Top Mods For Fifth Gen (2019 Plus) Ford Rangers
When Ford decided to bring back the Ranger in 2019, the Ford fans were excited that they now had a smaller and more affordable pick-up over the F-150 big brother. While not AS small or inexpensive as they used to be, they still fit the void.
While Ford offers a bunch of options from the factory in terms of color, trim levels, entertainment, and more, they are still built to be sellable to the average person. Well, if you’re here, YOU are not the average person. You’re here to mod your Ranger, and make it yours. Here is a list of some of the top mods you can do to your fifth generation Ford Ranger.
Please keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive list by any means. This is just to get you pointed in the right direction.
INTERIOR
The interior of any vehicle is where you spend the most amount of time, so why not tailor it to exactly what you need? Let’s dive into what you can do.
All Weather Floor Mats ($195)
One of the first and last things you touch when you get in and out of your truck are your floor mats, and they will get dirty: snow, mud, dirt, sand, pet hair… They will collect everything. All weather floor mats make cleaning a breeze. Being made from a durable rubber, in most cases you can just hose them off (outside of your ride) and be done. While you can get universal fitting ones, this kit is right from Ford to ensure the best fit, and they feature RANGER right on it for a nice added touch. Ford’s site says these are specifically for the crew cab, so make sure you pick up ones for your right trim level.
Door Sill Protectors ($79)
Regardless if you’re getting in and out of your Ranger with boots or flip flops, you can risk scuffing your door sills over time. These go over the boring door sills to not only protect, but to add a little flash to the drab versions that came from the factory. With these being a licensed Ford product, they feature “RANGER” right on them. This particular kit is a black platinum finish for the super cab trim, but there are different color options and ones for different trim levels as well on Ford’s website.
Center Console Safe ($349)
If you’ve even had the need to lock up things inside your vehicle, but still have them close at hand, a center console safe could be the way to go. This is great to protect your valuables or perhaps a firearm if you need to leave your vehicle for some reason. This safe comes right from Ford, so you can be certain that it will fit well and install seamlessly. While you will lose “normal” access to your console storage, if you need hidden security, this won’t matter to you. Looks good, feels good, and operates as intended. What more can you ask for?
Center Console Molle Panel ($120)
The interior storage space on your Ranger might be a little on the limited side, so sometimes you have to get creative. These molle panels (sold in pairs) offer a practical storage solution with some badass looks to go along with it. Each one attaches to the side of your center console, allowing you to affix anything you might need to the side of it, so long as it’s molle compatible: flashlight, first aid kit, multi-tool, and so much more. While it does require you to drill into the side of your center console, the fact that you can now have so much right at your fingertips is worth it.
First Aid Kit ($39)
Speaking of a first aid kit, this one from Ford includes assorted bandages, gauze and adhesive tape, an emergency survival blanket, gloves, scissors, and more all in a fire-retardant Ford branded case. While not exactly a “mod,” it is something that you should have in every vehicle that you drive, because you never know. Speaking of which…
Off-Road Assistance Kit ($199)
If you plan on using your Ranger for off-roading, anything can happen (especially those in non-Ford vehicles on the trails that you will have to help). In all seriousness, it’s always best to be prepared for anything, and this kit will help you do that. Included in the Ford branded case that doubles as a backpack is a fire extinguisher, a fold-up shovel, twelve in one multitool, camelback water reservoir, survival blanket, a first aid-kit, and more. Never wander into the unknown without preparing for it. Again, not a “mod,” but a great thing to have.
Seat Covers ($36 - $375)
Since we talked about floor mats protecting your floor, we have to talk about seat covers covering your seats. These can go from basic to almost new upholstery. There are universal ones that will literally only cover your seats, which while great for protection against muddy clothes, pet hair, and kids, they don’t offer much style. You can get all the way up to fancy leather ones with colored stitching that will form fit over your bland factory cloth seats. Not only do all of these change the look of your truck, but they also protect your seats, so when it’s time to sell, your seats look new, increasing your resale value. Prices vary depending on the style you go with.
Interior Carbon Fiber Overlays ($40 - $140)
While Ford did a good job making the interior look good, they all sort of look the same. What if you want to give it more of a sporty feel? TUFSKINZ has the answer with their carbon fiber overlays. They have a raw or domed version that sticks right over your existing trim for a plainless install. Prices vary, but can add up depending on how many pieces you get. They offer overlays for seven different locations, so you can choose which areas you really want to spice up, or get them all!
EXTERIOR
While the interior is what you see, the exterior is what everyone else sees, so do you want them seeing the same Ranger that everyone else sees? Nah. Here are some ideas to make your Ranger stand out on the trail, or Walmart parking lot. We don’t judge.
Pivot Storage Box ($190)
The bed of the Ranger (or any truck really) is what you get a truck for. Throw stuff in, haul it, and unload it. But what if you have some smaller stuff like ratchet straps, batteries, and so on that you always need in the back, but don’t want exposed to the elements or roll around? This pivot storage box is perfect. Not only does it take up less room than conventional tool boxes, but it can swing out to you for easy access. No need to climb or bend. This is a genuine Ford product, so you can be sure it will fit. The one linked if for the driver side, but one for the passenger side is offered as well.
