2021 Ford Ranger Tremor Revealed As The Most Off-Road Capable Variant Yet
We’ve known for some time that a Ranger Tremor was coming. Last month, Ford Authority was the first to report on the details of the upcoming Tremor package for the Ford Ranger. Just two days later, our spies caught a Ford Ranger Tremor prototype testing near Ford’s Dearborn headquarters in XLT trim. Shortly thereafter, three Lariat-trimmed prototypes were spied testing. Now, The Blue Oval has made it official by revealing the most off-road capable, factory-built North American Ranger to date – the 2021 Ford Ranger Tremor.
The new Tremor off-road package is designed to help owners tackle rough off-road terrain without compromising the Ranger’s payload and tow ratings. The 2021 Ford Ranger Tremor goes beyond what’s currently offered in the FX4 package, making it the most off-road-capable factory-built Ranger ever offered in the U.S.
“Tremor gives Ranger customers a new level of off-road confidence and fun,” said Chad Callander, Ford Ranger marketing manager. “With increased ground clearance, off-road tuned suspension, and aggressive Continental General Grabber tires, Tremor elevates Ranger’s off-roading capability even further while keeping the unique advantages that come with a cargo box for hauling gear anywhere.”
The Ranger Tremor package starts with a lifted suspension, redesigned front knuckles, and 32 inch Continental General Grabber A/TX all-terrain tires mounted on new 17 inch Magnetic-painted wheels that combine to deliver 9.7 inches of ground clearance – 0.8 inches more than the base Ranger SuperCrew 4×4.
Fox 2.0 monotube dampers with remote rear reservoirs and hydraulic rebound stops are tuned for a comfortable ride on pavement while offering control over severe terrain. The shocks are specially tuned with progressive rebound end zone damping to support vehicle control. Meanwhile, the front and rear springs are tuned for greater off-road composure. A multi-leaf rear spring setup enables increased wheel travel, while anti-roll bar stiffness has been reduced to minimize disruption over rough terrain and improve comfort off-road.
The Tremor touts an impressive 31 degree approach angle – up 2.7 degrees from the base SuperCrew 4×4 – along with a 26.6 degree departure angle – an improvement of 1.2 degrees – and a 24.2 degree breakover angle, up 1.5 degrees over the base Ranger. Additionally, front suspension travel increases by approximately one-third of an inch to 6.5 inches and rear suspension travel increases by nearly a full inch to 8.1 inches, both compared to a base Ranger.
Ranger Tremor includes a frame-mounted steel front bash plate and underbody skid plates, rear locking differential, Terrain Management System with four drive modes, and Trail Control. The Tremor’s traction control system is recalibrated for improved acceleration and traction in gravel.
The Tremor package comes with two new recovery hooks in the rear, in addition to the two up front. Its track is wider as well, thanks to the Tremor-specific General Grabber all-terrain tires, wheels, and wider wheel lip moldings. New hoop steps give Ranger Tremor additional off-road styling and functionality without sacrificing ground clearance.
Ford says that despite its improved off-road capability, the Tremor maintains the base Ranger’s smooth, comfortable on-road ride, plus 1,430 pound maximum payload and available 7,500 pound maximum towing capacity.
Customers can now also control accessories like winches, lights and air compressors thanks to Tremor’s six-switch auxiliary power bank mounted to the dash with rated loads of 25 amps, 15 amps, and 10 amps, plus three 5 amp switches.
“Ranger Tremor can be your daily driver during the week then transform into your off-road adventure vehicle come Saturday morning,” said Todd Eckert, Ford truck group marketing manager. “With its added off-road capability combined with the six-switch auxiliary bank and more than 200 Ranger-specific dealer-installed available accessories, Ranger Tremor is a very capable overlanding rig.”
Tremor adds a variety of new styling features inside and out, too. The grille features a Magnetic-painted surround with black bars running across the middle and red nostril accents in the corners.
Special badging comes on both sides of the cargo box, and an optional hood and body graphics package adds extra personalization.
The interior also features seats with Miko suede inserts and “Tremor” stitched into the seatbacks.
Black accents are added to the cabin to the further differentiate the Tremor off-road package.
The Ranger Tremor is powered by the same Ford 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 engine as the rest of the Ranger lineup, which produces 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, paired to a class-exclusive 10-speed automatic transmission and standard 4×4 with an electronic locking rear differential.
The 2021 Ford Ranger Tremor off-road package will be available on mid-range XLT and range-topping Lariat 2021 Ranger trucks in the SuperCrew 4×4 configuration. Package pricing is $4,290 MSRP. Like all 2021 Rangers for North America, models equipped with the Tremor package will be built at the Ford Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan, with production slated to begin in early 2021.
And though the new Ranger Tremor is no Ranger Raptor available in international markets, it actually makes us question whether such a Raptor variant is even needed. What’s more, the Ranger Tremor becomes the second Ford truck to offer the Tremor package after the Ford Super Duty Tremor.
SOURCE: FORD AUTHORITY