Misplaced Pages

#651348

132-510: The Dakota was sized above the compact Ford Ranger and Chevrolet S-10 , but below the full-sized pickups such as Dodge's own Ram . It is a conventional design with body-on-frame construction and a leaf spring / live axle rear end. The Dakota was the first mid-size pickup with an optional V8 engine . For its entire production, the Dakota was built in Warren, Michigan . The Dakota was nominated for

264-409: A performance-based occupant-protection standard rather than one mandating a particular technical solution (which could rapidly become outdated and prove to not be a cost-effective approach). Less emphasis was placed on other designs as countries successfully mandated seat belt restrictions, however. The auto industry and research and regulatory communities have moved away from their initial view of

396-460: A pyrotechnic process designed to be used once as a supplemental restraint system for the vehicle's seat belt systems. Newer side-impact airbag modules consist of compressed-air cylinders that are triggered in the event of a side-on vehicle impact. The first commercial designs were introduced in passenger automobiles during the 1970s, with limited success and caused some fatalities. Broad commercial adoption of airbags occurred in many markets during

528-547: A 3.7L "PowerTech" V6 engine came standard, or the optional 4.7L "PowerTech" V8 Engine also available on the ST model. The SLT served as the "mid-level" Dakota model. It added the following features to the base ST model: sixteen-inch sport-styled alloy wheels, cloth seating surfaces, and power windows and door locks with keyless entry. The SLT was available with any engine offered on the Dakota. A Big Horn (or Lone Star in Texas) package

660-421: A ball-in-tube mechanism for crash detection. Under his system, an electromechanical sensor with a steel ball attached to a tube by a magnet would inflate an airbag in under 30 milliseconds. A small explosion of sodium azide was used instead of compressed air during inflation for the first time. Breed Corporation then marketed this innovation to Chrysler . A similar "Auto-Ceptor" crash-restraint, developed by

792-532: A chromed version of the original cast 17×9" aluminum wheels at no extra charge. This version of the R/T Dakota was produced through 2003, with the newer 2003 R/T trucks designated as their own trim line, and no longer as part of an option package on the Dakota Sport trim. The Dakota R/T could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 6.9 seconds and complete a quarter-mile sprint in just over 15 seconds. It had

924-432: A crash, the vehicle's crash sensors provide crucial information to the airbag electronic controller unit (ECU), including collision type, angle, and severity of impact. Using this information, the airbag ECU's crash algorithm determines if the crash event meets the criteria for deployment and triggers various firing circuits to deploy one or more airbag modules within the vehicle. Airbag module deployments are activated through

1056-489: A driver's airbag as an option, but by 1999, even side airbags were available on several variants. Audi was late to offer airbag systems on a broader scale, since even in the 1994 model year, its popular models did not offer airbags. Instead, the German automaker until then relied solely on its proprietary cable-based procon-ten restraint system. Variable force-deployment front airbags were developed to help minimize injury from

1188-541: A few other upgrades, including built-in cargo-box utility rails, heated bench seats, best-in-class towing (up to 7,050 lb (3,198 kg)), the largest and longest standard bed in the class, and the largest mid-size truck cab. Its new 4.7L V8 produced 310 hp (231 kW) and 330 lb⋅ft (447 N⋅m) of torque. The standard engine remained the 3.7L V6 with 210 hp (157 kW) and 235 lb⋅ft (319 N⋅m) of torque. Production began in August 2007. As of 2010,

1320-691: A flexible fabric bag, an inflation module, and an impact sensor. The purpose of the airbag is to provide a vehicle occupant with soft cushioning and restraint during a collision. It can reduce injuries between the flailing occupant and the vehicle's interior. The airbag provides an energy-absorbing surface between the vehicle's occupants and a steering wheel, instrument panel, body pillar , headliner, and windshield . Modern vehicles may contain up to ten airbag modules in various configurations, including driver, passenger, side-curtain, seat-mounted, door-mounted, B and C-pillar mounted side-impact, knee bolster, inflatable seat belt, and pedestrian airbag modules. During

1452-561: A four-cylinder engine. In 1976, compact trucks held a 5% share of pickup truck sales, with Ford predicting an expansion to 50% by 1985, equaling nearly a million sales per year. Project Yuma was centered around quality and fuel efficiency . At the beginning of the project, Ford researched additional elements that were valued by potential compact truck buyers. Along with flexibility for both work and personal use, Ford found that buyers desired additional interior room, including three-across seating, comfortable seats, and headroom and legroom for

SECTION 10

#1732858918652

1584-675: A front center airbag; it deploys from the driver's seat. Hyundai Motor Group announced its development of a center-side airbag on September 18, 2019, installed inside the driver's seat. Some Volkswagen vehicles in 2022 equipped with center airbags include the ID.3 and the Golf . The Polestar 2 also includes a center airbag. With EuroNCAP updating its testing guidelines in 2020, European and Australian market vehicles increasingly use front-center airbags, rear torso airbags, and rear seat belt pre-tensioners. The second driver-side and separate knee airbag

1716-506: A full-sized flip-up rear seat to provide room for three passengers in the back or room for cargo. The aging 5.2L Magnum V8 was replaced by the 4.7L SOHC PowerTech V8 that year, and the new 45RFE automatic transmission was introduced. A revision of the interior was made for the 2001 models, including a completely redesigned dash, door panels, and revised seats. Other minor trim revisions were made, including redesigned aluminum wheels on various models. There were also new radio options, with only

1848-576: A graphics package made to resemble those of the original models. Production numbers for the Expresses and Warriors were in the hundreds. A few were made with the 5.2L Magnum V8 engine, which was only an option during 1992, the final model year of Express and Warrior. The 1987–1996 Dodge Dakota came in three basic models: The Dakota S was the base trim level. It included the following standard features: base vinyl seating surfaces, radio delete package, and audio system delete package (later, an AM/FM stereo with

1980-715: A knee and torso cushion while also having a dual-stage deployment dictated by force of the impact. The cars equipped with ACRS had lap belts for all seating positions, but lacked shoulder belts. Shoulder belts were already mandatory in the United States on closed cars without airbags for the driver and outer front passenger, but GM chose to market its airbags as a substitute for shoulder belts. Prices for this option on Cadillac models were US$ 225 in 1974, $ 300 in 1975, and $ 340 in 1976 (US$ 1,820 in 2023 dollars ). The early development of airbags coincided with international interest in automobile safety legislation. Some safety experts advocated

