Just traded my 2024 Ranger Raptor in

[MJE]

How do you find the ST compared to the Raptor now that you’ve had it for a bit? I hardly need a 3rd row, yet Ford no longer offers a 2 row midsize SUV. The Explorer, particularly for its size, I thought was quite nice to drive. & the ST would be about as good as you can get.

Sponsored

 

[Kevindust]

How do you find the ST compared to the Raptor now that you’ve had it for a bit? I hardly need a 3rd row, yet Ford no longer offers a 2 row midsize SUV. The Explorer, particularly for its size, I thought was quite nice to drive. & the ST would be about as good as you can get.

I am also very interested in the OPs first hand opinion and experience with the Ranger Raptor vs Explorer ST. I prefer having a pickup box than a 3 row SUV but I also prefer on road driving dynamics instead of off road capability that I will never use. I also need to tow a 4200 lbs travel trailer. What I really want is a Ranger ST with at least a 5500 lbs tow rating but Ford hasn't built it yet...

 

[Jalbano2]

I am also very interested in the OPs first hand opinion and experience with the Ranger Raptor vs Explorer ST. I prefer having a pickup box than a 3 row SUV but I also prefer on road driving dynamics instead of off road capability that I will never use. I also need to tow a 4200 lbs travel trailer. What I really want is a Ranger ST with at least a 5500 lbs tow rating but Ford has built it yet...

They won't build it.

 

[Kevindust]

They won't build it.

Sadly, you're probably right.
Still, between the R Raptor and the Explorer ST, all of the parts are already there. Development costs for a Ranger ST would be very little. Hopefully, the Maverick Lobo is a huge success and reignites the market for street oriented trims.

 

[Jalbano2]

Sadly, you're probably right.
Still, between the R Raptor and the Explorer ST, all of the parts are already there. Development costs for a Ranger ST would be very little. Hopefully, the Maverick Lobo is a huge success and reignites the market for street oriented trims.
It's not about development c

Sadly, you're probably right.
Still, between the R Raptor and the Explorer ST, all of the parts are already there. Development costs for a Ranger ST would be very little. Hopefully, the Maverick Lobo is a huge success and reignites the market for street oriented trims.

The reason it will never get built is it would steal sales from other models. Its why we will never see certain models for sale here in the US. They are making a super duty Ranger for international sales but it will never be available here because it would hurt the more profitable F150.

 

[Kevindust]

The reason it will never get built is it would steal sales from other models. Its why we will never see certain models for sale here in the US. They are making a super duty Ranger for international sales but it will never be available here because it would hurt the more profitable F150.

A Ranger ST wouldn't really compete with anything else in the Ford lineup, there is no comparable F150 trim. If it was the first sporty midsize truck to market, it would be more likely to steal sales from the Tacoma, Colorado and Canyon.

 

[Lion77]

How do you find the ST compared to the Raptor now that you’ve had it for a bit? I hardly need a 3rd row, yet Ford no longer offers a 2 row midsize SUV. The Explorer, particularly for its size, I thought was quite nice to drive. & the ST would be about as good as you can get.

My friend has a 21 ST now with 130k miles on it, runs great and to my surprise hes doing 10k oil change intervals and has been since new! Not even running synthetic until just recently (was using factory blend).

I got to drive his ST and he drove my Raptor. Once his ST is paid off hes giving that to the wife and buying a Raptor now lol. Comparatively, the trans tuning on the Ranger is better. The ST was good, but not quite as refined as the Rangers, although mine is Pro Cal tuned while his ST is stock.

The ride in the ST was very stiff though, the Ranger, with its Fox Live valves and 70 series C load tires feels like a big SxS. The ST rides more like my 2016 GT did with BMR street springs and GT350 track struts (high damping, stiffer ride) on a 35 series tire (Pilot Sport 4S). The ST just felt a bit harsh on ride quality, not an issue for smooth roads but definitely not the best if you live in an area with rough roads, id look at the Tremor instead of the ST, then you get a bit softer ride at the expense of lateral g's.

At the end of the day, I did like the ST a lot and one compromise could be swapping out the tires for a grand touring tire to slightly improve the ride without killing handling, but between the two? Raptor all the way for me. 5ft bed thats 48 in wide between the wells allows me to fit a lot of stuff back there and I dont need a 3rd row so the cap is just the right size for me and my family.

Sponsored