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It may look similar at first glance, but the upcoming Ford Ranger Super Duty appears set for considerable suspension and chassis changes to back up its higher load capacities.
The 2026 Ford Ranger Super Duty looks set to bring major hardware upgrades – which could include eight-lug wheels and Raptor components – to support its uprated payload and tow ratings, new spy photos show.
The inbound heavy-duty version of Ford's popular 'mid-size' ute has been caught testing in the US after it was teased yesterday, ahead of the first showroom arrivals due in 2026, built in Thailand.
The Ranger Super Duty was photographed on the roads near Ford's headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan, but the prototype is right-hand drive, reflective of Ford Australia engineers leading the global development of the new ute.
Visible in the spy photos are the wheel-arch flares shown in yesterday's teaser, as well as hints of the new grille pattern Ford has confirmed for the model.
But the photos preview some of the chassis strengthening the Super Duty will offer to support a 4500kg braked tow rating and 4500kg Gross Vehicle Mass, as well as what could be eight-lug hubs.
While they have been disguised, the hubs on the test car's steel wheels are much larger than those of the current Ranger, which would allow for larger half shafts and, possibly, eight lugs rather than six.
Eight-lug hubs are offered by the full-size Ford Super Duty range in the US, and would help the heavy-duty Ranger to carry heavier loads.
The wheels measure 18 inches in diameter, two inches larger than the current Ranger's 16-inch steel wheels.
They are shod in General Grabber all-terrain light-truck tyres, in a 275/70 R18 size – giving them a 33-inch diameter, 7 per cent larger than the 255/65 rubber on Ranger utes with 18-inch alloys.
The Super Duty prototype is fitted with new front control arms similar to the cast alloy units of the twin-turbo V6-powered Ranger Raptor super ute, rather than the regular Ranger's black steel items.
In fact, the Super Duty may share the Raptor's wheel track, which is 50mm wider than the regular Ranger – and believed to be the maximum that can fit down the Thai production line.
Although it gains Raptor-like front suspension components – and what also appear to be the super ute's side steps – the Super Duty retains a leaf-sprung rear axle better suited to carrying loads and towing heavy trailers.
The rear differential is much larger than that of a regular Ranger, and while not clearly visible here, the wider track may help accommodate increased cooling for the engine and driveline.
Styling differences appear limited to the new wheels, wider arches, fresh grille pattern and a new off-road-style front bumper with underbody protection – or a piece of camouflage – below.
The headlights shared with the current Ranger line-up – also visible in the teaser – suggest the Super Duty could launch before a facelift for the rest of the range, which Drive reported earlier this year is due in 2026.
It is unclear what will power the Ranger Super Duty. The 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 – which currently produces 184kW/600Nm – may be standard fitment to accommodate the ute's increased capabilities.
It may receive a power and torque boost to better handle heavier loads, as Ford has promised it will offer "the power needed for demanding tasks."
Ford has confirmed a 4500kg braked towing capacity for the Ranger Super Duty, up from 3500kg in all diesel Rangers today, as well as a 4500kg Gross Vehicle Mass, up from 3060-3350kg.
Gross Combination Mass will be rated at 8000kg, up from 6400kg in current turbo-diesel Ranger V6 utes.
While these figures overlap with the larger F-150 now on sale in Australia, Ford has indicated not all customers want its larger dimensions when maneuvring in tight spaces.
More details of the Ford Ranger Super Duty are due closer to its launch in 2026.
Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family.
