What did you do to your Ranger today?

[Chris M]

Got the windows tinted. The ceramic does make quite a difference when parked in the sun. Doing the windshield is pushing it as far as getting hassled, but a limo strip across the top is common aorund here and makes the interior feel cockpit-like in a way because of the narrowed view. I may go back and do a tint across the whole windshield though.

And due to the proliferation of devices I jumped on the bulletpoint bandwagon. Expensive but slick looking. I think I need a power point now though as I hid the wires only for them come out at the bottom and clog up all the USB/12V outlets. They just came out with radar detector mounts too and there is a sale on R7s.

I've had my windshield "tinted" in both 5G Rangers. The tint is minimal to the point you can't really tell it's there, but the UV and heat/glare protection is quite noticeable.

Do it...
?

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[MountainGoat]

I've had my windshield "tinted" in both 5G Rangers. The tint is minimal to the point you can't really tell it's there, but the UV and heat/glare protection is quite noticeable.

Do it...
?

What level? 35% or more?

 

[Chris M]

What level? 35% or more?

All my side glass and rear is about 35%. Windshield is about 70%-ish, maybe 80? (That's how much light is allowed in, if I understand it rightly). In any case, it's nearly clear and easy to see through.

 

[MountainGoat]

All my side glass and rear is about 35%. Windshield is about 70%-ish, maybe 80? (That's how much light is allowed in, if I understand it rightly). In any case, it's nearly clear and easy to see through.

70% looks fine, I think I will go back and have him throw that on.

Unless I had one of these. It'd be amusing to say "Officer let me tell you about the pigment of my retinas" as he thinks he's writing me a ticket.

 

[Chris M]

70% looks fine, I think I will go back and have him throw that on.

Unless I had one of these. It'd be amusing to say "Officer let me tell you about the pigment of my retinas" as he thinks he's writing me a ticket.

Here in AZ the officers don't seem to give tinting too much notice unless you go full limo tint all around or have something else going on with your car.
Ask your tinter to show you options for the windshield that'll look nearly clear but resist UV and heat. He will have something that won't draw attention, I'm sure.

 

[AzScorpion]

All my side glass and rear is about 35%. Windshield is about 70%-ish, maybe 80? (That's how much light is allowed in, if I understand it rightly). In any case, it's nearly clear and easy to see through.

I did mine at 20% all around and a visor strip and have yet to get hassled. It is totally illegal to have your windshield tinted unless you have a get out of jail free card like Mountaingoat. ? It is harder so see out of at night through the front two window and I see so many around AZ with limo tint I don't know how they can see a thing. Hopefully they don't bother me here in AR for the front two.

 

[OrangeStreak]

I did mine at 20% all around and a visor strip and have yet to get hassled. It is totally illegal to have your windshield tinted unless you have a get out of jail free card like Mountaingoat. ? It is harder so see out of at night through the front two window and I see so many around AZ with limo tint I don't know how they can see a thing. Hopefully they don't bother me here in AR for the front two.

I got exactly the same as yours. 20% all around with the 5" strip on the windshield. This is what our state law requires but don't know if law enforcement follows up on that. I've always had problems with night vision so figured this would be safest anyway even though I like the look of a darkened windshield. Also easier to see if its storming or during a black out.

 

[Grumpaw]

Freebie 5000 mile tire rotation and balance check at Discount Tire....gotta luv em !!!

 

[airline tech]

Took truck to the Dealer for 3rd visit regarding my uncomfortable Driver's seat,
1st Trip - Nothing Wrong with it (Jan 2024)
2nd Trip - Found Seat Cushion & Cover - Broken Down and worn, replaced - Warranty
I pushed very hard to get the seat base or seat itself replaced. (No-Help - Only Cushion & Cover)
3rd Trip - (6 Days) after Cushion & Cover Replacement, again found Cushion Broken Down and Foam splitting apart.
No standout defects on the seat base or spring mat assembly noted, other than within 2 days the cushion broke down after replacement.

So, the bottom line it's not just me, something in the design of the seat base (Track Assembly) is not right, spring mat is secure and not broken, it does appear to drop lower than the passenger side when you sit in it.
This has been this way since day (1) of ownership and I drove off the lot with 25 miles on the OD.