2112-621: A maximum towing capacity of 1,800 lb (816 kg) and a maximum payload capacity of 970 lb (440 kg). Also in 1998, the Dakota R1 was released for production in Brazil through the efforts of a small team known as Truck Special Programs and featured a base four-cylinder engine and offered a 2.5L VMI turbodiesel along with a V8, all designed around a reinforced four-wheel-drive chassis used on both two- and four-wheel-drive models. Altogether, 28 roll-in-chassis R1 configurations were designed for

2244-464: A mid-cycle redesign with new front fenders, a restyled hood and grille, and flush-mounted composite headlamps (with larger marker lamps). To further improve aerodynamics, the front bumper was redesigned and enlarged to fit more closely with the front fenders. Badging was revised; the fender icons were restyled, and the "FORD" lettering on the right-hand side of the XLT-significant tailgate trim panel

2376-466: A new front passenger airbag technology. Developed by Autoliv and Honda R&D in Ohio, United States , this new airbag design features three inflatable chambers connected across the front by a "noninflatable sail panel." The two outer chambers are larger than the middle chamber. When the airbag deploys, the sail panel cushions the occupant's head from the impact of hitting the airbag, and the three chambers hold

2508-479: A premium interior (Sport only), and premium-styled alloy or chrome-clad wheels. It was available with all available engines on the Dakota. An SLT Plus Package was available that added "value" features to the SLT model, such as sixteen-inch alloy wheels, an AM/FM stereo with cassette and CD players (and integral CD changer controls on 2001 through 2004 model years), and a premium cloth interior. The R/T , otherwise known as

2640-537: A profit from its redesign of the F-Series . Ford President Don Petersen kept the compact truck project alive for several reasons. By 1980, General Motors was developing its own domestically produced compact truck, with the Chevrolet S-10/GMC S-15 providing a potential competitor. Peterson also felt that, if equipped correctly, buyers would pay nearly the same for a compact truck as a full-size truck (such as

2772-486: A rear axle with limited-slip differential, and suspension, braking, exhaust, and steering systems that were tuned for performance (the steering system from the R/T is the same as that from the standard Dakota), giving the R/T a ride height that was one inch lower than the standard Dakota. Chrome wheels were available on 2002 and 2003 models. Some of the last models made in 2003 came with the new stampede lower body cladding package and

SECTION 20

#1732858918652

2904-462: A replacement for the Courier. In addition to designing the first domestically produced compact truck, another key factor driving the $ 700 million project was compliance with the fuel economy standards of the mid-1980s. At the launch of the project in 1976, Ford predicted that for the company to properly comply with 1985 CAFE standards, nearly 50% of pickup trucks sold in the United States would require

3036-539: A side-curtain airbag deploying from the roof on the Progrés . In 1998, the Volvo S80 was given roof-mounted curtain airbags to protect both front and rear passengers. Curtain airbags were then made standard equipment on all new Volvo cars from 2000 except for the first-generation C70 , which received an enlarged side-torso airbag that also protects the head of front-seat occupants. The second-generation C70 convertible received

3168-459: A six-foot-tall driver; other minor details were discovered such as five-bolt wheels and a larger ashtray. During design, the body underwent extensive wind tunnel testing, to meet a planned 20 MPG fuel efficiency target (on its own, the standard front bumper spoiler added 1 MPG); its 0.45 drag coefficient bested that of the two-door Ford Mustang. To further improve fuel economy, the Ranger increased

3300-561: A smaller-proportioned F-Series to a more aerodynamic design, no longer sharing its front fascia with the Ford Explorer . For the first time in the compact segment, the Ranger offered a stepside-style bed with the Ranger Splash. For the 1994 model year, Ford commenced production of the Ranger for Mazda , who began to sell the model line as the B-Series pickup truck (effectively in reverse of

3432-628: A spring, bumper contact, or by the driver. Later research during the 1960s showed that compressed air could not inflate the mechanical airbags fast enough to ensure maximum safety, leading to the current chemical and electrical airbags. In patent applications, manufacturers sometimes use the term "inflatable occupant restraint systems". Hetrick was an industrial engineer and member of the United States Navy . His airbag design, however, only came about when he combined his experiences working with navy torpedoes with his desire to protect his family on

3564-607: A standard driver-side airbag. The first known collision between two airbag-equipped automobiles took place on 12 March 1990 in Virginia , USA. A 1989 Chrysler LeBaron crossed the center line and hit another 1989 Chrysler LeBaron in a head-on collision , causing both driver airbags to deploy. The drivers suffered only minor injuries despite extensive damage to the vehicles. The United States Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 required passenger cars and light trucks built after 1 September 1998 to have airbags for

3696-460: A switch can disable the feature in case the driver wants to take the vehicle off-road. In 2009, Toyota developed the first production rear-seat center airbag designed to reduce the severity of secondary injuries to rear passengers in a side collision. This system deploys from the rear center seat first appearing in on the Crown Majesta . In late 2012, General Motors with supplier Takata introduced

3828-414: A two-speaker audio system became standard equipment on the Dakota model with a two-speaker audio system), a heater with fan control, vinyl flooring, a black front grille and front bumper, full-faced steel wheels, all-season tires, and manual "roll-up" windows and door locks. A black painted back step bumper, air conditioning, AM/FM or AM/FM/cassette radio, and power steering were extra-cost options. This model

3960-443: A unique steering wheel that contained the driver-side airbag. Two of these cars were crash tested after 20 years and the airbags deployed perfectly. An early example of the airbag cars survives as of 2009. GM's Oldsmobile Toronado was the first domestic U.S. vehicle to include a passenger airbag in 1973. General Motors marketed its first airbag modules under the "Air Cushion Restraint System" name, or ACRS. The automaker discontinued

4092-530: Is considered a true street/sport truck, acting as a spiritual successor to the Shelby Dakota . Only available in 2WD, it included a 360 cid/5.9-liter V8 which produced 250 hp (186 kW) at 4,400 rpm and 345 lb-ft of torque at 3,200 rpm, mated to a 46RE four-speed automatic. Notable features included special 17×9" cast aluminum wheels mounted on P255/55R17 tires, monotone paint, bucket seats (with optional center console), thicker front and rear stabilizer bars,

Dodge Dakota - Misplaced Pages Continue

4224-579: Is credited independently to the American John W. Hetrick , who filed for an airbag patent on 5 August 1952, that was granted #2,649,311 by the United States Patent Office on 18 August 1953. German engineer Walter Linderer, who filed German patent #896,312 on 6 October 1951, was issued on 12 November 1953, approximately three months after American John Hetrick. The airbags proposed by Hetrick and Linderer were based on compressed air released by

