Truck Yeah! Off-Road Accessories for the 2019 Ford Ranger
As promised, we’re back to unpack some exciting off-road accessories for the 2019 Ford Ranger. From suspension kits to roof top tents, we’ve got a hoard of sweet upgrades from some of your favorite brands. Check out our previous piece on the junior Ford, HERE, where we break down some great all-around aftermarket offerings. For those of you itching to take this little beast way off the beaten path, though, read on for some worthy mods that come highly recommended.
Suspension
The Ranger’s factory crash bars limit your options when it comes to aftermarket tires. While many shops will simply cut them, a specially-designed suspension kit allows for bigger tires while maintaining factory ride and safety.
Pro Comp Level Lift System
Using ¼-inch thick steel leveling spacers and new high clearance crash bars, Pro Comp’s precision-engineered Level Lift system for the 2019 Ford Ranger 4WD adds 2.25 inches front end lift, giving the rugged stance off-roaders are looking for and making room for 33-inch tires without compromising safety or ride quality.
FabTech 2.5″ Leveling System
Designed to bolt into place without factory coilover disassembly, FabTech’s 2.5” Leveling System for the 2019 Ford Ranger 4WD retains OE ride quality while adding the necessary front lift to help level and provide clearance for oversized tires.
ICON Vehicle Dynamics Suspension System
As the first-to-market complete suspension system for the resurrected mid-sizer, the ICON Vehicle Dynamics 2019-UP Ford Ranger Stage 1 suspension system is an excellent choice for those seeking better ride feel both on and off pavement. Specially-tuned coilover shocks sport an internal reservoir for excellent cooling properties, as well as a height-adjustable feature that provides a range of 0-3.5” front lift, allowing for the use of larger, more aggressive wheel and tire combinations. Available for both 2WD and 4WD Rangers, this system also offers up to 25% improvement in front wheel travel (over stock) and increased damping.
Keep an eye out for some Ranger-specific ICON Alloy Wheels coming soon to complete the look.
Tires
In our opinion, no list of off-road accessories for the 2019 Ford Ranger is complete without discussion of rubber. We rounded up four options for off-road antics—choices that both look and perform well. For simplicity’s sake, we stuck to the Ranger’s 17-inch stock wheels.
Mickey Thompson Baja ATZ/MTZ P3
Mickey Thompson Baja MTZ P3 tires promise top-notch traction both on and off-road thanks to a proprietary compound and innovative design. Cut/chip resistant, with a self-cleaning tread that improves traction and a 3-ply sidewall for increased protection and responsive handling, these tires are the go-to for versatile mud-terrain performance.
Those with all-terrain needs should consider Mickey Thompson Baja ATZ P3. With a unique “hybrid” A/T and M/T tread pattern, these tires promise off-road bite tempered by smooth, on-pavement performance, wrapped up in one aggressive-looking package.
Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003
Mud-terrain performance meets industry-leading on-road tread life in the Yokohama Geolander M/T G003. Designed to provide reliable traction in dirt, rock, silt, mud, and whatever else you can get your Ranger into, these are a great option for drivers needing off-pavement prowess with on-road manners.
Toyo Open Country M/T
Legendary for their maximum off-road traction, excellent on-road longevity, and gnarly tread pattern, Toyo Open Country M/T can handle the roughest of trails—or help you forge some new ones.
BFGoodrich All Terrain TA KO2
Featuring race-proven CoreGard™ Technology, locking 3-D Sipes, and a serrated shoulder design, BF Goodrich A/T TA KO2 tires promise confident and long-lasting travel over pavement, dirt, snow, and mud.
Looking to explore big lifts and bigger wheels and tires? Check out the adventure-ready Rangers that made a splash at SEMA 2018 for some inspo.
Exterior Protection
In our previous piece, we broke down some of the rough-and-rugged bumper designs being offered by our friends over at ADD, as well as some excellent side-step options from Go Rhino and DeeZee.
DeeZee has some other great offerings on the docket, too, like Push Bars that offer lightweight protection, rugged good looks, and accessory light mounting. Or this high-quality, thick rubber Dee Zee Bed Mat that protects both cargo and your Ranger’s bed floor.
