What did you do to your Ranger today?

[AzScorpion]

This past Monday was my 2 week mark for ownership. But I can already see that this Ranger thing is getting addictive.

Already ordered and installed:
1. Ford bed mat.
2. Ford tailgate protector.

Ordered but not here yet:
1. Hood struts - from Redline Tuning
2. Cargo tie downs - for the middle spots in the bed. Went with the Ford parts. Can't help it. Like knowing they'll be rated for 660#'s as are the others. But as many here have said, that price just seems a bit extreme.

I will NOT be mentioning "overpriced" about the cargo tie downs to the Warden! She'll be asking if I spent $80 with some outfit called Levittown as she's paying bills and reviewing the credit card statement. On the other hand, I've got bigger issues coming with the Warden. Once she looks she'll see that I ordered hood struts and cargo tie downs... on the same day. "Did you also order something from Redline Tuning?" Mostly likely I'll be getting a bit of a talking to about my over the top truck infatuation.

Next? No clue..... yet.

Well, at least we'll all know where you are when you're not around next week.

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[AzScorpion]

had a shop do my fluid swap today. Trans fluid good, tcase good, front diff good, rear diff was milky shitty. 50k miles original fluid. Seems a common issue. Shop recommended 30k interval for next

I did my Dif fluids at 25K and they said it was nasty. I'd advise others to seriously change out your fluids way before the recommended mileage.

 

[Peragrin]

I swear to God that graphene has made a big difference on my truck. And I've only done it once!

It seems to keep it cleaner, make it easier to let just soap and water take off dirt, and I swear that it seems like snow doesn't stick to it as much!

Being someone who doesn't do waxing (and hasn't since the early 1980s), I'm actually looking forward to the first spring day that I can do a second graphene coat.

For all the crap I give @AzScorpion, I gotta say that graphene is pretty awesome (even though I really like the damper too, I can't make it publicly known that I like it as much as I do - I have a thrashy rep to keep!).

Is that Soupie going to the dump again? And it's not even sunny out!

fine soupie you sold me. that first day of actual spring(unlike the 30" of snow I got yesterday in NH) I will stop by and you can coat up both Trucks at once. Red and Blue for the USA.

 

[subquark]

fine soupie you sold me. that first day of actual spring(unlike the 30" of snow I got yesterday in NH) I will stop by and you can coat up both Trucks at once. Red and Blue for the USA.

I like it!

Well, for me, I watched loads of detailing videos and the clay bar and ceramic stuff was more effort than I wanted (but amazing results).

To me, graphene is like the modern wax. Rub it on, let it glaze (about 2 minutes), then buff it off. And far easier to buff than the old wax days.

But be thin with the coat (Kate used two-thirds of a bottle!) and spray directly into your microfiber. I like using microfiber sponges and basically touch the nozzle to it, a little angled, and give it one spray. For the Ranger I'd say I used 20% or less of the bottle.

If you don't hold it close when spraying, it'll make little dark spots all over the place (much to Kate's chagrin on her pearl white car!).

Red & Blue for the Win!

Dang, I got to look up your posts and see what you're towing, we'd love to get a trailer for summer fun!

https://www.amazon.com/Chemical-Guy...plicators/dp/B00BTGSGFK/ref=asc_df_B00BTGSGFK

 

[Peragrin]

I like it!

Well, for me, I watched loads of detailing videos and the clay bar and ceramic stuff was more effort than I wanted (but amazing results).

To me, graphene is like the modern wax. Rub it on, let it glaze (about 2 minutes), then buff it off. And far easier to buff than the old wax days.

But be thin with the coat (Kate used two-thirds of a bottle!) and spray directly into your microfiber. I like using microfiber sponges and basically touch the nozzle to it, a little angled, and give it one spray. For the Ranger I'd say I used 20% or less of the bottle.

If you don't hold it close when spraying, it'll make little dark spots all over the place (much to Kate's chagrin on her pearl white car!).

Red & Blue for the Win!

Dang, I got to look up your posts and see what you're towing, we'd love to get a trailer for summer fun!

https://www.amazon.com/Chemical-Guy...plicators/dp/B00BTGSGFK/ref=asc_df_B00BTGSGFK

I tow a Rockwood Roo 233S hybrid. so 3 fold out "canvas" covered queen size beds. a a slide out dinette. Perfect for 2 boys the wife and myself.

So far we have booked Seven maples in May, Cold Springs in June, Hinsdale in July, Christmas lantern at the end of July, French Pod in August, and Woodmore in Sept for early trick or treating fun.

We like taking the boys to different places. FIL is at Cold SPrings, Woodmore is 5 miles from home, Christmas lantern will also include a day at Santa's village. Future years will include longer drives, but the age range means we like ot keep the drives to 3 hours or less.

 

[subquark]

I tow a Rockwood Roo 233S hybrid. so 3 fold out "canvas" covered queen size beds. a a slide out dinette. Perfect for 2 boys the wife and myself.

So far we have booked Seven maples in May, Cold Springs in June, Hinsdale in July, Christmas lantern at the end of July, French Pod in August, and Woodmore in Sept for early trick or treating fun.

