Play all audios:
2020 Ford Ranger Thunder (Wheels24 / Charlen Raymond) Charlen Raymond • THE FORD RANGER THUNDER HAD COMPLETED ITS SECOND MONTH WITH WHEELS24. • THE BAKKIE COVERED MORE THAN 2300KM IN OCTOBER
2020. • THE THUNDER ALSO PAID A LOCAL DEALERSHIP A VISIT FOR A CHECKUP. • FOR MORE MOTORING STORIES, GO TO WWW.WHEELS24.CO.ZA It's two months in with our long-term Ford Ranger Thunder,
and the bakkie has had an eventful few weeks behind it. In our last update, we noted that the bakkie covered more than 3000km and duly followed that up recently. While we didn't cover
as great a distance, the Thunder still managed to cover 2380km with an average fuel consumption of 9.8-litres/100km. Throughout the month, the bakkie took care of the daily runabouts and
took editor Janine van der Post and her family on a weekend getaway to Aquila Game Reserve. Quick stats: Ford Ranger Thunder bi-turbo double cab 4x4 PRICE: R787 000 (October 2020) ENGINE:
2.0-litre diesel, bi-turbo POWER: 157kW @ 3750rpm TORQUE: 500Nm @ 1500rpm GEARS/DRIVE: 10-speed automatic, 4x4 FUEL ECONOMY: 9.8-litres/100km KM ON ARRIVAL: 4620.5km KM NOW: 10 348.3km
DISTANCE COVERED IN SECOND MONTH: 2379.7km WHAT'S THAT SOUND? At some point during the month, the Thunder developed a weird sound every time you'd lock the steering wheel. It was
rather unsettling when making a sharp turn, but it never got louder than the click-sound you'd hear. We called up the local Ford dealer in the Somerset West and booked the bakkie for a
checkup. The dealership is renowned for its clinical reputation and leaving their customers satisfied with any services rendered. The check-in process went quickly and smoothly, followed by
a complimentary coffee before being shuttled back home. READ: 3000KM LATER - UPDATE ON THE NEW FORD RANGER THUNDER Later that afternoon, I returned to the dealership to collect the Thunder
and received the diagnosis on the bakkie: the lubrication in the stoppers were dry, which caused the squeaking sound when the steering wheel was locked. This, according to the friendly
assistant, is not uncommon on Ranger bakkies and after about two services, these stoppers would have to be lubricated again. It was reassuring to know that there wasn't something
majorly wrong with the bakkie and that this is, by default, a common issue. Wheels24's JANINE VAN DER POST says: "I first heard the sound just before we had set off for a little
family weekend away. It's one of those sounds that instantly makes you panic because you know it's not supposed to be there. A feeling creeps in like the cold in winter goes
straight to your bones. At first, I assumed it was because the wheels were being locked while trying to turn in 4H. But then I heard it again when reversing out of a parking spot at the
shopping mall. Relieved to know it was an easy-fix, and that the dealership could sort it out so quickly, and at no cost." ------------------------- HAVE YOU HAD EXPERIENCES WITH YOUR
FORD RANGER THAT WERE FIXED QUICKLY BY YOUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP? EMAIL US WITH YOUR STORY. ------------------------- 2020 Ford Ranger Thunder (Wheels24 / Charlen Raymond)