4356-403: Is not related to active and passive safety , which are, respectively, systems designed to prevent collisions in the first place, and systems designed to minimize the effects of collisions once they occur. In this use, a car Anti-lock braking system qualifies as an active-safety device, while both its seat belts and airbags qualify as passive-safety devices. Terminological confusion can arise from

4488-446: The 5.9 R/T , was known as the "high-performance" and "top-line" Dakota model from 1997 to 2003. It added the following features to the SLT model: sport front seats, sport-styled chrome-clad wheels, larger performance-rated tires, an AM/FM stereo with cassette and single-disc CD players, a six-speaker Infinity amplified premium audio system, and the high-performance 5.9L V8 engine. It was available in all available Dakota models except for

4620-553: The Chevrolet Onix , are often sold without airbags, as neither airbags nor automatic braking systems in new cars are compulsory in many Latin American countries. Some require the installation of a minimum of only two airbags in new cars which many in this market have. The Citroën C4 provided the first "shaped" driver airbag, made possible by this car's unusual fixed-hub steering wheel. In 2019, Honda announced it would introduce

4752-539: The Eaton, Yale & Towne company for Ford, was soon also offered as an automatic safety system in the United States, while the Italian Eaton-Livia company offered a variant with localized air cushions. In the early 1970s, General Motors began offering cars equipped with airbags, initially in government fleet-purchased 1973 Chevrolet Impala sedans. These cars came with a 1974-style Oldsmobile instrument panel and

4884-583: The Ford Explorer SUV was derived from the facelifted Ranger, sharing its front fascia, chassis, and interior components. The first-generation Ranger uses a body-on-frame chassis design; while using a chassis developed specifically for the model line, the Ranger adopts many chassis design elements from the F-Series. Along with traditional leaf-spring rear suspension, the Ranger is fitted with Twin I-Beam independent front suspension. To minimize unsprung weight ,

5016-476: The Honda Legend . In 1988, Chrysler became the first United States automaker to fit a driver-side airbag as standard equipment, which was offered in six different models. The following year, Chrysler became the first US auto manufacturer to offer driver-side airbags in all its new passenger models. Chrysler also began featuring the airbags in advertisements showing how the devices had saved lives that helped

5148-630: The Louisville assembly line on January 18, 1982. While initially slated for a traditional autumn release, to more closely compete with the introduction of the Chevrolet S-10 , Ford advanced the launch of the 1983 Ranger several months, with the first vehicles reaching showrooms in March 1982. Initially sold alongside its Courier predecessor, the first 1983 Ranger was priced at US$ 6,203 (equivalent to $ 19,584 in 2023). While far smaller in exterior size than

5280-528: The North American Truck of the Year award for 2000. The Dodge Dakota was developed by Chrysler as a mid-sized pickup. To keep investment low, many components were shared with existing Chrysler products and the manufacturing plant was shared with the full-size Dodge D/W series . The N-body platform was the result of operational efforts by Harold K. Sperlich, who was in charge of Chrysler's product planning in

5412-451: The "R/T" moniker which signifies "Road and Track," the newest Dakota R/T was simply an option package, characterized by a non-functional hood scoop, exclusive gauge cluster, and hockey stick–style side stripes. The package was available on both two- and four-wheel-drive models. The facelifted third-generation Dakota was unveiled at the 2007 Chicago Auto Show as a 2008 model. The Dakota received another facelift and interior upgrade along with

Dodge Dakota - Misplaced Pages Continue

5544-474: The 1972–1982 agreement that produced the Ford Courier). For 1995, the second-generation Ranger underwent a mid-cycle revision; in 1996, the model line became the first compact pickup to offer dual airbags. The second-generation Ranger carried much of its chassis design from its predecessor, with a leaf-sprung rear suspension and a Twin-I-Beam independent front suspension. Two wheelbases were carried over from

5676-530: The 1983 model year, the Ranger is currently in its fourth generation. Developed as a replacement for the Mazda -sourced Ford Courier , the model line has been sold across the Americas; Ford of Argentina began production of the Ranger for South America in 1998. Through its production, the model line has served as a close rival to the Chevrolet S-10 and its Chevrolet Colorado successor (and their GMC counterparts), with

5808-466: The 2021 model year) for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W223) . The W223 S-Class is the first car equipped with rear seat airbags that use gas to inflate supporting structures that unfold and extend a bag that fills with ambient air, instead of conventional fully gas-inflated airbags that are widely used in automotive airbag systems. Essentially, two types of side airbags are commonly used today -

5940-518: The 3.7L and standard output 4.7L V8s were available with the six-speed manual transmission in 2005 and 2006. For 2007, that option was deleted on the V8 models. In addition to a refresh of the styling, this generation was not offered in a regular cab model. Only the Club and Quad Cab configurations were available. The Dakota R/T returned in late 2005 for the 2006 model year, but only with cosmetic modifications. Despite

6072-492: The 4-door Quad Cab model. NHTSA crash test ratings (2003, 4-door): The redesigned 2005 Dakota still shared its platform with the new Dodge Durango SUV (which was now even more similar to the Ram platform). This model was 3.7 in (94 mm) longer and 2.7 in (69 mm) wider, and features a new front and rear suspension, and rack-and-pinion steering. This new generation model also reverted to five-lug wheels from

6204-616: The Brazilian market to be built at the Curitiba assembly facility as CKDs. This program was cancelled when Chrysler was purchased by Daimler. Gone for 2000 was the 8-foot bed on the regular cab, but new for that year was the Quad Cab. Four-door Quad Cab models had a slightly shorter bed, 63 in (1,600 mm), but riding on the Club Cab's 131.0 in (3,327 mm) wheelbase. The Quad Cab featured

6336-495: The Courier adapted design elements of the Ford F-Series , with twin round headlamps, silver grille, and "FORD" lettering on the hood above the grille. In 1977, the Courier and B1800 (later B2000) were redesigned with a larger cab, redesigned pickup bed, and tailgate. While closer in appearance to its Mazda counterpart, the Courier was given signal/parking lamps inset in the grille (rather than the bumper); an optional 2.3L Ford engine

6468-461: The Courier would become the first of several jointly manufactured vehicles between the two companies from the 1970s into the 2000s. Along with minimizing the risk for Ford of developing a vehicle in an unfamiliar market segment, the partnership provided Mazda with critically needed funds. While sharing the cab and chassis with its Mazda counterpart, to increase its sales potential in North America,

6600-519: The Courier, the Ranger was offered with two pickup bed sizes; a standard 6-foot length and an extended 7-foot length. In 1986, a third configuration was introduced with the advent of the Ranger SuperCab. Extended 17 inches behind the front doors for additional cab space, the SuperCab was offered with the 6-foot bed length; four-wheel-drive SuperCabs were sold only with V6 engines. During its production,

