Another in a series of my reviews that appeared in the online version of African Americans On Wheels, a now defunct automotive magazine that was included as an insert in the Sunday newspapers of major cities.
It was really difficult finding a picture of a 1998 or newer Ranger in Boysenberry Blue. I actually used a manufacturer photo of a Red Splash when this originally ran on May 5, 1998. As you can see I couldn’t find a super cab, but I really wanted to share the color because it’s quite rare.
I again flouted the 350-word limit, and didn’t really like the changes made by my editor, so the version below is the one I submitted.
Ford calls it “Boysenberry Blue.” I call it purple. Admittedly, a strange color for a light truck, but combined with the chrome wheels and mock-fendered bed, the thing looked quite striking. It’s a definite statement on how light trucks have changed: the Splash looks more at home with a couple of surfboards on the roof and a jet ski in back than anywhere near a construction site.
The Ranger is Fords “small” truck whose primary domestic competition is the Chevy S10/GMC Sonoma/Isuzu Hombre triplets, but which also competes with Japanese pick-ups such as the Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier (Mazda B-series pick-ups are essentially re-badged Rangers). It’s been redesigned for 1998 with a new front suspension, more powerful engines, and a bold new front fascia. Our Super-Cab tester was fully equipped with part-time “shift-on-the-fly” four-wheel drive, 4.0 liter V6, power windows, locks and mirrors, 4-speaker stereo with CD player, cruise control, tilt-wheel, and an anti-theft system. All of the controls are within reach and easy to manipulate, and the Splash even comes with a full set of gauges, something you can’t get on many sports cars. The rear compartment includes a set of minuscule, fold down side-facing jump seats. Anyone foolish enough to think they can use this as a primary vehicle for a family of four should be sentenced to sit in one of them for an extended period of time. A child safety seat would be placed in the front, and a cut-off switch for the passenger-side airbag is provided for that purpose.
The 160-horsepower V6 has adequate power, but provides a hefty amount of torque. You don’t even have to downshift to accelerate from low speeds. Properly equipped, it can tow a 6,000 pound trailer. And even though its bed is narrower than the standard Ranger’s, you can fit a Barcalounger back there (really).
The ride is better than in past Rangers, but it will seem rough for those used to cars. The rear end is light tends to hop around on rough pavement. The shifter is notchy and throws are long, which can become tiring in urban driving. Biggest complaint: the car alarm kept inexplicably going off, and the owner’s manual was not clear as to how to lock the truck without activating it (my wife figured it out – lock the doors without using the remote or power assist).
Overall, the Ranger is one tough, good-looking, “hip” truck.
For more information contact 1-800-392-FORD
SPECIFICATIONS
Type:2-Door Pickup
Engine:160 horsepower, 4.0 liter V6
Transmission:5-Speed Manual
EPA Mileage: 16 city/20 highway
Tested Price:$22,870
The jump seat comment was a direct jab at my brother-in-law who, three years prior, convinced his wife to trade in their Oldsmobile Silhouette minivan for a Mazda B4000 even though they had two children. “It seats four, it’s less expensive than the Olds, and I need a truck!” Shortly after writing this review, my sister-in-law gave birth to their third child and they had to use her old Thunderbird as the family car.
While the “You don’t even have to downshift to accelerate from low speeds” comment might sound pretty basic to those of you who’ve driven trucks or any vehicle with a big engine/stick shift combination, it was a revelation to someone like me who’s only driven a stick hooked up to a low-torque four-cylinder engine.
I recently helped a friend’s son troubleshoot an electrical issue on his 2001 (I think) 4.0 Ranger SuperCab. Not a Splash, but essentially unchanged from this refresh through the Ranger EOL. This review plus another forum’s thread about backseat room in the new Ranger, reminded me that we put our kids in car seats in the sideways-facing jump seats of my ’86 Ranger SuperCab. In hindsight, not the safest but they survived.
Every time I see a stepside Ranger, In my head I see a yellow one on a California beach driven by beautiful women wearing red swimsuits.
Running in slow motion?
Geez, must have been a very low budget operation. Had to use a stock photo when you had the real thing in front of you for a photographer to shoot. Well written piece by you.
Thanks Tom. Photographer? What photographer?
Thanks for another vintage write-up (geez, the ’90s is now “vintage!”) Mr. O’s ’97 Nissan pickup has those little jumpseats and Miss E loved riding in them when she was little. But we’d only go a very short distance because, oh, I don’t know…they were pint-sized deathtraps? Seriously, it’s like they are begging little kids to ask us to do something horribly unsafe. What self-respecting 7-year-old would look at those an not want a ride?
Thanks Matt. I’ve fortunately never had the pleasure to ride in those jump seats, nor do I ever have any desire. Seven-year-old me, maybe. Our niece and nephew probably did enjoy it at first, but I’m not sure how they felt when he still had it 18 years later.
Thanks for putting up an excellent illustration of a tapered canopy for a stepside bed like i mentioned in an old comment, I like these 2nd generation Rangers, and the deeper rear panel on regular cabs really helped the leg room. We had a 93 and it was a little cramped. We also had the 3.0 liter V6 and automatic.
I remember that color! A guy I knew had one that same color and he affectionately called it “Barney”.
I grew up in a family of four whose primary (only) vehicle for years was a ’91 Ranger Supercab. We made it work, and all these years later I now am on my 3rd Ranger, a 2003 Supercab, that occasionally sees a fully grown adult in one of the backseats. It’s not comfortable, but it works in a pinch.
When this one finally rusts apart in the near future, I hope to find another nice clean low mileage example, but they are getting hard to find at a reasonable price.
I took this picture back in 2018 of two other Rangers parked with mine and it looks like the one on the right is also Boysenberry Blue. Maybe I see them more often than I thought but just haven’t noticed.
That color is known as Blurple. I kind of forgot about those graphics (or put them out of my mind), I’m surprised they weren’t made out of puffy paint material.
Small truck, V6, what’s not to like.
Interestingly, I saw a red Supercab stepside just a few days ago, it wasn’t a Splash or a later Sport, though.
As the former owner of a 94 Ranger regular cab, I have an appreciation for how reliable these can be. My father had a 88 Supercab, the “feature” I most remember is the floor mounted automatic transmission shifter. In his 90s my father wanted another Ranger and bought a white Sport that otherwise looked nearly identical to the blue truck pictured…down to the matching topper. He quickly sold it before I had a chance to buy it as he realized he was no longer able to drive a vehicle with a manual transmission.
Floor-mounted automatic? Was it a T-handle? I was under the impression that those were only available in the Bronco II.
My neighbor has a purple extended cab ranger 2wd. Used to be daily driver but I havent seen it move in a year or so, guess it broke. Always kind of liked these rangers despite not being a Ford guy.
I have a 1998 Ford ranger splash super cab 4×4 3.0L 4 speed auto Purple colored
I have a 1998 Ford ranger splash super cab 4×4 3.0L and 4 speed auto purple colored