Ford Ranger Wildtrak: part two

Been ‘modifyin' the Ranger this weekend, as those Max Power toss-pot types would say. But I haven’t fitted a four-inch diameter penis-substitute tailpipe. No, I’ve made the pick up bed more useful. It had a roller shutter cover on the back, which is great when you want to lock away your bulky valuables (and keep them dry) but for putting bikes in the back, it was a disaster as it took up much-needed bed length.

For one bike (parked diagonally across the bed) it was just about do-able as this Ducati Streetfighter shot shows but it meant placing a massive strain, and trust, on the spindly tailgate straps.

It took me nearly two hours to remove the roller top and all its complicated bracketry but my fingers never work properly in minus five conditions. While I was at it I used some 10 gauge L-section alloy that I whipped out of a skip to fashion two bulk-head mounted tie down points.

Bingo. I can get two bikes in now, as this shot proves. That’s two bikes and five people. And still it keeps going when the snow drifts to almost comedic levels. Where’s summer? I’m ready for it.

By mark forsyth