Built for touring, this ARB Next-Gen Ranger build showcases the breadth of products that the off-road brand has created for the current Ranger platform, and it’s really interesting to note the expanded use of polymer products in this build.

There’s also a stunning set of CSA-X RT PRO alloy wheels that lift this Ranger to a whole new level both from a looks and strength perspective, but more on those in a minute.

Let’s take a closer look at these new plastic (polymer) parts and some of the other bullet-proofing products that ARB has developed for the Next-Gen platform, that’ll allow Ranger owners to build their dream tourers.

POLYMER (PLASTIC) UPGRADES

Polymer products, and there are many different types of poly plastics are usually light weight, strong and resistant to wear, and that makes it an ideal material for some 4WD vehicle components.

The SpartanBar (bull bar) on this Ranger is lighter than steel and has the ability to absorb impacts, making it pedestrian friendly in a way that steel or alloy will never be. Bars like this could well be the future of bull bars in Australia, as the laws regarding what you can and can’t fit to vehicles invariably changes over the coming decades. The other huge advantage is that they’re considerably lighter than an equivalent steel bull bar, and that improves driveability.

It may surprise some to know, that this is a winch bar, and tucked in behind the slimline number plate is a Warn VR EVO 10-S winch.

Protecting the underside, is a full set of cross-linked polymer bash plates, or Under Vehicle Armour if you prefer ARB’s nomenclature. It’s a tough and lightweight solution to protecting the vitals off-road, and would no-doubt interfere less with chassis flex than the steel and particularly stainless steel alternatives.

Speaking of chassis flex, the ARB Frontier long-range fuel tank is also made from a cross-linked polymer material that makes it impact resistant but also flexible and able to flex with the chassis, which is a good thing as the chassis is designed to flex. In this application it bumps the Ranger’s fuel capacity up to a useful 140 litres.

RECOVERY POINTS

There’s two forged recovery points up front, that are rated to 8,000kg each.

SUSPENSION

ARB’s Old Man Emu’s Nitrocharger Sport shock absorbers have been fitted with upgraded coils and rear leaf packs. A GVM upgrade is also available if you’re intent on taking the kitchen sink, and if that’s the case, then some beefed-up alloy wheels are a decent upgrade as well, especially when they offer a significantly higher load rating than the factory wheels.

ALLOY WHEELS DESIGNED TO CARRY A LOAD

The CSA-X RT PRO alloy wheels don’t just look the goods, they’re designed to carry them as well. In the case of this Ranger, ARB is running a 17×8 35 POS RT PRO, load rated to a massive 1500kgs, which is 521kgs more than the stock wheels. In fact, the entire RT PRO range is rated to 1500kg, making it the ideal wheel choice for GVM upgraded vehicles.

In addition to the CSA-X RT PRO, CSA has developed two ‘zero poke’ alloy wheel options, available in it’s popular Ridgeline and Raptor ranges, specifically for the Next-Gen Ranger and Everest, as you can see below.

Next-Gen Everest & Ranger ‘Zero Poke’ fitments

RENEGADEDUNERIDGELINEBULLET

Rounding out this ARB Next-Gen Ranger super tourer build, is a suite of ARB products designed to improve storage, usability and versatility:

• ARB Ascent Canopy
• ARB Drawer System
• ARB Base Rack
• ARB Awning
• ARB Zero 60L fridge/freezer
• ARB Auxiliary battery kit
• ARB Twin compressor kit
• ARB Pump up kit
• ARB Intensity Solis driving lights
• ARB Tailgate Assist

This Ranger was built to showcase the huge range of products that ARB has developed for the Next-Gen Fords, and like the ARB Next-Gen Everest build that we covered last week, it’s the design, engineering and in this build’s case, the materials used, that make this build worth a second look.

If you’d like more information on CSA alloy wheels for your Next-Gen Ranger or Everest, you can find out more about the various fitments available at this link – CSA Fitment Guide – or you can get in touch with our sales team here – Contact CSA

If you want to know more about this Ranger and the products that ARB has developed for it, you can head over to the ARB website here > ARB’s Next Gen Ranger

Images courtesy of ARB Australia.