I was traveling through northern Michigan while on vacation last August when I had the chance to stand face-to-face with a life-sized cutout of one of my childhood authority figures: Smokey Bear. A selfie quickly followed, which was immediately posted to my social media. “Only YOU can prevent forest fires,” was the slogan from the anthropomorphic bear who acted as the nation’s forest ranger in public service announcements that aired amid the other commercials during my cherished cartoons. Mr. Bear was also pointing his finger directly at me and whoever else happened to be watching. There was no “Who, me?…” ambiguity, as if to wonder if this message was perhaps intended for someone else. Nope. Doing my part to prevent forest fires was my responsibility.
Curiously, this wasn’t the only imagery presented to me that had juxtaposed cartoon bears and forest rangers. The adventures of Hanna-Barbera’s Yogi Bear, acting as foil to the forest ranger at Jellystone Park, may have been the first step in eroding the fear of (the idea of) bears in my mind as a young child. Yogi was funny, had a unique cadence to his speech, and wore a hat better than many real-life humans. I now realize that the ideas of rangers, bears, and camping were all introduced to me around the same time. Combined with fond, early memories of my grandparents’ fifth wheel camper trailer (which they sold to buy a stationary house in southwest Florida – boooo!), the idea of the great outdoors appealed immensely to the young Joe.
1986 Ford Ranger brochure page, as sourced from www.oldcarbrochures.org.
When the first compact Ranger pickup arrived in 1982 as an early ’83 model, it occurred to me that Ford now had its own compact pickup of U.S. design, replacing the Mazda-sourced Courier. Its styling seemed straight from the same drafting tables as whatever team had been responsible for the 1980-on, full-sized F-Series, which reinforced this shared DNA from a visual perspective. My other observation was that the Ranger looked like a kid-version of the F-Series, one of which a Ranger might become once it grew up and if it took all of its Flintstones vitamins. We look to our heroes and heroines at a young, impressionable age. We aspire to become like those whom we emulate and whose strengths and traits we wish to possess once we ourselves are fully developed.
It was this mini-F-150 essence of the Ranger that endeared it to me, even if not to the extent I would have wanted to own one over one of my other dream cars of that time, like a third-generation Camaro, for example. Pickups often tow camper trailers, and I could imagine our featured truck hitched to one of those little pop-up dealies I used to see on the expressway while riding on long trips. In my mind, perhaps, the compact Ford Ranger completed the childhood picture in my mind of the forest being a fun place to be, where big fires didn’t happen, bears were funny, human-like, and wore hats, and where every day spent camping was the best day of your life. I remember being a little sad when the first Ranger’s run ended in 2011, but was glad when the nameplate returned in 2019.
This was not a “mess around and find out” moment for me last summer.
This particular example, if the results of my license plate search are accurate, was originally built in Louisville, Kentucky. It’s a two-wheel-drive regular-cab model, featuring the optional 140-horsepower, 2.9 liter six-cylinder engine. (A 2.0L four was standard in the Ranger “S”, with a 2.3L four being standard in all other models and in the California “S”.) The fuel-injected 2.9L V6 was new for ’86, replacing the 115-hp 2.8L V6 that had been optional from the small Ranger’s inception for ’83. I was unable to locate a brochure from ’87, but at least for ’86, there was a factory option for a Camper Package by which the buyer could select to outfit the bed of their new Ranger with an aftermarket camper.
As seen on my morning commute into the Chicago Loop. Thursday, February 20, 2025.
Seeing these kinds of camper truck beds as well as fiberglass roof caps were a regular occurrence when I was growing up. They were ubiquitous, and I honestly can’t remember when I started noticing their absence. Was their disappearance concurrent with the rise in popularity of the SUV? Did camping and KOA campgrounds ever actually decrease in popularity? I honestly don’t know. My family of origin had moved from Michigan to southwest Florida shortly after my high school graduation, and I can’t imagine anyone camping in Florida during any month that isn’t December, January, or February. That thought makes me feel greasy and want to scratch imaginary mosquito bites just thinking about it.