We like taking the boys to different places. FIL is at Cold SPrings, Woodmore is 5 miles from home, Christmas lantern will also include a day at Santa's village. Future years will include longer drives, but the age range means we like ot keep the drives to 3 hours or less.

That sounds so awesome - both the trailer and the wonderful family trips. What a great thing to experience and so important for kids to get out and see it's a bigger world.

Three hours may not sound like a lot, but, as you know, it can be a really different experience from the local same-old, same-old. =)

Post pics so I can live variously until we get something (just me and Kate and, of course, our little Cheech!).

PS - great looking trailer with oodles of sleeping capacity, I assume the jack knife sofa's big enough for kids too. =)

 

[Friday yet?]

I like it!

Well, for me, I watched loads of detailing videos and the clay bar and ceramic stuff was more effort than I wanted (but amazing results).

To me, graphene is like the modern wax. Rub it on, let it glaze (about 2 minutes), then buff it off. And far easier to buff than the old wax days.

But be thin with the coat (Kate used two-thirds of a bottle!) and spray directly into your microfiber. I like using microfiber sponges and basically touch the nozzle to it, a little angled, and give it one spray. For the Ranger I'd say I used 20% or less of the bottle.

If you don't hold it close when spraying, it'll make little dark spots all over the place (much to Kate's chagrin on her pearl white car!).

Red & Blue for the Win!

Dang, I got to look up your posts and see what you're towing, we'd love to get a trailer for summer fun!

https://www.amazon.com/Chemical-Guy...plicators/dp/B00BTGSGFK/ref=asc_df_B00BTGSGFK

Please post the link for the graphene product you are talking about.

Thx!

 

[AzScorpion]

Please post the link for the graphene product you are talking about.

Thx!

They also have a bundle kit which works out to be a lot cheaper.

https://www.goldeagle.com/product/303-graphene-nano-spray-coating/

https://www.goldeagle.com/product/303-graphene-holiday-bundle/

 

[subquark]

Please post the link for the graphene product you are talking about.

Thx!

Phew, beat @AzScorpion to this. So I use 303 brand Graphene and order it direct from them (and it's also available on Amazon):

https://www.goldeagle.com/product/303-graphene-nano-spray-coating/

I have yet to use the "detailer" that you can also get and I don't quite understand why I would and not simply do another graphene application:

https://www.goldeagle.com/product/303-graphene-detailer/

They have another product I use on plastic trim and tonneau (and mainly for our infaltable kayaks):

https://www.goldeagle.com/product/303-aerospace-protectant/

Now @AzScorpion will likely pipe in with more detailed explanations and other products he likes.

For me, I like simple. I use Mr. Pink for the soap cannon, do a bucket wash (kind of half-assed), then rinse, dry it (again half-assed), then graphene. You can put graphene over water drops without an issue.

And I end up super shiny!

Edit: Bah! @AzScorpion answered while I was typing ... =(

 

[underwhelmed]

And I end up super shiny!

Edit: Bah! @AzScorpion answered while I was typing ... =(

I'm looking for running boards or drop steps. What steps are on your truck?

 

[subquark]

I'm looking for running boards or drop steps. What steps are on your truck?

I was looking for the lowest ones because I'm short and my wife has a bum leg from cancer.

These seemed pretty good but I now think pretty much any step or running board would have worked nearly as well.

I do like them and would choose them again (maybe not stainless - $569.99).

HDX stainless drop nerf step bars $774.99
https://www.westinautomotive.com/hdx-stainless-drop-nerf-step-bars/2022/ford/ranger

 

[underwhelmed]

I do like them and would choose them again (maybe not stainless - $569.99).

Thanks. I have been looking at the $569.99 Black HDX set. Realtruk has a rebate going on them right now and I tempted to pull the trigger. I was hoping for something with a little less drop, but these come up in all my searches.

 

[subquark]

Thanks. I have been looking at the $569.99 Black HDX set. Realtruk has a rebate going on them right now and I tempted to pull the trigger. I was hoping for something with a little less drop, but these come up in all my searches.

They have a nice chunkyness to them and look commercial duty. I like that. If you need any measurements or more pics, let me know. It's a big decision.

 

[R_Willis]

The other day: (Line-X Premium)

And today: ($100 fb marketplace score)

 

[Friday yet?]

Phew, beat @AzScorpion to this. So I use 303 brand Graphene and order it direct from them (and it's also available on Amazon):

https://www.goldeagle.com/product/303-graphene-nano-spray-coating/

I have yet to use the "detailer" that you can also get and I don't quite understand why I would and not simply do another graphene application:

https://www.goldeagle.com/product/303-graphene-detailer/

They have another product I use on plastic trim and tonneau (and mainly for our infaltable kayaks):

https://www.goldeagle.com/product/303-aerospace-protectant/

Now @AzScorpion will likely pipe in with more detailed explanations and other products he likes.

For me, I like simple. I use Mr. Pink for the soap cannon, do a bucket wash (kind of half-assed), then rinse, dry it (again half-assed), then graphene. You can put graphene over water drops without an issue.

And I end up super shiny!

Edit: Bah! @AzScorpion answered while I was typing ... =(

Thanks! You and I think alike with the half assed washing technique! As such will have to check these products out.

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