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The Ford Ranger is consistently one of Australia's best-selling utes and because of its popularity there are a plethora of accessories available for it – from the factory-sourced genuine parts through to Australia’s well-respected aftermarket.
As with any add-ons, these accessories range from those with real-world adventure value (bull bar) through to those aimed at garnering more than just the occasional approving glance (fancy rims).
Of course, if improvements in your new vehicle's off-road capability are what you're after, tyres should be among the first things you buy but, for the purpose of this article, we'll focus on model-specific accessories, such as snorkels, canopies, and the like.
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For a comprehensive guide to Ford Ranger accessories, read on.
How to get your Ranger ready for off-road action
The extent to which your ute is accessorised depends on how much you can afford to spend because that will dictate which variant you can target with your hard-earned cash. The more costly a vehicle is, the higher is its specification, and so the more accessories will be included as standard.
The best accessories for the Ranger include, well, pretty much anything you could ever want to add to a ute. Let's say you're looking to buy a 2.0-litre diesel XLT dual-cab ute (4x4). Your Ranger may include a raft of accessories ranging from the less exciting (power-adjustable wing mirrors, central locking, tool kit, tailgate liner, window tint) through to cool gear such as a bull bar, canopy, drawers and more.
Among the most popular accessories for utes – not just for the Ford Ranger – are bull bars, snorkels, side steps, roof racks or baskets, ladder racks (which can be used to help carry canoes or kayaks), canopies, canopy carry bars, and underbody protection.
Most, if not all, worthwhile Ford Ranger accessories are available as genuine parts through a new car dealer – or already fitted to that used Ranger you've been eyeing off – or they are available from one of Australia's leading aftermarket companies, such as Ironman 4x4 or ARB.
A good general rule with regard to adventure-oriented accessories is to buy things such as a sports bar, floor mats and rims through the dealer and buy stuff like bull bars, snorkels, canopies, drawers and the like from a reputable aftermarket supplier.
Here are a stack of accessories that will help to get your Ford Ranger ready for off-road action.
Ford Ranger bull bar
Overview: Animal strike (a vehicle colliding with an animal, native or livestock) is a real problem in Australia and anything you can do to protect you and your family while driving our roads is well worth it. A bull bar, no matter what the material it's made of, affords a vehicle's occupants more protection than they would experience if the vehicle didn't have any frontal protection at all.
The best bull bar for Ford Ranger depends what you want, any brand loyalty you may have, and whether you want an OEM-provided bull bar – a genuine Ford Ranger bull bar – or a bull bar from the aftermarket, in which case you can choose from an ARB Ford Ranger bull bar, TJM bull bar for Ford Ranger or a Ford Ranger Ironman bull bar.
A modified Ford Ranger bull bar may also include a winch mount, a UHF antenna mounting point/bracket, and other features.
The aftermarket is fertile ground for buying high-quality Ford Ranger accessories no matter what variant or make model year, so it doesn’t take long to find what you’re looking for, whether that be a Ranger Raptor bull bar, PK Ranger bull bar, PX2 Ranger bull bar, next gen Ranger bull bar, Ford Ranger PX3 bull bar, PJ Ranger bull bar, PX1 Ranger bull bar, or even a Wildtrak bull bar.
Cost: Ford Ranger bull bar prices vary anywhere from $2000, depending on materials used (alloy, steel). A bull bar from a reputable company – such as a commercial bull bar to suit a 2022+ Ford Ranger ($1934, bull bar only, at time of writing) from Mick Tighe 4x4 and Outdoor – will be compatible with the subject vehicle and will not affect the functioning of a vehicle's lights, sensors or driver-assist tech, and will also not affect the vehicle's safety rating. For another reference, Ironman 4x4's Commercial Deluxe Bull bar costs $2110 fitted.
Ford offers its Heavy Duty Bull Bar (steel with tech pack) for about $4037, which is "based on RRP for the accessory, standard labour time & recommended hourly labour rate” for install, fitting, according to the company.
If you do decide to DIY the fitment of a bull bar, make sure you have the tools, know-how and experience to tackle the job without negatively impacting your warranty – and that you have detailed step-by-step instructions.
Where to Buy: Visit ford.com.au, ironman4x4.com or arb.com.au
Ford Ranger canopy
Overview: A canopy provides cover and security for whatever is in the tray of your ute, whether it be tools for work or camping gear for your weekend trip away.
