2023 Ford Ranger build: TJM bar, winch and underbody protection

As one of the most talked about and biggest new 4x4 vehicle launches of 2022, the new Ranger holds heaps of appeal to both us and the aftermarket suppliers, so it was an easy choice of vehicle for our build. Much easier than actually buying one at the moment.

It’s around six months since the RA Ranger hit the market and there’s plenty of great aftermarket gear available for it, so we were able to jump right into the build. First stop was to the workshop of TJM Epping in Victoria. The Epping store is relatively new and is a corporate showcase store, so it’s all shiny and clean and loaded with all the best TJM gear as well as plenty from other leading 4x4 accessory brands.

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TJM supplied the protection equipment and a winch for the Ranger and, while we were keen to fit a full bullbar – like TJM’s Outback Bar – and side rails to this build, the company was keen to show off its new Venturer bar. Now that the Venturer bar is on the car, we’re glad they insisted on it.

Why fit a replacement bumper that doesn’t offer the full protection of a bullbar with hoops? Hoopless bars like the TJM Venturer still offer increased protection over the factory plastic bumper because they are made from steel.

The design of the Venturer bar not only looks good and offers a level of protection over that of the factory plastic bar, it also improves your car’s off-road ability by increasing the approach angle and the tapered ‘wings’ of the bar, giving more clearance for your front tyres.

The Venturer bar also comes with integrated 8000kg rated recovery points, high-lift jacking points, provisions for a winch mount, and multiple options for mounting driving lights and aerials.

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The bar is designed and tested to meet all ADR regulations and maintain the operation of the airbags and radar controlled safety features. The factory forward-facing camera for the 360° viewing on-screen has been relocated to the new bumper, and the bar itself is covered by TJM’s three-year national warranty.

The Venturer bar is also available with a top hoop with integrated LED light bar, but we opted against it as it won’t suit our planned forward lighting package. The team at TJM Epping did replace the Ranger’s standard fog lamps with TJM Pod lights behind the bar.

We reckon the Venturer bar really suits the front of the Ranger, with its squared-off style and flat-top surface that mimics the Ford’s flat bonnet edge. The bar also has large openings to give the user easy access to the winch to operate the free-spool clutch and plug in the controller.

Recovery ready

Speaking of winches, that’s a TJM Torq 9500lb winch wearing the signature yellow synthetic rope. The Torq winch has been engineered to suit tough Aussie conditions and is IP76 rated for dust and water ingress, has low current draw and comes with both plug-in and wireless controllers. The free-spool lever is nice and big, so it’s easy to operate, unlike some winches that have smaller levers.

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Underside armour

Behind the Venturer bar and Torq winch we have TJM underbody protection extending from the bar back under the engine sump. Made from 3mm high-strength steel that is powder-coated for its own protection, these metal plates will do a better job of protecting the Ranger’s underbelly once we get it out on the tracks.

Further protection along the Ranger’s sills is a pair of TJM tubular steel side-steps. More durable than the factory plastic steps, the steel steps are mounted to the chassis and not the body as the factory ones are. This will offer real protection against rocks and branches bashing the sills.

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Made using 63mm powder-coated steel with black alloy checkerplate tread panels, they not only serve to protect, but look the part as well.

TJM has supplied us with a comprehensive protection set-up for our Ranger that looks great, and the addition of the winch will give us the surety of having self-recovery ability if and when needed.

Rob, Liz and the team at TJM’s Epping store were great to work with from the moment we dropped the car off, explaining everything they were doing and when the car would be ready. They even helped us out with taking photographs of the installation process and we can’t thank them enough.

Pricing

• Torq 9500lb synthetic rope winch: $1299
• Venturer Bar: $3350
• Pod lamps: $75 (each)
• Underbody protection: $610 (under engine), $520 (under transmission and transfer case)
• Side steps: $1420

Available from: www.tjm.com.au