Bumper Mounted LED Light Bar ($160)
Illumination at night is no joke. Sometimes headlights just don’t cut it, and that is where a light bar comes in. You can go all “off-roaded” and do a fancy windshield/roof mounted one, but what if you want a more subtle approach? Rough Country offers a twenty inch LED bumper mounted light bar that mounts right up to your factory bumper quickly and easily with its bolt-on design. The sleek, unassuming look in the parking lot will be awakened at night on the trails with its 7200 lumen, 30 degree spot beam that is sure to light up whatever is in your way. Can you really have a modded truck without a light bar?
Ditch Lights ($280)
I don’t want to get too crazy with lighting, but if you want a different option, or even more lighting with the light bar, ditch lights are a great solution. Ditch light mount near the a-pillars, and this kit from Diode Dynamics requires no cutting or drilling. These lights, when mounted properly, illuminate the corners of your truck that a light bar might not be able to see, like the “ditches” on the side of the road you are on. While they can be used for a substitute for a light bar, it’s not advised, as they won’t have the same effect. This will still give you better illumination and that off-road look you could be going for.
Fender Flares ($670)
Fender flares can either help protect your paint and those unfortunate behind you if you have wider tires, or that can give that “off-road look.” These Air Designs ones found on the Ford store offer a bit of both. These black, high-impact multilayer ABS Senoplast polymer flares bolt right on and come with integrated bumper flares and mud flaps to complete the look and protection. They also come preassembled with bolts and rubber trim so you can get straight to driving without a long install time.
Step Bars/Side Steps ($380)
Regardless if you get them for looks or to actually help you get in and out of your Ranger, step bars give you that look that any off-road vehicle should have. This kit uses factory mounting positions, so there is no drilling, cutting, or welding required. This particular kit has adjustable steps, allowing for a comfortable entry for any person. The aluminum construction offers a long lifespan and keeps weight down. Keep in mind that these are NOT sliders. Sliders will protect the side of your ride from rocks while on the trial. While some sliders can double as steps, it doesn’t always work the other way around.
Full Front Bumper Bull Bar ($900)
Your front bumper is the first line of defense against the wilderness (or the first thing those eager to get out of your way will see in their rear view mirror). Make a statement and protect your Ranger with something like this full bull bar kit from Westin that will mount easily with no drilling required. This will take a beating before your Ranger does, allowing your wallet to stay safely away from the costs of a body shop. Let’s face it… It looks good too.
Front and Rear Bumpers ($1400 - $2500)
While not cheap, neither are the repairs to your Ranger if you plan to do some serious off-roading. At that point, you might want to ditch the bull bar and replace the bumpers. Addictive Desert Designs offers a few different models at varying price ranges so you and your wallet can both find something you are happy with. All of these replace your factory bumper covers with robust, and well designed metal bumpers. Some of these have LED lighting (both front and rear) to help you light up the night, but all are designed to take a beating. They are also able to integrate whatever factory sensors your original bumper had, so you don’t lose any features. While a bit pricey, you get what you pay for: good looks, and great protection.
Bed Rack ($800)
As I covered earlier, your bed is great for hauling, but what if you need more organization, more storage, and more options? Enter the Overland Bed Rack by Cali Raised LED. This lightweight, easy to install, and durable bed rack will give you so many mounting options. You can select short, medium, or tall depending on what you want to keep in the bed, or if you plan on getting a rooftop tent. The side panels allow you to mount almost anything you can think of like water cans, fuel cans, tools, a jack, and more.
Tailgate Letter Inserts ($80)
The “RANGER” lettering across your tailgate is a little… Boring, don’t you think? You can spice things up with vinyl letter inserts. These overlays from TUFSKINZ place directly over the factory indentations with your choice of 27 different color opinions! These include factory colors, carbon fiber, different variations of black, a patriotic red, white, and blue, and more! You’re sure to find SOMETHING that fits your style with all of those options.
Bed Mat ($200)
The bed on your Ranger is meant to have stuff thrown in it, but why not go the extra mile to keep it protected with a bed mat? Bed mats not only help stop your bed from getting scratched and dinged, but also cut down on noise from what you’re hauling, and helps bigger and flatter items stay in place a bit more. Don’t forget about how easy they are to clean as well: pull them out, and hose them down. This one from Ford has the truck’s name on it, and you can be sure it will have a perfect fit. This one linked is for the six foot bed, so make sure you get the right one for your bed length.
Tonneau Bed Cover ($389)
If you want to keep the elements (or wandering eyes) off whatever you may be hauling, a bed cover is the way to go. This soft, roll-up tonneau cover from Ford easily installs onto the bed of your Ranger allowing you to very quickly cover and uncover your cargo. While the soft design and velcro system won’t stop a determined thief, the sub $400 price to keep your cargo covered is a no-brainer. You can get much more robust covers, but those come with a much more robust price.