Cost: Ford's double cab canopy, whose "unique twin shell construction provides excellent strength and stability", costs from $3600 fitted.
ARB's Ascent canopy, "loaded with standard inclusions such as vehicle integrated central locking, electric push button window release and slam shut latches", costs from $4119 fitted.
Where to Buy: Visit ford.com.au, ironman4x4.com or arb.com.au
Ford Ranger nudge bar
Overview: A nudge bar's name gives a pretty good indication as to its purpose: it's designed and engineered to take the sting out of a minor collision or ‘nudge', rather than provide the heavy-duty frontal protection of something like a bull bar. Fans of ‘touch-parking' love a good nudge bar.
Cost: A steel nudge bar from Ford will set you back from $1235 fitted.
Where to Buy: Visit ford.com.au, ironman4x4.com or arb.com.au
Ford Ranger snorkel
Overview: A snorkel raises the point at which your vehicle's engine takes in air and so protects your engine from copping harmful dust (when you're driving dirt tracks) or water (when you're crossing creeks).
Cost: A Safari snorkel from ARB will cost from $837 fitted (V-spec model).
Where to Buy: Visit ford.com.au, ironman4x4.com or arb.com.au
Ford Ranger sports bar
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Overview: Sports bars generally cop a bad wrap but many ute lovers reckon these much-maligned bits of metal can be used to help cart wood, pipes or other long materials, or even be used as a mounting point for forward-facing lights* or a work-light that illuminates the tray. (*Before you position any lights on your sports bar, check your state laws too make sure that's legal.) Some people reckon a good sports bar looks cool, too.
Cost: A genuine Ford polished alloy sports bar, with high-mounted stop-light, costs from $1993 fitted.
Where to Buy: Visit ford.com.au, ironman4x4.com or arb.com.au
Ford Ranger ladder rack
Overview: A ladder rack gives you more packing flexibility, for work or play, as you can securely carry long items up and out of the way, freeing up valuable cargo space in your tray.
Cost: A genuine ladder rack kit from Ford, which is matched to the Ranger's factory-fitted sports bar, costs from $1509 fitted.
Where to Buy: Visit ford.com.au
Ford Ranger drawers
Overview: A top-quality drawer system helps you to safely store your tools, camping gear, or other items, still leaving plenty of room on top of them for other equipment. Drawers slide in and out on rails and should be lockable.
Cost: Ironman 4x4 has a solid rep in the off-roading community, so if you're after stuff that's actually been tested and engineered to cop the punishment of bush and beach driving, consider their single drawer system – from $820 fitted (excludes wing kit and wing kit fitment) – or their twin drawer system – from $1260 fitted (excludes wing kit and wing kit fitment).
Where to Buy: Visit ironman4x4.com or arb.com.au
Ford Ranger tailgate liner
Overview: If the load space of your ute's tray doesn't have a ute liner then the surface is going to suffer a shedload of damage. A UV stable polyethylene ute liner will help protect your tray from wear and tear while you use it to carry camping gear, work tools and materials, dirt bikes, mountain bikes, anything. A Berliner (trayliner) is standard on the XLT and Wildtrak.
Cost: An ARB impact-resistant ute liner costs from $597 fitted.
Where to Buy: Visit ford.com.au, ironman4x4.com or arb.com.au
Ford Ranger rims
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Overview: Regardless of whether you have a preference for showiness or off-road suitability, the world of rims is a rather versatile one. Bear in mind that the bigger the wheel rim and the lower the tyre's profile, the less suitable a wheel-and-tyre combination is for off-roading.
Cost: Anywhere from about $2000 for a four-rim package. Note: 16-inch steel wheels are standard on XL Rangers; 17-inch alloys are standard on XLTs; 18-inch alloy wheels are available as factory-fitted options on XLTs. Discuss your options with a Ford dealer before you buy.
Where to Buy: Visit ford.com.au, autocraze.com.au
Ford Ranger floor mats
Overview: Protect your ute's original floor covering from workday wear and tear, and weekend sand and mud, with durable floor mats.
Cost: All weather mats from Ford cost from $155 for front (two mats) and rear (a big one-piece mat).
