Ford Ranger Ground Clearance

The Ford Ranger starts at 8.4 inches of ground clearance on 4x2 vehicles for all trims. Upgrade to 4x4 and all trims sport 8.9 inches of ground clearance.
Written by Jason Tushinski
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
For the 2022 Ford Ranger, ground clearance specs start at 8.4 inches for the 4x2 variant across all three trims lines (the XL, XLT, and Lariat) while the 4X4 Ranger offers ground clearance of 8.9 inches across all three trims.
Pickup trucks are renowned for their off-roading prowess—not to mention their ability to crawl over rocks, uneven terrain, and hapless compact sedans. When you’re looking at a truck, you’ll probably be focused on whether it's a 4x2 or a 4x4, how powerful the engine is, its towing capacity, and tires...but don’t forget its ground clearance.
Curious how high the Ford Ranger sits above the ground? We've compiled this guide with all the information you’ll need to learn about the Ford Ranger’s ground clearance.
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2022 Ford Ranger ground clearance

The ground clearance on the Ford Ranger depends on whether it's a two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive.
  • 4x2 XL, XLT, Lariat: 8.4 inches
  • 4x4 XL, XLT, Lariat: 8.9 inches
The four-wheel drive Ranger is ideal for off-roading, but the two-wheel drive shouldn’t be used on anything other than light terrain, as experts say you should have at least 8.5 inches of ground clearance to confidently head off-road.

Ford Ranger ground clearance over the years

If you aren’t piloting a new version of the Ford Ranger, your older Ranger pickup likely isn’t ideal for off-roading, as those older vehicles are much closer to the ground than the current iteration. The current four-wheel drive Ranger has a significant advantage in terms of ground clearance over the older models.
Here’s how the Ranger’s ground clearance has changed over the vehicle’s lifetime:
  • 1st generation (1983-1992): 6.6 inches across all trims
  • 2nd generation (1993-1997) 6.7 inches across all trims
  • 3rd generation (1998-2011) 7.9 to 8.1 inches
MORE: The 10 best SUVs for towing

What is ground clearance—and why does it matter?

So, why should you care about your Ranger’s ground clearance? Well, this measurement is the amount of space (in inches) between your truck’s chassis and the ground. In other words, the ground clearance is the amount of space you have between your truck and the road—which is important if you plan on crushing terrain in your Ranger.
Of course, the higher your truck’s ground clearance, the more confident you should be in its off-road abilities. For the most part, experts recommend at least 8.5 inches of ground clearance to go confidently off-roading. So, if you want to head offroad with a Ford Ranger, get the 4x4 version. You might damage your truck significantly if you head offroad in the 4x2 variant.
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Is the Ford Ranger a good off-road vehicle?

If you’re riding a 4x4 Ford Ranger,  you shouldn’t have a problem heading off road, as the Ranger is rated as a solid choice for heading off paved roadways. 
The Ranger is more fuel efficient and easier to maneuver than other pickups its size, and it has a strong turbocharged engine and solid towing and hauling capacity. Do know, however, that the Ranger’s offroading prowess is considered inferior to other trucks in its class.
If you’re looking for a bare-bones Ranger to do some offroading in, the 4x4 XL starts at $27,160, making it a pretty affordable choice if you’re simply looking for a rough ‘n’ tumble set of wheels to knock around and get dirty in.

Guard against accidents with the best Ranger insurance

Whether you’re looking for a Ford Ranger to conquer the next off-roading frontier, or if you want a pickup just to look tough, you’ll want to protect your ride with a robust
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