2024 Ford Ranchero – Can We See Another Legendary Edition?

Ford stepped into the new world of compact trucks with the Maverick. But, other companies could join the market with some old nameplates. For example, Chevrolet could use El Camino to draw more attention right from the start. That makes us think about the 2024 Ford Ranchero. Insiders are confirming there is an idea, but our sources don’t know much about it. Maybe because there is a trick – the pickup is going to be available only in South America.

The coupe utility vehicles are car-based trucks. These models were quite popular back in the 60s and 70s. For a while, new models are not coming out. It won’t change with the 2024 Ford Ranchero. The truck will need a new form. There is a problem since the company covers all the segments in the US truck market. The F-Series are the best-sellers, Ranger came back to the midsize class, and the Maverick is a new small pickup. Lightning is an EV. So, what’s left for the Ranchero? Other markets, it seems.

Short History of Ranchero

Ranchero and El Camino marked some part of the automotive history. But, the story about car-based utility vehicles is a bit older. These two vehicles made a breakthrough and peaked the popularity. Everything started in 1957. But, the first Ranchero was a station wagon. Soon, designers fixed that and Ford started producing a pickup.

The Ranchero was available with a V6 engine. Its style didn’t hold up the towing capacity. This vehicle was a better hauler than an F-Series truck. Fans called it “More than a car – more than a truck” with a reason. The vehicle evolved, and the second generation was smaller, third added a performance version. The fourth-gen model almost spoiled all. It was basically Ford Torino with the box. In the sixth and seventh generations, the downfall of this class of vehicles started, so the company finally discontinued the Ranchero in 1979. 45 years later, it is on the way back.

New 2024 Ford Ranchero

Rumors about the new model are quite old. But, there have never been more speculations than for the 2024 Ford Ranchero. Multiple sources are publishing information about the iconic truck. The company is not announcing it yet, leaving space for gossip to pile up.

We are wondering what will the new 2024 Ranchero be. The compact truck slot is perfect but taken by Maverick. Ford brought back Ranger to the US, although it is not as successful as bosses expected. The Ranchero might be a replacement. Let’s not talk about higher classes where F-Series are dominating sales.

So, what’s left? The all-new segment. The future is electric and even trucks will use such drivetrains. Ford is introducing itself to this world with F-150 Lightning. So, there is room for smaller trucks with electric powerplants. This is a shot in the dark.

Information from South America

Ford is a company with a worldwide presence and different models for specific markets. For example, you can find Ranger Raptor outside the US, and crossovers and SUVs such as Kuga, Everest… The company is adapting to the needs of every market.

Pickup trucks are becoming more popular in South America. Companies are already delivering special models for this part of the world, although they are based on US pickups in most cases. Fans think the 2024 Ford Ranchero will be a rebadged version of the Maverick pickup. Chevrolet is going to build the S10, and Ram 800 is already available in some countries.

2024 Ford Ranchero – From Car-Based, to Crossover-Based Truck

The vehicle’s first appearance was in the station wagon form. It became popular when the company turned it into a utility car with a box. Now, the 2024 Ford Ranchero is not going to be a car-based, but a crossover-based model. Escape is offering most of the solutions for the future vehicle. Outside the US, this vehicle is known as Ford Kuga. Anyway, the Ranchero is not getting a ladder frame, something the US truckers love to get.

After the arrival of small utility pickups, more and more companies will drop BoF concept and start building unibody trucks. Until a couple of years ago, Honda Ridgeline was the only such model. That is why not too many experts believed in the Maverick.

Ford needs to bring back things that made Ranchero so popular. In the first place, that is the versatility. More than a truck – more than a crossover will hardly stand now. But, the new pickup needs to close the gap between these two worlds. Some classic design details should bring back memories. And of course – there is the performance. Over the years, the vehicle had so many drivetrain options. But, the most important thing was the car-like driving experience. Being based on the Escape crossover is the best choice to meet this goal.

We’ll see how the market of classic cars will react to the appearance of the new 2024 Ford Ranchero. Some old models are the collector gems, such as GT 428 Cobra Jet model from 1969.