Where to Buy: Visit ford.com.au
Ford Ranger seat belt extender
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Overview: Seat belt extenders, er, extend your seat belt, providing a bit more flexibility for driver and passengers. They should be ADR compliant and click into the existing seat belt, adding about 400mm to seat belt lengths.
Cost: From about $65 each.
Where to Buy: You can buy seatbelt extenders through www.repco.com.au, www.autobarn.com.au etc
Ford Ranger window tint
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Overview: A high-quality window tint spares driver and passengers from the full force of the sun's rays (via glare control and UV protection) as well as concealing your ute's occupants from prying eyes. Privacy glass is standard on XLT and Wildtrak Rangers.
Cost: A good automotive window film fitting for a whole vehicle, pretty labour-intensive, will set you back from $500, depending on the size of your ute (whether it's a single cab, super cab or dual cab). Do your research and find a decent mob that uses top-quality film. A lifetime warranty is a nice deal-sweetener, too.
Where to Buy: Visit www.3m.com.au
Ford Ranger tool kit
Overview: Make sure you're familiar with your Ranger's tool kit (includes your jack etc) and its location. Check under the rear bench seat (if in a space cab), or behind the seats (front row, if in a single cab), back row (if in a double).
Cost: A genuine Ford replacement toolkit is $219.50 (includes GST).
Where to Buy: Visit ford.com.au
Ford Ranger tool box
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Overview: A lockable tool box fixed to your tray will provide ample security for your tools, work gear or other equipment. It should be lockable and have rubber seals and sturdy hinges. There are so many sizes and shapes there should be one to suit your specific needs.
Cost: Ironman 4x4 has myriad toolboxes from $1070, fitted (steel) / from $360 (undertray) from $590, fitted (alloy).
Where to Buy: Visit ironman4x4.com.au
Ford Ranger central locking
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Overview: If your Ranger's tailgate doesn't yet lock when you use your remote fob or it did and now it doesn't, then sort that out asap in order to secure any gear in the back. (Your tray will have a tonneau cover or canopy, of course.)
Cost: A tailgate central locking kit costs from $250, depending on the vehicle it's intended for, and you can fit it yourself or pay a professional to do it.
Where to Buy: You could go the Ford route (ford.com.au) or try a business like www.autocraze.com.au
Ford Ranger power mirror
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Overview: A power mirror helps a driver monitor the road or track to the rear of the vehicle with pinpoint precision. How much it costs to replace a damaged Ford Ranger, power-adjustable mirror depends on whether the glass only has been damaged or the electric-adjustment motor inside has been damaged, or the whole unit has sustained damage. Power-adjustable exterior mirrors are standard on Ford Ranger.
Cost: From $120 for a driver-side mirror (unit only, not fitted).
Where to Buy: Visit ebay.com.au
Ford Ranger grille cover
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Overview: A grille cover does just that: it covers a car grille. Some people will tell you that its aim is to help air circulation, aerodynamics and performance, but really a grille cover’s most important purpose is cosmetic … i.e. to look good.
Ford Ranger grille covers can range from a basic design to honeycomb or mesh look to an ABS plastic Raptor-style grille cover with ‘FORD’ in all caps across the centre of the cover.
Cost: Prices can range from about $100 for a basic hard plastic grille cover through to $1200 for a grille cover with integrated LED light systems.
Where to buy: Visit gumtree.com.au, ebay.com.au et al.
Ford Ranger seat covers
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Overview: A seat cover is, you guessed it, designed to cover your seat, protect it from dirt, damp, mud and anything else from the outside world you can throw on a seat.
Cost: Prices for Ford Ranger seat covers can range from approx. $70 for a custom-made neoprene version to $149 for Ilana Cyclone tailor made pack (for Ford Ranger PX MKII dual cab (06/2015 onwards) through to more than $1000 for a full dual-cab set (front, console, and rear) of Black Duck’s 4Elements 14.9oz military grade canvas seat covers.
Where to buy: www.supercheapauto.com.au, blackduck.com.au
Ford Ranger headlights
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Overview: Top-quality driving lights – sometimes simply referred to with the catch-all term “headlights” – are a major boost to a car’s built-in lighting system.
Driving lights – generally mounted as a pair on a bull bar – are a crucial part of any effective off-road vehicle set-up because if you don’t have optimal visibility along and to the sides of the track on which you’re driving, you’ve no business being there. A well-built set of headlights with excellent throw (how far down the track they can illuminate) and spread (how far to each side of the track they can illuminate) are a huge advantage.
