subsequently drops below 32km/h.
2. For the front differential:
   • Engage 4L. This requires the vehicle to be stationary and the transmission in Neutral.
   • Then press the front differential lock button.
   • The front differential lock engages at speeds up to 32km/h, providing the highest level of off-road traction when you need it most.

While the Ranger Super Duty's advanced controls keep you informed and empowered from the cabin, true off-road confidence comes from knowing your vehicle can physically withstand the elements.

Built to Endure: A Suit of Armour

To withstand the brutal demands of the trail, Ranger Super Duty’s construction begins with a robust foundation. With up to 299mm of ground clearance and a 1,710mm track width, it sits higher and wider to better tackle uneven ground.

Its underbody is reinforced with thick, high-strength steel for added protection, featuring a strong front bash plate as the first line of defence and protecting the cooling system. This is complemented by dedicated shielding for critical components like the steering rack, engine sump, transmission, fuel filter, transfer case and fuel tank. The frame-mounted steel bumper is also built to help conquer rough terrain and steep angles, while also serving as a practical mounting point for light accessories like LED lamps or UHF aerials without requiring a full bullbar. Furthermore, heavy-duty 33″ General Grabber All-Terrain tyres boost off-road traction, meeting Ford's rigorous off-road performance standards and proven through Ranger Super Duty's extensive off-road testing in the harshest conditions.

Navigating the Wild: Tips for the Trail

Water Crossings: The Ranger Super Duty boasts a water wading depth of up to 850mm⁵. The integrated snorkel raises the air intake to enhance performance when crossing water or helping deliver clean air when driving on dusty roads. Before you enter a river, always check the water's depth and current. Engage Four-Wheel Drive High (4H) with the rear differential locked for maximum traction. Enter slowly to create a bow wave, then maintain a steady speed.

Know When to Turn Back: Even with a vehicle as capable as the Ranger Super Duty, the driver is always responsible for assessing the terrain. If the conditions are too challenging for your comfort or risk causing unnecessary environmental impact, there is no shame in turning back. Safety and minimising the impact to the environment are the most important factors.

With the Ford Ranger Super Duty, you’re not just getting a truck; you’re getting a purpose-built partner, designed and engineered to take on heavy duty jobs and the harshest conditions. Wherever you’re heading next, Ranger Super Duty is ready.