INTRODUCTION
When the Ford Ranger returned to North America in 2019 it offered an FX4 off-road package. In 2021 Ford said the answered “the call of Ranger customers asking for an even more off-road-capable and agile Built Ford Tough midsize truck, revealing the new available Tremor Off-Road Package designed to help owners tackle even rougher off-road terrain without compromising Ranger’s payload and tow ratings.”
So, is the Ford Ranger Tremor a better off-roader than the FX4, and what are the differences?
WHAT THEY SHARE
The Tremor is going to have the same options as the FX4 such as skid plates (although the skid plate on the Tremor is black), front tow hooks, rear locking differential, Terrain Management and Trail Control.
Terrain Management
Ranger features the only Terrain Management System1 in the class that works in both 4H and 4L, offering you seamless shift-on-the-fly confidence over all sorts of surfaces. Just tap the “TM” button to select any of the 4 modes. The system automatically calibrates engine responsiveness, transmission gearing, and vehicle control systems to provide the optimum traction, drivability and performance.
Normal Mode is ideal for everyday driving on wet or dry paved roads.
Grass/Gravel/Snow Mode lets the transmission deliver earlier upshifts and less aggressive engine torque distribution, limiting wheel slip to help improve traction on tricky terrain.
Mud/Ruts Mode allows powertrain torque to be a bit more aggressive, limiting transmission upshifts and letting the wheels spin to get you through the thick stuff.
Sand Mode uses more aggressive throttle progression and holds gears longer to help transfer optimized torque to the wheels. They can spin aggressively to maintain momentum and keep the fun going.
Trail Control
Designed for low-traction, off-road conditions, Trail Control 1,2 acts as a low-speed cruise control, maintaining your selected speed from 1 to 20 mph. It manages acceleration and braking – sending power and braking to each individual wheel as needed – so you can keep your focus on steering while going uphill, downhill, or over rugged terrain. Trail Control can be engaged while Ranger is in 2H, 4H or 4L, and in combination with any of the 4 Terrain Management System modes, to help provide maximum traction when you venture beyond the pavement. Ford’s new Trail Control system is basically slow speed cruise control for off-roading.
WHAT YOU GAIN WITH THE TREMOR
Fox 2.0 Monotube Shocks
The Tremor has a slightly better ride thanks to its Fox 2.0 monotube shocks and reservoirs.
More Ground Clearances & Larger Tires
The Ford Ranger Tremor has 9.7-inches of ground clearance opposed to 8.9-inches of ground clearance of the Ford Ranger FX4. That’s 0.80-inches more. The Tremor comes with 265/70/17 (31.60″x10.4″x17) General Grabber ATX tires versus the FX4’s 265/65/17 (30.40″x10.40″x17) Hancook Dynapro ATM tires. The General Grabber’s are definitely a better tire than the Hancook Dynapro’s and are 0.66-inches taller. So, they lend 0.33-inches to that extra 0.80-inches of ground clearance. That means that the Tremor suspension sits 0.47-inches (roughly a 1/2 inch) higher than the FX4. The Tremor offers an improved approach and breakover angle, but a slightly worse departure angle probably due to the rear tow hooks (see the comparison chart below)
Hoop Steps
The Ford Ranger Tremor comes with hoop steps. I don’t know why. It’s things like this that make me wonder if the Ford engineers that designed this package have ever been off-roading. If you do any serious off-roading these things are going to get in your way.
Tremor Grill Inserts
Th Ford Ranger Tremor comes with a pair of red plastic grill inserts to help make it stand out as a Tremor model.
Rear Tow Hooks
I don’t understand why the Ford Ranger FX4 doesn’t have rear tow hooks. It has dual hooks in the front, but none in the rear. In my 25+ years of off-roading I don’t recall a time I’ve pulled anyone out with a front tow hook. I’m usually pulling stuck vehicles, and the occasional tree stump out with one of my rear tow hooks. I bolted a set on to the rear frame rail of my 2021 Ford Ranger FX4. But if you by a Tremor package then they’re already there.
Upfitter Switches
Upfitter switches are a set of pre-wired factory toggle switches that make it easier to add accessories such as aftermarket lighting. Ford first introduced upfitter switches in the 2005 Ford Super Duty’s. They also came standard in the Ford F-150 Raptor when it was introduced in 2010.
When I was at the debut of the Ford Ranger in Detroit in 2018, I urged Ford to add them to the Ford Ranger FX4 and expressed the importance of them. I told Ford that they should be standard in any off-road package. After testing and evaluating a 2019 Ford Ranger FX4 (Loan Ranger) for 6-months I again made the recommendation that the upfitter switches be added to the FX4. They haven’t listened.
