Velossa Tech Design Big Mouth for 2019+ Ranger

[port43]

I just installed mine and, holy cow, what a cuss fest. The instructions said a half hour or less with basic hand tools. I probably have more tools than most professional mechanics but I couldn't come up with a combination for a hex bit that was nine inches long that would fit without breaking more plastic.

I have plenty of long extensions that would reach it but the grille openings on my truck don't have enough clearance to get a hex socket through. I gave a go at loosening the top grille bolts but it wouldn't move out of the way enough to even let my hand in the opening. I didn't really see a way to get the grille off without snapping more tabs and I was NOT up for that. After a trip to the store to get a set of ball hex wrenches to try and reach it (they weren't long enough), I wound up gritting my teeth and forcing a 3/8 extension through the grille and then attaching a hex socket to it. That made it impossible to see the screw to tell if I was even on it. After more cussing and a beer God took pity on me and guided the screw in.

The instructions also made no mention of the tabs holding the cowl to the grill so I'm waiting for the epoxy to set on those that I could find (after they snapped off) so I can put the cowl back in place.

I don't mind getting into something difficult if I know its going to be that way going in but this turned into a small nightmare. @velossatech really needs to rethink their instructions. I've been in the garage for two hours.

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[Racket]

I just installed mine and, holy cow, what a cuss fest. The instructions said a half hour or less with basic hand tools. I probably have more tools than most professional mechanics but I couldn't come up with a combination for a hex bit that was nine inches long that would fit without breaking more plastic.

I have plenty of long extensions that would reach it but the grille openings on my truck don't have enough clearance to get a hex socket through. I gave a go at loosening the top grille bolts but it wouldn't move out of the way enough to even let my hand in the opening. I didn't really see a way to get the grille off without snapping more tabs and I was NOT up for that. After a trip to the store to get a set of ball hex wrenches to try and reach it (they weren't long enough), I wound up gritting my teeth and forcing a 3/8 extension through the grille and then attaching a hex socket to it. That made it impossible to see the screw to tell if I was even on it. After more cussing and a beer God took pity on me and guided the screw in.

The instructions also made no mention of the tabs holding the cowl to the grill so I'm waiting for the epoxy to set on those that I could find (after they snapped off) so I can put the cowl back in place.

I don't mind getting into something difficult if I know its going to be that way going in but this turned into a small nightmare. @velossatech really needs to rethink their instructions. I've been in the garage for two hours.

I hope yours comes together. That orange (?) body behind the grill really compliments the paint/lettering.

 

[port43]

I hope yours comes together. That orange (?) body behind the grill really compliments the paint/lettering.

Thank you. For some reason Amber (my truck) likes orange so I'm going with it.

 

[port43]

Read the instructions BEFORE ordering so you know what you are getting into.

 

[JaysOnTheEDGE]

I used a hex key with a 1/4” socket end attached to a 14”wobble extension to reattach the left bolt. Worked fairly well

 

[ScrappyLaptop]

I hope I don’t get any small animals in this thing

I wasn't going to mention that, but over the last few decades I've had maybe a dozen birds end up in my grille or radiator from highway miles. Only one ended up in the air filter as a full handful of feathers though, and it was on the vehicle that had a big ol' air intake kinda similar to these (though far less optimized).

 

[Racket]

Read the instructions BEFORE ordering so you know what you are getting into.

Grills

I wasn't going to mention that, but over the last few decades I've had maybe a dozen birds end up in my grille or radiator from highway miles. Only one ended up in the air filter as a full handful of feathers though, and it was on the vehicle that had a big ol' air intake kinda similar to these (though far less optimized).

Will have to re-brand from 'big mouth to 'masticator.'

 

[port43]

Grills

Will have to re-brand from 'big mouth to 'masticator.'

Oh great. Now I want to add teeth to mine.

 

[Racket]

Oh great. Now I want to add teeth to mine.

Big floppy tongue

 

[Dr. Zaius]

Oh great. Now I want to add teeth to mine.

Big floppy tongue

 

[Racket]

I'm curious if anyone has calculated their mileage averages since (successfully) putting theirs in now that there are a variety of grills and modified trucks running them?

Updates to individual experiences?

 

[Trigganometry]

Just went through this thread front to back. Very interesting responses from many with mostly positive outcomes. First thing that struck me was some that are concerned about water/mud off-roading. Think that’s a misnomer knowing now that the alternator is the weak link in this realm. If water is high enough to interfere using this mod damage is probably done in this regard.

I’m planning this summer to do a front end rebuild. Will pretty much disassemble front and replace XLT halogen with the Lariat focused headlights, Raptor grille, this snorkel, and upgrade my fog lights. Add in some more driving lights and a FX4 skid plate then call it a day.

There are so many mods I want to do but, eventually I’ll get there.

Really appreciate everyone’s posts as it does help others to make an informed and ‘rational’ decision. Although my wife would strongly disagree with that last statement ?

 

[lloydr1206]

Can you install this with a AFE Magnum Force Cold Air Intake System Scoop and possibly a cold air intake without a tune?

Cold air intake seems a bit pricey so I was thinking about just doing this and afe, but really on the fence about all 3 because I don’t intend to get a tune at all.

Improved MPGs would be nice.

 

[Langwilliams]

It doesn't connect to the air box, it just catches air an channels it to the air box intake

 

[RANGER_MARC]

Just went through this thread front to back. Very interesting responses from many with mostly positive outcomes. First thing that struck me was some that are concerned about water/mud off-roading. Think that’s a misnomer knowing now that the alternator is the weak link in this realm. If water is high enough to interfere using this mod damage is probably done in this regard.

I’m planning this summer to do a front end rebuild. Will pretty much disassemble front and replace XLT halogen with the Lariat focused headlights, Raptor grille, this snorkel, and upgrade my fog lights. Add in some more driving lights and a FX4 skid plate then call it a day.

There are so many mods I want to do but, eventually I’ll get there.

Really appreciate everyone’s posts as it does help others to make an informed and ‘rational’ decision. Although my wife would strongly disagree with that last statement ?

I have had one sitting around for months and just got it installed yesterday. I'll be happy to report on my results, but they won't be very scientific, hard to do a before and after comparison since my driving has been greatly limited (and no freeways at all) since the pandemic and working from home....

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