6732-462: The Courier, the first-generation Ranger was approximately 18 inches shorter and 11 inches narrower than an equivalently configured F-100/F-150. While proportioned similar to the Chevrolet S-10 and Japanese-sourced compact trucks, it adopted exterior design elements from the F-Series, including its twin headlamps, chrome grille, "FORD" tailgate lettering, tail-lamps, and cab proportions. In line with

SECTION 50

#1732858918652

6864-399: The Dakota convertible was introduced. It featured a fixed roll bar and a simple manual top. The idea came from Jerry York and they were manufactured by ASC (American Sunroof Company). About 2,482 were sold during the first year. Another addition that year was Carroll Shelby 's V8 -powered Shelby Dakota , his first rear-wheel drive vehicle in two decades. An extended Club Cab model

6996-499: The Dakota was considered a part of the Ram lineup. However, the "Dodge" emblem still existed on the tailgate, and the truck was interchangeably referred to as a Ram Dakota or Dodge Dakota. Its Mitsubishi Raider sibling was discontinued in 2009. The IIHS gave this generation a "Good" rating in the frontal offset crash test. Throughout its production run, the 2005 to 2011 Dodge Dakota was available in three basic models: The ST served as

7128-735: The F-100). Around 1980, the Project Yuma truck took on the Ford Ranger name, adopting the name of the mid to upper-level trim used by the Ford F-Series since 1965. In anticipation of the compact truck line, 1981 marked the final use of the Ranger trim for the F-Series and Bronco (replaced by XLS for 1982). The Ranger was produced at the Louisville Assembly Plant in Louisville, Kentucky , from 1982 to 1999. From 1993 to 2004, production also

7260-625: The F-Series, 4×4 Rangers offered a payload of 1,600 pounds, matching or exceeding the F-100 in payload capacity. For 1984, the Ford Bronco II two-door SUV was introduced. Similar in size to the 1966–1977 Bronco, the Bronco II used a shortened version of the Ranger chassis, along with much of its interior components. For the 1989 model year, the Ranger underwent a major mid-cycle revision to improve its exterior aerodynamics and interior ergonomics. For 1991,

7392-472: The Pinto engine was introduced in 1989, remaining in use through 2001. In 1990, the 4.0L Cologne V6 was introduced; in modified form, the engine was used through the 2012 model-year discontinuation of the Ranger in North America. A four-speed manual transmission was standard on all engines for 1983 and 1984, with a five-speed manual as an option; a three-speed automatic was offered on 2.3L and 2.8L engines. For 1985,

7524-471: The Ranger GT option package from 1987 to 1989. Marketed as a "sport pickup," the Ranger GT was offered only for regular-cab two-wheel drive Rangers. Powered by a 140 hp 2.9L V6 (paired with either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission), the Ranger GT was equipped with front and rear anti-roll bars , a limited-slip differential, and performance tires. Initially offered for short-bed Rangers,

7656-401: The Ranger GT package became available for long-bed two-wheel drive Rangers. The Ranger GT was available in either red, white, or blue paint colors; chrome trim was painted body color. In 1988, the exterior was modified, with a ground effects package, including a redesigned body-color front bumper, allowing for integrated fog lamps. For 1990, the Ranger GT was discontinued; a one-off prototype

7788-523: The Ranger as the best-selling compact truck in the United States from 1987 to 2004. From 2012 to 2018, the Ranger model line was retired in North America as Ford concentrated on its full-size F-Series pickup trucks. For the 2019 model year, Ford introduced a fourth generation of the Ranger (after a seven-year hiatus). The first mid-size Ranger in North America, the model line is derived from the globally-marketed Ford Ranger (revised to fulfill North American design requirements). The first three generations of

7920-555: The Ranger in North America, although its high productivity spared it from The Way Forward . Twin Cities Assembly (built in 1925) was the oldest Ford factory in the world. Ford later extended the closure date of the factory to 2011, but in June 2011, a final closure date was announced. As Twin Cities was the sole production location of the Ranger in North America (from 1982), its closure brought

8052-606: The Ranger in its General Pacheco plant from 1998 to 2011; it replaced the North American–designed version of the Ranger with the current Ranger T6 for 2012 production. For the 1972 model year, the Ford Courier was introduced as the first compact pickup truck sold by Ford. Following the rise of the compact truck segment during the 1960s, Ford entered into a partnership with Mazda to market the Mazda B1800 in North America;

SECTION 60

#1732858918652

8184-560: The Ranger was given the capability to transport a four-foot-wide sheet of material (considered an industry measure of space in pickup truck bed design) through the use of recesses to insert supports across the bed, allowing such material to be placed above the wheel wells. The 1979 fuel crisis nearly doomed the Yuma/Ranger project, as it occurred between launch of the 1979 Ford LTD and 1980 Ford F-Series . After selling nearly one million F-Series trucks in 1978, in 1980, Ford had yet to gain

8316-462: The Ranger were produced by Ford at its Louisville Assembly ( Louisville, Kentucky ), Edison Assembly ( Edison, New Jersey ), and Twin Cities Assembly ( Saint Paul, Minnesota ) facilities; the final 2012 Ranger was the final vehicle produced at the St. Paul facility. The current fourth-generation Ranger is manufactured by Ford at Wayne Stamping & Assembly ( Wayne, Michigan ). Ford of Argentina produced

8448-526: The Ranger would be used for several compact Ford trucks and sport-utility vehicles . During the 1990s and 2000s, Mazda adopted a badge-engineered version of the Ranger, for their B-Series nameplate (the reverse of the Ford Courier produced by Mazda). In 2015, as part of contract negotiations with the United Auto Workers, leaked reports over the future of the Michigan Assembly Plant included

8580-566: The Twin I-Beams were constructed of stamped high-strength steel (rather than forged steel). Rear-wheel drive was standard, with part-time four-wheel drive as an option (never offered in the Courier). Dependent on configuration, the Ranger was produced in three wheelbases: 107.9 inches (6-foot bed), 113.9 inches (7-foot bed), and 125 inches (SuperCab, introduced in 1986). For 1989, rear-wheel anti-lock brakes became standard. From 1983 to 1992,

8712-495: The USPTO. The 1997 model year Dakota was unveiled via press release in the summer of 1996 and built from July 1996 through July 2004. It inherited the semi truck look of the larger Ram, but remained largely the same underneath, although steering was updated on two-wheel drive models to a rack-and-pinion system as a part of the redesign. That year had the introduction of the "R/T" model with the 5.9L 250 hp (186 kW) Magnum V8. At

