Manoli Katakis 
With the 2019 SEMA Show around the corner, Ford Accessories partner Yakima took the 2019 Ford Ranger and elevated it to no heights – literally. With various Ford Performance Parts components such as the all-new Fox tuned off-road suspension leveling kit, a recovery kit, cat-back exhaust and rear differential cover, this Ranger pickup is an overlander’s delight. Finishing things off on the business end of things are RPG bumpers, side steps, a Warn winch, Rigid lighting and Fuel Recoil off-road wheels with 33” BFGoodrich T/A KO2 tires.
For utility, a Yakima truck bed rack, Yakima JayLow kayak mount and Yakima HangOver vertical four bike carrier with BackSwing mount are included as well. These Ford Ranger parts are available via Ford Accessories, thanks to the deep partnership the companies have currently. In fact, Yakima has been working on accessories for the upcoming 2021 Ford Bronco, and it will only be a matter of time before all of that is made official.
Mechanically, the 2019 Ranger Yakima concept is otherwise the same. The 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine and 10-speed automatic remains the standalone factory powertrain for the midsize truck, producing 270 horsepower and 310 pounds-feet of torque. Mechanically, Ford shares this powertrain combo with the Ford Mustang EcoBoost. It provides more torque than the optional V6 engines from either the Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, or Toyota Tacoma, while returning decent fuel economy at the same time.
We once drove a 2019 Ford Ranger from Detroit to all across the western United States with a trailer in tow, and it was a delight. Feel free to check out part one of our #RangerRoadTrip, followed by part two.
The Ranger is expected to soldier on relatively unchanged for the next couple of years, until an all-new version will reportedly show face by 2022. The next-generation Ford Ranger is expected to share a lot of hardware with the next-generation Volkswagen Amarok.
