If you are off-roading, chances are you are will need a winch to pull you out of trouble eventually. However, if your truck is a daily driver you might not give up any creature comforts to mount one. Thanks to collaboration between ARB and Ford Performance, owners of modern Ford Rangers will soon have a winch-capable bumper upgrade option next year.
For Ranger customers who want the ultimate adventure gear, a Ford Performance collaboration with ARB is a dream come true… — Eric Cin, global director, Ford Vehicle Personalization and Accessories
“The goal of the relationship between ARB and Ford Performance is to provide Ford customers premium and functional off-road accessories that inspire personalized vehicle customization, improve off-road capability, and empower customers to feel comfortable using their vehicles – even in remote areas,” Lachlan McCann, ARB chief operating officer, said.
Built to accept several accessories from ARB, the new Ford Performance by ARB winch-capable front bumper includes an integrated mount for easy winch installation as well as ready access to the controls through a split center pan. It is built from welded sheet steel up to 3/16ths of an inch thick and protected by a rugged Integrit powdercoat.
Resulting from that collaboration is a winch-friendly bumper that bolts right onto the factory mounting points of any North American Ranger and doesn’t interfere with the sensors that enable Ford’s Co-Pilot 360 driver-assist technologies. Moreover, the setup passes all crash standards for street use and carries a Ford Performance Parts limited warranty.
“For Ranger customers who want the ultimate adventure gear, a Ford Performance collaboration with ARB is a dream come true,” Eric Cin, global director, Ford Vehicle Personalization and Accessories, added. “With 45 years of design and engineering experience in the overlanding and rock-crawling world, ARB is bringing additional options for Ranger customers looking to make their truck even more capable.”
In addition to facilitating the installation of a winch, this new bumper is compatible with a number of other accessories, including antenna/sand flag mounts, off-road jacks, RIGID SR-Series LED lightbars, and WARN Industries M8000, XD9000, 9.5XP, 9.5XDC and VR EVO 10-S winches.
Available in 2020 via Ford dealers and Ford Performance Parts distributors, the winch-capable front bumper will carry a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $1,495. ARB is currently developing a host of other gear for Ford trucks and SUVs as well.