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Ford
Ranger Thunderbolt - Power and Poise for the V6 Ranger XLT
By: Mike Kowdley
 Posted: 06-26-02
20:00
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[2]
PONTIAC,
MI: Long known for their Camaro SS and Firebird Firehawk adaptations of
GM's F cars, SLP Engineering is breaking new ground with their development
of the Ford Ranger Thunderbolt. Starting with the Ford Ranger Supercab
XLT, SLP adds a variety of performance and styling options with appeal
to the performance minded Ford enthusiast.
First, a
bit about getting a Thunderbolt. These vehicles will be sold as orignial
equipment straight from your Ford dealer and all Thunderbolts are completely
covered by Ford's manufacturer's warranty. Choose from one of three colors
(black, bright red, and Oxford white), then just ask for Option Codes
31L and D9P. Your Ranger, on it's way to your dealer from the assembly
plant, makes a quick (three to five day) stop in Kentucky. Here, SLP will
transform your truck with their mix of upgrades — read on for the
details. When it arrives at your dealer for you to pick up, it's as if
all the options had been installed by Ford itself.
The Thunderbolt
base package for 2003 includes several visual upgrades:
- Non-Functional
Hood Scoop ( photo
)
- Monochromatic
Side-Body Cladding and Rear Roll Pan
- Three
Exterior Badges ( photo
)
- Single
Outlet Exhaust Tip
- Thunderbolt
Logo Wheel Center Caps
- Monochromatic
Grille, Front Bumper, and Fascia Extension
- Thunderbolt
Headrest Appliques
Once the
base package is added, three appearance / performance option packages
are available:
|
Thunderbolt Level I |
- Front
Fascia Fog Lamps ( photo
)
- Soft
Tonneau Cover
- Rear
Lip Spoiler ( photo
)
|
|
Thunderbolt Level II |
- Front
Fascia Fog Lamps ( photo
)
- Soft
Tonneau Cover
- Rear
Lip Spoiler ( photo
)
- Performance
Package
|
|
Thunderbolt Level III |
- Front
Fascia Fog Lamps ( photo
)
- Performance
Package
- Hard
Tonneau Cover
|
The performance
package, with its combination of improved air inflow (via an under-hood
cold air box, photo)
and exhaust outflow (courtesy of a cat-back exhaust system with dual outlets)
increases the engine output by about eight percent (to 160 hp for the
3.0L V6 and 222 hp for the 4.0L V6).
On top of the
base package and the three appearance/performance packages, several options
are available for 2003:
- 16-inch
Tremor Wheels and Bridgestone P235/65R16 Dueler H/T BSW Tires ( photo
)
- 15-inch
Five-spoke, Aluminum Wheels ( photo
)
- Hoop Spoiler
(available with Level III only) ( photo
)
- Handling
Package (available with Level II and Level III only)
- Exterior
Graphics ( photo
)
- Body Color
Rear Bumper
- Thunderbolt
Floor Mats & Key Chains (combo) ( photo
)
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