Cost: Prices for Ford Ranger headlights can range from about $80 for an LED light bar from somewhere like Supercheap Auto through to approx. $350 for something from ARB’s Intensity Solis LED light range. (Note: Prices will vary depending on whether you have the lights installed, or you decide to fit them yourself.)
Where to buy: www.supercheap.com.au, www.arb.com.au
Ford Ranger tonneau cover
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Overview: A tonneau cover is simply a cover that fits over the top of your ute’s tray/tub. It protects your tray/tub – and whatever is in it – from the elements (sun, wind, rain, snow), as well as the prying eyes and hands of those who might be inclined to relieve you of your possessions without first seeking permission.
A tonneau cover may be made of a soft material (generally vinyl, PVC marine-grade vinyl or canvas) or it may come in the form of a hard painted lid, or a powered-retractable roller-shutter.
It may be secured in place by being affixed to the tray/tub sides and rear via elastic-style (bungee) cord, or clip to the top of the tray/tub’s sides and rear via a tensioned locking system.
For Ford Ranger dual-cabs, Ford Australia offers a one-piece hard painted (body colour) tonneau cover, a three-piece hard painted (body colour) tonneau cover, an electric roller shutter tonneau cover, a manual roller shutter tonneau cover and a soft premium tonneau cover.
Cost: Expect to pay $200 and up (more for it to be fitted) for a soft-style tonneau cover with bungee cord fasteners, or upwards of $2000 to have a Ford Ranger electric roller-shutter tonneau cover fitted. But, remember, final cost will depend on the stockist, the labour costs involved as with anything, the cheaper you go, the more of a risk you’re taking in terms of build quality, quality of materials etc.
Where to buy: Either organise yours from Ford at point of purchase, or check out online stockists and fitment specialists.
Ford Ranger dual battery
Overview: In simple terms, a dual battery system is two separate batteries working in conjunction with each other: the factory-fitted battery ensures your vehicle has start-up power and a second battery provides reliable consistent power for your camp’s fridge, lights and any other accessories.
A dual battery set-up even gives you the freedom to go off-grid for as long as you want, within reason.
Ford Australia offers under-bonnet and tub-mounted auxiliary-battery systems.
Cost: A deep-cycle battery alone can cost from $216 (for a 32AH 12V AGM deep cycle battery); and a dual-battery system is likely to set you back at least $900 (fitted) or more, depending on parts requested/used, wiring complexity, labour costs etc.
Where to buy: ARB has an official Ford Ranger and Everest accessories partnership with Ford – an auxiliary-battery system is “a Ford Licensed Accessory by ARB backed by Ford Warranty” – so check out your local ARB, but if you’re thinking about looking elsewhere consider Redarc, Piranha and Ironman 4x4.
Ford Ranger dash mat
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Overview: The Ford Ranger dash mat is designed to protect and preserve your vehicle’s dash by blocking UV rays. It’s able to cope with extreme heat, and it reduces windscreen glare and any annoying reflections that may impair your vision while driving.
Dash mats may be made from plastic, advanced polymer materials, suede or carpet.
Cost: Expect to pay anywhere from $70 for a black dash mat for a PX Ford Ranger (10/2011 to 05/2015) through to $103 for charcoal dash mat for all Ford Ranger XLT variants (09/15 - current).
Where to buy: www.supercheap.com.au
Ford Ranger dash cam
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Overview: If you’ve spent any time on YouTube, you will have most likely stumbled upon numerous videos depicting near misses, crashes and full-on road catastrophes that have been caught by dash cams mounted inside the vehicle, sometimes facing front and rear.
Dash cams provide you (the driver) with assurance that if you are involved in a collision with a pedestrian, cyclist, motorbike rider or another motorist, then you’ll at least have recorded vision of that unfortunate event to (hopefully) support your version of, “What the hell just happened?!”
Cost: A dash cam for your Ford Ranger may set you back anywhere from $30 (for a HD dash cam on eBay.com.au) to about $200 (for a Garmin mini 2 dash cam on amazon.com.au) or more for other systems.
Where to buy: Take your pick of online shops, but be wary of lesser known brands and stockists
Note: The inclusion of stockists, products and websites etc. in this article does not necessarily mean that we endorse the stockists, products and websites mentioned.
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