What did you do to your Ranger today?

[HeatXfer]

I did a couple things to my Ranger today to improve its look and function. Thought I would share

This morning I had all the windows tinted. I had them add 5% tint to all the back windows to black it out and put 75% tint (ceramic to block UV) in the two front windows. I think it looks perfect. Oh, I also de badged the vinyl 4x4 sticker from the bed. Those things look so cheep to me.

Then after I got my truck back home, I installed my Bakflip MK4 bed cover.

A good day for me and my Ranger. What did you guys do to your Ranger today?

If you didn't already know, aftermarket tint percentages typically refer to Visible Light Transmission, and factory tint percentages usually refer to the percentage of light blocked: a 20% factory tint = 80% VLT; an aftermarket 75% tint usually means 75% Visible Light Transmission (VLT). When you add 75% tint to a factory tinted window with an assumed 20% factory tint the actual total VLT will be 60%. Cali law requires a minimum 70% VLT. Those front windows don't look too dark to me, but under the right circumstances (i.e. early mornings, late afternoons & evenings, cloudy weather) they can make it very hard to see the driver.

I'm new here and I'm not out to make enemies, but as a 2-wheel rider (40+yrs) and a driver in general, I don't like it when I can't see where a driver is looking or if they're distacted while they're eating, talking on their phone or texting. I've had more than a few close calls while commuting and just driving around where I had very little reaction time because I wasn't able see the tell-tale head/eye movement of a driver before they made a move. And yes: I scan for that whenever I'm in the saddle or behind the wheel. That much tint on the front widows is illegal in Cali. With that being said, It's only a $25 fine the first time coupled with a fix-it ticket, and chances are no cop is going to pull you over for it, but for me it's a pet peeve because it limits my situational awareness, makes it difficult to see what that driver might be planning and shortens my reaction times.

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[Crow_of_judgement]

Its with a heavy heart i must confess that I actually sold Shelly friday. She started having some pretty major electrical issues and I'm far from qualified to diagnose/ repair modern automotive electrical systems, plus she was such a nice truck I hated getting her muddy and using her to her full potential as a work truck, it was a great year with her.
The new to me work rig is a 2017 f150 with the 2.7

I'll likely continue to lurk here for a while as the f150 forums are all rather sad

 

[Tracy Bowman]

Nice Tracy, how many miles on the old tires? And you remind me, my battery also is getting old, I'll have to think about a new one (Dec 2019, over 4 yrs).

62,000mi on the Hankooks and, really, they don’t look bad.

 

[Buckbull]

"Installed" the ShurTrax traction aid which was a pain because it kills crawling around on my knees, even on the BedRug (plus I'm a special snowflake, so ya know ...).

I cut 6 braided cords and placed four up front and two in the back. If it moves any, I'll add two more to the rear.

I filled it with 3 gallons of RV antifreeze and then probably 28-32 gallons of water. Not really sure, just filled it slowly until it looked about three inches thick.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BV9MA2

gathered the stuff together on a lovely 36° afternoon, wrinkles mostly worked out overnight after leaving it inflated with air

precut lengths of braided cord and used the red funnel placed in their blue hose adapter to pour in the antifreeze. my slanted driveway and our poorly designed bed rake made the filler higher and allowed for a less sloppy fill job

their filler was a pain to thread on, but it works and comes with the basic kit (I didn't get their tie-down kit or super siphon), but the Super Siphon might be a time save come spring - it connects to the hose and creates a suction to empty the bladder

here it is filled and the material is pretty thick - I won't worry about puncturing it (they make a repair kit if you do) and I'll likely coat it with 303 Aerospace Protectant when I fold it away

tried to park level on the street to gauge how think it is, seems about right around 3 inches

I took out the gas can from the passenger front and snow chains from the driver front and made them even easier to reach. you know me, I love chains and if I see one flake, on they go! =p

Update: The Swingcases clear the bladder, phew! =)

I really like what you did with the chain box installed on the tool box. Did you just bolt them together or use some kind of connector that allows you to easily remove the chain box (eg. french cleat)?

 

[subquark]

The tire chain box is being held by some wide Velcro and it doesn't move around (plus I loosely looped one of the "soft loops" around the box handle). If I did off-roading, I don't imagine the Velcro alone would keep it in place, the chains weigh 8-10 pounds. Usually, those chains sit in the front of the bed with the chain's Velcro grabbing onto the BedRug plus a 2-inch wide Velcro strap through the tie-down.

I can't find the post now but I think @Grumpaw or @Fordup have a small axe fastened to the side of their SwingCase and it's a pretty nice looking setup (they're ready for the zombie apocalypse!). =D

 

[Jhbryaniv]

If you didn't already know, aftermarket tint percentages typically refer to Visible Light Transmission, and factory tint percentages usually refer to the percentage of light blocked: a 20% factory tint = 80% VLT; an aftermarket 75% tint usually means 75% Visible Light Transmission (VLT). When you add 75% tint to a factory tinted window with an assumed 20% factory tint the actual total VLT will be 60%. Cali law requires a minimum 70% VLT. Those front windows don't look too dark to me, but under the right circumstances (i.e. early mornings, late afternoons & evenings, cloudy weather) they can make it very hard to see the driver.

I'm new here and I'm not out to make enemies, but as a 2-wheel rider (40+yrs) and a driver in general, I don't like it when I can't see where a driver is looking or if they're distacted while they're eating, talking on their phone or texting. I've had more than a few close calls while commuting and just driving around where I had very little reaction time because I wasn't able see the tell-tale head/eye movement of a driver before they made a move. And yes: I scan for that whenever I'm in the saddle or behind the wheel. That much tint on the front widows is illegal in Cali. With that being said, It's only a $25 fine the first time coupled with a fix-it ticket, and chances are no cop is going to pull you over for it, but for me it's a pet peeve because it limits my situational awareness, makes it difficult to see what that driver might be planning and shortens my reaction times.

