What did you do to your Ranger today?

[Colo_Ranger]

Teaser

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[BaronVonRanger]

DESERT DOES IT-FRONT SEAT JACKERS 2023 Ford Ranger Lariat
Went from a Ford F150 to the Ranger and let’s say the seats are no way as comfortable as the F150. Read the blogs on the Ranger seats and the reviews on the JACKERS. Ordered a set and basically in less than an hour both seats had the JACKERS installed. Test drive complete and I have to say what an improvement in comfort and upright positioning. I could not be happier with the seat mod. Great product and quality material. Thanks all for the posts on these JACKERS.

 

[Cmar]

I've heard of similar stories.....light poles attempting "Suicide by Vehicle", by jumping into their path. Seems to be very common......
My wife had a similar experience with her Subaru several years ago, so I feel your pain....
She also swears that that shopping cart intentionally rolled behind her when she was backing.....knew the precise spot to wait....right in back of the taillight.....

Yes my workmate and I a few years ago found a cunningly concealed bollon, obviously carefully designed to be invisible behind even a small car when reversing in the rain with a fogged rear window and mirrors.
Sadly we were at work, it was a brand new work car (a Corolla) with exactly 64 pre-delivery kilometres on it, and we were the first people to take it out since it was delivered from the dealer the day before. Thank god for plastic bumpers, I showed my mate where a couple of carefully directed hits can often pop the thing back out. And luckily it did, - true if you looked really closely you could see where the paint was a bit crazed, but it was only a tiny bit, and who looks that closely at a work car anyway.
To the best of my knowledge, that car has long gone to the auctions and no one ever noticed, not even the people who allegedly serviced it.

 

[Cmar]

Gave my Ranger a - Flesh Wound today:
Backing into a parking spot that has a light pole (concrete pillar)
After Park - Rollback - downward slope

Should be able to buff out the paint and touch up & the step pad just touch up.

Ironically it was in the dealer parking lot - picking up hardware for my front shock swap.

You should send the dealer a bill for painting their pole for them - Two tone too!

 

[Cmar]

FRONT SEAT JACKERS 2023 Ford Ranger Lariat
Went from a Ford F150 to the Ranger and let’s say the seats are no way as comfortable as the F150. Read the blogs on the Ranger seats and the reviews on the JACKERS. Ordered a set and basically in less than an hour both seats had the JACKERS installed. Test drive complete and I have to say what an improvement in comfort and upright positioning. I could not be happier with the seat mod. Great product and quality material. Thanks all for the posts on these JACKERS.

Really, I've found the Ranger seats to be pretty comfy, even on a long drive, but I've never owned a modern F150 either, and maybe the Aus build Rangers get different seats.

 

[BaronVonRanger]

Really, I've found the Ranger seats to be pretty comfy, even on a long drive, but I've never owned a modern F150 either, and maybe the Aus build Rangers get different seats.

With the Ranger the seats just seemed to me as some others have also experienced they were not high enough at the front. It felt like I was not in the seat but on it if that makes sense. My leg length seating position lacked thigh support and a comfortable knee position. A lot of posts I read about raising the front mounts and the use of the DESERT DOES IT inserts to address the issue. Lifts the front of seat 3/8 or 3/4 of inch. So I tried them, I used the 3/4 inch and as mentioned that solved my issue. A bit pricey for a few pieces of metal but the kit was done well.

 

[Cmar]

With the Ranger the seats just seemed to me as some others have also experienced they were not high enough at the front. It felt like I was not in the seat but on it if that makes sense. My leg length seating position lacked thigh support and a comfortable knee position. A lot of posts I read about raising the front mounts and the use of the DESERT DOES IT inserts to address the issue. Lifts the front of seat 3/8 or 3/4 of inch. So I tried them, I used the 3/4 inch and as mentioned that solved my issue. A bit pricey for a few pieces of metal but the kit was done well.

Fair enough!

 

[Colo_Ranger]

Teaser

@Goyo86 bled the brakes and we confirmed no leaks. Immediately noticed much better pedal feel. It’s firm and consistent. It ain’t cheap, but it fixes my last “not caused by me” problem with the Ranger.

 

[airline tech]

As always, good post from you, always appreciated!
Sliders are fine, move freely. The caliper turned fine with the cube tool, just couldn't get enough pressure to get it to turn in.
I've had lots of problems with Ford rear calipers seizing up. Not so much on other makes. May be the wonderful winters and all the road salt and chemicals.
Side note, when i got the tires yesterday, they told me 80% left on the front, 20% on the rear.
I do use the parking brake regularly to keep things freed up and that works fine though I've had to replace them on the other Fords.
Good tips in those pics, I was aware of all those, I just didn't give enough detail to the wife to get the correct kit.
I'm sure you could do pads in under an hour, if you are doing rotors, probably 1.5 hrs if you are familiar with everything needed and have the correct tools. If you are in areas with snow and salt, taking the extra time to clean up the corrosion could double the time.
I'll probably tackle the other side tonight after getting the correct caliper kit and im sure it will take 1/2 the time. For now, I'll start the long trek to the office. (Up 14 stairs and down the hall )

Since it has been a very long time since I did brakes professionally and even touched a wind back tool - honestly do not recall them turning anyway other than clockwise when I did them and back then it was a rarity.
Fast forward to today a vehicle with drum brakes is rare so in my curiosity I checked all the local Autoparts stores (on-line), and they all have (only the RH) style in stock they show the other style that has (both) but not available nearby.
So just curious how much of a hassle was it to get the correct tool? as it appears the dual kit is a rarity to stock as a loaner tool in all stores.