Resolution now is to replace the Seat Base (Track Assembly) the Cushion (again) and the Heater Mat (Parts on Order - Warranty) as they have no other option or explanation as to how a cushion that is 6 days old looks like it's years old. Something is off in the Support of the cushion and rather than throw parts or theories at it, this is the most logical path to follow, other than full seat replacement.


While at the Dealer, I got a chance to sit in a 2021 Lariat, so a same exact seat to seat comparison on what I SHOULD be feeling - NIGHT & DAY Difference noted within a few seconds of sitting in that driver's seat as of this point, I have only had a (XLT) for a comparison (sit) same basic seat design and even that was a huge noted difference.

Something is off in the mounting or spring mat assembly allowing it to sag lower than it normally should. (it came from the factory this way)

Thoughts are one of the following
1. Springs were slightly stretched at install (MFG Process)
2. The forward attach points are not pulled forward far enough to create the proper spring tension on the Spring Mat Assy. (MFG Process)

I had looked into and attempted to move the Front Seat Pan (Forward) - No Adjustment found, possibly could move and redrill some holes to tighten it up - Would Void Warranty Though if I resulted to this measure.

The Rear Mounts - Clips - Just rest on the bar and rotate freely, the forward mount points actually provide the tension

I have done a considerable amount of research on what to do or could be done if the dealer did not FINALLY agree, there was an unseen and unknown specific issue here.

The F-150 - you can google seat spring mat assembly and find multiple sources for replacement mats - not so for the Ranger, they look similar, but I think the F-150 is a wider mat.

The Ranger Spring Mat Assy, P/N on the Ranger does not come up in any searches, taken off the Mat Assy (installed) - so it appears the only way to get it is to replace the whole seat base assembly ($850.00)
That P/N is: JU5A-9663120-B
The F-150 Part Number is: JU5Z-9663120-A
The possible P/N for the Ranger Mat is: JU5Z-9663120-B, as the JU5Z (Z) = Parts source (department code) but have yet to confirm if that is a valid part number to fit the Ranger seats as there is not an available pic of that specific part number.
Side by side views of the F-150 & Ranger (Mats) show a physical difference in design

The Transit has a TSB - That replaces the Spring Mat, Cushion and also adds Webbing (Cargo Strap) and interweaves it between the support bars and spring mat assy to give the spring mat extra support, so this was an alternate plan (for solution) to my issue and that was to use the basic procedure outlined in that TSB and use it on my seat. (But this is a typical band-aid solution) which I did not really want to do.

Ebay pic of the Ranger Driver's Seat Base assembly.

 

[RedDakooter05]

Took truck to the Dealer for 3rd visit regarding my uncomfortable Driver's seat,
1st Trip - Nothing Wrong with it (Jan 2024)
2nd Trip - Found Seat Cushion & Cover - Broken Down and worn, replaced - Warranty
I pushed very hard to get the seat base or seat itself replaced. (No-Help - Only Cushion & Cover)
3rd Trip - (6 Days) after Cushion & Cover Replacement, again found Cushion Broken Down and Foam splitting apart.
No standout defects on the seat base or spring mat assembly noted, other than within 2 days the cushion broke down after replacement.

So, the bottom line it's not just me, something in the design of the seat base (Track Assembly) is not right, spring mat is secure and not broken, it does appear to drop lower than the passenger side when you sit in it.
This has been this way since day (1) of ownership and I drove off the lot with 25 miles on the OD.

Resolution now is to replace the Seat Base (Track Assembly) the Cushion (again) and the Heater Mat (Parts on Order - Warranty) as they have no other option or explanation as to how a cushion that is 6 days old looks like it's years old. Something is off in the Support of the cushion and rather than throw parts or theories at it, this is the most logical path to follow, other than full seat replacement.


While at the Dealer, I got a chance to sit in a 2021 Lariat, so a same exact seat to seat comparison on what I SHOULD be feeling - NIGHT & DAY Difference noted within a few seconds of sitting in that driver's seat as of this point, I have only had a (XLT) for a comparison (sit) same basic seat design and even that was a huge noted difference.

