Ford Ranger Super Duty 2025: first look at the massive Aussie-developed 4×4 ute

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Super Duty: it’s Ford Australia’s surprise new missing link between the hugely popular Ranger and its big-towing and hard-lugging F-150, from which the new gets its namesake.

This is an exciting release that has been months in the making. And now, we can finally announce that Chasing Cars was at Ford’s head office before the global reveal of the all-new Ford Ranger Super Duty 4×4. 

It’s a big vehicle, with a big job to handle. Best of all, this isn’t just a sticker pack, but a thorough reengineering project for a variant aimed at plugging a significant gap in its commercial line-up.

There’s loads to talk about, so let’s get stuck right into what I’d consider the biggest (pun absolutely intended) four-wheel-drive release of the year so far. 

The Super Duty nameplate has previoulsy been reserved exclusively for F- series pick-ups, this is the first time the name has been applied to another vehicle. So this is a big deal. Ford Australia had to prove they could make a vehicle worthy of the title before this concept could even be sketched into reality. 

That concept? You’re getting more payload, higher towing capacity, and more rugged off-road ability. Speaking of which, the Ranger Super Duty comes from the factory with a 4500kg GVM, 4500kg towing capacity, with an overall GCM of 8000kg, significantly out-punching any other current Ranger variant.  

Checking out the new variant in the flesh at Ford Australia HQ in Broadmeadows, Melbourne, we can feel the enthusiasm pouring out of Ford engineers and design staff, who explain that the reason for developing this vehicle was predominately driven by fleet customers that demand something tougher and more capable than what was previously available in Ranger. 

Many of these fleet buyers also wanted to avoid aftermarket upgrades and accessories, preferring a turnkey factory option such as the Super Duty. 

In saying all that, Ford is also offering factory accessories for those that want to personalise them further. Options and accessories such as chassis-mounted rock sliders can replace the stock composite side steps and a winch-compatible ARB bull bar will be offered, as well as a choice of heavy-duty tray options. 

Rather than just a single variant, the Super Duty treatment will be offered in four different body styles: a single cab chassis, super cab chassis, double cab chassis and lastly double cab pick-up. 

However if you want a more luxuriously appointed Super Duty, you’re out of luck as currently it will be offered in one specification.  

It is a high vehicle, and a wide one too, with the same track width as a Ranger Raptor. However, its maker is confident that it will be able to fit in most closed-ceiling carparks. 

Still, Ford’s engineers explained that the Super Duty is so tall that, when fully laden, it sits at the same ride height as an unladen Ranger Raptor, just to give you some perspective. 

Super Duty also features raised suspension compared to a Ranger, with heavy-duty leaf pack in the back end. But unlike the Tremor edition, you don’t get remote-res shock absorbers. 

Close inspection does reveal a laid-back shackle angle on the rear leaf springs, though, which sits on a 40-degree angle, meaning it should ride and flex well for what it is. 

Something else we noticed was the rear differential, which is simply massive! Appearance wise, it looks similar to a Dana 60, however we were told it’s not the same unit. 

Now, while a massive differential is great for strength and load carrying, it is also a double-edged sword – a big diff is super strong, but the size will be a limitation off-road when it comes to clearance on deeper ruts.

Taking a look under the front end, we could see that the upper and lower control arms are seriously chunky – these are bespoke to this vehicle. They also increase the wheel track, so it’s not just a wheel with negative offset to pump the track width out. 

Eight-stud wheel hubs have already been spoken about in previous teaser articles, and it is wonderful to see them in person. Eight studs are stronger than six, right? 

There will be two wheel options available – a steel wheel and an alloy wheel, which looks very Method Race Wheels inspired in my opinion.  

Tyre wise, the Ford Ranger Super Duty rides on 33-inch General Grabber all-terrain tyres which are a light truck construction. This is a smart choice as passenger tyres are easily destroyed on a 4×4, and LT provides higher load-carrying capability.

A super cool function, is the Ranger Super Duty has front and rear electronically activated diff locks for the ultimate traction off-road. 

Ford has also included rated recovery points, front and rear, which are soft shackle compatible thanks to a chamfered edge, not a sharp edge, preventing a soft shackle from being cut. These recovery points mount to a very thick set of bash plates which runs all the way to the fuel tank. 

There’s also raised breathers for transmission, transfer case, differentials, fuel tank and AdBlue tank – vital gear on a hard working off-roader. Larger side mirrors are another clever feature of the Ford Ranger Super Duty, perfect for those wanting to take advantage of the 4500kg braked towing capacity. 

One of our favourite party tricks with the Super Duty is an in-built weight scale which measures and displays what loads you are carrying. This is excellent technology to have incorporated, where you can actually see how much weight has been loaded into the vehicle, taking out any guess work when it comes to load carrying capability. This is good safety technology that can potentially save lives. 

Powering the new big rig of the Ranger line-up is Ford’s 3.0L V6 turbo diesel, which has an upgraded cooling system. Considering these things will be idling for long periods of time in the field, and towing larger loads, cooling system enhancements sound like a wise call, too.  

Super Duty isn’t just slapped together using Ranger parts either, as you’re getting a stronger chassis. Even the engine mounts have been redesigned for extra strength. 

The engine and transmission have also been retuned, however final figures have not been provided yet. Nor has the price been revealed. 

A manual DPF regen button has been included so you can select when it does a burn, or more importantly when you don’t want it doing a burn, like when off-roading in long grass. 

Rounding out the off-road heavy inclusions, Ford have confirmed the Ranger Super Duty will have genuine Australian made Safari Snorkel, a 130-litre fuel tank for extended range, and a 400-watt inverter, which is usable for tradies and campers. 

Underbody protection plates have been constructed from massive 5.0mm-thick steel. Ford is saying these plates are not just strong, but actually GVM rated – they say you can balance the car off the fuel tank which is wild, and I can’t wait to test this claim. 

While we can only speculate as to how much the Super Duty will cost, we’d love to know how much you think it will retail for when it does go on sale.  

What we can say is the Ford Super Duty fills a gap in the market for both fleet and hard-core off-roaders who need to tow and carry more weight, as well as go further off-road. 

We can’t wait to take one for a spin, which will be the next part of this process. And we’re expecting to take it on a proper hard-core drive assessment, too. This needs to be pushed hard to see if it is worthy of the Super Duty title. 

Our gut feeling, though, is the Ranger Super Duty will be an animal off-road.    

2026 Ford Ranger Super Duty Specs

• Electronically activated locking differentials front-and-rear
• 3.0-litre Turbo V6 Diesel engine / 10-speed automatic gearbox
• Stronger chassis with upgraded brakes, axles, and driveshafts
• Higher water wading depth – however no figure has been quoted yet 
• Cooling system upgraded
• 130L Fuel Tank
• Increased underbody armour
• Smart Hitch and Onboard Scales
• Rear Driver Assist Technology (DAT) Bar, with full suite of Ranger safety features
• 4500kg Braked Towing Capacity
• 4500kg GVM
• 8000kg GCM

Design features

• New bonnet
• New grilledesign
• New front quarter panel
• Australian made Safari Snorkel
• Steel bumper bar
• Eight-stud 18-inch steel wheels or optional alloy wheel 
• 33-inch General Grabber All-Terrain tyres