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Blue Ox install on 2025 Ranger Lariat

Divemaster

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Just finished up my Blue Ox flat tow setup on 2025 Ranger Lariet. Installed Blue Ox BLU77ER The directions are pretty good except some of the pics make sense AFTER you find the fastners.
1st thing is get the front grill off , it took me 4 hours to figure it out , there is a trim piece that is on front on the Lariet, you have to use a plastic flat tool to get the edge pulled off , then the rest will come free when you pull and wiggle. This is NOT in the directions. Removing the grill will reveal 3 pops and 2 bolts that need to come out . Then under there is another row of slotted plastic flat locking fasters that have to pull free to get the grill off a screwdriver as a wedge and allot of wiggling and angst when pullng gets them off. A straight gorilla pull will break them. That process including figuring outt how took me all day afraid to break it . The other main bumper fasters are up inside the fender you can barely stick your head in above the tire to see them. Missed them for about an hour 3 bolts on each side . I will try and upload some pics. Instead of following the directions on the 6 pin mounting bracket (they tell you to cut a 5/8ths hole ) use a 3/8's and a capscrew from the bottom and a nylock on top. The steel is the hardest I have ever drilled. There are no plug N play light kits for the ranger , it requires cutting harnesses and installing diodes , possibly a relay under the dash and some cutting of the main harness. Screw that , i ran jacked 4 wire cable from the six pin to the rear bumper through the frame to a 4 pin tucked under the bumper. I mounted 2 led lights mag lights inside the tailgate pillars facing rear, I will have the tailgate down when towing with my tandem bike anyway. Also installed the blue ox charge kit. Just remember there is a current sensor on the ground post on the battery so stay away , make all your grounds on the ground bus on the firewall. Break switch wire and dedicated power for the patriot braking system go through a large firewall grommet near the steering shaft , pulls out easy. I have not towed it yet waiting for some wire to come in for the dedicated power port. I ended up not using the charge controller and fusing both ends 15amps in the rv and a 15 amp in the ranger , in the rv tied into accessory power , so when the key is off no voltage on the 7 pin on the back of the rv. Rv puts out 14.3 volts on the line with the engine running. When the key is off no votage TO the toad , and voltage from the toad is blocked by the relay in rv.
Adding a blue tooth battery monitor next.
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stemplar

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Thanks so much for taking the time to write this up!

It’s worth noting for other readers who may not be aware: the model year 2024 rangers are NOT flat towable, but all others including 2025 and later, are.
 
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Divemaster

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Thanks so much for taking the time to write this up!

It’s worth noting for other readers who may not be aware: the model year 2024 rangers are NOT flat towable, but 2025 and later, are.
It took me all total about 20 hours !!! slow and methodical is the way, each step i used a ziplock for each steps fasteners , with every bag labed by step number, kept them all in a cardboard box , not one screw or faster was was missing , nor did i have any extra
Thanks so much for taking the time to write this up!
Ford Ranger Blue Ox install on 2025 Ranger Lariat image0
 
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Divemaster

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Did my first 45min tow today , fords procedure in the manual is dead nuts on , printed it out and stored in the glovebox , make sure you wire a charge line to the ranger from the rv to keep the battery up when your driving. From what i understand the truck will stay in neutral even if the battery goes dead but why test it !!!!
 

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waffleso_0

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For us noobs in towing..is the reason the 2024 ranger can not be flat towed is due to the transmission not being able to go into true neutral?
 
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Divemaster

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It has a vaccum brake booster and if battery dies the truck reverts to park and catches on fire!! The 2025 has new trans , new engine, and new logic keeping neutral until shifted to park
 

waffleso_0

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It has a vaccum brake booster and if battery dies the truck reverts to park and catches on fire!! The 2025 has new trans , new engine, and new logic keeping neutral until shifted to park
the 2025 does not have new engine, trans from what I have read and the rumors that it catches on fire is bs.

I did read that it has to do with the software related to the abs

https://www.ranger6g.com/forum/thre...6-23-not-flat-towable.7259/page-2#post-129093

I was told it has nothing to do with the transmission but supplier interaction with ABS that is preventing recreational tow. The problem is going to get fixed but unfortunately requires new software and Development Verification. It will be fixed for 25.
 
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Divemaster

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2024 differences from 2025/2026


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