Before I had come across this example last October, it had been a long time since I had seen one of the original, first-run compact Rangers with their pre-facelifted styling. This one looks both well-used and loved, given its amount of bodily imperfections and the fact that it’s still going, some thirty-eight years later. Want to feel old? Smokey Bear was introduced in 1944 and was 38 years old by the time this generation of Ranger was first rolled out in early ’82. Eighty-two was already 43 years ago. Only YOU can prevent forest fires. Here’s to the intersection of many characters of my youth, including the original, fun-sized Ford Ranger pickup.
Rogers Park, Chicago, Illinois.
Sunday, October 26, 2024.
Both Michigan pictures were taken on Thursday, August 15, 2024.
Having had a 2.8 that wouldn’t outrun a Nissan 4 cylinder, I welcomed the 2.9.
A hobby was tracking the earlier configs.
I knew a red short bed with dual tanks, thecwhite 6” Bronco II wheels and vent wings.
It hit a 74 Monaco in the chicken labe head on and the driver survived unharmed.
That 25-hp advantage that 2.9 had over the 2.8 was significant – better than 25%. (Didn’t check the torque figures.). Which driver survived unharmed – the one in the Bronco or the one in the Monaco?
Great post as always, Joe.
Some random thoughts because of this post…
I for one am glad these smaller trucks exist. In most cases, this size truck is all you need as the average homeowner. I loved and miss my own S-10.
Smokey’s current tagline is “Only YOU can prevent Wildfires.” I suppose with the rise in awareness of California’s annual troubles, this is better for marketing than calling them “Forest Fires”. Truth is, some of them are caused by lightning, and in fact is nature’s only way to thin the herd of conifers to allow for other plant life to grow up in their wake. But of course, Smokey’s message is still a good one for all.
My childhood teddy bear was named “Smokey”.
Yogi and his sidekick Boo-Boo were always fun to watch as a kid.
And wouldn’t it be Trooper Bear rather than Mr. Bear? Especially with that outfit. 😉
Thanks, Rick! Trooper Bear – my mistake. Yes, wildfires impact my industry (insurance, property and casualty) very directly.
Recently, there were some controlled burns done by the Chicago Parks District. I was freaking out at first when I saw the charred evidence of a fire before I saw some signs posted.
Ford did a great job maintaining brand identity, as it resembled both the Courier, and the F-150. Doing a better job of the S-10, creating a stronger truck image. Especially good-looking in long bed form.
A popular early image in marketing, was the three cowboys seated three abreast. Wasn’t a fan of that pic. As it highlighted, just how small the Ranger was. In pics without people, its resemblance to the F-150, lent the illusion it was larger. Some of the fragile/cheap-look of the Fairmont, carried over into this Ranger.
I thought the first Ranger was the best-looking small domestic truck of the 1980’s. Until the Jeep Comanche came along. IMO, perhaps the best-looking small pickup to come out of Detroit, to that point. Looking more masculine than the Ranger, while strongly carrying the jeep brand.
I can’t imagine three cowboys of average U S. size sitting three abreast in one of these Rangers. Absolutely not. That said and like you mentioned, I always find it interesting when people present in a photograph can often give some context as to the scale of whatever else is in that image.
I do also think the Jeep Comanche was exceptionally good-looking.
Another great article Joe, and pop culture comparison. Smokey the Bear was well-known in Canada as well. As he was so heavily promoted in US media. One of the all-time most effective brand hosts.
I recall the three cowboys in Ranger print ads, at the time. They were not big guys. I suggest, around Tom Cruise-scaled. Perhaps a bit larger.
Great article, Joe. I have long had a odd relationship with talking cartoon bears. They both fascinate and scare me, because growing up going camping in the Great Smokys I had been schooled on the danger of bears. And yet, there was Smokey and Yogi and Boo Boo who were clearly our friends and one would think worthy emmisaries to the human race.
