Ford Ranger interior protection

Durable floor mats are essential for both on- and off-road use. Not only do they protect the interior from dirt, dust and spills, but they add a touch of style to the cabin. However, with so many options available on the market for the Ford Ranger, it can be an overwhelming choice.

Here are three products we recommend. They’re intended as a starting point, to give you an idea of what’s available. We’ve included information on Ford Australia’s genuine accessories, in case you’d prefer to stick to OEM.

What it is: Mats to protect the interior.

Why you need it: Mud, sand and grit stomped into the carpet is hard to clean!

Buying tips: There are generic mud mats which fit any vehicle. A better option are mats or replacement flooring tailored for your Ranger which looks and works better than a standard rectangular generic mat. Some mats are designed for looks, others are designed for off-road use – the latter typically cover more area of the floor and are vinyl not carpet. Take a look at the FitMyCar Classic and Sandgrabba designs as examples.

Ford Australia All Weather Mats

Ford All Weather Mats

Specifications:

• Material: Rubber
• Quantity: Set of 4
• Lip around edges: Yes

Buy now from Ford Australia

Bodyline 3D Floor Mats

Bodyline 3D Floor Mats

Specifications:

• Material: Rubber and plastic
• Quantity: Set of 4
• Lip around edges: Yes

Buy now from Bodyline

Brown Davis 4WD Floor Mats

Brown Davis 4WD Floor Mats

Specifications:

• Material: Rubber and plastic
• Quantity: Set of 3
• Lip around edges: Yes

Buy now from Brown Davis

Buyers’ Guide – Interior Protection

What It Is

Interior protection for your new 4WD includes floor mats and car seat covers. They help to keep the inside of your vehicle looking new for longer.

Why You Need It

Floor Mats

If you’ve ever been badly bogged, you’ll know how much mud and grime ends up on the floor. Floor mats keep the mess contained and stop it from getting ground into the carpet.

Car Seat Covers

Car seat covers protect the seats from spills and prevent damage to the seat material, particularly if you have kids!

You can opt for comfort with soft, cosy seat covers. Or there are more functional options, like Black Duck’s range of canvas covers. These offer maximum protection, preventing spills from penetrating the seat covers and staining the seat.

Buying Tips

Floor Mats

Floor mats should have a raised lip around all sides to contain sand and mud. They’re easy to pick up and shake clean.

And you don’t want the driver’s mat sliding forward under the pedals. Make sure they’re 100% compatible with the existing floor retainer button locks or hooks. Some mats have a hook-type backing which adheres to the floor carpet and stops them slipping around.

As for styles, the common types are:

• Rubber or rubber composites
• Rubber-backed carpet mats
• Hook-backed mats

Rubber mats are the easiest to clean, especially if you’re planning to go off-road. And don’t under-estimate the amount of burrs your family will collect on the floor during a trip to the outback!

Burrs and grasses are difficult to get off interior carpet and carpet mats. The best option here is rubber mats.

You can buy generic mats which fit a range of vehicles. However, look for mats made specifically for your vehicle’s make and model. They’ll fit better and protect the carpet properly.

Car Seat Covers

For 4WDing and touring, canvas seat covers are the best option. They’re easy to clean with a hand broom, burrs and dirt brush off, and you can wipe up any spills easily.

If water sports are more your scene, then neoprene seat covers are a great option. They’re fully waterproof and sand brushes off easily.

The biggest watch-out with any car seat cover is whether they’re compatible with side airbags. Check they’re fully compatible with the vehicle’s model and build year.

Canvas and neoprene seat covers aren’t as comfortable as those seat covers that feel like you’re sitting on a woolly sheep. However, they’re far and away the best options for 4WDing and off-roading in general.

What to Look For

Floor Mats

Look for mats with

1. A lip around all sides to contain mud and grime.
2. Holes to match the retaining hooks or buttons on the driver’s side floor.
3. A non-slip underside to stop them sliding around.

Avoid any mat that interferes with the foot pedals. Some mats have large mouldings which tend to slide under the foot pedals. This can be dangerous… and extremely annoying!

Spend a bit more and buy mats designed for the specific vehicle. These fit better than the generic ones.

Seat Covers

Canvas or neoprene seat covers are the best option for muddy, sandy or dusty 4WDing. They should be easy to clean, and easy to wipe spills off.

Seat covers which are easy to remove for washing are a bonus. Sometimes they get to the point where they need a good soak to get rid of all the grime and muck.

And finally, make sure they’re fully compatible with your vehicle’s side airbags. Check this carefully, as airbag shapes and sizes can vary between year models and even between models in the same year range.

Other Interior Protection

When it comes to interior protection for your new 4WD pride and joy, here are three other products worth considering:

1. Dash mats – cover the dash to protect it from UV damage.
2. Windscreen shades – fit across the windscreen when the vehicle’s parked to stop sun from blasting in through the windscreen.
3. Side and rear window shades – like windscreen shades, they stop sun coming in to keep the vehicle cooler.

Interior protection options are cheap, yet help keep your 4WD interior in top shape.

How we review products

4X4 Australia has been reviewing four-wheel drive vehicles and aftermarket products for more than 40 years.

When looking for the best accessories for your make and model of 4WD, there are some things essential to making sure you have the best off-roading experience.

When we compare products, here are some of the things we consider:

• Warranty
• Build quality
• Value for money
• Time and ease to set-up/install
• Weight
• Fit and finish
• How well it gets the job done
• What materials they’re made from
• Corrosion/UV resistance
• Coatings
• Compatibility with other accessories
• Compliance with ADRs and vehicle safety systems
• Country of manufacture
• Load ratings,
  to determine what's the best product across each price point.

We also consider user reviews and our own experience with these products to make sure our recommendations are for the best on the market.

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