What did you do to your Ranger today?

[onobeka]

After 3months of trying local suppliers(many) and waiting for a delivery from China, that turned out to be lost, I was able to find a front camera to finish half of my project started in summer. Everybody has rear view cameras not front facing ones. So, I got a number plate holder one.

Sponsored

 

[AzScorpion]

Got the Wildtrak mirrors fitted and fitted the grill in its factory gloss black. Now I don’t know what to do. I was sold on painting it the same grey as the mirrors, (incoming) fender vents and door handles. But on the truck, the black doesn’t look as out of place as I thought it would. I’ll leave it on for a week or two and see I guess, make a decision when the door handles and vents are on.

Anyone have any thoughts?

So that’s chrome tailights, mirrors and grill replaced today. Looks a bit better to me.

Can’t wait to see the end of the chrome handles and fender vents.

What I’m thinking grill wise, but same grey as mirrors.

Rob, personally I really like the black on white look. Once the rest is done I think it'll look really nice plus maybe add a black pin stripe on the sides? I know it's been done a million times but it is a nice look. When my Jeep comes in (it's white) I'm doing the same and possible adding some different wheels but I need to see the factory ones in person first. Either way you go it''ll look great!

 

[Rob09]

Rob, personally I really like the black on white look. Once the rest is done I think it'll look really nice plus maybe add a black pin stripe on the sides? I know it's been done a million times but it is a nice look. When my Jeep comes in (it's white) I'm doing the same and possible adding some different wheels but I need to see the factory ones in person first. Either way you go it''ll look great!

I cant disagree with either of you, looking at it this morning, the black grill looks sick. Add some black mirrors and change the sports bar to black and it would be awesome. But…

Then it just looks like one of these. Without the leather.

What I haven’t mentioned, is the truck is already getting a pinstripe @AzScorpion. Well, full company livery anyway. The proofs have been approved with the graphic designers and I’m just waiting for the stickers to go on, which will probably be early next year now, with my work load.

And the crux of all this is, the graphics are all grey. And they look AWESOME!!! In my humble opinion anyway. And I think it’s always important to have company livery on my work trucks, the company is good enough to give me something to drive around in (remember a Ranger of this spec is $60k+ In Oz), then I need to represent as best I can. That means graphics and keeping the thing as clean and tidy as possible, hence my graphene obsession, and the fact I just ordered 5lt of tire shine ?

That’s the reason this doesn’t have a build thread, because it’s really not a build. Well, not by my standards anyway. I’m just trying to make the truck look a little better before the sign writing gets done, as I thought all the chrome would look awful (last few Hilux SR5’s at my old company looked horrible with graphics and chrome). That’s why I’ve wanted as many OEM parts as possible, I just want it to look like something that came from the factory, but a little unique to suit the livery.

I’m just lucky enough that I work for a company who’s owner has kind of turned a blind eye to me making some subtle, good looking mods. That, and the fact that this is the first company car out of the last 10 or so I’ve actually loved. I’ve never even thought of modding a company car before, what a stupid idea. But I really like this truck, and my 5 y/o (who is going to lose his shit when he gets a white hot wheels ranger from Santa), is just old enough that this has got him off the bloody iPad and out helping me “work on the Ranger”. That in itself is priceless.

So, the grill is going Wildtrak grey to match the graphics, the wheels, and rest of the Wildtrak grey parts. plus it’s then getting the black 3d “Ranger” stickers put on after paint.

Maybe after the graphics, I’ll look at it and realise you guys were right, and change all the grey to black, hell, it wouldn’t be the first time on a car I’ve had to do that. But let’s see how this all comes together first.

And then let my son make the call, because he loves the black grill too ?

And if you’re wondering what the truck would’ve looked like if it was mine, with no restrictions on a build, here’s a pic of one of my bikes, an almost all carbon fibre (bar wheels, we have pot holes here) Ducati. I miss this one.

So imagine a white Ranger, with as many parts as possible, custom made out of black carbon fibre. All the alloy parts anodised red. With a black suede interior, red stitching, obscene, flame throwing exhaust, and you’re kinda getting close.

 

[Chris M]

Installed lower grille insert for adaptive cruise control from Putco. More of an adventure than I was hoping for...because I'm a coward.
I couldn't get the corner clips on the lower valence to release, and was afraid of breaking something important and expensive, so I removed the other valence clips and bolts and flexxxxxed the grille insert into the hole from the front and fit it in place just as if it was the standard insert.
Taped it down and bolted it in per instructions and then put the clips and bolts back in just like I knew what I was doing.
Whew! Really glad that's over and I didn't break or scratch anything. I need a nap now!

 

[Venom_z89]

Installed the new to me wheels I scored last weekend. Going to be getting a ladder rack later today.

 

[Zeroedin]

The last “keyed ignition” vehicle I owned was my heavily modified 2014 Wrangler Sahara. When I sold it in 2020, one of the things that always stuck with me was how conditioned I had become to hopping in and just sticking the key right into the ignition. Muscle memory, conditioning….whatever it was I could do it with 100% accuracy even with my eyes closed. I was like a frikkin’ key ninja; no wasted movement, just a quick, deadly strike that always found its mark.

So after about a month with my new Ranger I was beginning to worry that the truck and I were never gonna have that same type of connection. I mean, my hand knew where to go, I was still moving with cat-like swiftness….but the damn key wasn’t always finding its home. Sometimes it would slip off something and get wedged between the ignition and plastic surround. I was really starting to feel my age, fumbling around to get the key lined up and having to actually “look” to do it.

And then one afternoon I happened upon a post here on the forum that shed some light on my struggles.

Flash forward about 2 months and I finally ordered the missing ignition trim, which arrived today. After installation, I did a few test runs slotting the key into the ignition….and it looks like with a bit more practice, the key ninja is gonna be back in business, baby.

