- Joined
- Sep 6, 2013
- Messages
- 2,032
- Reaction score
- 1,354
- Points
- 113
- Location
- Calgary, AB
- Vehicle Year
- 1999
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Engine Type
- V8
- Engine Size
- 5.3
- Transmission
- Automatic
I think someone has hacked Bobby's account; he'd drive an Escape based mini truck?! Sorry, Bobby, couldn't resist.yes...i would drive a 20-22k awd 4 door escape ranger as long as it had a 5.5 bed.
I've taken measurements of the wife ex-Escape (previous generation)/in-law's (current generation):
To get 2 door awd mini truck with a 5.5' bed, you would have to extend the rear overhang ~6"; basically an update to the South Africa/America Courier.
Alternately, a 4 door awd mini truck gets 2.5' bed, again with 6" extension. You could probably extend the rear overhang 18" and get a 3.5' bed - Subaru Baja being the equivalent. Note: The Baja, like the Chevrolet Avalanche, had ability to fold the back seat up, open the back wall of the cab and extend the cargo bed into the cab, to handle 6' objects, so does that meet spec?
To get a 5.5' bed in a 4 dr Escape, Ford would need to stretch the wheelbase ~24". Honda Ridgeline has 20" greater wheelbase for 5.3' bed. The 2nd part of the challenge - the Escape has ~1,100lb payload capacity - fine for dad/mom, 3 munchkins & luggage for weekend; but there nothing left over for cargo bed. A redesign for enough length & strength to haul both passengers and cargo is a completely different vehicle.
Aside: F-150 users lose their marbles when they find their premium SuperCrew 4wd can only tow ~3,500lbs without being over weight after loading family, Fido and 'stuff' in the box.
My ideal is probably combination of Škoda Felicia Fun - Pickup to SUV & back and Hyundai Santa Cruz - extendable box.