18/12/2025
We did some preliminary testing with the Ranger Super Duty last week, with interesting results. Unladen ride quality and performance are pretty comparable to a standard Ranger, with the revised diff ratio making up for the increased kerb weight and reduced power output around town, but highway acceleration was noticeably reduced. I expect plenty of buyers will get them remapped to above the standard ranger's spec.
It does feel bigger to drive, with taller ride height, wider turning circle (13.6m vs 12.9m) and chunkier bonnet shape.
Loaded performance is where it gets interesting.
The one I tested weighed 2920kg, dead empty, with the fuel gauge on E, so the actual kerb weight of a dual cab Super Duty Ranger with the standard "factory" jam-tin steel tray will be bang-on 3t with a full tank.
My steel counterweight took it to just over the 4500kg GVM, with the weight as close to the headboard as possible (which would have been closer than many real-world payloads could get to optimum weight distribution). The rear suspension dropped 74mm and was almost touching the bump stops (which are progressive "jounce" type stops) Then I took it for a lap of the block.
It handled like an absolute barge!
Just driving around the block was frightening and I wouldn't be brave enough to drive it at highway speeds on anything but very smooth roads at GVM. By comparison, I've driven our (recently sold) PY Ranger 6 Wheeler demo ute (which has the same kerb weight and GVM as the tested Super Duty) plenty of times with the same test load on all kinds of roads and bush tracks and it handles much better.
Don't get me wrong, the Super Duty has a lot going for it, it's got a much stronger chassis, heavy duty axles and brakes, the underpinnings of better suspension, more appropriate diff ratios, etc. but the factory suspension is too soft for real work and the wheelbase is still too short to carry the advertised payload with the right weight distribution for comfort and safety on a dual cab.
Note that we also tested it with the top steel slab (~200kg) removed, which brought it ~100kg under GVM. Suspension only came up 3mm and it drove the same.
The good news is, it's a great platform for upgrades. We'll be offering wheelbase extension options and suspension upgrades to optimise the payload and handling on 4 wheeled Ranger Super Duty and we'll also be able to offer a Ranger Super Dooper Duty 6 Wheeler, with light truck registration options for a GVM around 6t and payload options around 2.5-3t. (to be confirmed)