Crap. Seeing the picture now I’m kinda wishing I had shopped around a bit. If there’s a Roush branded one out there I’m gonna be buying this one twice, lol.

 

[Wayne]

I cant disagree with either of you, looking at it this morning, the black grill looks sick. Add some black mirrors and change the sports bar to black and it would be awesome. But…

Then it just looks like one of these. Without the leather.

What I haven’t mentioned, is the truck is already getting a pinstripe @AzScorpion. Well, full company livery anyway. The proofs have been approved with the graphic designers and I’m just waiting for the stickers to go on, which will probably be early next year now, with my work load.

And the crux of all this is, the graphics are all grey. And they look AWESOME!!! In my humble opinion anyway. And I think it’s always important to have company livery on my work trucks, the company is good enough to give me something to drive around in (remember a Ranger of this spec is $60k+ In Oz), then I need to represent as best I can. That means graphics and keeping the thing as clean and tidy as possible, hence my graphene obsession, and the fact I just ordered 5lt of tire shine ?

That’s the reason this doesn’t have a build thread, because it’s really not a build. Well, not by my standards anyway. I’m just trying to make the truck look a little better before the sign writing gets done, as I thought all the chrome would look awful (last few Hilux SR5’s at my old company looked horrible with graphics and chrome). That’s why I’ve wanted as many OEM parts as possible, I just want it to look like something that came from the factory, but a little unique to suit the livery.

I’m just lucky enough that I work for a company who’s owner has kind of turned a blind eye to me making some subtle, good looking mods. That, and the fact that this is the first company car out of the last 10 or so I’ve actually loved. I’ve never even thought of modding a company car before, what a stupid idea. But I really like this truck, and my 5 y/o (who is going to lose his shit when he gets a white hot wheels ranger from Santa), is just old enough that this has got him off the bloody iPad and out helping me “work on the Ranger”. That in itself is priceless.

So, the grill is going Wildtrak grey to match the graphics, the wheels, and rest of the Wildtrak grey parts. plus it’s then getting the black 3d “Ranger” stickers put on after paint.

Maybe after the graphics, I’ll look at it and realise you guys were right, and change all the grey to black, hell, it wouldn’t be the first time on a car I’ve had to do that. But let’s see how this all comes together first.

And then let my son make the call, because he loves the black grill too ?

And if you’re wondering what the truck would’ve looked like if it was mine, with no restrictions on a build, here’s a pic of one of my bikes, an almost all carbon fibre (bar wheels, we have pot holes here) Ducati. I miss this one.

So imagine a white Ranger, with as many parts as possible, custom made out of black carbon fibre. All the alloy parts anodised red. With a black suede interior, red stitching, obscene, flame throwing exhaust, and you’re kinda getting close.

Sweet bike!

 

[Venom_z89]

Welp got the ladder rack. I need to do some minor tweaks since the guy I got it off of built it for a second gen tacoma. I'll be shopping for a awning for it and building a on board water set up. Full overland set up won't work for me because we'll I'd still like to use it like a truck. A ladder rack makes more sense and I'll be able to haul metal and wood for other projects. Honest opinions please. My old man seems to think the ladder rack ruins is.

 

[onobeka]

Honest opinion: love the wheels, did you use the same tyres? If so, they look bigger, probably the offset …
The rack? To me it looks too utilitarian, non elegant and possibly dangerous given the front overhang. If you could find a way to take it off, put it back easily when needed, I would go that way. Driving around with a bunch of empty pipes … meh .

 

[9zero1790]

changed the oil, forgot to position the drain pan under the filter... pulled the filter off - and now my drive way is embarrassing. good thing no other car guys on my street or id have to hang my head in shame.
other thing i did is get pissed at the transmission. exited highway slowed to about 15 mph to turn in a steep driveway, turn in driveway and gently push the gas rpms go to 4k and it feels as if i had a manual trans with the clutch in. truck is all but stopped. the super intelligent transmission was in 4th gear, then hunted into 3rd which didnt help any. by that time i was about to roll backwards and had to push the brakes. thank fully no one behind me. got aggravated and slapped it into sport and pushed the down shift until i got satisfaction... yes i know tow haul and sport and tune etc. but really come on, that is annoying ! so i got annoyed with the ranger today, thats what i did lol.

 

[RedlyrsRevenge]

Installed my Barricade Rattler steps. All in all a very easy process. Loved that the Rangers have threaded holes for the steps from the factory.

Got to flex my electric ratchet and impact as well. So much faster than a hand tool. Also notice my fancy creeper. Only the most premium cardboard.

 

[Scott D]

Installed my Barricade Rattler steps. All in all a very easy process. Loved that the Rangers have threaded holes for the steps from the factory.

Got to flex my electric ratchet and impact as well. So much faster than a hand tool. Also notice my fancy creeper. Only the most premium cardboard.

You just made me remember the creeper that is slid in between the wall and my air compressor. I always reach for my cardboard, lol.

Very good looking steps, by the way.

 

[OFC Ranger]

Got a little more work done on the new under-seat brain box. Hope to have it finished by next weekend.

 

[onobeka]

That looks very neat!!!
Since I am mental paranoid with things catching fire … I would at least cover the top with an aluminium lid underneath the seat carpet. That would bring me some peace of mind. I would also cover the bottom(under) the plastic factory mold with aluminium tape, yet that is beyond legal paranoid .

 

[Glocker]

This pic is a repost, but I finished installing my Alamosa antenna today. I used the old antenna wire to draw the new antenna wire through the engine bay, tucked everything nice and neat out of the way, and then continued pulling the new antenna into the cab where I routed it out of the way to the radio. It's all done now! I also replaced the spring on the CD antenna with a black one. Small details make it look a little better.

Sponsored