What did you do to your Ranger today?

[psweeney]

Is that the same thing as a CB radio? Just curious!

No, it's a really powerful (60 watt) VHF radio unit, so more like HAM's cousin. Crystal clear for at least 8 miles (the distance I've tested it so far).

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[P. A. Schilke]

Hi Folks,

I changed my oil today. Only 1700 miles on the oil, but it has been a year and I got the warning to change engine oil soon. Filter came off with no problem.

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

 

[dejavoodoo18]

Again I'm a little behind on the days, but recently did the offroad radio install so I have a more powerful unit than the handhelds we've used in the past. Dash removed to run power wires thru the firewall, then antenna wires under the floor mats and out. Super clean/easy, works beautifully, doesn't get in the way of passenger legroom.

Looks good, what kind of antenna mounting setup did you go with?

 

[jhndeergrn]

Then put the prototype leafs, hardware, etc on the truck and did a little testing. So much more testing to come, but it's a whole new truck already.

How are you liking those leafs? Are they softer on the road? I have the same Kings installed in the rear, but still looking for a plusher ride. Those leafs look similar to the new Old Man Emu’s...

 

[psweeney]

Looks good, what kind of antenna mounting setup did you go with?

Their kit comes with a great mag mount and antenna kit (only a short like 18-24in antenna though). I'm sure a longer antenna would be more effective but I love being able to store it in the seatback pocket, throw it on the roof when I hit a trail or want to use it, and then take it down when I'm done.

 

[psweeney]

How are you liking those leafs? Are they softer on the road? I have the same Kings installed in the rear, but still looking for a plusher ride. Those leafs look similar to the new Old Man Emu’s...

Way softer but hit a bump, off camber turn, or sidewalk and it keeps the wheels on the ground and in a drop out, the truck just sits down into it quickly and solidly (honestly and truly, better than some purpose built trucks I've ridden in). Body roll is slightly more on highway ramps etc but that's the sacrifice you make when the wheels staying on the ground all the time is the priority.

The kings really aren't allowed to do their work with the stock leafs (and if you went with the off the shelf kings they're also a slightly more offroad/stiffer valving than you may be looking for if you're street comfort focused).

And I haven't seen the ome's for this truck yet so I am curious to see them because they do generally do a quality product (even though it's generally not in line with what I want out of this or most of my trucks) but I have seen a couple other (albeit offshore) companies' Ranger leafs and so far the material quality and design both are...less than ideal let's say.

 

[HTX1811]

First mini off road fishing trip today. The Ranger says mud, pffft!!
Caught a few gafftop catfish, a flounder, and one stingray. All released. One gafftop next to my size 14 foot.

 

[caprtaineddie]

No, it's a really powerful (60 watt) VHF radio unit, so more like HAM's cousin. Crystal clear for at least 8 miles (the distance I've tested it so far).

Thanks. So, I guess it requires an FCC license?

 

[caprtaineddie]

Hi Folks,

I changed my oil today. Only 1700 miles on the oil, but it has been a year and I got the warning to change engine oil soon. Filter came off with no problem.

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

Did you go back with Ford semisynthetic?

 

[psweeney]

Thanks. So, I guess it requires an FCC license?

Nope, no license required to operate according to the owner. Talked with him and he said like everyone else they used to be one of those that you needed a license but nobody got one but they just recently put a ton of time and money into getting the product approved for no-license operation. No manual scan/programming function on the unit. You can program with a computer super easily but I guess (again according to them) the legal hurdle was removing the ability to wander onto an emergency channel accidentally.

 

[njortego]

Has anyone compared the DeeZee mat to the Ford OEM mat? Looking to buy one to go under my soft tri-fold tonneau cover. Thanks!

 

[P. A. Schilke]

Did you go back with Ford semisynthetic?

HI Eddie,

I went with 5w-30 Kirkland Full Synthetic that I got from Costco...

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

 

[Clump]

Has anyone compared the DeeZee mat to the Ford OEM mat? Looking to buy one to go under my soft tri-fold tonneau cover. Thanks!

I had the Dee Zee mat in my Canyon and was very satisfied.

The Ford mat is quite a bit more expensive. I only got the Ford mat because it was free with Ford Pass Reward points.

Comparing the 2 (in 2 different applications FWIW) thickness is identical. Both fit really well. Neither is at all slippery.

If not for the points I would have bought Dee Zee.

 

[BHunted]

Nope, no license required to operate according to the owner. Talked with him and he said like everyone else they used to be one of those that you needed a license but nobody got one but they just recently put a ton of time and money into getting the product approved for no-license operation. No manual scan/programming function on the unit. You can program with a computer super easily but I guess (again according to them) the legal hurdle was removing the ability to wander onto an emergency channel accidentally.

CB there is no license and that operates on AM frequency. But anything over 60 watts is either ham, grms, frs or otherwise and may need to be registered..... better double check that...

 

[BHunted]

Nope, no license required to operate according to the owner. Talked with him and he said like everyone else they used to be one of those that you needed a license but nobody got one but they just recently put a ton of time and money into getting the product approved for no-license operation. No manual scan/programming function on the unit. You can program with a computer super easily but I guess (again according to them) the legal hurdle was removing the ability to wander onto an emergency channel accidentally.

https://quality2wayradios.com/store/two-way-radio-license
Table below is messed up but go to the link and scroll down.

Overview of Service "Bands" (USA)
Service	Band & Frequency Range **	License Required	Length of License	Approx. Cost of License	Max Channels	Max Watts	Antenna Type	Repeater Allowed	Usage Type	Comments
FRS	UHF 462 & 467 MHz	No		0	22	2 ³	fixed stubby	No	personal or business	New changes to this service allow it for business. ³ Channels 8-14 must be ½ watt.
GMRS	UHF 462 & 467 MHz	Yes	10 yrs	90	22 + 8 repeater	50	any type	Yes	personal only	Licensee must be 18 yrs or older. Anyone, regardless of age, can operate your radios.
LMR	VHF 150-174 MHz UHF 421-512 MHz	Yes	10 yrs	Varies ²	512	100 +	any type	Yes	business or government	Licensee must be 18 years or older. Also called PLMR.
MURS	VHF 151 & 154 MHz	No		0	5	2	fixed*	No	mixed use	Limited range. * External antenna up to 60ft to extend range.
Marine	VHF 156 - 162 MHz	No * (see note below)		0	48	100 +	any type	N/A	mixed use	Only use marine radios. ³ All marine radios have the same pre-set channels & frequencies.
ISM	UHF 902 - 928 MHz	No		0	1000+		any type	yes	mixed use	Also know as 33 centimeter. Used for on-site short-range communications.
Airband	VHF 108 - 137 MHz	Yes ¹			760	8			aircraft & stations ¹	Only use airband radios. ³ All airband radios have the same pre-set channels & frequencies.
CB	HF 26.965 - 27.405 MHz	No			40				mixed use	All CB radios have the same pre-set channels & frequencies.
Ham	HF, VHF, & UHF	Yes	10 yrs					Yes		Also called Amateur radio. Requires passing an exam. 3 types of license: Technician, General, & Extra.

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