Best Bang for your Buck Upgrades for the Ranger

[AzScorpion]

IME the degree to which hood deflectors "work" depends on the shape of the front of the vehicle and the hood.

I didn't get one for my last car, and the hood got destroyed by bugs and rocks. That hood also sloped down quite a lot and did not have a prominent front edge so there's probably not a lot that a deflector could do in the end. Clear bra probably would have been a better choice. I think any hood with a prominent front edge should have one just to protect the front edge. That's why I got one for the Ranger.

Funny because I've always had them on my F150's and I didn't put one on my Ranger. Mine is still perfect with no chips but I don't do a lot of highway driving like I did with my F150. We were always going up to Maine or Canada snowmobiling and the front end would take a beating.

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[OrangeStreak]

#1 priority was a spray in bedliner. Done at a local independent shop. High Pressure spray on of Polyurethane. $425.00 out the door (tax included). They beat the price of Linex so I took it. Flawless job except for a slight bit of overspray which disappeared after the 1st wash.

#2 priority was an AVS Bugflector II...considering the reports of Ranger paint chipping issues. 53.80 at autoanything.com

#3. Got the windows tinted and a Dash Designs cover through FordPass rewards at my dealer.

#4 for cosmetic improvement: GoRhino exhaust tip 42.74 at autoanything.com / 4" outlet.

#5 Best appearance upgrade: Sold my factory 255/65/R17 STX tires and silver wheels to upgrade to BFG K02 265/70/17 A/T's with Ranger OEM charcoal wheels. The cost for the switch was only $350.00...this is how Money Pit victims use the wording to justify purchases

# 6. Don't want to get into debate about running boards so I won't mention that I'm not a fan of them . Last photo shows my money saving solution: $0

 

[DRVMN]

2021 Ford Ranger XLT FX4

1. Ford (TruXedo TruxPort) Tonneau Cover (FordPass Points)
2. Engine Cover
3. Tailgate Damper
4. Tailgate "R A N G E R" black letters
5. OEM Ford Splash Guards
6. Bed Tie-Down Hooks (the remaining two)
7. BedRug BedTred Impact Bed Mat
8. TruXedo Tailgate Weather Seal
9. Ford Tailgate (Anti-Theft) Lock
10. Still debating about a leveling kit and Raptor Grill w/Raptor Lights

 

[taildraggerpilot]

I’ve done a few things since purchase:

Ford performance / Borla exhaust
AVS bug shield
Raptor grille w/ lights
Bed mat (truck has factory spray-in)
Swing-out storage box (very handy)
Retrax tonneau
Yakima Overhal HD
Thinkware Q200 dashcams
Auto-fold mirror module
Ford performance tune / K&N filter
Mishimoto intercooler kit with piping
aFe air scoop
Black rear emblem / oval
Black FX4 box decals
Tailgate seal kit (essential with a tonneau)
Tailgate dampener

Things left to do:

Glass tint match (front windows)
Fox 2.0 rear shocks
aFe intake box / filter

 

[D Fresh]

Trucknutz

 

[Muscleford]

#1 priority was a spray in bedliner. Done at a local independent shop. High Pressure spray on of Polyurethane. $425.00 out the door (tax included). They beat the price of Linex so I took it. Flawless job except for a slight bit of overspray which disappeared after the 1st wash.

#2 priority was an AVS Bugflector II...considering the reports of Ranger paint chipping issues. 53.80 at autoanything.com

#3. Got the windows tinted and a Dash Designs cover through FordPass rewards at my dealer.

#4 for cosmetic improvement. GoRhino exhaust tip 42.74 at autoanything.com

# 5. Don't want to get into debate about running boards so I won't mention that I'm not a fan of them . Last photo shows my money saving solution: $0

View attachment 82696

Like your mods. Do you have a part number for the Dash Designs das caovdr?

 

[OrangeStreak]

Like your mods. Do you have a part number for the Dash Designs das caovdr?

Thanks George,
I got mine through my Dealer who orders them from a retailer. Not all Ford dealers carry this same brand but vary.

At dashdesigns.com - The part # for your 2021 Ranger is 2623-0 (without the Forward Collision warning device on the dashboard) and # 2644-0 (with the Forward Collision warning device on the dashboard). If you order through them, they are having a promo now with a discount off the freight. There are other retailers online that you might be able to get a better price from?

In my 2nd dash cover photo, you can see the slot near the windshield (just behind the long vent slot) for my Forward Collison warning device. Some Rangers have them and some don't depending on which package they come with. Dash covers for Rangers without the device don't have the slot in the dash cover.

I really like this cover. It is well made, has smooth seams and the slots are all placed in the correct positions. The cover lays flat and doesn't have any ripples in it. I chose the black velour material to match the ebony interior.
If you get a dash cover, post a picture!

 

[Secousse]

The biggest bang for the buck was turning in my FordPass points for a Ford Tounue hard folding cover. Gas milage dramatically improved. The Tremor is supposed to have 19 MPH, and I average more than 23 MPH.

I installed my Retrax this week and got really excited when I read your comment!

 

[Dr. Zaius]

How So? I don't mind the start/stop but my wife hates it

Plug the nightlight into the AC outlet in the rear of the console.

The truck sees the small load on the AC inverter and this disables the Start/Stop system.

 

[Ranger_Pawl]

How So? I don't mind the start/stop but my wife hates it

I didn't like the stop/start. I'm very old.

 

[cbull]

IME the degree to which hood deflectors "work" depends on the shape of the front of the vehicle and the hood.

I didn't get one for my last car, and the hood got destroyed by bugs and rocks. That hood also sloped down quite a lot and did not have a prominent front edge so there's probably not a lot that a deflector could do in the end. Clear bra probably would have been a better choice. I think any hood with a prominent front edge should have one just to protect the front edge. That's why I got one for the Ranger.

I em having lots of clear bra work done, but that don't help my windshield from rocks and bugs, man I hate bugs! Lol

 

[AzScorpion]

I em having lots of clear bra work done, but that don't help my windshield from rocks and bugs, man I hate bugs! Lol

It does help that I keep mine waxed with Graphene and hit it with a gloss enhancer. I think the bugs slide rite off it. lol ?

 

[cbull]

It does help that I keep mine waxed with Graphene and hit it with a gloss enhancer. I think the bugs slide rite off it. lol ?

I'd like bugs to slid off my truck too. Gonna have to check this stuff out.

 

[thellamafarm]

Aftermarket rear shocks... hands down best bang for your buck mod. Eliminate the poor riding of the rear end. I got Eibachs for $200 for the rear and there are some others as well..

Can you elaborate more one this? What do you mean poor rear end handling ?

 

[AzScorpion]

I'd like bugs to slid off my truck too. Gonna have to check this stuff out.

You can read through this thread when you have time, I did a write up on it last November. It's still holding up great with the sun and UV rays here. It really brings out the depth of the color too.

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/303-graphene-nano-spray-coating.10062/

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