Australia gets it. So does New Zealand. And as with the launch of Kia’s first pickup truck, the Tasman, off-roaders in the U.S. are left watching from a distance as Ford launches what might be the most capable midsize 4×4 the brand has ever built: the 2026 Ford Ranger Super Duty.

Born from feedback from remote-area fleet users, emergency responders, and off-grid operators, the Ranger Super Duty is far more than a work truck. It’s a diesel-powered expedition rig straight from the factory with locking front and rear differentials, heavy-duty underbody armor, and a 34-gallon fuel tank. The only catch? Ford’s saying it’s not coming to America.

Built for Big Loads and Bigger Terrain

The Ranger Super Duty might share its bones with the standard Ranger, but nearly every component has been re-engineered to deliver full-size durability in a smaller, trail-friendly package. Think of it as Ford’s answer to the Tacoma TRD Pro and Land Cruiser 70 Series, just with more payload, longer range, and factory-ready armor.

The spec sheet reads like a dream for serious overlanders:

• Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM): 9,920 pounds

• Maximum braked towing: 9,920 pounds

• Gross Combined Mass (GCM): 17,637 pounds

• Front and rear locking differentials standard

• High-mounted breathers for axles, transmission, and transfer case

• Selectable drive modes: Normal, Eco, Tow/Haul, Mud/Ruts, Sand, Rock Crawl

• Fuel tank: 34.3 gallons

Not Just Built Tough—Tested Tough

Ford didn’t just add badges and bash plates—they put this truck through torture testing. That included running 24/7 robotic durability tests on the Silver Creek track in Victoria, Australia, simulating dry riverbeds and extreme terrain. It also survived 1,300 pounds of simulated mine mud caked on the undercarriage and endured corrosion baths, heavy load shaker rigs, and real-world low-range hauling tests—all to earn the Super Duty name.

Ford engineers say they adapted techniques and hardware from the F-Series Super Duty program but right-sized them for the global midsize platform.

The reinforced frame and readily accessible mounting points make it easy to integrate a variety of aftermarket accessories and job-specific equipment. This versatility means that Ranger Super Duty arrives ready to work from the factory. “These enhancements are key to Ranger Super Duty being able to carry and tow bigger loads than any other factory-built mid-size pickup,” said Dave Burn, chief program engineer, Ford Australia. “These larger, stronger components improve vehicle durability and reliability, which is something we know our customers will appreciate,” he added.

Expedition-Grade Details

From the outside, the Ranger Super Duty looks built for business—but the off-road cues are impossible to miss. It rides on 33-inch General Grabber AT tires over a wider track, with squared-off Super Duty-specific fender flares. The heavy-duty steel front bumper integrates a skid plate and recovery points, offering better approach angles and real mounting options for winches or lighting.

A factory snorkel comes standard, paired with high-mounted breathers that make this truck ready for water crossings or the choking dust of the outback.

Inside, the cabin stays familiar but adds trail-friendly touches: a 12-inch SYNC infotainment screen, overhead auxiliary switches, and an optional Integrated Device Mounting System that clears the airbag zone while securing ruggedized tablets or GPS units up to 8.8 pounds.

New to the Ranger platform is Smart Hitch technology, which estimates trailer tongue weight, and an onboard scale that displays the payload in real time.

“The capability of Ranger Super Duty is unmatched in the mid-sized truck segment. It really is the sum of all its parts, and we’re confident that whether your job is extreme or you’re an adventurer who likes to go a long way off the beaten track, Ranger Super Duty will get you there and back again,” said Burn.

Head to Head: Ford Ranger Super Duty vs. Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro

The Tacoma TRD Pro may have the edge in hybrid power and suspension tuning for fast-paced off-road driving, but the Ranger Super Duty is built for distance, payload, and durability. With front and rear lockers, a massive fuel tank, steel armor, and towing capacity that rivals full-size rigs, the Super Duty is clearly aimed at overlanders who want to go far, stay out longer, and haul heavier loads.

So Why Not in the U.S.?

There’s no question the Ranger Super Duty would be a hit with overlanders, backcountry hunters, and remote-area adventurers in North America. Its only real downside is that the U.S. market has largely turned away from the 3.0-liter Power Stroke diesel. Ford hasn’t sold a diesel F-150 since 2021, and emissions standards and consumer preferences make a diesel midsize a tough sell.

Pricing could be another sticking point. While no MSRP has been released, insiders suggest it will be close to the base F-150. For buyers trained to associate “more size for the money” as a value metric, that’s a tough psychological hurdle—even if the Ranger Super Duty offers significantly better range, payload, and upfit flexibility.

But if Ford can offer it with a U.S.-legal gas or hybrid engine, the equation could change quickly.

Want to learn more?

Head down under to Ford’s Aussie website: https://www.ford.com.au/showroom/trucks-and-vans/ranger/super-duty/