Now you have done it . . . LOL

As a regular vehicle driver, I find it annoying, and unsafe, when windows are tinted to much - and don't get me started on when they tint the windshield to black out . . .

I seriously dislike the majority of people, topping the list are those that tint windshield and those that travel off trail and than have the balls to complain when trails get closed.

 

[CapitanRanger]

2020 XLT from stock to now. Really on the fence about my new grill. I definitely wanted all black but gahhhhh the plastic quality is about 1/4 as strong as the grey lined stock one.

 

[Colo_Ranger]

The rear mount on the White Knuckle sliders did not work with the LRA tank on the driver's side. Today, I had a local shop weld the sliders on to the truck.

 

[leanit]

Too muddy to get much trapping done today, so I opened recent deliveries and stuck them on the Ranger I picked up three weeks ago.

1. Splash guards. Amazon. Easy choice as the muck splattering up the sides was silly. I know Ford sells a kit for a lot more money, but I can't see how it would be superior to this one.
   
   
2. Seat covers from CarCoverPlanet. Waterproof neoprene, which is perfect for rainy work days or muddy mountain biking. I've used them in my Nissans for years and they're great. Front seats only, as the dog already has a cover in the back to keep her off the leather.
   .
3. Worked out a mountain bikes mount. Rocky Mounts sells a Ranger mounting system that doesn't quite fit. I'm a huge fan of RockyMounts and I have several of thier bike mounts that fit the old UniliTrack system in my Frontiers, but the Ranger has no such feature. I ordered the Ranger kit from Rocky Mounts, and discovered that the brackets intended to replace the forward tie-down loops were the right size, but the wrong orientation. I located some other holes, cut the track and bit, and it's good to go.
   
   
4. My Weatherguard tool chest used to mount to floor tracks in the Nissan, and I'm not excited to drill holes in the bed for it. So far I've just stuck it down with crazy industrial magnets. The chest is aluminum, so the magnets inside work prety well. Nearly impossible to move it. Unlikely somebody would think it wasn't bolted, yet easy in/out if I need to haul a motorcycle or other large items. Screwed in a couple tie-down eyes behind the wheel wells.
   
   
   
   
   

 

[pismo1]

Installed some L track as well. Still waiting on my other toolbox. Mine arrived from Ford with a broken hinge and had to send one back.

Does the L-Track come with the mounting screws/hardware?

 

[subquark]

Too muddy to get much trapping done today, so I opened recent deliveries and stuck them on the Ranger I picked up three weeks ago.

1. Splash guards. Amazon. Easy choice as the muck splattering up the sides was silly. I know Ford sells a kit for a lot more money, but I can't see how it would be superior to this one.
   
   
2. Seat covers from CarCoverPlanet. Waterproof neoprene, which is perfect for rainy work days or muddy mountain biking. I've used them in my Nissans for years and they're great. Front seats only, as the dog already has a cover in the back to keep her off the leather.
   .
3. Worked out a mountain bikes mount. Rocky Mounts sells a Ranger mounting system that doesn't quite fit. I'm a huge fan of RockyMounts and I have several of thier bike mounts that fit the old UniliTrack system in my Frontiers, but the Ranger has no such feature. I ordered the Ranger kit from Rocky Mounts, and discovered that the brackets intended to replace the forward tie-down loops were the right size, but the wrong orientation. I located some other holes, cut the track and bit, and it's good to go.
   
   
4. My Weatherguard tool chest used to mount to floor tracks in the Nissan, and I'm not excited to drill holes in the bed for it. So far I've just stuck it down with crazy industrial magnets. The chest is aluminum, so the magnets inside work prety well. Nearly impossible to move it. Unlikely somebody would think it wasn't bolted, yet easy in/out if I need to haul a motorcycle or other large items. Screwed in a couple tie-down eyes behind the wheel wells.
   
   
   
   
   

Love your Weather Guard box!

 

[subquark]

Does the L-Track come with the mounting screws/hardware?

And did you shim between the plastic rail cap and bed sheet metal? I know that mine has a gap of varying thickness all along the inside of that cap ... =(

 

[Granger]

Installed grille lights. Even with trim removal tools I managed to lose one clip and break two other clips. Anyone have suggestions to replace them?

 

[Bob902]

Installed grille lights. Even with trim removal tools I managed to lose one clip and break two other clips. Anyone have suggestions to replace them?

Engine Air Intake Clip. Ford part W713610-S300. I have a bag of them. Also used them to replace the funky clips on the inner fender liner to get to the oil filter.

 

[LawnMM]

Before the Yeti's facelift

Facelift underway, factory bumper off

Checking hole size for parking sensors

Snapped in after cutting the housing keyways in the test template with the trusty Dremel

End of day 1, test fitting, head scratching about ACC mounting you name it

Back after it, this was towards the end of day 2

Success, it's hung ? by the second afternoon

Nothing torqued yet

Starting to take shape though

Day 3, it's basically done. It's on, torqued, parking sensors work and passed their test.

Wasn't thrilled with my ACC mounting solution so that got reworked today. I need $8 of hardware from the Depot tomorrow and then minutes and it'll be done done.

Also have some shackle mounts coming tomorrow so I'll try and put those and the shackles on for the final photos ?

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