The Ford Ranger has been Australia’s best-selling 4×4 ute since this generation launched, and that popularity has driven one of the country’s most active and diverse modification scenes.

Backed by strong factory capability, modern drivetrains and a huge aftermarket, it has become a go-to platform for builds that need to work as hard in remote conditions as they do on daily commutes. What’s emerged is a clear split in approach.

Touring-focused builds prioritise range, storage and self-sufficiency, often featuring canopy systems, suspension upgrades, auxiliary fuel and integrated recovery setups designed for long-distance travel across remote deserts, coastlines and high country routes. At the other end are more extreme off-road rigs, built around increased articulation, ground clearance and durability, with upgraded suspension systems, heavy-duty protection and drivetrain enhancements aimed at technical terrain and demanding off-road use.

Despite the different directions, the common thread is intent. These Rangers are not built for display, but for use, whether that means crossing the Simpson Desert, tackling alpine tracks or crawling through slow, technical terrain. The result is a snapshot of how far the platform can be pushed when builds are shaped by real-world demands rather than specification sheets.

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2013 Ford Ranger XLS

Submitted by Kim Housego

Kim Housego bought this XLS with 50,000 kilometres on it and no accessories fitted, then built it into a capable tourer entirely from scratch.

The build started with a 50mm suspension lift, then Kim fitted a bull bar and winch, snorkel, and a canopy housing a full drawer system, fridge, water tank with pump, and a second battery. Roof racks were fabricated by Kim personally. The Ranger has also been used to tow a 2.5-tonne caravan and car trailers loaded with Patrols, and has remained mechanically untouched beyond one intercooler hose replacement.

Cape York in 2017 was a milestone early in the build’s life, and the Ranger has since worked through a number of Tasmanian tracks including Climies, waterfall crossing included.

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2019 Ford Ranger Raptor

Submitted by Tyson Warner

Tyson Warner’s Raptor has been built around a serious touring brief, with the 2.0-litre bi-turbo and 10-speed auto backed by a spec list that covers comfort, power and storage.

Underneath, the ride height has been lifted all around using heavy-duty King Springs with Boss airbags added in the rear for towing support. The Trig Point service body carries a 70-litre water tank and pump underneath, while an 85-litre Bushman upright fridge runs off 200Ah of lithium. Camp comfort comes from a The Bush Company 180 XT Max awning and a Motop MT-120 Plus rooftop tent.

Multiple runs to Bendleby Ranges and a Red Centre trip for the Finke Desert Race have been the standout adventures so far.

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2015 Ford Ranger SuperCab

Submitted by Chris Anderson

Chris Anderson’s SuperCab has been tuned, lifted and fitted out for serious distance work, and it’s currently mid-way through proving it.

The drivetrain has had an exhaust and tune, plus a twin transmission cooler added. Underneath, a two-inch Outback Armour suspension lift is paired with a snorkel, and the Ranger rolls on -44 16-inch rims wrapped in 305/70R16 tyres behind a Rockarmor bull bar. At the time of submission, the Ranger was five weeks into a towing run from Queensland to Victoria, across to South Australia, through New South Wales, and back up to Queensland, pulling a 19-foot van the entire way.

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2018 Ford Ranger Raptor

Submitted by Kane Chapple

Kane Chapple’s 2018 Raptor has covered the full breadth of Australia across two years of hard touring, and the build underpinning it reflects that ambition.

Up front, a Hamer bull bar carries a Bushranger 9,500lb winch and a light bar, with a four-inch stainless snorkel feeding clean air to the engine. A two-inch front lift from Mike’s Shock Shop uses re-valved Fox shocks to suit the new ride height. Out back, a factory canopy houses a 140Ah lithium dual-battery system powering a 60L Engel fridge/freezer, with airbags fitted to support the load when towing the van.

The Raptor has tackled the Strzelecki and Oodnadatta Tracks, the Mereenie Loop in the Red Centre, Steep Point, the Gibb River Road, Mitchell Falls, and the complete Savannah Way from Broome to Cairns across 2023 and 2024.

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2023 Ford Ranger Wildtrak V6

Submitted by Jordan Vines

Jordan Vines has stacked the next-gen Wildtrak V6 with serious hardware from the outset, and Fraser Island has already been the first test.

Running Old Man Emu BP-51s all around for suspension, it’s fitted with an ARB Summit bull bar carrying a Warn Evo winch, ARB underbody protection, and a Safari snorkel. Fraser Island was the first significant destination, with many more on the list.

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Ford Ranger Raptor

Submitted by Zaia Babana

Zaia Babana built this Raptor for attacking tracks, and a growing collection of bush stripes from the Pinnacle Track confirms it’s being used as intended.

The Raptor runs 34-inch tyres on 17-inch rims with a two-inch rear lift and three-inch front lift. Up front, a Fury off-road winch cradle carries a 12,000lb winch, and a Provent catch can and fuel filter have been added to the drivetrain. ARB features throughout the tub: drawers, compressor and more. Twin-locking uses a front ARB air locker, a Torqit exhaust handles the breathing, a 100Ah 12V setup with solar panel from iTechworld handles the power, and a Safari Armax snorkel handles the air. A 2.5m ARB awning rounds out the camp setup, with Legendex rock sliders protecting the body.

NSW travel has been the focus so far, covering Stockton Beach, Wheeny Creek, Menai, Lithgow and Sofala, with the Pinnacle Track the standout.

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2013 Ford Ranger

Submitted by Benny Muller

Benny Muller’s Ranger has three Finke Desert Races on its record and a mod list built to match that kind of punishment.

Underneath, a Tough Dog lift kit is paired with BFG KO2 33s and a Jonny Tig front-mount intercooler feeds the diesel. A TJM front bar and Ironman rear bar handle protection, with an XFforce three-inch exhaust and a towing and touring tune sorting the engine. Lighting is handled by Stedi Type-X Pros, and a 60Ah lithium setup runs a 40L myCOOLMAN fridge in the tub. A GME XRS radio handles comms.

The Ranger has covered the Victorian High Country, the Oodnadatta and Birdsville Tracks, and three Finke Desert Races, but Fraser Island (K’gari) is the place that stands out above the rest.

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2023 Ford Ranger Sport

Submitted by Declan Wood

Declan Wood bought this 4X4 Australia demo Ranger at auction, flew to Melbourne to pick it up, and drove it straight back to Sydney to start the next chapter.

Declan came to the Ranger via a 2015 MQ Triton that he built over four years before a catastrophic engine failure on a two-week NSW trip, covering Lightning Ridge, the Murray-Darling, and Kosciuszko, ended that chapter. A rock through the air filter destroyed the turbo and went through the engine. The Triton was sold, a couple of years passed, and then a lunchtime Facebook scroll changed things: the final day of an auction on a 4X4 Australia Ford Ranger demo car. One last bid at 9.30pm, and it was his.

The Ranger has since been lightly modified to suit Declan’s touring brief, with the focus firmly on adventure over rock-hopping. A week-and-a-half on the Great Ocean Road and through to Adelaide over Christmas and New Year was the first proper run, and Cape York is next on the list.

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