Looking for a little more? Check out these Engine Block-approved exterior off-road accessories for the 2019 Ford Ranger.
Bushwacker Fender Flares
So, you picked out a level or lift kit and you pulled the trigger on some bigger tires. Now it’s time to protect your investment. Bushwacker Fender Flares feature an original pocket/rivet style with a smooth black finish for a look that’s both sleek and hardcore. Custom-designed for a perfect fit and UV-protected so they won’t fade, these fender flares offer the extra tire coverage you need at a look that’s sure to turn heads. Stay tuned, as OE-style upmarket finished flares are coming soon.
Fender flares not really your style? At the very least, add some Husky Liners® MudDog™ Black Mud Flaps to keep your fenders clean and protected.
Bushwacker – Trail Armor Black Rocker Panels
Amp up the body protection with Bushwacker’s Trail Armor for rocker panels and sill plates. Engineered to deflect anything those fresh new tires pick up and fling at your Ranger, Bushwacker Trail Armor also hides dings, dents, rust, and pinch welds.
Lighting
We’ve tackled lighting options on the blog many times, so be sure to check out our 4×4 buyer’s guide HERE, tips on auxiliary lighting HERE, and an update on current trends hitting the segment, HERE. If you already know what you want but are overwhelmed by the insane number of brands crowding the segment, might we recommend you take a look at Westin?
While it might not be the first name that comes to mind when you hear “Lighting,” Westin is killing it with high-quality, super affordable lighting options that can stand up to off-road beatings. Oh, and did we mention the company offers a LIFETIME WARRANTY?? If you plan on taking that Ranger into some far-flung places—that kind of guarantee is HUGE.
Utility
Whether you’re heading off-road for work or play, you’ll be needing a place to store all those tools and recovery gear. Enter the UnderCover Swing Case Truck Bed Toolbox. Quite possibly the most clever truck storage box ever made, the SwingCase is easy to use and built to last. Made of high-impact ABS plastic, this thing can handle a few hard knocks. And since it’s weather resistant and custom-fitted to your truck, it’s sure to stand up to any rough and rugged environments you take your Ranger to.
Simply mount the included bracket against the light well, drop in the SwingCase, aaaand that’s about it. Really, it’s that simple. Pull a release lever to operate the case and enjoy easy access to tools, supplies, equipment, recovery gear, or your secret snack stash without having to climb into the back of the truck. Better yet, since the SwingCase stands upright on its own, you can take your stuff with you. Once the bracket is in place, you don’t need any tools to take the case on and off.
The UnderCover SwingCase works with all UnderCover truck bed covers (Have we mentioned enough times how much you need a truck bed cover?) and is backed by the company’s 1-year warranty. With a fair guarantee and an affordable price, get two and maximize your Ranger’s storage for those backwoods adventures.
Tent Systems
Speaking of utility-minded off-road accessories for the 2019 Ford Ranger, have you checked out some of the camping gear on the market lately??
Now, you’ll find that some new Rangers already come equipped with Yakima bed racks and the company’s well-liked SkyRise rooftop tent. Since Ford has a partnership with Yakima, you might be able to roll the cost into your monthly payment. If you’d rather shop on your own, though, or you’re interested in some of Yakima’s newer tent options, check out our coverage HERE and HERE.
Rooftop slumber not really your idea of a good time? No worries, Rightline Gear’s got you covered with its groovy rear-attached vehicle or pop-up tents. And those seeking some easy-breezy coverage should check out the new Rhino-Rack Batwing Awning.
Roof Rack/Safari Rack
There’s truly no shortage of options here, as virtually every off-road oriented manufacturer offers some sort of rooftop storage accessory—many of which have near universal application. But one that recently caught our eye is the aggressive and angular SRM 200 Series modular roof rack from Go Rhino that offers multiple light mounting options in addition to its cargo-carrying abilities.
What are some of your favorite off-road accessories for the 2019 Ford Ranger on this list? Let us know in the comments!