8844-565: The United States in the 1970s. When seat-belt usage rates in the country were quite low compared to modern-day, Ford built experimental cars with airbags in 1971. Allstate operated a fleet of 200 Mercury Montereys and showed the reliability of airbags as well as their operation in crash testing, which also was promoted by the insurance company in popular magazine advertisements. General Motors followed in 1973 using full-sized Chevrolet vehicles. The early fleet of experimental GM vehicles equipped with airbags experienced seven fatalities, one of which

8976-480: The V6 or V8 engines that were more powerful. An automatic transmission was not available with the four-cylinder engine. SIRIUS Satellite Radio was also now available as an option, and revised radios with new wiring harnesses could accommodate this new feature. A CD changer radio was also available, eliminating the need for a separately mounted unit located elsewhere inside the truck. The drivers could load up to six discs into

9108-546: The aerodynamic-style molded plastic headlamps attached to the grille components. It was equipped with halogen lights, making 1991 the only model year for a unique front-end for the Dakota. Also debuting on 1991 models were six-bolt road wheels (replacing the earlier five-bolt versions). This was the last year for the Dakota convertible. To fulfill the Dodge division's commitment to the American Sunroof Company, production of

9240-525: The airbag as a seat-belt replacement, and the bags are now nominally designated as supplemental restraint systems ( SRS ) or supplemental inflatable restraints. In 1981, Mercedes-Benz introduced the airbag in West Germany as an option on its flagship saloon model, S-Class (W126) . In the Mercedes system, the sensors automatically tensioned the seat belts to reduce occupants' motion on impact and then deployed

9372-573: The airbag itself. The emergence of the airbag has contributed to a sharp decline in the number of deaths and serious injuries on the roads of Europe since 1990, and by 2010, the number of cars on European roads lacking an airbag represented a very small percentage of cars, mostly the remaining cars dating from the mid-1990s or earlier. Many new cars in Latin America, including the Kia Rio , Kia Picanto , Hyundai Grand i10 , Mazda 2 , Chevrolet Spark and

9504-448: The airbag on impact. This integrated the seat belts and the airbag into a restraint system, rather than the airbag being considered an alternative to the seat belt. In 1987, the Porsche 944 Turbo became the first car to have driver and passenger airbags as standard equipment. The Porsche 944 and 944S had this as an available option. The same year also had the first airbag in a Japanese car,

9636-604: The airbag to its model ranges in 1992. Citroën , Fiat , Nissan , Hyundai , Peugeot , Renault , and Volkswagen followed shortly afterwards. By 1999, finding a new mass-market car without an airbag at least as optional equipment was difficult, and some late 1990s products, such as the Volkswagen Golf Mk4 , also featured side airbags. The Peugeot 306 is one example of the European automotive mass-market evolution: starting in early 1993, most of these models did not even offer

9768-469: The airbag was installed in a few experimental Ford cars. In 1964, a Japanese automobile engineer, Yasuzaburou Kobori (小堀保三郎), started developing an airbag "safety net" system. His design harnessed an explosive to inflate an airbag, for which he was later awarded patents in 14 countries. He died in 1975, before seeing the widespread adoption of airbag systems. In 1967, a breakthrough in developing airbag crash sensors came when Allen K. Breed invented

9900-595: The backrest of the front seats and protect the head and the torso. In 1997, the BMW 7 Series and 5 Series were fitted with tubular-shaped head side airbags (inflatable tubular structure), the "Head Protection System (HPS)" as standard equipment. This airbag was designed to offer head protection in side impact collisions and also maintained inflation for up to seven seconds for rollover protection. However, this tubular-shaped airbag design has been quickly replaced by an inflatable 'curtain' airbag. In May 1998, Toyota began offering

10032-400: The base Dakota model. It included the following features: sixteen-inch styled steel wheels, sixteen-inch tires, front cloth bench seats, vinyl-trimmed seating surfaces, manual windows and door locks, black plastic bumpers, an AM/FM stereo with a single-disc CD player (later, single-disc CD/MP3 player), and auxiliary audio input jack (on most models), a four-speaker sound system, air conditioning,

10164-463: The base Dakota model. Later, it also added chrome-clad steel wheels, as well as a color-keyed front fascia and front grille, and "Sport" decals that adorned the doors and pickup bed sides of the Dakota. V6 and V8 engines were available on the Sport model. The Sport convertible was the only convertible Dakota available, and only from 1989 until 1991, when it was discontinued. It added the following features to

10296-498: The convertible version was extended into the 1991 model year. A total of eight were built. Unlike the previous years, colors and options varied more than before. This version was not advertised and did not appear in sales literature. The 3.9L V6 and 5.2L V8 engines were updated to Magnum specifications for 1992, increasing rated power to about 230 hp (172 kW) for the V8. The engines now had multiport electronic fuel injection (EFI) with Chrysler's powertrain control module which

10428-631: The curtain airbags are programmed to deploy during some/all frontal impacts to manage passenger kinetics (e.g. head hitting B-pillar on the rebound), especially in offset crashes such as the IIHS's small overlap crash test. Roll-sensing curtain airbags are designed to stay inflated for a longer duration of time, cover a larger proportion of the window, and be deployed in a roll-over crash. They offer protection to occupants' heads and help to prevent ejection. SUVs and pickups are more likely to be equipped with RSCAs due to their higher probability of rolling over and often

10560-433: The door. These airbags are designed to reduce the risk of injury to the pelvic and lower abdomen regions. Most vehicles are now being equipped with different types of designs, to help reduce injury and ejection from the vehicle in rollover crashes. More recent side-airbag designs include a two-chamber system; a firmer lower chamber for the pelvic region and softer upper chamber for the ribcage. Swedish company Autoliv AB

10692-581: The driver and the front passenger. In the United States, NHTSA estimated that airbags had saved over 4,600 lives by 1 September 1999; however, the crash deployment experience of the early 1990s installations indicated that some fatalities and serious injuries were in fact caused by airbags. In 1998, NHTSA initiated new rules for advanced airbags that gave automakers more flexibility in devising effective technological solutions. The revised rules also required improved protection for occupants of different sizes regardless of whether they use seat belts, while minimizing

10824-412: The driver's knees and legs and a knee airbag worked well." Since then certain models have also included front-passenger knee airbags, which deploy near or over the glove compartment in a crash. Knee airbags are designed to reduce leg injury. The knee airbag has become increasingly common since 2000. In 2008, the new Toyota iQ microcar featured the first production rear-curtain shield airbag to protect

