Ford has announced the latest addition to the Ranger line of pickups will be offered with the Tremor – an optional audio package that brings an aftermarket-grade audio system to a compact pickup. The system include a premium, high-powered stereo with 560 watts and a custom designed subwoofer enclosure designed to fit in the rear floor area. Ford reports that the system has been tuned to deliver tonal accuracy and imaging for a wide audio spectrum, from 20 to 20,000 Hz."This is an audiophile’s delight," states Craig Tomai, Tremor project management supervisor. "It definitely has a ton of power."
The 650-watts optional sound system, first incorporated into the Ranger line in May 2000, was built to exacting standards with the help of program management team member Anthony Davis, a veteran IASCA competitor (and one-time CAR SOUND coverboy).
"What I tried to do was represent the voice of the audio customer throughout the Ranger’s development," Davis says of his role.
Tremor started after Davis and fellow audio expert Marc Richmond built a demonstration version of an audio-oriented Ranger, using aftermarket parts, while keeping speakers in the normal factory locations. The original experiment was designed to determine whether the results would meet expectations of audiophile’s standards.
A key to the system is a hand-built subwoofer and amplifier housing that takes up the rear floor area. The 10-inch subwoofers fires right at the floor, and the air chamber in the housing is designed to magnify the effect.
Davis worked with Pioneer to develop a new two-way, high-end speaker for the Tremor system. He then worked to tune the electronics, developing crossover points and equalization points to match the speakers’ output to the Ranger’s unique interior.
"Acoustics is just controlled vibration," explains Davis. "We looked for three factors in the new Tremor package: sound quality, good installation, and an objective measurement of the way ‘pink noise’ registers on an audio spectrum analyzer, via microphones at each seating position."
Davis also wanted to create a design that would reward the most knowledgeable audio buffs. As a result, the head unit comes with a double-DIN hookup and enough controls to allow the listener to pick a sound profile that best suits the music being played. They can even pick up a few more watts of power with a little know-how.
In order to accommodate the subwoofer, fold-down storage bins were installed in place of the rear jump seats. The subwoofer housing is constructed of a durable, carpeted synthetic material designed to better resist moisture.
The Tremor package is available on SuperCab configurations with either a Flareside or Styleside box. It will be available, as a special package, in Spring 2001.
Link for more info: www.ford.com
