The Ford Ranger has topped sales charts, edging out the Toyota Hilux as Australia’s favourite car. The new ute brings an upmarket feel, more power, all the safety tech you’d want, and towing capacity in line with competitors. Engines have been refined, being more frugal, and with added torque for the tough stuff. And prices undercut major rivals, so you’re getting a lot for your cash. The new car was developed from the solid underpinnings of previous models with substantial improvements in all areas that count. All model ranges though are solid buys, and the extra cash saved leaves room for any additions you want.
Why Consider an Aftermarket Ranger Exhaust?
One of the accessories well worth their asking price is an aftermarket exhaust for Ford Ranger that brings a whole host of benefits to the ute, and gets more out of the newer and older engines. Performance editions help in the power and torque departments, offer better airflow and help with engine longevity. They’re also better built, use upscale materials and parts can be configured for individual needs, such as tuning the exhaust sound. What’s more, older Rangers can benefit from lower fuel use and reduced emissions. Let’s take a closer look.
Increased Power with Better Airflow
Performance exhausts have revised layouts with straighter and wider piping in part or along the whole length of the system. This brings better airflow, with exhaust gases exiting the car faster and helping new air get in for the next combustion cycle. And with improved exhaust flow comes a substantial gain in power and torque numbers, with conservative estimates putting this at 10 per cent, or for the newer 2-litre twin-turbo diesel, 15kW (20hp) and for the larger V6 an added 18kW (or roughly 25hp). These considerable gains are something you’ll notice in all driving conditions, particularly overtaking and towing.
More Strength with Better Build and Upscale Materials
Utes get a lot of abuse, and their mediocre parts like stock exhaust show the first signs of wear. This is due to the use of crush-bent mild steel that can rupture, kink or corrode when faced with rocks, road debris and water. Damage here additionally hinders exhaust flow. To solve these issues, an aftermarket Ford Ranger exhaust system goes with high-grade (409) mandrel bent stainless steel as an entry-level offering, with more use of stronger titanium, Inconel and carbon fibre in systems higher up the price range. All aftermarket materials though handle higher temperatures, pressure, impact and the elements with more poise. The result is parts that last longer, and retain their good looks regardless of how or where you’re driving.
Customised Sound
Regulations curbing noise levels and emissions have hurt how your exhaust sounds. If want to have a louder sound, with more body and a raspier exhaust note, there are different parts to get there. Choose muffler configurations with fewer restrictions and pair this with wider mid-section tubing, straight tubes and reworked header designs. As a rule, better airflow will get you a louder exhaust, but if you want something quieter, say in an older Ranger, resonators can drone out cabin noise and reduce vibrations. As for emissions, go with a high-flow catalytic converter and upmarket DPF filters to reduce toxic gases without impacting power.
More Style and Durability
The wider range of available materials means exhaust parts that last and give off more style. Most improvements are in the exhaust tips, with carbon fibre, stainless steel and ceramics offering a unique look as well as more durability. Using anti-vibration mounts and hardware, better filtration in filters and converters also helps. To add, metals are treated to resist weathering and impact, so there’s no staining or scratches and dents to spoil the neat look.
Choosing Your Next Ranger Exhaust
Budget will be the major factor that determines which exhaust for Ford Ranger you get. Full turbo and header back systems for the various diesel engines through the years still come with reasonable prices, especially compared to other upgrades running in the mid to high thousands. If you want to save some cash, but still get the performance benefits, DPF-back systems with reworked DPF filters and wider mid pipes still deliver. And if you’re more about the looks and want more sound, choose from the dozens of axle-back systems to tailor the Ford Ranger exhaust to your liking without spending an arm and a leg.
When choosing, additionally consider pipe widths. For the Ranger, 3 and 3.5-inch wide tubing should be enough to get spent gases out faster and bring in more power to the wheels. This, combined with the straighter layout void of unnecessary bends, stronger materials, and the needed hardware for quick installation rounds out a balanced system to last for years to come. Lastly, rule out unwanted hassle by purchasing the exhaust that matches the engine, your Ranger model and MY.
