Ford has unveiled the Ranger Super Duty, a new heavy-duty variant of its popular Ranger ute. This is the first time the ‘Super Duty’ name has been applied outside of Ford’s full-sized F-Series trucks. Designed and engineered in Australia, the model aims to meet the needs of industries requiring increased towing capacity, payload capability, and durability for demanding work environments.

The Super Duty will do what no other ute on the market can do off the showroom floor: tow 4.5 tonnes, perform well off-road and do so while carrying a decent payload. Not to mention doing so in a vehicle with a smaller footprint that larger, US-built rivals like the RAM 1500.

Engineering and Performance Enhancements

The Ranger Super Duty has undergone major structural, mechanical, and functional upgrades to handle its increased payload and towing capacities. Key modifications include a stronger chassis, reinforced suspension, a wider track, and improved cooling systems to ensure optimal performance under extreme working conditions.

While the turbo diesel V6 and 10-speed auto from garden-variety Rangers will carry over, mechanical upgrades will be extensive, including a new transfer case, axles, driveshafts, control arms and rear diff. Other tweaks include raised breathers for the trans, transfer case, diffs, fuel tank and the AdBlue tank. There is also a manual DPF regen button and a 400-watt inverter.

Technical Specifications

• Towing capacity: 4500kg
• Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM): 4500kg
• Gross Combined Mass (GCM): 8000kg
• Track width: 1900mm
• Ride height: Estimated to be around 50mm higher than standard
• Rolling stock: Six-stud rims, sized to fit larger brakes and shod with 33in all-terrains
• Fuel tank capacity: 140 litres (compared to the 80-litre tank in standard Rangers)
• Tow hitch receiver: 50mm
• Differential locks: Electronic front and rear differential locks
• Braking system: Larger discs and calipers

Compared this to the Ranger XLT, which has a towing capacity of 3500kg, a GVM of 3280kg, and a GCM of 6400kg.

Available Body Styles

Initially, Ford will release the single cab chassis and super cab chassis models first, with the double cab chassis and double cab pickup versions expected to follow later.

The initial release of the single cab and super cab models aligns with the Ranger Super Duty’s focus on work and fleet applications, catering to industries where maximum payload and towing capacity are the primary concerns.

Smart Hitch and Advanced Towing Features

To assist with towing, the Ranger Super Duty is expected to feature Ford’s Smart Hitch system, which helps drivers correctly distribute trailer weight and optimize stability. This system provides:

• Real-time weight distribution guidance to prevent trailer sway
• On-screen load assistance, making it easier to adjust loads safely
• Integrated trailer brake controller to improve braking efficiency when towing heavy loads

Radiator and Cooling System Improvements

Given the increased towing and payload demands, Ford has redesigned the cooling system for better heat management:

• Larger radiator to improve cooling efficiency under heavy loads
• Enhanced air intake and venting, allowing better airflow to the engine bay
• Additional transmission cooling to prevent overheating when towing at maximum capacity

Exterior Upgrades

While the overall design remains based on the standard Ranger, the Super Duty has a stack of obvious changes to accommodate its heavy-duty role.

• Larger front grille and air intakes to improve airflow to the upgraded cooling system
• Higher ground clearance
• Steel front bumper and beefy 5mm bash plates that include smart recovery points
• Wider wheel arches to accommodate the 1900mm track
• Heavy-duty cargo bed reinforcements
• Larger side mirrors for towing time
• Safari Snorkel

Development and Manufacturing

The Ranger Super Duty has been designed and engineered in Australia by Ford’s local team of approximately 1500 engineers and designers. The vehicle has undergone extensive local testing to ensure it meets Australian industry standards for durability and high-performance work applications.

Production will take place in Thailand.

Industry Collaboration

To ensure that the Super Duty is work-ready, Ford has partnered with fleet operators, emergency services, and the aftermarket during its development. ARB, for example, will offer a bull bar and 12,000kg rated winch.

More to come!

The Ford Ranger Super Duty will be available in 2026. Ford has not yet released details what outputs we’ll see from the turbo diesel V6, but additional information is expected closer to the official launch.