1983 Ford Ranger vs Chevrolet Datsun and Toyota Promo
Joining Chevrolet in the fight against the small pickups from Japan, Ford introduced its all-American Ranger in 1983. The Ranger replaced the Courier, which was basically a Mazda pickup with some Ford styling tweaks. Introduced in mid-1982 as an early 1983 model, the Ranger was at first only available as a two-wheel-drive truck. By the Fall of 1982, a four-wheel-drive (4X4) version was offered. The style of the Ranger was inspired by its bigger brother, Ford’s F-Series pickup, and similarities could be seen in the grille design and bodyside character lines. A choice of two wheelbases provided two bed sizes; a 108-inch wheelbase truck had a 6-foot bed whereas a 114-inch wheelbase truck sported a 7-foot bed. Ford boasted that the Ranger had more interior room than the best-selling imports and that 4×8-foot construction material could be carried in the bed (with the tailgate down).
At first, only Ford’s 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine (remember the Pinto?) with a meager 80 horsepower could be found under the Ranger’s hood. Later in the year, a more powerful 115-horsepower 2.8-liter V6 became optional. Transmission choices consisted of the standard four-speed manual, optional five-speed manual and optional three-speed automatic. Payload capacity was respectable, with 4X4 Rangers able to haul up to 1,600 pounds. Four-wheelers also had an independent front suspension (dubbed Twin-Traction) and 15-inch wheels/tires that provided ground clearance nearly equal to an F-150 4X4.
Four trim levels were offered for the Ranger: base, XL, XLS and XLT. Base models were fairly spartan trucks with no frills. The XL dressed things up a bit with chrome accents around the wheelwells, a chrome front bumper (instead of the black one on base models) and color-keyed headliner, floor mats and seatbelts. XLS models were the sporty variant, with blackout trim, tape stripes, bucket seats and full gauges for the instrument panel. At the top of the heap stood the XLT, with accents such as bodyside moldings, pinstripes, brushed aluminum trim on the tailgate, vent windows and more luxurious door and seat trim.
Four trim levels were offered for the Ranger: base, XL, XLS and XLT. Base models were fairly spartan trucks with no frills. The XL dressed things up a bit with chrome accents around the wheelwells, a chrome front bumper (instead of the black one on base models) and color-keyed headliner, floor mats and seatbelts. XLS models were the sporty variant, with blackout trim, tape stripes, bucket seats and full gauges for the instrument panel. At the top of the heap stood the XLT, with accents such as bodyside moldings, pinstripes, brushed aluminum trim on the tailgate, vent windows and more luxurious door and seat trim.
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