Cheap, small trucks that can tow, haul, off-road, and last forever are a thing of the past. Buyers can thank the Chicken Tax, corporate greed, or whatever else, but the only way to find a truck of that nature is to look to the used market. Of course, you have models like the Toyota Tacoma or Nissan Frontier to choose from, but one truck remains a staple of classic Americana: the Ford Ranger. Its reputation for getting beaten up, jumping over hills, bogging through mud, then staying alive day after day is legendary. One variant, the FX4 Level II, tops them all.
All specs have been pulled directly from the manufacturer. Used vehicle prices depend on location, mileage, condition, number of owners, and more factors.
Why The 2003–2007 FX4 Level II Is The Rarest Ranger Most People Have Never Heard Of
2007 Ford Ranger FX4 Level II front 3/4 angle in silver while parkedCars & Bids
The FX4 Level II was produced for just five years, making it the rarest Ranger trim ever built — and the one with the most off-road hardware from the factory. It arrived in the third generation, following on from the first, which began in 1983 and lasted through 1992 before the second-gen took over for the 1993–1997 model years. The third-generation Ranger was on sale from 1998 through 2011.
Starting with the 2002 model year, Ford introduced the FX4: an off-road-capable 4×4 version of its popular small pickup truck. It came with Bilstein shocks, steel skid plates, tow hooks, and more off-road upgrades. However, they didn’t stop there. The FX4 Level II stepped it up a notch with smaller wheels and bigger all-terrain tires, beefier suspension, the Power Equipment Group (including power windows, door locks, and a remote keyless entry system), and more.
The FX4 was on sale for the 2002 through 2009 model years, while the FX4 Level II variant was limited to the 2003–2007 model years. It’s a relatively rare beast today, despite being the top Ranger trim in its day.
What Made The FX4 Level II So Capable
2007 Ford Ranger FX4 Level II detail shot of the engineCars & Bids
The 3rd-generation Ranger was available in rear-wheel or four-wheel drive configurations, with your choice of three engines. Depending on the trim and model year, you could have a 2.3-liter inline-4, a 3.0-liter V6, or a 4.0-liter V6. That said, the FX4 Level II was only available with the biggest engine and 4WD.
2007 Ford Ranger FX4 Level II
Engine details
4.0L NA V6
Power
207 hp
Torque
238 lb-ft
Approach/departure/breakover angle (degrees)
28.7 / 25.4 / 21.5
Minimum ground clearance
10.1 inches
Curb weight
3,705 lbs
It might not look like much of a difference from the outside, but the Level II variant was an upgrade over the standard Ranger FX4.
Spending a little more money meant equipping your truck with a Torsen limited slip rear differential (as opposed to the standard FX4’s non-Torsen LSD), 15-inch Alcoa forged aluminum wheels with 31-inch tires (while the standard version got 16-inch wheels and 30-inch tires), steel skid plates for the transfer case and transmission, Bilstein shocks, and more.
2007 Ford Ranger FX4 Level II interior view of the front seats with blue and black fabricCars & Bids
For only a couple of years, buyers could even equip their model with a manual transfer case shift lever in addition to a five-speed manual transmission. While there are two sticks, the term “twin-sticks” usually refers to vehicles with two sticks to shift the transfer case, regardless of your transmission. Nevertheless, only the 2003 and 2004 model years were available with that option – other model years came with a dial on the dashboard to electronically shift its transfer case, along with a five-speed automatic transmission.
More upgrades include a stronger 8.8-inch, 31-spline rear differential (an upgrade over the FX4’s 28-spline differential), stainless steel front tow hooks, a black grille, and available options like a tonneau cover, bed liner, and a trailer tow receiver.
The Rarest Ranger Sells For Under $15,000 – Here’s Why
2007 Ford Ranger FX4 Level II side angle in silver while parkedCars & Bids
Exact production numbers for Ford’s top-tier Ranger are difficult to pinpoint, since the automaker didn’t release them publicly. However, some sources suggest there were around 60,000 FX4/FX4 Level II models produced from 2002 through 2007, with the Level II variant being the rarest of them all. That all makes sense when you try to find one for sale anywhere in the United States – they’re so rare that we could only find a couple of units for sale at the time of writing:
- A 2004 model with 143,010 miles is listed for $13,180 in Washington.
- A 2006 model with 80,199 miles is listed for $14,994 in Virginia.
