Project Ranger X: Week 4-5 Build Update
?? Go Back to Update #3 | See the Completed Project RangerX | Jump Ahead to SEMA 2018 Preview Ranger X – Build Update #4 The SEMA crunch is getting real, with just 2 build days to go until we need to hit the road for Vegas, there is still a lot to get done on this build, from wiring, assembly and final installation and graphics. At this point the shop is operating like a well oiled machine with everyone doing their part to get the job done. The “To Do” list is starting to dwindle down and their’s a light at the end of the tunnel. All the parts are back from paint and powder coat, the Warn winch and Rigid lights are installed in the bumpers and its getting bolted up front for the final time. With the larger wheels and tires we needed some additional tire coverage.…
Project Ranger X: Week 3 Build Update
? Go Back to Update #2 | Jump Ahead to Update #4 Ranger X – Build Update #3 We’re back again with our latest update on Project Ranger X. The last couple weeks have been controlled chaos around teh shop as the BDS engineering team takes on the 5-week overhaul of our 2019 Ranger along with prototyping suspension kits for all of the other 2019 Ranger that will be on display at the show in Ford’s booth, building up our 2019 Chevy Silverado 1500 and prototyping several new lift systems for the Wrangler JL and other new applications to debut at the show. Now nearing the end of our 3rd full week with the 2019 Ranger we’re buttoning up the rear suspension ahead of the service box getting back from paint while its all easily accessible. With the new extended 136″ wheelbase and converted the factory mono leaf setup over…
Project Ranger X: Week 2 Build Update
? Go Back to Update #1 | Jump Ahead to Update #3 Ranger X – Build Update #2 New 2019 Ford Ranger, check. Complete teardown of suspension and removal of bed, check. Frame cut and extended 10″to accomodate the Knapheide service box with 136″ wheelbase, check. Nearing the end of our second full week with this truck we’ve made a lot of progress prototyping the suspension. Using a mix of CAD sourced from Ford and raw measurement taken off our Ranger we’ve designed the complete IFS system from the ground up to improve this trucks performance with clearance for the larger 35” BFG tires we have planned to go under it. At this point the prototype crossmembers, differential relocation brackets, upper control arms and FOX coilovers have been cut, welded and are test fitted. This setup will correct the suspension geometry at 6” of lift while keeping all driveline angles…
Project Ranger X: Week 1 Build Update
? Go Back to Intro | Jump Ahead to Update #2 Ranger X – Build Update #1 One week in and the build team is diving in head first to tear this truck back down and start laying out the plan of attack. At this point we haven’t had much seat time in the 2019 Ford Ranger, just a short 2hr drive back from Dearborn to Coldwater and some driving around the BDS test course.Despite the limited seat time up to this point we can already tell its going to be a contender going toe-to-toe with the Toyota Tacoma and Chevy Colorado once it hits the market early next year. We like the styling inside and out and the 2.3L EcoBoost backed by the 10-speed automatic transmissions has some pep. While our tight 5 week build timeline is keeping us from doing a full review on this truck it seems…
BDS’s SEMA Build Announced: Project Ranger X
Project Ranger X Its finally time to let the cat out of the bag. We’ve been holding or tongue for months waiting for the approval from Ford to announce our latest build and on the coat tails of their big announcement we’re excited to announce that BDS is building a 2019 Ford Ranger to showcase in the Ford Booth at the 2018 SEMA Show, located in central hall #22200. Dubbed Project Ranger X, this 2019 Ford Ranger is one of only a handful of the new trucks in existence at this point as production doesn’t ramp up until early 2019. This early production version was built special for us as part of Ford’s Project Vehicle Program were we submitted a concept proposal back in February to build an adventure themed offroad capable truck. After months of planning, proposals, CAD modeling and waiting for production we finally took possession of the…
2018 SEMA Preview: BDS’s Newest Project Vehicle
BDS Project X: Over the last couple weeks the BDS Suspension research & development team have been hard at work on the overhaul of the newest vehicle to join the company fleet. Built to be a super capable adventure rig with plenty of gear and supplies, this truck will make its public debut in less than 2 weeks out at the 2018 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. We’re bubbling over with excitement to announce the vehicle and build plans, unfortunately the announcement is under embargo at the moment and we’re waiting for the manufacturer to lift it before we can spill the beans. For now we’d like to give a quick shout out to the companies we partnered with to help make this build possible. Stay tuned for the big announcement in the coming days as we have tons of photos, videos and write ups from the build up that…