New Platform Development: 2023 FORD Ranger XLT V6 (Next Gen)
The team at RAW 4×4 are always looking to develop suspension solutions for new platforms and the new 2023 Ford Ranger XLT V6 is no exception.
The launch of the new 2023 FORD Ranger XLT V6 (informally known as the Next Gen Ranger) has brought about a lot of hype, with many people awaiting delivery. The RAW 4×4 team knows that designing a complete suspension solution begins with the crucial analysis of the OE setup; looking at what is needed and where improvements can be made. This month the RAW 4×4 engineering team were able to get access to a new 2023 FORD Ranger XLT V6 and carried out some R&D at our head office in Beresfield NSW, making a few discoveries during this initial phase of the development program.
Above: 2023 Next Gen Ranger on the articulation ramp at the RAW 4×4 facility, testing out the flex of the OE suspension kit.
The standard coil springs on the front of the Next Gen Ranger are very light weight; around 30% lighter in comparison to the steel used in the equivalent RAW 4×4 coil springs. The front struts are designed with a bar pin lower mount – a very common American design and different to most front strut mount designs found in other Utes in the Australian market.
Above Left: Standard front coil spring taken from the Next Gen Ranger being weighed for comparison. Above Right: Standard front strut with lower bar pin fitting.
Our in-house suspension and brake testing equipment showed that the standard suspension on the Next Gen Ranger front was slightly under damped at higher speeds. This may lead to poor road adherence on potholes and outback roads. This is something that we aim to improve with the RAW 4×4 complete suspension solution upgrade design.
Above: RAW 4×4 suspension and brake testing rig at Beresfield, NSW.
After inspecting the rear suspension on the Next Gen Ranger, the RAW 4×4 engineering team found that the leaf springs have in fact two centre pins, typically this would be one. Also, the rear U-bolts extend quite far down when the leaf spring is mounted.
To understand why these design choices were made by Ford our engineering team are evaluating the components with our in-house testing equipment to bring you a complete suspension solution upgrade.
Above Top: Standard rear leaf spring with 2 centre pins. Above Left: Leaf spring on testing rig at RAW 4×4 facility. Above Right: Standard rear U-bolts being measured when mounted on the leaf.
The engineering team at RAW 4×4 are working with our manufacturing facility and other component suppliers to develop a complete suspension upgrade solution for the Next Gen Ranger. So far, the project outline is to develop the following options:
FRONT SUSPENION OPTIONS
- RAW Nitro Max Struts
- RAW Predator Struts
- 0 – 50kg Coil Springs
- 50 – 120kg Coil Springs
REAR SUSPENSION OPTIONS
- RAW Nitro Max Shock Absorbers
- RAW Predator Shock Absorbers
- Comfort Leaf Springs up to 150kg
- Medium Load Leaf Springs 150 – 300kg
- Heavy Duty GVM Leaf Spring 300 – 600kg