I researched all the various re-wind tools and only one style that appears to be made by one company and marketed for various venders (I am curious about quality) and the number of posts about the handle being bent - (is it user error - unknowingly) trying to re-wind a CCW piston with a CW tool or is it the quality.
These things have a huge price range difference - depending on what brand it is, so is it manufactured better quality or just the (name) price adjustment? IDK

 

[Dr. Zaius]

With the Ranger the seats just seemed to me as some others have also experienced they were not high enough at the front. It felt like I was not in the seat but on it if that makes sense. My leg length seating position lacked thigh support and a comfortable knee position. A lot of posts I read about raising the front mounts and the use of the DESERT DOES IT inserts to address the issue. Lifts the front of seat 3/8 or 3/4 of inch. So I tried them, I used the 3/4 inch and as mentioned that solved my issue. A bit pricey for a few pieces of metal but the kit was done well.

Did the electric adjuster not raise the front of the seat far enough?

Curious about this as I have the front of my seat raised and the rear lowered for comfort, and I'm not at max adjustment.

 

[Ibanezbass671]

Install my RGB Door sills

 

[KJRR]

Since it has been a very long time since I did brakes professionally and even touched a wind back tool - honestly do not recall them turning anyway other than clockwise when I did them and back then it was a rarity.
Fast forward to today a vehicle with drum brakes is rare so in my curiosity I checked all the local Autoparts stores (on-line), and they all have (only the RH) style in stock they show the other style that has (both) but not available nearby.
So just curious how much of a hassle was it to get the correct tool? as it appears the dual kit is a rarity to stock as a loaner tool in all stores.

I researched all the various re-wind tools and only one style that appears to be made by one company and marketed for various venders (I am curious about quality) and the number of posts about the handle being bent - (is it user error - unknowingly) trying to re-wind a CCW piston with a CW tool or is it the quality.
These things have a huge price range difference - depending on what brand it is, so is it manufactured better quality or just the (name) price adjustment? IDK

I found the same with the parts stores around me. When i returned the kit and asked if they had a counter-clockwise tool, they were all puzzled on why I would need that. I don't think I got through to them on why I could use the same tool they loaned me and just turn it the opposite direction.
So, I have only one side of the brakes done with the correct kit on order. I could have picked up a harbor freight kit for $70 and finished the job but I elected to go with the Orion kit on Amazon for $22. I'm cheap that way. Yes I could have bought the harbor freight kit and returned it for a 20% fee (hf rental fee) but I hate when I buy new stuff just to find out it was used and returned. I'll probably end up with a used kit from Amazon.
Something I tried on the passenger side was reassembling the bracket and caliper without the rotor to allow me to use 2 hands with the cube tool and ratchet. I managed to get the piston to move in slightly but not nearly enough to get new pads on. That thing it a beast to turn in. I haven't attempted the driver side yet for fear of getting stuck not being able to reasemble so not sure if that will be easier but will report back after I get the tool and find some time.
What are your thought on using an impact wrench with the cube tool?
I'm wondering if that may help with getting the caliper turned in? Probably just break my cube tool which isn't cheap at $10. I probably bought that 30 yrs ago for $1.50.

 

[BaronVonRanger]

Did the electric adjuster not raise the front of the seat far enough?

Curious about this as I have the front of my seat raised and the rear lowered for comfort, and I'm not at max adjustment.

The electric adjuster does not raise the front of the seat enough. The electric adjuster doesn’t have enough front up separate tilt. On my F150 those seats had a large range of separate tilt up or down unlike what I noted on the Ranger. When I read about folks raising the front seat mounts with inserts for the reasons I experienced I decided to get a set of DESERT DOES IT -JACKERS. And it solved my issue.

 

[Grumpaw]

The electric adjuster does not raise the front of the seat enough. The electric adjuster doesn’t have enough front up separate tilt. On my F150 those seats had a large range of separate tilt up or down unlike what I noted on the Ranger. When I read about folks raising the front seat mounts with inserts for the reasons I experienced I decided to get a set of DESERT DOES IT -JACKERS. And it solved my issue.

Same here. I think I was one of the first bunch of us to get the Jackers....me around 3 years ago. And it solved the issue of raising the front to where, to this day, the seats are still very comfortable. Have been able to do 7-8 hours driving without any discomfort.

 

[BaronVonRanger]

Week of focus for the Ranger and toys….

Other than the front seat JACKERS install, Grill LEDs also decided this Ford Ranger needed some help Getting A Step Up!!!!

I was in the market looking for a place to get some AMP-Research Power Steps. I emailed dealers/installers local and a few others. Seems the APS company since being sold the quality and warranty support has become a challenge for customers and installers. I received replies back from two other APS dealers/installers and they both had similar issues with APS and warranty support problems.
All seemed to mention Westin Power Steps as an option. Well got a set of Westins installed This past week. So far so good and look good! Thanks to all for the support on options.

And lastly today added the Crome hood shield from AVS. Definitely cheap but it looks good. Would have preferred a screw lip mounting installation like the Stampede brand. Not a fan of the 3M tape installation for the shield. But it’s on and looks good. Let’s hope it stays adhered to the hood.

Next the PUTCO Bumper Grille Insert but that looks to be a PITA install for this simple grille insert so maybe next week….. and still on the list is the MBS transmission dip stick mod. Again maybe next week.

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