Something is off in the mounting or spring mat assembly allowing it to sag lower than it normally should. (it came from the factory this way)

Thoughts are one of the following
1. Springs were slightly stretched at install (MFG Process)
2. The forward attach points are not pulled forward far enough to create the proper spring tension on the Spring Mat Assy. (MFG Process)

I had looked into and attempted to move the Front Seat Pan (Forward) - No Adjustment found, possibly could move and redrill some holes to tighten it up - Would Void Warranty Though if I resulted to this measure.

The Rear Mounts - Clips - Just rest on the bar and rotate freely, the forward mount points actually provide the tension

I have done a considerable amount of research on what to do or could be done if the dealer did not FINALLY agree, there was an unseen and unknown specific issue here.

The F-150 - you can google seat spring mat assembly and find multiple sources for replacement mats - not so for the Ranger, they look similar, but I think the F-150 is a wider mat.

The Ranger Spring Mat Assy, P/N on the Ranger does not come up in any searches, taken off the Mat Assy (installed) - so it appears the only way to get it is to replace the whole seat base assembly ($850.00)
That P/N is: JU5A-9663120-B
The F-150 Part Number is: JU5Z-9663120-A
The possible P/N for the Ranger Mat is: JU5Z-9663120-B, as the JU5Z (Z) = Parts source (department code) but have yet to confirm if that is a valid part number to fit the Ranger seats as there is not an available pic of that specific part number.
Side by side views of the F-150 & Ranger (Mats) show a physical difference in design

The Transit has a TSB - That replaces the Spring Mat, Cushion and also adds Webbing (Cargo Strap) and interweaves it between the support bars and spring mat assy to give the spring mat extra support, so this was an alternate plan (for solution) to my issue and that was to use the basic procedure outlined in that TSB and use it on my seat. (But this is a typical band-aid solution) which I did not really want to do.

Ebay pic of the Ranger Driver's Seat Base assembly.

I assume I can't convince you to come over to the frontier side, to see the new.. Frontier of seat comfort.



*ba dum tsh*



Might be time to bite the bullet and order a new complete seat, and cry about it later.

 

[Doc]

I did mine at 20% all around and a visor strip and have yet to get hassled. It is totally illegal to have your windshield tinted unless you have a get out of jail free card like Mountaingoat. ? It is harder so see out of at night through the front two window and I see so many around AZ with limo tint I don't know how they can see a thing. Hopefully they don't bother me here in AR for the front two.

I like that white and black appearance ..

 

[MountainGoat]

The tint guy said he'd have to remove the front strip and redo the whole windshield to apply the 70% tint otherwise there'd be a gap between the two. And it'd be another $200. He didn't say that the first time I asked him. Why can't he just butt the 70% up to the strip? It's too much of pita and paying for another strip when the one I got is a week old is silly.

 

[Chris M]

The tint guy said he'd have to remove the front strip and redo the whole windshield to apply the 70% tint otherwise there'd be a gap between the two. And it'd be another $200. He didn't say that the first time I asked him. Why can't he just butt the 70% up to the strip? It's too much of pita and paying for another strip when the one I got is a week old is silly.

You need a new tint guy.
He should have given you more guidance at the very beginning of the process. I thought I wanted the strip at rhe top too, but my guy talked me out of it and I'm very glad he did. I'm really happy with my final product. Overall very easy on my old eyes while still allowing me to see very well during the day and reasonably well out of the sides and rear at night. Had I gone darker on the sides and rear I would not have safe vision.

 

[MountainGoat]

You need a new tint guy.
He should have given you more guidance at the very beginning of the process. I thought I wanted the strip at rhe top too, but my guy talked me out of it and I'm very glad he did. I'm really happy with my final product. Overall very easy on my old eyes while still allowing me to see very well during the day and reasonably well out of the sides and rear at night. Had I gone darker on the sides and rear I would not have safe vision.

Not many around here. It's fine the way it is. I didn't have tint for 4 years, so having everything except the bottom 3/4 of the windshield is fine. I just wonder about my dash cam overheating since it is sticking out there now with the bulletpoint mount.

 

[tgRanger]

Got a dual exhaust installed yesterday. And a set of Amp Research power steps a month or so ago.

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