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Ford Ranger Performance Intercooler 2019+

  1. Go Your Own Way - Performance Intercooler R&D, Part 5 - Production Sample and Testing Results

    Go Your Own Way - Performance Intercooler R&D, Part 5 - Production Sample and Testing Results

    Nothing gathers us here in the Mishimoto facility, quite like the delivery of the latest production sample. In a way, it's almost like we're tearing into the parts for our own builds. We've been pouring over the 3D models and QC photos, pondering similar questions as anyone online shopping for parts. Will it be built to spec? Will it perform as designed? All questions asked before submitting the order, but now it's here, in the flesh! Like every one of our past projects, we get to pull this intercooler from the box, strap it directly to the dyno, and answer those questions.

    First up: was it built to spec? That question is answered with a simple and resounding, "yup." The idea was to create a durable intercooler that looks great peeking through the grille. Not to toot our own horn, but it meets those qualifications. I'll let the photos do the talking, though:

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  2. Go Your Own Way - Performance Intercooler R&D, Part 4 - Intercooler Pipe and boot kit Concept to Completion

    Go Your Own Way - Performance Intercooler R&D, Part 4 - Intercooler Pipe and boot kit Concept to Completion

    It's no secret that the 2.3L EcoBoost powered 2019+ Ford Ranger is chock-full of potential. On and off-road, Ford's mid-size pickup with the heart of a turbo Mustang packs the necessary grunt for the highway and the trails. If we learned anything from our experience with the EcoBoost Mustang, though, it's that a robust intercooling system is key for big power. Since our plan is already in place for the Ranger's intercooler, we're diving into the piping system to fortify the Ranger's intercooler kit further.

    To perform a comprehensive overhaul on the Ranger's intercooler piping system, we first needed to extract and examine Ford's design.

    Overall, Ford's take on intercooler piping is relatively robust. There's much less plastic than we would typically find on

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  3. Go Your Own Way - Performance Intercooler R&D, Part 3: Prototype

    Go Your Own Way - Performance Intercooler R&D, Part 3: Prototype

    The prototyping step of product development is often one of the most exciting and nerve-racking steps of R&D. It's a lot like the day your car parts are delivered. You're excited about new parts, but there's also some trepidation. Will they fit like the manufacturer said they would? Do you have the right tools? Will it actually make my car better? We often have the same feelings about our prototypes, with one predominant question: Will it fit?

    Before we can answer that question about our 2019+ Ford Ranger performance intercooler, we need to build a prototype. To do that, we enlisted the help of our 3D printers, waterjet, and fabricator. The first step in the prototype process is to take our digital model and bring it to life with 3D prints and welded aluminum.

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  4. Go Your Own Way - Performance Intercooler R&D, Part 2: Design

    Go Your Own Way - Performance Intercooler R&D, Part 2: Design

    When we last talked about the 2019+ Ford Ranger 2.3L EcoBoost, we looked at the stock intercooler. To recap, the stock Ranger intercooler is similar to almost every other stock intercooler we've seen. It utilizes a tube-and-fin core with plastic crimped on end tanks, nothing too out of the ordinary. The only unique feature of the stock Ranger intercooler is the turbocharger boost pressure sensor that lives on the driver's side end tank. This sensor seals in the intercooler by way of an o-ring, so the bore in our end tank will need to be precise to prevent leaks. So, with the stock intercooler examined, we began designing our performance replacement.

    We began our design with the core of the intercooler. The stock Ranger intercooler uses a tube-and-fin core that isn't very durable

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  5. Go Your Own Way - Performance Intercooler, Part 1: Stock Review

    Go Your Own Way - Performance Intercooler, Part 1: Stock Review

    Lately, it seems commercials for trucks, SUVs, CUVs, and every other acronym on four wheels have the same narrative. A traffic jam ahead and a forlorn look on our business-casual hero's face. Suddenly, as if it hadn't quite sunk in yet, our hero remembers they bought a vehicle capable of driving on that conveniently placed side road; the one that's just dusty enough to add some drama to the shot, but not treacherous enough to require much driving skill. A couple presses of the nav screen and the hero is home before the dust settles.

    While many vehicles seek to make you feel like you could go your own way whenever the mood strikes, few pull it off quite as well as the 2019+ Ford Ranger. The Ranger's compact size and efficient engine make it at home in the city, while its cleverly design chassis and plethora of available off-road tech mean it's capable of tackling even the most technical trails. But, despite the Ranger's adaptability off the dealer's lot, there are some aspects that

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