Ford Ranger PHEV won’t be for tradies

If you’re thinking about buying a Ford Ranger PHEV and replacing the tub with a steel tray or work canopy, the Blue Oval has a word of advice: don’t.

The first plug-in hybrid Ranger will only be available in four dual-cab 4×4 pickup variants from launch: XLT, Sport, Wildtrak, and Stormtrak.

The new PHEV powertrain option won’t be offered in the same fleet- and trade-oriented single-cab, 4×2 and cab/chassis configurations as the diesel-powered Ranger, leading to questions around whether workhorse modifications like a steel tray can be retrofitted to the electrified dual-cab ute.

Speaking at the Ranger PHEV’s local launch, chief program engineer Phil Millar said owners shouldn’t fit their own steel trays post-purchase, citing incompatibilities with PHEV-specific components and warranty issues.

“At this point, we’re not recommending you do that. There’s a number of critical features under the vehicle that are protected by the tub, as well as the fuelling system, the integrated high-voltage system, a whole raft of critical components in the back,” he said.

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“There’s other integrated systems like a… fuel vapour recovery system. There could be long periods of time running that [internal combustion engine], building up vapour in the system.

“So it’s got a locking fuel door, which then, when run off the fuel door button inside, which is unique to PHEV, allows the system to vent.”

That’s despite Mr Millar outlining that the Ranger PHEV’s 11.8kWh battery is mounted to specially designed chassis rails under the tub, rather than being integrated into the floor of the tub itself.

“It’s mounted on the chassis. If you see underneath, the battery’s got an aluminium casing with in-built cooling channels at the bottom of the casing, and that’s mounted up and on top of the spare wheel,” he said.

Ford Australia marketing director Ambrose Henderson says any issues that arise from owners modifying the Ranger PHEV’s tub wouldn’t be covered by warranty.

“From a warranty perspective… if the issue or fault is incurred because of something that the customer did that is not recommended, then that warranty is not paid out,” he said.

“But if something happened at the front and it’s not related, then it’s still covered by the warranty. So it’s about whether it was directly related or not.”

As it stands, the Ranger PHEV is a dual-cab pickup-only ute starting at $71,990 before on-roads for the XLT.

Still, the Ranger PHEV-rivalling BYD Shark 6 and GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV are also offered exclusively as dual-cab utes.

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