10956-400: The early 1980s. The first generation of the Dakota was produced from 1986 through 1996 (for the 1987–1996 model years). The Dakota was the first pickup truck with rack-and-pinion steering (2WD only, and early years were available without power steering). Inline-four and V6 engines were offered along with either a five-speed manual or three-speed automatic transmission . Four-wheel drive

11088-426: The fact that passive devices and systems—those requiring no input or action by the vehicle occupant—can operate independently in an active manner; an airbag is one such device. Vehicle safety professionals are generally careful in their use of language to avoid this sort of confusion. However, advertising principles sometimes prevent such semantic caution in the consumer marketing of safety features. Further confusing

11220-450: The first SUV to offer a driver-side airbag when it was launched in 1992. Driver and passenger airbags became standard equipment in all Dodge Intrepid , Eagle Vision , and Chrysler Concorde sedans ahead of any safety regulations. Early 1993 saw the 4-millionth airbag-equipped Chrysler vehicle roll off the assembly line. In October 1993, the Dodge Ram became the first pickup truck with

11352-433: The first-generation Ranger was offered with several seating configurations. A three-passenger bench seat was standard, with various types of bucket seats offered (dependent on trim level). As part of the 1989 mid-cycle update, a 40/60 split-bench seat was introduced. The SuperCab was offered with a pair of center-facing jump seats, expanding capacity to five. From 1983 to 1988, the interior saw few major revisions. In 1986,

11484-476: The first-generation Ranger was powered by 2.0L and 2.3L versions of the Ford " Lima " inline-4; the 2.8L, 2.9L, and 4.0L Ford Cologne V6 ; the 3.0L Ford Vulcan V6 ; and four-cylinder diesel engines sourced from Mazda (Perkins) and Mitsubishi. Two long-running engines associated with the Ford light trucks made their debut in the first-generation Ranger; the twin spark-plug version (with distributorless ignition) of

11616-429: The five-bolt type found on the larger Ram. Other changes included revisions to color and overall trim options. SRS airbags were also added for 1994. A CD player became optional, as did a combination cassette player and CD player unit. Leather seats were also available on LE models. New alloy wheels were available. The 1996 model was the final year of the first-generation. The base K-based 2.5-liter SOHC I4 engine

11748-532: The five-speed manual became the standard transmission, with a four-speed automatic offered on non-diesel Rangers. For 1989, the Mazda M5OD-R1 transmission became the standard transmission. 1985–1992 (EFI) 1989–1992: 100 hp 177 cu in (2.9 L) OHV V6 244 cu in (4.0 L) OHV V6 1986–1992 (2.9L) 1990–1992 (4.0L) 2.9L: 4.0L: 160 hp (Perkins 4.135) naturally aspirated, IDI turbocharged, IDI Slightly larger than

11880-471: The front brakes were revised, adopting two-piston brake calipers from the Ford Explorer; four-wheel anti-lock brakes were standardized on Rangers with 4-wheel drive and/or the 4.0L V6. Supplementary Restraint System An airbag is a vehicle occupant-restraint system using a bag designed to inflate in milliseconds during a collision and then deflate afterwards. It consists of an airbag cushion,

12012-489: The high-performance 5.9L V8 engine. The SXT , introduced for the 2001 model year served as the "mid-range" Dakota model. It added the following features to the Sport model: an AM/FM stereo with a single-disc CD player, air conditioning, power windows and door locks with keyless entry (available as an option), and a premium interior. It was available with all engines except for the high-performance 5.9L V8 engine. An SXT Plus model

12144-523: The instrument cluster was revised, allowing the fitment of a tachometer. To streamline production, the Ranger shared interior components with other Ford vehicles, sharing the steering column, door handles, and window controls from the Ford Escort, Ford F-Series, and Ford Bronco; nearly the entire driver's compartment of the Ford Bronco II was directly sourced from the Ranger. For 1989, the Ranger underwent

12276-450: The late 1980s and early 1990s. Many modern vehicles now include six or more units. Airbags are considered "passive" restraints and act as a supplement to "active" restraints. Because no action by a vehicle occupant is required to activate or use the airbag, it is considered a "passive" device. This is in contrast to seat belts , which are considered "active" devices because the vehicle occupant must act to enable them. This terminology

12408-420: The mid-range Sport trim level: sport-styled alloy wheels, cloth seating surfaces with vinyl inserts and accents, an AM/FM stereo with cassette player and a four-speaker audio system, air conditioning, a manual-folding vinyl convertible roof, and "Sport" decals on the doors of the Dakota. The V6 engine and two-door regular cab was the only available configuration of the Sport convertible. The LE, later renamed SLT,

12540-629: The occupant's head in place, like a catcher's mitt. The goal of the tri-chamber airbag is to help "arrest high-speed movement" of the head, thereby reducing the likelihood of concussion injuries in a collision. The first vehicle to come with the tri-chamber airbag installed from the factory was in 2020 (for the 2021 model year) for the Acura TLX . Honda hopes that the new technology will soon make its way to all vehicles. Mercedes began offering rear passengers protection in frontal collisions in September 2020 (for

12672-399: The option for its 1977 model year , citing a lack of consumer interest. Ford and GM then spent years lobbying against air-bag requirements, claiming that the devices were unfeasible and inappropriate. Chrysler made driver-side airbags standard on 1988 and 1989 models, but airbags did not become widespread in American cars until the early 1990s. Airbags for passenger cars were introduced in

12804-556: The potential decision of replacing Ford Focus and Ford C-Max production with an American-market version of the global Ranger. Along with the revival of the Ranger nameplate, the UAW negotiations also included a potential revival of the Ford Bronco SUV. At the 2017 North American International Auto Show , Ford confirmed the return of the Ranger and Ford Bronco, with the Ford Ranger as a 2019 model-year vehicle. The first Ranger rolled off

12936-454: The previous generation: 107.9 inches (short bed), 113.9 inches (long bed), with the SuperCab lengthened to 125.2 inches (0.2 inches longer). Rear-wheel drive remained standard, with four-wheel drive as an option; a Dana 35 TTB front axle was used. With four-wheel drive Rangers, a manually-shifted transfer case was standard; a "Touch Drive" electronically shifted transfer case was an option, using automatic-locking front-wheel hubs. For 1995,

