In 2002 Ford introduced two (2) unique Rangers; the FX4 and the Tremor.
The FX4 came with:
- 4.0L SOHC V6
- Bilstein Shocks
- Skid Plates
- 31-spline Ford 8.8-inch rear axle
- Torsen Limited Slip Differential
- 4.10 Gears
- 31×10.50×15 BF Goodrich All Terrain Tires
- 15-inch Alcoa wheels
- Tow hooks
- Manual transfer case
- Sport bucket seats
And the Tremor came with:
- 485-Watt Pioneer Sound System W/10-Inch Subwoofer and 4 6″x8″ Speakers
- AM/FM Stereo Dual Media Audio Head Unit (Single In-Dash CD)
- High Output Alternator
- White Face Gauges
- Custom Cloth 60/40 Bench Seat
- Available In Chrome Yellow, Black, Or Sonic Blue
- 16-Inch 5-Spoke Aluminum Wheels
- P235/70Rx16 All-Season Tires
- 3.0 V-6 with Automatic Transmission
- ‘Tremor’ Badging on Tailgate
For 2021 Ford reintroduced the ‘Tremor’ name as an upgraded offroad package above what the FX4 offers.
Tremor starts with a lifted suspension, redesigned front knuckles and 32-inch Continental General Grabber A/TX all-terrain tires 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 rear piggyback 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 where the pavement ends. Front and rear springs are tuned for greater off-road composure. A multi-leaf rear spring setup enables increased wheel travel. Anti-roll bar stiffness has been reduced to minimize disruption over rough terrain and improve comfort off-road.
Tremor boosts Ranger’s off-road metrics, including a 30.9-degree approach angle, up 2.2 degrees from the base SuperCrew 4×4, a 25.5-degree departure angle, which is up 0.1 degrees and a 24.2-degree breakover angle, up 2.7 degrees.
Compared to base Ranger, front suspension travel increases to 6.5 inches. Rear suspension travel increases to 8.1 inches.
Ranger Tremor includes a frame-mounted steel front bash plate and underbody skid plates, rear locking differential, Terrain Management System with four distinct drive modes and Trail Control. Tremor’s traction control system is recalibrated for improved acceleration and traction in gravel, so customers can punch it in a washout with gusto.
The electronic locking rear differential allows Ranger drivers to engage the locking differential in all drive modes, including two-wheel drive. While the locker still disengages at a relatively low speed (about 20-mph), none of the other competitors allow rear locker use in two-wheel drive and most are low-range-only.
Ranger Tremor comes with two new recovery hooks in the rear, in addition to the two up front. It takes a wider profile 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.
On the RTI ramp, the Ranger Tremor travelled 51 inches up the ramp and scored a 440.53, which proved a better score than both the Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tundra but fell far behind the flexy Tacoma.
Ford must have become tired of me telling them to install upfitter switches in the Ranger offroad packages because the Tremor comes with a six-switch auxiliary power bank mounted to the dash with rated loads of 25 amps, 15 amps and 10 amps, plus three switches at 5 amps. So if you’re looking to add accessories such as off-road lights, the Tremor has switches ready for you to hook them up to.
The 2002 was the was a great year for Ford Ranger off-road enthusiasts. The 2021 Ford Ranger Tremor provides the off-road enthusiast with an even better off-road vehicle than the FX4 model, and I’m hopeful that Ford will continue to improve on the Rangers off-road packages to make it an off-road leader. The Ford Ranger should be setting the bar for Chevy, Jeep and Toyota to follow.
Links:
Ford Ranger FX4 Through The Years
