What did you do to your Ranger today?

[AzScorpion]

303 graphene to be exact. @AzScorpion is the spokesperson.

Who me? Whatever gave you that impression Brandon. ?

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[Sariandan]

I installed my Putco Blade LED Tailgate Light bar. Even though I bought the one with the "Plug and Play" wire harness, it still took me most of the day. And here are the reasons why it took so long.

1) The instructions (if you want to call them that) did not include any useful information for using the wire harness. I had to use my Google-Fu to find something that even looked like instructions. Fortunately, Putco has a forum and has better instructions https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Vyi...ew?usp=sharing

Even these are not very good.

2) I proceeded to install the harness first, I quickly found out that both sides of the Ranger has to be connect via the harness. Since it was just me, I checked using the hazard lights. Everything looked good so I mounted the bar.

3) Some had concerns about the bar getting pinched from the tailgate in the down position. This is not an issue as long as the light bar is mounted above the license plate holder.

4) I had the wife help me by going through the brakes, turn signals, hazards, and reverse. Everything seemed to be fine. Here is the video for the test.



5) Well if you did not notice, everything worked correctly but the turn signals. When selecting the left turn signal, the right signal on the Putco Blade would blink. Same thing for the other side. I reviewed the horrible instructions again and there is nothing that I could see that I did incorrectly.

6) So back to using my google-fu, and found nothing related to the issue I was having. So I did something that I hate doing, I took all of the wiring harness off, which meant cutting tie-wraps and pulling the harness from my vehicle.

7) When this was done, I reconnected the harness and the same thing. So, I switched ends of the harness and everything worked. I looked at the harness and did not find anything that would signify what side would connect to what side of the truck. Again, the instructions provided by Putco totally SUCKS.

8) Once this issue was corrected, I began to tidy up the harness and wires. Here is the video of it working:



I would say that once the harness was figured out, the install is really easy. I like the light bar and would recommend this to anyone with a day to kill. Otherwise, wait for Putco to actually write some instructions that are worth more than a crap.

Your videos aren't showing up for me. So, no markings at all on the harness to delineate left and right? I was thinking of getting one of these. I guess it's just a matter of testing turn signals, rather than hazard lights, prior to mounting. It'd be the same way for me, I'm usually my one man mod person. I'm the guy hoping the emergency brake holds while the truck is in reverse, so I can see if my lights are working.

 

[AzScorpion]

I started cleaning out the bed of my Ranger to get ready to load everything up later this week for our trip. There's so much dust out here (plus going off road) it was nasty and as you can see it was way overdue.

I did find out one thing though. I always felt even with my tune my Ranger was a little slow and sluggish and I finally found out why. I had reused my old rubber bed mat from my last truck. Took it out and went for a spin and she now screams again!??

 

[JACKSMYDOG]

I sold my FX4 skid plates today, and finally installed my Shrockworks Skid Plates, which are AWSOME! Very heavy plate, pretty clean welds, and very nice powder coating.

 

[JACKSMYDOG]

I installed my Putco Blade LED Tailgate Light bar. Even though I bought the one with the "Plug and Play" wire harness, it still took me most of the day. And here are the reasons why it took so long.

1) The instructions (if you want to call them that) did not include any useful information for using the wire harness. I had to use my Google-Fu to find something that even looked like instructions. Fortunately, Putco has a forum and has better instructions https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Vyi...ew?usp=sharing

Even these are not very good.

2) I proceeded to install the harness first, I quickly found out that both sides of the Ranger has to be connect via the harness. Since it was just me, I checked using the hazard lights. Everything looked good so I mounted the bar.

3) Some had concerns about the bar getting pinched from the tailgate in the down position. This is not an issue as long as the light bar is mounted above the license plate holder.

4) I had the wife help me by going through the brakes, turn signals, hazards, and reverse. Everything seemed to be fine.

5) Well if you did not notice, everything worked correctly but the turn signals. When selecting the left turn signal, the right signal on the Putco Blade would blink. Same thing for the other side. I reviewed the horrible instructions again and there is nothing that I could see that I did incorrectly.

6) So back to using my google-fu, and found nothing related to the issue I was having. So I did something that I hate doing, I took all of the wiring harness off, which meant cutting tie-wraps and pulling the harness from my vehicle.

7) When this was done, I reconnected the harness and the same thing. So, I switched ends of the harness and everything worked. I looked at the harness and did not find anything that would signify what side would connect to what side of the truck. Again, the instructions provided by Putco totally SUCKS.

8) Once this issue was corrected, I began to tidy up the harness and wires.

