- A TFL reader caught several prototype vehicles in the Colorado high country.
- This Ram Power Wagon and Ford Ranger aren’t directly related, of course, but changes are obviously afoot for both trucks in the coming months.
- If you spot any prototypes out in the wild, send them our way via email at ask@tfltruck.com!
We know there’s a new Ford Ranger coming next year (as a 2024 model), and this is some visual indication that Ford’s undertaking some high elevation testing. Not only that, but Ram seems to be doing the same sort of testing with the heavy-duty Power Wagon. Of course, these trucks don’t share much in common beyond the fact that they’re both camouflaged, but this does provide an opportunity to revisit what’s coming up from these two automakers.
Quick side note: These two aren’t the only prototypes in the lot that day, it seems. More cars are parked in the back of the shot above, and we’ll talk about what’s on display there on TFLcar.com.
So, what’s happening with the Ford Ranger?
To this date, the only official impression we’ve had of the new Ranger is from the truck’s Australian debut. That obviously gives far more detail on the styling front. However, we always expect some changes for the U.S. market, and this Ranger will be no exception. One major point of contention is the likely omission of a SuperCab model. Instead, it looks like we’ll exclusively get the four-door SuperCrew, whether you want it or not.
The 2024 Ford Ranger we’re looking at here, courtesy of Jake E., looks to pack a 5-foot bed, as is typical of midsize crew cab configurations. However, a six-foot bed option may also be available, based on other spy shots floating around the Internet.
On the tech front (not that we can see it here), the 2024 Ford Ranger features a new cab with a digital gauge cluster and a 10.1-inch standard touchscreen. Sadly, Ford will almost certainly mate a 10-speed automatic to the likely engine options, though at least we will get more than one option this time.
How? In addition to the standard 2.3-liter EcoBoost we’re used to, Ford will bring in the 3.0-liter EcoBoost V-6 shared for the Raptor. It should pack similar levels of power to its Bronco Raptor platform mate — 418 horsepower and 440 lb-ft of torque. Engineers may tune it a bit differently for a truck application, but that’s a decent figure around which to guesstimate. It’s likely, though not yet certain, that the 2.3L will see a performance bump as well.
What about the Power Wagon?
The reason I’m bundling in the Ram Power Wagon with the Ranger is because there isn’t quite as much to talk about. At least, not if you’re just casually observing this truck. On the whole, it looks exactly the same to the Ram 2500 Power Wagon we already know, complete with the 6.4-liter Hemi V-8. There are, however, two things worth noting here.
First, the bit that is camouflaged: this truck’s hood. It’s all too common for manufacturers to change up a truck’s look from year to year, so that’s the most plausible explanation. There may be a different style hood coming for the Ram 2500 HD (or the Power Wagon specifically). The camo does a pretty good job at hiding the finer details of what could be changing. That said, we typically get some clarity in months, weeks or even days after people start spoting prototypes up in the Colorado mountains. Hopefully we’ll have some more information soon.
In the same vein, what’s with the tires here? This Ram Power Wagon is riding on all-too-familiar BFGoodrich KO2s — not the typical Goodyear Wranglers we’re used to seeing on this truck. It could just be part of a tire package, or…perhaps some other off-road-focused changes are afoot for the Ram Power Wagon or the rest of the HD lineup.
This Power Wagon also has a new style of tow mirrors, indicating we’ll see that feature in the updated 2023 lineup. Update: That has been confirmed as of September 1.
Obviously, nothing is confirmed just yet, but MoparInsiders did publish some information along those lines. Specifically, the build sheet they received specifies a Rebel package for the 2023 Ram 2500. Off-road trucks are red hot right now and that would be another interesting option, though we’ll have to wait and see.
Let us know your thoughts below!
