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This could be a Bronco test Mule

JimmyDean

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If it was the Courier there wouldn't seem to be much of a size difference from the Ranger.
could be possible, would explain the 5-lug. But being a unibody wouldn't that be nigh impossible to do a hack job body for a mule like this?

I don't understand where the reasoning that this isn't some Chevrolet test mule is coming from though. Is Chevy not allowed to use watts linkages? The plate is a Michigan plate, which is seen on some Chevy mules, along with New York plates on some, not just Fords.

(And what's up with those uprights?)

on edit, after looking around, I see where it was spotted with an Everest and license plate numbers on the two being extremely close. the uprights for rollover testing, some more photos showed the holes that would be used to mount them horizontal. So, yeah, some type of Ford hackjob test mule for something. I'm thinking the baby bronco possibly however considering the insanely low ground clearance for an offroad truck on those a-arms. Even basic rollover testing would need to be done on an accurate ride-height vehicle with complete and correct running gear.
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BroncoMike

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Even basic rollover testing would need to be done on an accurate ride-height vehicle with complete and correct running gear.
And for it to be of any value, complete and correct body and interior.

All the more reason to carefully ponder the real purpose behind this exercise.
 

JimmyDean

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And for it to be of any value, complete and correct body and interior.

All the more reason to carefully ponder the real purpose behind this exercise.
For legal ratings and stuff yes. But for engineering, not so much. You could apply ballast to change the suspended CoGs and weight distribution with a fabbed body, but the unsuspended and rotating portions needs to be fairly accurate.
 

Nickp

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Got a response from my source at Ford. It’s a courier mule not a bronco mule.
 

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JimmyDean

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Stampede.Offroad

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Got a response from my source at Ford. It’s a courier mule not a bronco mule.
I guess I wasn't looking at Escape or other small car platform parts when I was trying to figure out where those arms and axles came from. It would make more sense for the 5-lugs. The length would seem about right for a small ute or service trucklet, but I was expecting the Courier to be narrower too.
 

Nickp

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Keep in mind the escape and ranger are basically the same width. I have a 2017 Escape and it’s basically the perfect width IMO.
 

Toyhoarder

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Pretty sure that’s a body on frame vehicle not unibody.

That would rule out the baby bronco and courier wouldn’t it?
 

Nickp

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Pretty sure that’s a body on frame vehicle not unibody.

That would rule out the baby bronco and courier wouldn’t it?
They can easily have fake frame rails etc. I trust my source but literally all he said is “it’s a courier mule.” I trust him 100% for clearing things up but he won’t go into detail.
 

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Toyhoarder

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Fake frame rails? Hahaha. You can see daylight between the frame and bed.

Isn’t the courier supposed to be based on the focus platform? If so, I guarantee it has IRS, not a solid rear axle.
 

78CreamBrownie

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I think Ford is having fun with the media and all the hype that any testing vehicle brings. This thing, plus the Frankenmule and the 2 Door Raptor thing is just bringing more and more hype to Ford's future lineup and it is keeping them in the spotlight. Sure they could test it with normal looking Tophats, but why not make some odd and be sure it gets attention.

Seriously why in the world would Ford use a Chevy Tophat other than press coverage. They know people are going to figure it out and write about it.

Bravo Ford,Bravo.
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