I would say that once the harness was figured out, the install is really easy. I like the light bar and would recommend this to anyone with a day to kill. Otherwise, wait for Putco to actually write some instructions that are worth more than a crap.

I will have to edit the videos as they are too large to upload.

Nice to know it does work in the end, but decent instructions would be nice, especially from such a spendy light bar. Mine is scheduled for delivery tomorrow, great timing for you post to make my install easier

 

[BettaRanga]

I installed the OEM splash guards. So why do they give you two T25 screws for the front?

They also show to throw away the original screws, which I didn't realize until I saw the new screws. I had already reused the originals. There isn't any lock compound on them, so I dunno why I'd use them. Maybe the fenders will fall off, but it all seems tight and properly torqued.

These look good! Debating adding them myself.

 

[lawrench]

Your videos aren't showing up for me. So, no markings at all on the harness to delineate left and right? I was thinking of getting one of these. I guess it's just a matter of testing turn signals, rather than hazard lights, prior to mounting. It'd be the same way for me, I'm usually my one man mod person. I'm the guy hoping the emergency brake holds while the truck is in reverse, so I can see if my lights are working.

Yeah, Google drive sucks. But I have to heavily modify the videos to get them uploaded as I recorded them in 4k (I just used the defaults on my camera) and I then tried to reduce the size and they are still too large.

The problem that I have is that I do not have a car lift in my garage (That is like me to never think ahead to the one time I would need a car lift) so I am getting up and down on a creeper, and trying to get to the places to connect to the wiring harness.

Yeah, it sucked having to take it apart to flip the harness, but it could have been worse and not work at all.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Very true, next vehicle for me won’t be black. But it sure shines well like you said haha. Graphene helps a bit with the shine sticking even with a bit of dirt and dust. Here’s after a few months and right after a desert trip. Still got some sort of shine and reflectiveness from afar

Hey Brandon - your truck looks great, even when it’s dirty. I finally tried out the 303 Graphene Detail Spray we talked about. So far, I love it.

First, I gave my truck a thorough scrub down. Then came the 303. As with other detail sprays I’ve used (Meguiar’s, Mother’s), I sprayed it directly onto my truck - rookie mistake - didn’t read the directions! The overspray dried in the air and it looked like it was snowing (Dave’s doubled over laughing at me right now). Had a look at the fine print and sprayed it onto a micro-fibre cloth and then applied it, let it haze and buffed.

Unlike other detailers that you spray and wipe until things shine, you need to let this haze up a bit, then buff with a new micro-fibre cloth. It doesn’t haze up white but looks more like a window that isn’t quite clean. After buffing, that disappears and leaves a great shine.

I even put it on my flares, door handles, mirrors, and any other plastic bits.

Now, here’s the real testimonial….

At the cottage, robins tend to roost on my side mirrors and crap down the doors of my truck (hate robins), leaving big, thick, white crap lines. With the 303 applied, their crap slides right down the door with only a trace of residue. Anything that can repel water, I like. Anything that repels dirt, is a bonus. Something that repels bird crap, is gold!

Now that it all runs down the door instead of sticking to it, I need to start putting 303 Graphene Detail Spray on my side steps because it now piles up there. ?

Hey @Wytchdctr , this stuff is worth checking out.

 

[AzScorpion]

Hey Brandon - your truck looks great, even when it’s dirty. I finally tried out the 303 Graphene Detail Spray we talked about. So far, I love it.

First, I gave my truck a thorough scrub down. Then came the 303. As with other detail sprays I’ve used (Meguiar’s, Mother’s), I sprayed it directly onto my truck - rookie mistake - didn’t read the directions! The overspray dried in the air and it looked like it was snowing (Dave’s doubled over laughing at me right now). Had a look at the fine print and sprayed it onto a micro-fibre cloth and then applied it, let it haze and buffed.

Unlike other detailers that you spray and wipe until things shine, you need to let this haze up a bit, then buff with a new micro-fibre cloth. It doesn’t haze up white but looks more like a window that isn’t quite clean. After buffing, that disappears and leaves a great shine.

I even put it on my flares, door handles, mirrors, and any other plastic bits.

Now, here’s the real testimonial….

At the cottage, robins tend to roost on my side mirrors and crap down the doors of my truck (hate robins), leaving big, thick, white crap lines. With the 303 applied, their crap slides right down the door with only a trace of residue. Anything that can repel water, I like. Anything that repels dirt, is a bonus. Something that repels bird crap, is gold!

Now that it all runs down the door instead of sticking to it, I need to start putting 303 Graphene Detail Spray on my side steps because it now piles up there. ?

