By now most of us will have heard that there is a new Ranger on the way from Ford and this is quite big news.
“Our intent was not to simply create a good truck. We wanted to deliver an exceptional one that people would want to own – one that customers around the world could trust to tackle anything,” said Gary Boes, Enterprise Product Line Management director, Global Trucks.
Which means the all-new Ranger offers versatility, among other considerations, and nowhere is that better seen on the ute, than in the rear cargo box, or ‘tub’ as we would know it as.
Typically, this is not a well-known area for factory-inspired innovation in the smaller utes, but Ford has done what it can to make the cargo box more useful.
It is possible, for example, for customers to engage more with the building process of their ute and section off areas in the box with the simple expedient of putting wooden block dividers into the carefully constructed bedliner. Ford does the bedliner, you do the blocks.
To properly secure your cargo, you have the ubiquitous tie down points in all utes, but the Wildtrak models offer the advantage of external tie-down rails and sliding cleats.
Ford has also included six structural attachment points in the load box capping, making it easier for accessory fitting; canopies, cross bars and tents for those who want their Ranger for real adventuring.  
It doesn’t stop there either. Ford says Ranger has the best cargo box in class for space cargo volume – its 1,233 litres worth of space, being 50mm wider than the current model.
This gives the all-new Ranger the ability to carry a Euro pallet (1200 x 800mm) if required.
Ford has also looked at getting in and out of that cargo bay too, incorporating a boxed step into the design of the cargo box to make it easier and safer to get in and out.
That’s clever, but what’s even better is the lighting, controlled either from inside the ute, or through Ford’s proprietary FordPass smartphone app which gives the user the ability to control 360 degree zone lighting around the ute.
The tailgate has come in for some tweaking too. Now a one hand easy-lift unit, the tailgate pulls double duty as a workbench with built in ruler on models without bedliners.
And it wouldn’t be a useful cargo box without the provision of a 12-volt power socket to plug in tools, camping equipment and so forth, so all-new Ranger has one of these as well.
Protecting what’s in the cargo box can be a critical consideration so Ford offers a powered roller shutter with anti-trap function as an option, activated in cab or via key fob.