Ford’s 2025 Ranger Super Duty isn’t just built for the road; it’s engineered to conquer the river. According to Ford, during its development, engineers relentlessly pursued extreme capability, specifically water wading. The target? An impressive 850 millimeters.
Drew O’Shannassy, Ranger Super Duty program engineer at Ford Australia, highlighted the team’s rigorous approach: “We had to prove this truck could go to the next level of capability”.
The testing process began in a controlled environment at Ford’s You Yangs Proving Ground near Geelong. Here, engineers utilized a 50-meter-long concrete basin capable of simulating various water depths, from a mere 50 millimeters to over a meter. These shallow crossings test components under the vehicle, while deeper immersions assess intake sealing and overall water intrusion protection.
However, the controlled environment was just the beginning. To validate their findings, the team ventured into Victoria’s High Country, tackling the Crooked River Track near Dargo. This challenging route features 27 consecutive river crossings with fluctuating water levels, varying flow rates, and unpredictable bottom conditions.
Vehicle integration engineer Tim Postgate described the experience: “You’ve done all the maths, run all the controlled tests, but there’s something about watching the nose of the truck disappear into rushing water that makes engineering very real.”
The Ranger Super Duty proved its mettle, exceeding the standard Ranger’s water-wading capability by 50mm. Critical system breathers for the transmission, transfer case, differentials, fuel, and AdBlue tank are positioned safely above the 850-millimeter mark.
Ford collaborated with Safari, the off-road specialists, to develop an integrated snorkel system. According to Max Tran, chief designer, Ranger Super Duty at Ford Australia, the goal was to create a snorkel that seamlessly blended with the Ranger Super Duty’s design. This collaboration balanced airflow optimization with aesthetic demands, ensuring seamless integration with existing manufacturing.
Key Specs:
- Water Wading Capability: 850 millimeters
- Snorkel: Integrated Safari system
Months of development, testing, and refinement culminated in final validation runs at Crooked River. The result is a truck ready for challenging conditions. Community members are actively discussing these features, as seen in recent forum posts about the Ranger Super Duty’s capabilities in the Australian Outback.