PERFORMANCE
Last but certainly not least, let’s talk about performance mods. Regardless if you want to tackle the highways more efficiently or create a serious overlanding machine, there are plenty of performance mods you can do to your fifth generation Ford Ranger.
Cold Air Intake ($430)
Let me first start off by saying cold air intakes on modern vehicles without a tune can sometimes be very finicky with all the computerized stuff, but Roush knows what they are doing, so this kit for the 2019-2023 Rangers will deliver results. This cold air intake kit looks good, and while they didn’t release any horsepower numbers, it will get you up to eight foot/pounds of torque. This is all while allowing your engine to breathe better, cooler air.
Exhaust ($395 - $2000)
An exhaust is almost for looks as much as it is performance and sound. Yes, the sound will change, which will add to the aggressive look and feel of the Ranger, but it will also open up some of the factory restricted airflow, allowing a bit more power to be felt with your butt-dyno. There are plenty of options to choose from with sound and style: raspy, throaty, one single pipe on one side, one on each, two on each side! If you can think of it, it’s probably out there. Shop around and watch lots of YouTube videos so you can get a better idea of how it will sound on your Ranger.
Leveling Kit ($210)
Lifting your Ranger is probably the biggest no-brainer when it comes to an off-road truck. Not only does it look good, but it gives you more clearance on the trails. A leveling kit is one of the most inexpensive ways to do it. A leveling kit is basically a “spacer” in your suspension. This three inch leveling kit from ReadyLift is perfect, as it does not overextend your stock suspension. Going too high with a leveling kit and a factory suspension could lead to an unpleasant ride and potential failures over time. Remember that stock parts always work best with stock parts.
Coilover Lift Kit ($1330)
Your best option for lift, performance, and reliability would be a coilover kit. Without going into too much detail a coilover kit has the spring and shock together. This allows for easy installation, but also an assurance that the two parts will work well together. Fox has been in the game for many years, and this kit will give you up to three inches of lift, and comes with replacement rear shocks which will greatly help your quality of ride. While more expensive, this won’t put extra stress on factory shocks and springs since they are being replaced. Serious about off-road performance? Get coilovers! Just make sure you get the right one for your Ranger: check compatibility.
Skid Plates ($200 - $750)
Skid plates and “body armor” are essential to any serious off-roader. Sliding across or slamming down on a rock can have very expensive consequences if you are not prepared. Your engine, transfer case, and transmission are all high dollar items that you want to keep away from the wilderness, and skid plates get that done. They simply bolt on under your vehicle, and take the hit before anything else. RCI Metalworks offers a skid plate for your engine, transmission, and transfer case. If you bundle them all together, you save! You can get them in steel for the most protection or aluminum for still great protection, but at a much lighter weight. Whichever route you decide, protect your investment!
Final Thoughts
That was a lot, I know… But guess what? There are even TONS of other things we didn’t mention. Plenty of mods we didn’t talk about, and tons of other brands and styles of the ones we did. Regardless, I hope this helped give you a better idea of what you can do with your fifth gen Ford Ranger. Don’t forget to stop by Ryze Off-Road for more information, tips, and tricks about your Ford F-150, Bronco, and Ranger. We are also continuously expanding our selection of parts to become your number one stop for mods as well. Either way, mod on, and make your Ranger your dream Ranger!
Images
All Weather Floor Mats - Courtesy Ford
Door Sill Overlays - Courtesy Ford
Pivoting Tool Box - Courtesy Ford
Center Console Safe - Courtesy Ford
Center Console Molle Panel - Courtesy JCR Offroad
First Aid Kit - Courtesy Ford
Off-Road Assistance Kit - Courtesy Ford
Seat Covers - American Trucks
Interior Carbon Fiber Overlays - Courtesy TUFSKINZ
Light Bar - Courtesy Rough Country
Ditch Lights - Courtesy Diode Dynamics
Fender Flares - Courtesy Ford
Side Steps - Courtesy Rough Country
Bull Bar - Courtesy Ranger Parts Depot
Front Bumper - Courtesy of Ranger Parts Depot
Bed Rack - Courtesy Cali Raised LED
Tailgate Letter Inserts - Courtesy TUFSKINZ
Bed Mat - Courtesy Ford
Bed Cover - Courtesy Ford
Cold Air Intake - Courtesy Roush
Exhaust - Courtesy Stage 3 Motorsports
Leveling Kit - Courtesy ReadyLift
Coilovers - Courtesy Shock Surplus
Skid Plates - Courtesy RCI Metalworks
Speaking of a first aid kit, this one from Ford includes assorted bandages, gauze and adhesive tape, an emergency survival blanket, gloves, scissors, and more all in a fire-retardant Ford branded case. While not exactly a “mod,” it is something that you should have in every vehicle that you drive, because you never know. Speaking of which…
