UCSD Scripps.
2022 Ford Ranger + SET Tray.

Justin works for the California Cattlemen's Association and the California Rangeland Trust — his job takes him to remote ranches across the western US, often on long dirt roads to working cattle operations. He came to us wanting an off-road-capable truck that wouldn't sacrifice fuel economy, drivability, or everyday practicality. The Ford Ranger is the right platform for that — mid-size, fuel-efficient, easy to live with — and our build philosophy was clean, simple, and reliable. Nothing excessive, nothing he didn't need.

Suspension is a 2-inch Old Man Emu Heavy Load lift kit — OME Nitrocharger shocks, heavy-rate front coils and rear leaf springs spec'd for the loaded weight Justin runs on long trips. SPC adjustable upper control arms keep alignment dialed at the lifted height. Up front sits an ARB Summit bull bar with a Warn VR EVO 10-S 10,000 lb winch, ARB Intensity Solis 21 spot-flood driving lights mounted on top, and a pair of ARB 8-tonne rated recovery points bolted to the frame. Falken Wildpeak A/T4W tires in 265/75R16 wrap the factory wheels — proven all-terrain rubber, factory size for clean fitment without rubbing or geometry changes.

Out back, a Summit Expedition Trucks tray converts the Ranger from a half-ton truck bed into a real work platform — drop sides for full open-deck access when hauling longer gear, an under-tray storage drawer for tools and recovery kit, an on-board water tank for field rinse, and L-track strips on the deck for tying down whatever needs tying down. An ARB Twin air compressor lives in one of the under-tray boxes with the ARB Pump Up Kit, switched from the dash — air down on the dirt road in, air back up at the gate. The whole build runs at roughly the same fuel economy as the truck did stock, which was the point. Built to do its job and stay out of the way.