Drew Dowdell

You have some extraordinary ideas of what my riding capabilities are! Lol

When going on a long trip, pack two extra cylinders… just in case.

I've got a bunch of codes in my Microsoft Authenticator. It works well for me. I like the extra security.

I can see that.

Truly random. Those of you who have to use 2FA for some of your accounts and get those 6 digit rolling codes. I'm weird. I almost always see patterns or references in the code somehow. The code might be 454 (olds engine), or 609 (area code where I grew up), or 325 (BMW model) I also feel bad about wasting one if I need to use it but only have a few seconds left before it rolls over.

GM is bi-polar on Europe.... they want to create a new dealer network again after opening and closing them several times. Cadillac failed in Europe because it was basically impossible to buy one unless you searched. Where Benz and VW have huge stores, Cadillac was relegated to the back corner of an Opel dealer.

After years of being forbidden fruit offered only in overseas markets, Ford has finally deemed the Ranger Raptor worthy enough to bring to the U.S. The biggest reason for the U.S. not getting the prior version was its standard diesel power and the inability of the platform to take a sizable V6 engine. When Ford redesigned the 2024 Ranger (read more about the 2024 Ford Ranger here), they made sure to alter the engine bay and chassis to accommodate a V6. Powering the Ranger Raptor is a 3.0-liter Ecoboost V6 producing 405 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque using premium fuel. That power flows through a 10-speed automatic transmission to a 2-speed transfer case and out to all 4-wheels via front and rear locking differentials. The engine uses a strong compacted graphite-iron engine block and features an anti-lag turbo system that allows for extra boost on demand when in Baja mode. The exhaust features an active valve system to control noise in 4 settings, quiet, normal, sport, and Baja. Each mode changes the tuning the of engine, transmission, anti-lock brakes, traction control, steering, and even the instrument cluster display. Baja boost mode allows the turbos to keep spinning for up to three seconds after the driver lifts off the gas to reduce lag time. Ranger Raptor builds on the chassis improvements given to the standard Ranger with additional reinforcements on the front frame rails, front shock towers, rear shock brackets, suspension mounting points, and more. Standard are FOX 2.5-inch live valve shocks connected to a Raptor-specific suspension setup with lightweight aluminum upper and lower control arms and a long-travel rear suspension. The FOX shocks actively vary damping rates depending on the drive mode. A thick front bash plate, along with dedicated engine, transfer case, and fuel tank shields protect the Raptor from below. Being the top of the Ranger line, the Ranger Raptor gets a lot of the top options standard. These include the 12.4-inch digital gauge cluster and 12-inch infotainment screen running Ford Sync 4A, and a Bang & Olufsen sound system. Standard on the ranger 33-inch BFFoodrich all-terrain KO3 tires on 17-inch wheels. These tires can be mounted on optional bead-lock wheels for running low tire pressure in sandy or rocky conditions. Ford will build the 2024 Ranger Raptor at their Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne Michigan. Orders begin in late May with the first deliveries making their way to customers in late fall. View full article

Since its return in 2019, the Ford Ranger has been one of the jewels in the Ford lineup, proving to be one of the Blue Oval’s most popular models. But as time passed, new designs from General Motors, Toyota, and Nissan threatened to march on Ford’s crown. For 2024, the Ranger gets a significant redesign. Sitting on an extensively redesigned version of the T6 platform its predecessor uses, the Ranger is effectively all-new, with only the door openings and chassis hardpoints carrying over. The design of the Ranger was released in other markets last year, but Ford saved some of the most exciting updates for the U.S. debut, including performance increases for the Raptor Ranger not available in other markets. (read more about the 2024 Ranger Raptor) Starting with an improved fully-boxed steel frame, the chassis has been upgraded with a 2-inch wider track and 2-inch longer wheelbase. The rear suspension has been moved outboard to improve ride and control, improve stability off-road, and increase bed space. All models of Ranger gain improved ground clearance and better approach and departure angles. Towing capacity remains at 7,500 lbs., but maximum payload capacity drops by at least 100 lbs. or more depending on the configuration. Also carrying over is the 2.3-liter Ecoboost 4-cylinder turbo that makes an impressive 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque on regular gas. This engine in the 2023 model is capable of returning 20 city / 26 highway in 4x2 configuration. For those who wanted more power, the Ranger now shares the 2.7-liter V6 from its big brothers, the F-150 and Bronco. This engine produces 315 horsepower and 400 lb.-ft of torque and is not available in other markets. Whichever engine is selected, the transmission will remain the 10-speed automatic with an available electronic shift-on-the-fly 4x4 system. With an all-new interior, Ford found plenty of room for… room. There is a larger center console bin, big door pockets, an available second, upper glove box, improved under-seat storage in the second row, and new fold-flat rear seatbacks with room for tools or equipment behind them while in the upright position. The bed gets more room too. With the wider track and suspension, the width between the wheel wells is now up to 4 feet, which means you can load a standard-size pallet back there if you want. There is an integrated box side step large enough for both feet, and an available 400-watt bed-mounted power inverter for running tools or accessories. Ford even redesigned the tailgate to act as a workbench with c-clamp pockets and a ruler. The Ranger is loaded with technology as well. The standard gauge cluster is an 8-inch display or customers can upgrade to a full-screen 12.4-inch display. Infotainment is supplied by Ford’s Sync 4A system with either 10.1-inch or best-in-class 12.4-inch displays. Ford wisely kept physical buttons along the bottom of the display for common functionality like climate control and radio volume. With a standard built-in 4G LTE model for FordPass Connect, drivers can control some vehicle functions like lighting, start/stop, and monitoring of maintenance items. The Ranger will even download updates over the air to get better over time. The Ranger has the most standard or available driver assistance technologies in the class. These include Blind-Spot monitoring with trailer coverage, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, active park assist that automates both parallel and perpendicular parking, Pro Trailer Backup Assist, and Trailer Reverse Guidance. The 2024 Ranger will be available in XL, XLT, and Lariat models built at Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne Michigan. We can expect some special editions, such as a Ranger Tremor, in the future. Orders start later this month, with late fall 2023 availability for the 2.7-liter V6-equipped versions. View full article

Thanks guys, the support really helps and means something to me personally, too. You'll see a big difference in the level of posting here starting around May 22.

@Robert Hall - You can still edit posts, but there is a time limit. Your premium membership expired a little while back, but the system didn't drop you back to the standard membership level as it was supposed to. I manually bumped you back about two weeks ago. You probably also saw the advertising return when that happened. The different membership levels are here. https://www.cheersandgears.com/subscriptions/