OFF-ROAD RANGER

DEANO’S RANGER DOESN’T GET DRIVEN A LOT, BUT THERE’S PLENTY OF DIRT INVOLVED WHEN IT DOES

- DEAN MELLOR

IT HAS been a few months since the last update on my Ford Ranger and in that time it’s only covered a paltry 5000km, but a fair chunk of that has been off-road. Yep, the Ranger is parked safely at home for much of the time, but when there’s work to do, or I want to get away for the weekend with my family, it gets plenty of dirt under its wheels.

Since the last update the Ranger has been subjected to several work trips with Offroad Images’ Michael Ellem to shoot a series of ‘How To’ features and videos for 4X4 Australia and, as a result, it has been buried up to its axles in sand, bogged in deep mud, teetered over the edge of a rocky drop-off, and subjected to several steep climbs and descents.

Despite being buried and bogged, the bodywork looks as good as new. The same can’t be said for the ARB side rails and ARB rear-step towbar, which have copped a fair beating off-road, but that is what they are designed to do and, other than scratches, there is no damage to report. Ditto for the ARB UVP (under-vehicle protection) plate, which also wears battle scars from many contacts with terra firma.

The LT265/70R17 BFGoodrich All Terrain tyres are wearing well and show no signs of chipping across the tread face or damage to the sidewalls, despite all the off-road punishment. The BFGs are about due for a rotation, and as I managed to pick up an extra matching alloy wheel to replace the OE steely that Ford supplies, I will throw the spare in the mix.