That said, there have been a handful of successful auctions over the last few years that offer better insight into how much an FX4 Level II is worth today. The most recent (and only sale on Bring A Trailer or Cars & Bids from the past year) is a 2003 model with 94,345 miles that sold for $14,650 in May (Bring A Trailer). At $15k, the FX4 Level II sounds like a bargain — but only if it can actually hold its own against the trucks it was built to beat. Here’s how it stacks up against its original rivals.
How The FX4 Level II Compares To The Tacoma And Frontier It Was Built To Rival
2007 Ford Ranger FX4 Level II rear 3/4 angle in silver two-tone while parkedCars & Bids
By the time Ford finally decided to make an off-road-focused Ranger, its rivals had already been at it for years. Toyota sparked a whole lifestyle surrounding small off-road pickup trucks when it introduced the first-generation Tacoma to the United States. It was built on a whole new platform that was shared with the 3rd-Gen 4Runner (after it had previously shared a platform with the Hilux for its first generation), and sold for the 1995–2004 model years.
It makes for the perfect little truck today with its reliable engine options, four-wheel-drive, and more off-road upgrades in its TRD trim levels. While its second generation also makes for a great off-road platform – and its earlier model years coincided with the last FX4 Level II model years – the 1st-gen is generally cheaper and just as reliable. For a slightly newer truck, try the second-generation Nissan Frontier.
1st-Gen Tacoma: The TRD Locking Diff And Factory Skid Plates That Set The Bar
2001 – 2004 Toyota Tacoma front 3/4 angle in red while parked on sandToyota
The first-gen Tacoma will go down in history as one of the most capable and reliable trucks ever sold. Following the Toyota Pickup’s success in America, the Tacoma swept the market with modern features like airbags, a softer, more comfortable ride, and, of course, off-road trims that could go anywhere. Like the 3rd-gen Ranger, the 1st-gen Tacoma was available with three engines, including two four-cylinders and a V6.
Buyers could choose among the 2.4-liter inline-four, known internally as the 2RZ-FE, which made 142 horsepower and 160 lb-ft of torque. Next is one of the greatest four-cylinder engines ever made: the 3RZ-FE, a 2.7-liter four-cylinder that produced 150 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque. For the most power, buyers should opt for the 5VZ-FE, a 3.4-liter naturally aspirated V6 with 190 hp and 220 lb-ft of torque.
When equipped with the TRD package, buyers received a factory-installed locking rear differential, four-wheel drive, coil-sprung independent front suspension, and taller ground clearance while sitting on all-terrain tires. The PreRunner RWD off-road variant and the Tacoma’s four-wheel-drive models were equipped with skid plates under the front suspension, transfer case, and fuel tank.
Today, the first-gen Tacoma is worth an average price of $17,976. The majority of successful auctions, according to Classic.com , fell between $15,000–$25,000.
2005 Nissan Frontier: The Titan-Based Platform That Gave This Small Truck Full-Size Muscle
A front three-quarter shot of a 2005-2008 Nissan FrontierNissan
As a replacement for the Nissan Hardbody, the brand introduced the Frontier. Just like Toyota’s play with its Tacoma, the Frontier moved the brand’s truck game away from a “rugged seat on wheels” to a more comfortable model. On that note, we’d like to focus on the second-generation Frontier. This truck was redesigned for the 2005 model year, having undergone major changes. The second-gen was on sale all the way through 2021 after getting a single facelift for the 2009 model year. Its later years are some of the most reliable trucks on the road today (yes, even rivaling Toyota’s reputation).
The 2005 Frontier took the model to a new level by using tech and features from the full-size Titan. It used a fully boxed, all-steel frame based on the Titan’s F-Alpha platform, which meant it could tow more, haul more, and boast new off-road capabilities. It also shares an all-steel double-wishbone front suspension and solid axle leaf rear suspension with overslung leaf springs and a long suspension stroke. Under the hood is a 4.0-liter V6 that makes 265 hp and 284 lb-ft of torque, based on the VQ-series engine used in models like the Nissan 350Z, 370Z, Maxima, and more.
Why The FX4 Level II Deserves To Be On Every Used Truck Buyer’s Shortlist
2007 Ford Ranger FX4 Level II exterior detail shot of the “Level II” decalCars & Bids
Ford might not have been the first brand to introduce a small off-road pickup truck, but it certainly got the formula right. Its Ranger FX4 was a rugged, capable model on its own, since it offered all-terrain tires, skid plates, and more, but the FX4 Level II was even better. If you have around $15k to spend and want an off-roader that most people may have never heard of, the FX4 Level II is for you.
Sources: Ford, TheRangerStation, Toyota, Nissan, Bring A Trailer, AutoTempest
