It’s never easy to say goodbye to a truck. You think back on all the good times you had, the mods you added, and little quirks that cropped up along the way. Ford made its own goodbye to the quarter-ton Ranger back in 2011, after declining sales and tenuous market share led to some heartbreaking decisions. Nonetheless, fans of the truck still hold out hope that one day, their favorite Blue Oval will make a triumphant return.
Speaking of triumphant returns, we think this 2006 XtraCab is gunning for one, if for no other reason than its bizarre aesthetics. We already knew Ford made the Ranger available with the Edge Package, but if there was ever an “Edgy” Package, this is probably one the best examples ever produced.
The sides sport graphics that look more appropriate on a bro-ho’s backside; the windows directly above have louvered plastic covers; and the grille-mounted Ford badge has been replaced by an “SS” emblem. Then there’s the backside.
“LIVE LIFE OFF ROAD” shouts the rear window. The truck’s “sponsors” include Monster Energy and Gibson Performance Exhaust. Twin black stripe decals match up with the hood to complete the appearance, too.
Think the ridiculousness is over? Ha! You’d be wrong. Inside, we find the steering wheel wrapped in a Dodge cover, while a beadchain gecko hangs idly from the steering column. An amp sits buried underneath bland gray carpeting behind the front seats too.
Surely with all this time and money invested, there’d be something cool going on underneath the hood, right? Wrong again–everything appears to be bone stock, from the intake tube to the wiring to the brake fluid reservoir.
American Family Insurance, who handled the truck’s arrangements, valued it at $12,273 once fully restored and a fix-it estimate of $10,067. Other than a missing front bumper, we can’t see much wrong with the Ranger at first glance, meaning the damage must all be internal.
What do you think of this offbeat off-roader? Let us know in the comments below.