New Mods!!

[tehschkott]

Hmm... Am I missing something obvious? Why not just remove the bolts since they are exposed and take the crash bar out that way?

We ran into a lot of htis sort of thing. In order to disassemble this, we'd need to disassemble that, in order to disassemble that, we'd have to disassemble this whole other thing.

In this case, in order to remove that second bolt, we had to remove that upper plastic dohicky and which looked like more work than we wanted to get into, and didn't answer how we were going to get the unbolted crash bar past the external body panel blocking a straight extraction, which suggested even more work ahead. The front bar was going to require loosening the bumper and who knows what else. Meh. Cutting was easier. If later it's important we can go through the work of unfolding this origami box to extract the bolts and the little nubs they hold.

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[Msfitoy]

Got my Ranger almost where I want it just waiting for my Air Designs fender flares and I'll be done. Mods to date:
Extends tonneau cover
Ford performance fox tuned suspension with Ford performance tune.
Nfab running boards
Air Designs hood scoop and tailgate cover
Ford Raptor grille with led lights
Avs hood deflector
Fuel Coupler wheels with Nitto Grappler Terra tires, 285/65R 18, with front crash bars removed
Ford Raptor center caps

You'll love them Air Design flares...

 

[Ranger703]

Hmm... Am I missing something obvious? Why not just remove the bolts since they are exposed and take the crash bar out that way?

I was under the impression the front crash bars could be removed without cutting as well.

 

[Extreme01]

Yeah, I used a 5 inc

Just gotta use a wheel larger than 4 inches or you'll have to get clever.

We had to get clever this weekend.

Yeah, I used a 5 inch wheel

 

[Msfitoy]

I was under the impression the front crash bars could be removed without cutting as well.

It can...I removed mine last year by loosening bumper and fender...

 

[tehschkott]

I was under the impression the front crash bars could be removed without cutting as well.

They can if you've the time/patience to disassemble everything. I didn't have either. Take a look at Msfitoy's driveway pic and his zillion pieces carefully laid out sometime (no disrespect intended). Cutting them out, even with a wheel that's too small was a 40 minute job each. YMMV.

 

[tehschkott]

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/project-msfitoy-v3-0.2804/#post-37443

Ah sure. There is is. Front end disassembly and 3 hours in the sun. Or 40 mins each to cut them out - less if you use a cutting wheel that's not too small.

 

[NvrFinished]

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/project-msfitoy-v3-0.2804/#post-37443

Ah sure. There is is. Front end disassembly and 3 hours in the sun. Or 40 mins each to cut them out - less if you use a cutting wheel that's not too small.

Ahh... the bumper removal/move out of the way process. Cut them it is then! I wonder if the aftermarket solutions would go in without the bumper moving process?

 

[tehschkott]

Ahh... the bumper removal/move out of the way process. Cut them it is then! I wonder if the aftermarket solutions would go in without the bumper moving process?

yeah probably, but you still have to remove the bolts and the nubs. Once the front is cut out it looks easy enough, but I think but the rear will require disassembly to extract that second bolt. Or cut the bolt out 3/4 inch at a time until it clears the plastic housing above it I guess (hard pass).

But think on this. The crash bars are intended to pin the wheel in the event of a collision as I understand it. The aftermarket bars give you more clearance but the act of providing more clearance will reduce/eliminate their ability to pin the wheel by the looks of it. And they haven't been tested, by the manufacturer's own admission. Which leaves me to believe that there may be a better use for my funds/time than to replace them with something that isn't going to do what they're intended to do anyhow.

So cut em, hit em with a 40 grit wheel and a splotch of Krylon paint to clean it up and call it a day I say.

 

[tehschkott]

Yeah, I used a 5 inc

Yeah, I used a 5 inch wheel

Sorry to hijack your thread man. Great looking truck. Was not kidding about looking forward to more pics of it.

 

[Extreme01]

Yeah,

You'll love them Air Design flares...

Yeah, i

Sorry to hijack your thread man. Great looking truck. Was not kidding about looking forward to more pics of it.

I will as soon as I get my air design fender flares installed

 

[Pinepig]

You'll love them Air Design flares...

I like that with the little cab spoiler and the tent being about the same height as the cab, it just looks more functional for travel rather than hanging out in the breeze and ready to pick up that occasional overhead branch.

 

[Msfitoy]

I like that with the little cab spoiler and the tent being about the same height as the cab, it just looks more functional for travel rather than hanging out in the breeze and ready to pick up that occasional overhead branch.

I got the spoiler to help lift the air over the RTT...

 

[Extreme01]

I got the spoiler to help lift the air over the RTT...

The rear spoiler from air designs

 

[OFC Ranger]

Yes to remove the rear crash bars without cutting requires some minor trimming.

1. Have to trim about 1" or so of the inside bottom fender (behind fender trim). This cut is completely hidden once all trim is reinstalled.

2. Cut a small section of that plastic block with a sawzall so you can access that first bolt. You could take the block out, but we didn't bother.

This will give you enough clearance to A. Remove bolts and B. Using a crow bar to "angle" the bar out past the bottom of the inside fender well. These steps are probably quicker than cutting the bar to be honest once you know what needs to be done. Having a second pair of hands on deck to help with "pulling things" this way and that is going to make it much easier...

I prefer to keep my OEM parts in the event I need to restore the truck to factory parts for whatever reason.

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