It’s great that there’s still a Ranger to be spotted on the streets of Chicago some 40 years after it rolled out of Louisville. I agree that this is a great example of a personal-sized hard working truck. It looks like Chicago winters may be starting to get the best of it, so it’s good you were able to capture it here.
For some reason, I never warmed to these Fords as much as the GM-branded and actually Asian small trucks (Isuzus, Toyotas, Nissans, Mazdas, etc.). But given that I haven’t seen any of those around for a while, seeing this Ranger reminds me overall of the goodness these things were.
Thanks, Jeff. Come to think of it, when I think of the “hot” small pickup of the ’80s in terms of image, my mind goes straight to Toyota. Maybe “Back To The Future” had something to do with that, but maybe it was just the increases presence of them, at least in advertisements of the ’80s.
Ford had the maddening ability to build models that were genuine stinkers while also offering models that were some of the best you could get. I have always classified these Rangers as some of the best of what I call “good Ford”. This is another vehicle that never presented itself to me when I was looking for a good cheap used vehicle. Now I fear they are getting too old.
Who doesn’t love Smoky the Bear? Though I will admit that Yogi seemed more fun. As for camping, a little bit of it goes a long way with me. I did my camping when my boys were in Cub Scouts, and have successfully avoided it ever since!
You make a great point that Fords built within a certain time span had a certain polarity of quality and design across the range. “Good Ford” – LOL, but accurate. Yogi’s accent automatically made him a more fun cartoon bear.
Curious as to what were the truly “bad Fords”, having never owned but a couple ’70s full size pickups, genuinely wondering… avoidance and all that, JIC.
I should add that those p/us were pretty much excellent, so curious as to the identity of the stinkers.
I was in my very early teens, when the Ranger was introduced. I liked the look, but used to think it was highly odd, a modern pickup truck would offer optional chrome-ribbed rocker panel trim. Such a dated, and easily damaged trim piece.
As my automotive knowledge nurtured, I realized Ford was paying homage to the chromed rocker panels offered on the Ford F-100 Ranger XLT trim models, during the early ’70’s. A unique look for pickups. It actually appeared pretty good on the few Rangers, I saw with them.
That’s a long box Ranger, the one I had was a 6′ box, which was even more fun sized. I haven’t seen an early Ranger in quite a while, that one sure us a survivor, but just barely.
I do wonder how many bears there are (or aren’t) in Curran, MI. My wife’s family comes from nearby Missaukee county, whose tagline used to be “Home of the National Bear Hunt”
I think the original pointing Smokey The Bear was the best because as you said, he means _YOU_ .
In the early 1960’s there was a PSA on the telly that had a jungle “give a hoot don’t pollute”, I think it’s time for these sort of messages to return .
That’s a neat old truck, a buddy had one of these first generation trucks and it served him very well indeed .
I echo your feeling about it cleverly looking like an F-150 washed in hot water =8-) .
Now that I’m old and gray it is indeed the perfect “fun sized” trucklet .
My 2001 RangerW/ 5 speed & 2.5L four banger is going to need a clutch job soon as the pilot bearing is beginning to drag .
I don’t look forward to wrestling the trans out and back in, I wish I knew a competent and honest shop I could entrust it to .
-Nate
Had an 88 2wd 2.9, fun little beater, bare bones, they should build small trucks like that today!
I have a ’83 Ranger, 4×4, long bed that I swapped in 5.0L/C4 in back in ’91. Good thing it has dual fuel tanks, because it needs them!
The Ford truck family resemblance greatly impressed me when these first came out. I think there is still a great need for smaller trucks; witness the popularity of the Maverick. Perhaps I’m biased in as I bought a ’24 Maverick hybrid, but next to the last itineration of the Ranger before the modern, current model, the Maverick is pretty close in size.
Old school Rangers are like cockroaches…they’re everywhere. Keep your fluids checked and they’ll run forever.