Hey @Wytchdctr , this stuff is worth checking out.

Your Ranger looks great Duke! ? The Graphene really makes dark colors pop unlike on a white one like my old Jeep. I hit mine with the Graphene Detailer about once a month and it keeps it nice and glossy and super slick. That bird poop should just keep sliding right off!? I only laughed a little....Honestly.?

 

[dondonbabyraptor]

Hey Brandon - your truck looks great, even when it’s dirty. I finally tried out the 303 Graphene Detail Spray we talked about. So far, I love it.

First, I gave my truck a thorough scrub down. Then came the 303. As with other detail sprays I’ve used (Meguiar’s, Mother’s), I sprayed it directly onto my truck - rookie mistake - didn’t read the directions! The overspray dried in the air and it looked like it was snowing (Dave’s doubled over laughing at me right now). Had a look at the fine print and sprayed it onto a micro-fibre cloth and then applied it, let it haze and buffed.

Unlike other detailers that you spray and wipe until things shine, you need to let this haze up a bit, then buff with a new micro-fibre cloth. It doesn’t haze up white but looks more like a window that isn’t quite clean. After buffing, that disappears and leaves a great shine.

I even put it on my flares, door handles, mirrors, and any other plastic bits.

Now, here’s the real testimonial….

At the cottage, robins tend to roost on my side mirrors and crap down the doors of my truck (hate robins), leaving big, thick, white crap lines. With the 303 applied, their crap slides right down the door with only a trace of residue. Anything that can repel water, I like. Anything that repels dirt, is a bonus. Something that repels bird crap, is gold!

Now that it all runs down the door instead of sticking to it, I need to start putting 303 Graphene Detail Spray on my side steps because it now piles up there. ?

Hey @Wytchdctr , this stuff is worth checking out.

Howdy Duke! That is so awesome to hear about the 303. And honestly, that shines up way better than what I got going on. Maybe its the beautiful blue water you have reflecting though, a true blessing.

I totally understand you about it drying in the air and looking like snow once it falls down into little specks on the truck. Trial and error, we learn I will have to pick up one of those 303 detailer sprays. Great testimonial with the bird poop Shoot, those steps are looking shiny already, some 303 and they'll blind like the rest of your truck

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Thanks Dave - I like the finish so much, I’ll be doing the same with my black Passat one night this week. Two black vehicles? Glutton for punishment, I know.

 

[9zero1790]

since the 5gr ranger is parked waiting on repairs i decided i would clean up the 4 g ranger. the clear coat has pretty much given up the fight but still managed to get a little shine out of it. now if i could get rid of all the hail dents, faded peeling decals and trim it would not look too bad.

 

[Bob902]

Hey Brandon - your truck looks great, even when it’s dirty. I finally tried out the 303 Graphene Detail Spray we talked about. So far, I love it.

First, I gave my truck a thorough scrub down. Then came the 303. As with other detail sprays I’ve used (Meguiar’s, Mother’s), I sprayed it directly onto my truck - rookie mistake - didn’t read the directions! The overspray dried in the air and it looked like it was snowing (Dave’s doubled over laughing at me right now). Had a look at the fine print and sprayed it onto a micro-fibre cloth and then applied it, let it haze and buffed.

Unlike other detailers that you spray and wipe until things shine, you need to let this haze up a bit, then buff with a new micro-fibre cloth. It doesn’t haze up white but looks more like a window that isn’t quite clean. After buffing, that disappears and leaves a great shine.

I even put it on my flares, door handles, mirrors, and any other plastic bits.

Now, here’s the real testimonial….

At the cottage, robins tend to roost on my side mirrors and crap down the doors of my truck (hate robins), leaving big, thick, white crap lines. With the 303 applied, their crap slides right down the door with only a trace of residue. Anything that can repel water, I like. Anything that repels dirt, is a bonus. Something that repels bird crap, is gold!

Now that it all runs down the door instead of sticking to it, I need to start putting 303 Graphene Detail Spray on my side steps because it now piles up there. ?

Hey @Wytchdctr , this stuff is worth checking out.

Heck, I even put it on my windows.

 

[AzScorpion]

I even put it on my windows.

I do too plus all the plastic and headlights. Heck, I love it so much I bathe in it! ?

 

[subquark]

These look good! Debating adding them myself.

I also think they look nice and they blend in really well.

But I'm not sure how well they'll work, they seem small. I'll post more as soon as I get in some mud. Winter will be a really good test with all the road grime and salt (or beet juice which works really well but has a bit of a funky smell).

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