13068-609: The prior generation's six-lug wheels to reduce costs and assembly times. A V6 and two V8 engines were available: The standard engine is a 3.7L PowerTech V6; the two 4.7L V8 engines are the standard PowerTech V8 and the V8 High Output or HO. The 3.7L V6 produces 210 hp (157 kW) and 235 lb⋅ft (319 N⋅m) of torque. The standard-output 4.7L V8 produces 230 hp (172 kW) and 295 lb⋅ft (400 N⋅m) of torque. The high-output 4.7L V8 produces 260 hp (194 kW) and 310 lb⋅ft (420 N⋅m) of torque. Both

13200-405: The production of the Ranger to an end after 29 model years. The 2011 model year was the final model year for retail sales, with a shortened 2012 model year for fleet sales; the final North American market Ranger (a white SuperCab Sport produced for pest-control company Orkin ) was produced just before 10 a.m. local time on December 16, 2011. Over its production life, the chassis and suspension of

13332-451: The public know the value of them and safety became a selling advantage in the late 1980s. All versions of the Chrysler minivans came with airbags starting for the 1991 model year. In 1993, The Lincoln Motor Company boasted that all vehicles in their model line were equipped with dual airbags, one for the driver's side and another for the passenger's side. The 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee became

13464-504: The rear occupants' heads in the event of a rear-end impact. Another feature of the Toyota iQ was a seat-cushion airbag in the passenger seat to prevent the pelvis from diving below the lap belt during a frontal impact or submarining. Later Toyota models such as the Yaris added the feature to the driver's seat, as well. The seat-belt airbag is designed to better distribute the forces experienced by

13596-420: The risk to infants, children, and other occupants caused by airbags. In Europe , airbags were almost unheard of until the early 1990s. By 1991, four manufacturers – BMW , Honda , Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo – offered the airbag on some of their higher-end models, but shortly afterward, airbags became a common feature on more mainstream cars, with Ford and Vauxhall / Opel among the manufacturers to introduce

13728-423: The road. Despite working with the major automobile manufacturers of his time, Hetrick was unable to attract investment. Although airbags are now required in every automobile sold in the United States, Hetrick's 1951 patent filing serves as an example of a "valuable" invention with little economic value to its inventor. Its first commercial use was not implemented until after the patent expired in 1971, at which point

13860-534: The side-torso airbag and the side-curtain airbag. More recently, center airbags are becoming more common in the European market. Most vehicles equipped with side-curtain airbags also include side-torso airbags. However, some, such as the Chevrolet Cobalt , 2007–09 model Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra , and 2009–12 Dodge Ram do not feature the side-torso airbag. From around 2000, side-impact airbags became commonplace on even low- to mid-range vehicles, such as

13992-515: The smaller-engined versions of the Ford Fiesta and Peugeot 206 , and curtain airbags were also becoming regular features on mass-market cars. The Toyota Avensis , launched in 2003, was the first mass-market car to be sold in Europe with nine airbags. Side-impact airbags or side-torso airbags are a category of airbags usually located in the seat or door panel, and inflate between the seat occupant and

14124-475: The standard AM/FM radio (with no cassette deck) being discontinued, making an AM/FM radio with a cassette deck standard on all models. The AM/FM radio with CD player or with both the cassette and CD players was also available. The 2002 model was the final year for the four-cylinder engine in the Dakota, as Chrysler ended production of the American Motors Corporation design. Most were built with

14256-710: The successor to the 1970s " Free Wheeling " trims) while the XLT was offered with two-tone exteriors, chrome exterior trim, and upgraded interior trim. The Ranger STX was introduced in 1985 for Ranger 4x4s on the West Coast of the United States, becoming fully available for 1986. Offering a "sport" suspension and larger tires, the STX was denoted by the offering of a bucket-seat interior and model-specific two-tone paint scheme. Following an initial late-1986 introduction in California, Ford marketed

14388-472: The terminology, the aviation safety community uses the terms "active" and "passive" in the opposite sense from the automotive industry. The airbag "for the covering of aeroplane and other vehicle parts" traces its origins to a United States patent, submitted in 1919 by two dentists from Birmingham , Arthur Parrott and Harold Round. The patent was approved in 1920. Air-filled bladders were in use as early as 1951. The airbag specifically for automobile use

14520-435: The time of its introduction, it was seen as one of the most radical in its class, not only for its styling, but also because it remained the only truck in its class with an available V8 engine that rivaled many V8s found in full-sized trucks with payloads up to 1,500 lb (680 kg). In the spring of 1998, a new limited-edition R/T package was available as an option on the Dakota Sport model from 1998 to 2003. This version

14652-490: The unit at a time and could switch out the discs at any time. Radio Data System became standard equipment on some radios. The 2003 model marked the end of the OHV V6 and the big R/T V8; the 2004 model year vehicles were available with a new 3.7 L PowerTech V6 engine and the 4.7 L V8 variant. In 2004, the cassette deck option was discontinued, and a CD player became standard equipment on all models. This generation

14784-408: The use of high-strength steel and other lightweight materials, including a magnesium clutch housing, aluminum transfer case (for four-wheel drive), and a magnesium clutch/brake pedal bracket. To further save weight, the design of the front suspension was computer-optimized, rendering the front stabilizer bar optional. Though narrower than the F-Series and other full-size competitors, the cargo bed of

14916-428: The world's first door-mounted, side-curtain airbags that deployed upwards. Curtain airbags have been said to reduce brain injury or fatalities by up to 45% in a side impact with an SUV. These airbags come in various forms (e.g., tubular, curtain, door-mounted) depending on the needs of the application. Many recent SUVs and MPVs have a long inflatable curtain airbag that protects all rows of seats. In many vehicles,

15048-439: Was added for 1990, still with two doors. This model offered six-passenger seating, though the rear seat was best suited for cargo, children, and shorter adults. The 1991 model year featured a new grille and hood for better access with optional 170 hp (127 kW) 5.2 L V8, which was included with the previous Shelby Dakota V8 option. By the end of 1991, the standard square sealed-beam glass headlamps were phased out for

15180-509: Was also assembled and sold in Brazil from 1998 to 2001. The 1997–2004 Dodge Dakota was available in several different trim levels: The ST served as the base model of the Dakota. It included features such as an AM/FM stereo (later with cassette player) and a four-speaker sound system, vinyl-trimmed seating surfaces, front (or front and rear) bench seats, styled steel fifteen-inch (later sixteen-inch) wheels, and vinyl flooring. It also included, and

15312-541: Was also available for the SLT model, which included "value-added" features, as was an SXT package that added a color-keyed front grille, color-keyed front and rear bumpers, and "sport" cloth seating surfaces. Ford Ranger (Americas) The Ford Ranger is a range of pickup trucks manufactured and marketed by Ford Motor Company in North and South America under the Ford Ranger nameplate. Introduced in early 1982 for