Fortunately for Ford Tremor owners, Ford has chosen to include a 6-switch auxiliary power pack (upfitter switches) to the Tremor packager.
See: 2021-2023 Ford Ranger Tremor Upfitter Accessory Switches
Tremor Stitched Seats
The stylish interior features seats with Miko suede inserts and “Tremor” stitched into the seatbacks, as well as black accents.
SIDE BY SIDE COMPARISON
| Options | Ford Ranger FX4 | Ford Ranger Tremor |
| Engine | 2.3L EcoBoost – 270 Horsepower | 2.3L EcoBoost – 270 Horsepower |
| Transmission | 10-Speed Automatic | 10-Speed Automatic |
| Tires | 265/65/17 (30.40×10.40×17) Hankook Dynapro ATM | 265/70/17 (31.60×10.4×17) General Grabber A/TX |
| Shocks | Premium off-road shocks | FOX 2.0 monotube shocks with rear piggyback reservoirs |
| Ground Clearance | 8.9-inches | 9.7-inches |
| Approach Angle | 28.7 Degrees | 30.9 Degrees |
| Departure Angle | 25.4 Degrees | 25.5 Degrees |
| Breakover Angle | 21.5 Degrees | 24.2 Degrees |
| Skid Plate – Front, T-Case & Fuel Tank | Yes | Yes (Tremor front skid plate is black) |
| Off-Road Tuned Suspension | Yes | Yes |
| Electric Rear Locker | Yes | Yes |
| Terrain Management | Yes | Yes |
| Off-Road Display In Cluster | Yes | Yes |
| Front Tow Hooks | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Tow Hooks | – | Yes |
| Hoop Step | – | Yes |
| 6-switch upfitter switches | – | Yes |
TREMOR & FX4 BREAKDOWN
The Tremor Package Includes:
- 2.3L EcoBoost making 270-horsepower
- Off-road tuned suspension
- FOX 2.0 monotube dampers with rear piggyback reservoirs
- Rear multi-leaf springs
- 265/70/17 (31.6×10.4×17) General Grabber A/TX all-terrain off-road tires
- 6-switch auxiliary power pack (upfitter switches)
- Black exposed steel bash plate and underbody skid plates
- Terrain Management System
- Trail Control
- 4×4 electronic rear locking differential
- Off-road screen
- 9.7-inches of ground clearance
- 30.9° approach angle
- 25.5° departure angle
- 24.2° breakover angle
- Hoop steps
- 17″ Magnetic-painted aluminum wheels
- Two rear tow hooks (n/a with Tow Package)
- Unique grille with Magnetic-painted surround, black bars and red nostril accents
- Magnetic-painted wheel-lip moldings with 1-inch wider offset
- Magnetic-painted bumpers
- Ebony seats with Miko suede inserts and TREMOR stitched into the seat backs
- Black interior accents
- All-weather floor mats
The FX4 Options Include:
- 2.3L EcoBoost making 270-horsepower
- Terrain Management System
- Trail Control
- Off-road tuned suspension
- Electronic-locking rear differential
- Skid plates for fuel tank, transfer case and steering gear
- Front steel tow hooks
- Off-road display in the instrument cluster screen to help increase your off-road confidence
- 265/65/17 (30.40×10.40×17) Hankook Dynapro ATM tires
- 8.9-inches of ground clearance
- 28.7° approach angle
- 25.4° departure angle
- 21.5° breakover angle
IS IT WORTH IT?
The Ford Ranger Tremor package will set you back $4,290 which is $2,995 more than the FX4’s $1,295. Is it worth it? If you’re looking for a good off-road and adventure vehicle and don’t plan to make any suspension modifications, then this is a good truck for you. Why would you want to spend the extra money for the Tremors suspension just to replace it? Speaking of which, suspension lift and leveling kit manufacturers state that their kit “Does NOT work on models equipped with Tremor package.”
The only other great feature of the Tremor is the 6-switch auxiliary power pack (upfitter switches). Some owners have found a way to retrofit these switches onto their non-Tremor Ford Ranger. I personally like the AOB Auxiliary Switches and have installed them in my 2021 Ford Ranger FX4. I think they have a clean factory look.
With that said, if I wanted a good off-road truck, wanted a good suspension but didn’t want to modify one, and wanted to be able to easily add some auxiliary lighting, then I would by a Ford Ranger Tremor.
If you want a good off-road Ford Ranger with Terrain Management, Trail Control and an electric rear locker and plan to modify the suspension and make upgrades to the truck, then I would buy a Ford Ranger FX4.
See: 2021 Ford Ranger Tremor Fact Sheet
See: Introduction 2019 Ford Ranger