Armoured Ford Ranger launched in South Africa – Pricing and specifications

Armormax has published details about its newly-developed Security Variant of the Ford Ranger 2.0 Turbo Diesel XL 4×4 Automatic Double Cab.

This variant was requested by a client that needed a patrol and interception vehicle capable of withstanding fire from assault rifles from multiple assailants in non-permissible terrain.

It also needed to be able to navigate challenging off-road situations, handle additional equipment weight, and provide maximum visibility during night operations – all while ensuring it is not visible that the vehicle is armoured.

“The requirement for a robust vehicle capable of permanently operating in non-permissible terrain while ensuring long-term reliability often contradicts the design of a discreet armoured vehicle,” explained Armormax.

“The challenge with this bespoke design was to integrate both approaches to vehicle armour, whilst not diluting the strengths or nature of either approach.”

Protection

The total conversion, including all accessories, adds only 519kg to the Ford Ranger vehicle.

This conversion is built upon a heavy-duty Old Man Emu suspension upgrade that suits many specific environments and surfaces, while improving stability and agility in off-road situations with a high vehicle load.

A combination of Ramor and Armox ballistic steel was used for all internal areas and surfaces, providing B6 level protection without needing to alter structural mounting points or load-bearing chassis elements.

The floor and roof armour are made of lightweight composite materials, while the fuel tank is coated and sealed with Armorcote – which ensures self-sealing in the case of penetration or damage.

Furthermore, the battery and ECU are both protected with lightweight composite materials, while the ballistic windscreen from Optima is designed to not appear cosmetically different to the standard windscreen.

When it comes to the side windows, they are custom-designed with Phoenix B6 ballistic glass and integrated into a ballistic steel frame.

The standard windows are retained to maintain the vehicle’s normal appearance – but are inoperable.

The rear windows also use Phoenix B6 ballistic glass, and leverages a quick-release system that can be used as an emergency escape hatch.

Each wheel has been fitted with a military-grade Duraflat run flat system that allows the operator to continue driving without the wheel making contact with the road surface.

When entering combat situations, the rear doors and the front passenger doors all have bespoke sliding gun ports that can fit the muzzle of any assault firearm while remaining discreet during out-of-combat situations.

Lighting and technology

These vehicles are not only designed to hold their own in combat situations; they also feature lighting improvements for navigating challenging conditions.

Key examples of this include:

• High-powered LED light bars that illuminate a large area around the vehicle when discretion is no longer required.
• High-powered rotating spotlight that can be operated via a portable remote control, and is capable of 360-degree movement to light up any area. It moves both horizontally and vertically.
• White strobe lights hidden in the front grille and in the taillights – allowing drivers to enable a visible warning signal.
• Roof-mounted infra-red camera that distinguishes individuals from their surroundings – for when the vehicle must remain undetected or when potential threats are hidden from the rotating spotlight. It can also be used for low-speed driving in total darkness.
• All of this is powered by a secondary battery with an integrated REDARC in-vehicle battery charger.

For communication purposes, the vehicle has a PA system and an integrated siren for external communications, while two-way communication is possible inside of the vehicle through the close quarters Push to Talk system.

Pricing

While the base vehicle for this product was the Ford Ranger 2.0 Turbo Diesel XL 4×4 Automatic Double Cab, Armormax said the upgrade can be fitted to any Ford Ranger Double Cab except the Raptor models.

Furthermore, it does not interfere with standard manufacturer warranties or service plans.

The total cost of the package, excluding VAT and the base vehicle, is R1 043 478,26 – and a three-year warranty is provided on the armouring components and workmanship.

Armormax Ford Ranger