Ford Ranger Super Duty takes the plunge

FORD has successfully navigated the next phase of testing for its Ranger Super Duty, assessing the vehicle’s water wading depth ahead of its showroom release next year.

According to Ford Ranger Super Duty program engineer Drew O’Shannassy, Ford engineers targeted a water wading depth of 850mm as one of the model’s key capabilities, testing the vehicle not only at its You Yangs Proving Ground, but also in the rugged Victoria High Country.

“We had to prove this truck could go to the next level of capability and decided to target 850mm. It had to be about more than just what looked good as a concept sketch,” he remarked, discussing the lengths his team went to in reaching the target figure.

“We started shallow, 50 millimetres, because each depth tells a different engineering story.”

Shallow crossings at higher speeds test everything under the car, from the alternator, to the belts, turbo housings, and exhaust, forcing engineers to look at ways to prevent water ingress into critical components.

Deeper crossings at controlled speeds test intake sealing and overall water intrusion protection, with each scenario replicating real-world challenges Ranger Super Duty customers could be expected to face.

“With significant force acting on the front of the vehicle during deep water wading, every seal must perform flawlessly so that not a drop of water gets where it shouldn’t,” continued Mr O’Shannassy.

“Our controlled water bath allows us to repeat tests for accurate validation – but the real proof comes when conditions become unpredictable.”

To find those conditions, Mr O’Shannassy and his team travelled to the Victorian High Country – their destination, the infamous Crooked River Track outside of Dargo.

This famed track boasts 27 river crossing from end to end, each with its own unique entry and exit points, variable bottom conditions, and fluctuating water levels.

“The first crossing always gets your heart pumping,” said Ford Ranger Super Duty integration engineer Tim Postgate.

“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 tests proved that critical breather systems for the transmission, transfer case, differentials, fuel and AdBlue tanks were all up to task, as was the Safari-branded snorkel developed to complement the design of the “truck”.

“We wanted something that looked like it belonged there from day one,” said Ford Ranger Super Duty chief designed Max Tran.

“Our collaboration with Safari created something we’re all very proud of – a snorkel that maintains peak engine performance while integrating seamlessly with Ranger Super Duty’s design language.

“This represents purposeful engineering that looks as capable as it performs.”

You can watch the Ford Ranger Super Duty undergoing its water wading tests here.