15444-451: Was available only with the V6. Both 6.5- and 8-foot beds were offered. Additional options in first-generation trucks included: The sport package was added as a mid-year release. Exterior colors came in black, bright white, and graphic red. Available in both 2WD and 4WD, the sport option included: Fuel injection was added to the 3.9L V6 for 1988, but the rated output remained the same. Power windows and locks were now optional. For 1989,

15576-492: Was available that added "value" features such as an AM/FM stereo with cassette and single-disc CD players with integral CD changer controls, a premium cloth interior, and sixteen-inch alloy wheels. The SLT was the "top-line" Dakota model from late 2000. It added the following features to the SXT model (2001 to 2004 model years) or the Sport model (1997 to 2000 model years): power windows and door locks (Sport only) with keyless entry,

15708-477: Was constructed in 1989 by the Ford Truck Public Affairs office, using a V6 from a Ford Taurus SHO and a 5-speed transmission from a Mustang GT . After a ten-year production run, Ford introduced the second generation of the Ranger for the 1993 model year with much of its chassis carried over from the previous generation. Sharing no body panels with its predecessor, the redesigned Ranger shifted from

15840-664: Was discontinued; it had been considered vastly underpowered compared to the competition. It was replaced by the 2.5L AMC straight-4 engine , with an OHV valvetrain and rated at 120 hp (89 kW). This was the only major change for 1996, and the AMC 2.5L engine continued as the standard engine in the new, larger 1997 model. Two special editions of the first were constructed with step-side beds. Both were constructed by L.E.R. Industries of Edwardsburg, Michigan. The step-side beds were constructed out of fiberglass and galvanneal . Wooden bed rails were also available. The Li'l Red Express Dakota

15972-448: Was granted a patent on side-impact airbags, and they were first offered as an option in 1994 on the 1995 Volvo 850 , and as standard equipment on all Volvo cars made after 1995. In 1997, Saab introduced the first combined head and torso airbags with the launch of the Saab 9-5 . Some cars, such as the 2010 Volkswagen Polo Mk.5 have combined head- and torso-side airbags. These are fitted in

16104-485: Was later suspected to have been caused by the airbag. In 1974, GM made its ACRS system (which consisted of a padded lower dashboard and a passenger-side air bag) available as a regular production option (RPO code AR3) in full-sized Cadillac, Buick and Oldsmobile models. The GM cars from the 1970s equipped with ACRS had a driver-side airbag, and a driver-side knee restraint. The passenger-side airbag protected both front passengers, and unlike most modern systems, integrated

16236-551: Was made to resemble the original 1978–1979 Express models that were based on the Dodge D series . It featured the step-side bed and dual vertical exhaust stacks behind the cab that were non-functional. The Dakota Warrior was made to resemble the Warlock trim from the late 1970s. Warriors included the bed as the Express, but lacked the vertical exhaust stacks. Both the Express and Warrior Dakotas had

16368-485: Was marketed in five trim levels: S , Ranger , XL , XLS , and XLT . Intended largely for fleet sales, the Ranger S (introduced in 1984 ) was offered with virtually no available options. While still largely a work truck, the Ranger XL offered color-keyed trim, floor mats, and chrome bumpers. The XLS was marketed as the sportiest version of the Ranger, offering bucket seats, blackout trim, and tape stripe packages (essentially

16500-623: Was not available in the Mazda pickups. From 1972 to 1982, the Ford Courier was manufactured alongside the Mazda B-Series in Hiroshima, Japan . To avoid the 25% Chicken Tax on imported trucks, both vehicles were imported as chassis-cab trucks (taxed at 4% tariff). Following their importation to United States, pickup truck beds shipped separately from Japan were installed before shipment to dealers. In 1976, Ford commenced development on "Project Yuma" as

16632-410: Was not typically seen as a Club Cab model, and also was not available with a V8 engine option like the other Dakota models were. The Sport was the mid-range trim level. It added features such as vinyl-and-cloth-trimmed seating surfaces, an AM/FM stereo with a two-speaker audio system, sport-styled steel wheels, bodyside cladding delete, a tilt-adjustable steering column and wheel, and interior accents to

16764-408: Was only available with, the 3.9L (later 3.7L) V6 engine. The ST was not offered as a four-door Quad Cab model. The Sport served as the "step-up" Dakota model. It added the following features to the ST model: an AM/FM stereo with a cassette player (later, a single-disc CD player), cloth seating surfaces, sport-styled alloy wheels, and carpeted flooring. It was available with all engines except for

16896-580: Was partially responsible for the improved performance. The 1994 model year had a few minor changes, with the most notable being the addition of a standard driver's-side airbag, located in a new, two-spoke steering wheel (also found in the Ram). Other changes included the discontinuation of the "SE" and "LE" trims. In following with the all-new Ram full-sized pickups, the top-end trim was renamed to "SLT," with these models (along with select others) including new chrome-finished, styled six-bolt steel wheels styled similar to

17028-586: Was sourced from Edison Assembly in Edison, New Jersey . For its entire production run until 2011, the Ranger was produced at the Twin Cities Assembly Plant in St Paul, Minnesota . The final 2012 Ranger produced on December 16, 2011, ended 86 years of production at Twin Cities Assembly as well as the production of all compact pickups in the United States. In 2008, Ford made its first plans to end production of

17160-441: Was switched for a blue oval. The interior was given a redesign, including new door panels, new seats, and an all-new dashboard (introducing a glovebox). To improve ergonomics, the instrument panel was redesigned for improved legibility, with automatic transmission Rangers receiving a column-mounted gearshift; manual-transmission versions saw the removal of the key-release button from the steering column . The first-generation Ranger

17292-692: Was the top-of-the-line trim level. It added features such as cloth seating surfaces, air conditioning, an AM/FM stereo with cassette player and a four-speaker audio system, alloy wheels, bodyside cladding, carpeted flooring, and power windows and door locks to the mid-range Sport model. V6 and V8 engines were available on LE or SLT models. The second-generation Dakota began development in 1991, with an exterior design proposal by Dennis Myles under design director John R. Starr being approved in mid-1993 and frozen for production in January 1994, 30 months ahead of Job 1. Design patents were filed on May 20, 1994, under D373,979 at

17424-525: Was used in the Kia Sportage SUV and has been standard equipment since then. The airbag is located beneath the steering wheel. The Toyota Caldina introduced the first driver-side SRS knee airbag on the Japanese market in 2002. Toyota Avensis became the first vehicle sold in Europe equipped with a driver's knee airbag. The EuroNCAP reported on the 2003 Avensis, "There has been much effort to protect

#651348