In this episode I tried to give our long-term TTC Ranger the perfect “exit interview” the same way we started: taking it right back up our hill test with 4-Low and the rear locker, just to show how far the truck has come. We’ve fixed the early weak points—better tires, a small front lift/level, real skid plates, and protection—and honestly the Ranger has been a dead-reliable wheeler for us… right up until it wasn’t. Mid-climb we get a “Check 4x4” warning, and it becomes clear the front axle isn’t doing anything. No clicks, no engagement, no actual low range—just a one-year-old truck that suddenly won’t go into 4-High or 4-Low. I’m leaving the rough, off-the-cuff reactions in because one of the main tenants of this show is we don’t lie to you. What happened on that hill is exactly what happened. The good news is the rear locker still worked (and yes, Ford letting you lock it whenever you want matters), but the bad news is the four-wheel drive system was effectively dead on trail. A few days before this episode went live, the truck was at the dealer: the driver’s front CV joint was destroyed and getting replaced under warranty—backordered, of course—and then they can dig into the 4x4 issue. Bottom line: we’ve enjoyed this Ranger more than we haven’t, and I’m showing you all of it—the wins and the failures.