My Little Blue Truck

[LBT]

Hello everyone! I recently acquired a 2022 Ford Ranger Lariat in Velocity Blue with the FX4 package. This truck has been such a blast to drive so far! Traded in a very much loved 2009 Ford F-150 Regular Cab that I had built out to be a long-term camper. Well the bed was built out. I was very cheap on upgrading anything else. I’m looking to change that with this truck.

Here’s what I’ve done so far:

1. Changed out the stock tires it came with to Cooper Road + Trail in 265/65/18. Necessary since there was cosmetic damage to the wheel but the tires were shot.
2. Added the Ford Performance Tune. Love this. Shifting improved and sport mode got even more fun.
3. Changed out the stock air filter for an aFe filer and added the aFe scoop.
4. Changed out the DPFE sensors.
5. Added a Bak Industries Revolver X4 cover.

Here’s my planned upgrades:

1. change out the transmission pan with the PPE pan I have and add the Fitzstick I recently got. Along with a transmission fluid change.
2. Spark plugs, MAP and IAT sensor just so I have everything new for a baseline.
3. Upgrade the suspension. This is the big one that I’ve been contemplating. My family and my Fiancé agree that it rides too rough. Currently looking at the Eibach 2R setup with leaf replacements. Really like the F-150 ride but it had a pretty heavy constant load in the back.

And the longterm plans:

1. Get a wider stance on the truck. Not sure if spacers are really an option or if I should stick to new wheels. Which will put this way off.
2. Cosmetic upgrades. Raptor grille, hood protector and mud flaps.
3. Figure out a good camping set up. I set up the F-150 with a cap that I could sleep in. Being 6’4” I have no option for that on the Ranger. Looking at possibly adding a rack with a roof top tent.

Definitely been lurking here for a while so thank you all for the incredibly valuable information!
Basic pictures at this point:

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[AzScorpion]

Welcome Kevin! Congratulations on your Ranger and you're on the right track with changing out that crappy Fx4 suspension. I did that with my '19 Ranger and went with the Eibach coilovers and it made a world of difference right away. It'll smoothen out the ride and keep the rear from wallowing all over the place over bumps. Good call on doing the transmission fluid, pan and Fitxstick!

Our resident BlueMan @Friday yet? will be happy to see another fellow blue member.

 

[LBT]

P.S. The name comes from my buddy’s son calling my truck the little blue truck like in his books so I’m keeping it!

 

[Mighty Little Blue]

Nice choice, I like the color. If it was a Supercab you would have won the jackpot.

 

[jflogerzi]

rack with RTT will be your only option. congratulations on the truck

 

[LBT]

Nice choice, I like the color. If it was a Supercab you would have won the jackpot.

That would have been my original choice, but more space for passengers was specifically requested and I wasn't going to fight that one. Would've been a couple seats more than the regular cab though since putting jumper seats in the bed was shot down!

 

[LBT]

rack with RTT will be your only option. congratulations on the truck

Thank you! It's been fun enjoying driving again!

My only other thought is something like this:
https://atoverland.com/pages/at-atlas-truck-topper

But at that price, you are correct

 

[LBT]

And I have to do a tribute to my beloved F-150. Extremely under powered with a 4.6L V8 that belonged in the Crown Vic and a lovely 4-speed transmission. It wasn’t the most fun to drive but she just worked. She had the lovely and endearing name of Ol’ Dumpy. Some pictures from the adventures:

 

[Mighty Little Blue]

That would have been my original choice, but more space for passengers was specifically requested and I wasn't going to fight that one. Would've been a couple seats more than the regular cab though since putting jumper seats in the bed was shot down!

You are a wise man, and know when to pick your battles. Congratulations on the new truck you will enjoy it.

 

[Friday yet?]

Welcome Kevin! Congratulations on your Ranger and you're on the right track with changing out that crappy Fx4 suspension. I did that with my '19 Ranger and went with the Eibach coilovers and it made a world of difference right away. It'll smoothen out the ride and keep the rear from wallowing all over the place over bumps. Good call on doing the transmission fluid, pan and Fitxstick!

Our resident BlueMan @Friday yet? will be happy to see another fellow blue member.

Blue? Blue?! Did somebody mention blue?????

 

[Friday yet?]

Hello everyone! I recently acquired a 2022 Ford Ranger Lariat in Velocity Blue with the FX4 package. This truck has been such a blast to drive so far! Traded in a very much loved 2009 Ford F-150 Regular Cab that I had built out to be a long-term camper. Well the bed was built out. I was very cheap on upgrading anything else. I’m looking to change that with this truck.

Here’s what I’ve done so far:

1. Changed out the stock tires it came with to Cooper Road + Trail in 265/65/18. Necessary since there was cosmetic damage to the wheel but the tires were shot.
2. Added the Ford Performance Tune. Love this. Shifting improved and sport mode got even more fun.
3. Changed out the stock air filter for an aFe filer and added the aFe scoop.
4. Changed out the DPFE sensors.
5. Added a Bak Industries Revolver X4 cover.

Here’s my planned upgrades:

1. change out the transmission pan with the PPE pan I have and add the Fitzstick I recently got. Along with a transmission fluid change.
2. Spark plugs, MAP and IAT sensor just so I have everything new for a baseline.
3. Upgrade the suspension. This is the big one that I’ve been contemplating. My family and my Fiancé agree that it rides too rough. Currently looking at the Eibach 2R setup with leaf replacements. Really like the F-150 ride but it had a pretty heavy constant load in the back.

And the longterm plans:

1. Get a wider stance on the truck. Not sure if spacers are really an option or if I should stick to new wheels. Which will put this way off.
2. Cosmetic upgrades. Raptor grille, hood protector and mud flaps.
3. Figure out a good camping set up. I set up the F-150 with a cap that I could sleep in. Being 6’4” I have no option for that on the Ranger. Looking at possibly adding a rack with a roof top tent.

Definitely been lurking here for a while so thank you all for the incredibly valuable information!
Basic pictures at this point:

Welcome to the forum. Fabulous color choice. Fabulous. Clearly a very intelligent man.

Yep. Average IQ of the forum just went up another couple of points.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Those look like great projects, Kevin. It should be fun setting it up. Do plenty of research and ask around this forum about bed racks that are compatible with your tonneau cover - your choices might be limited to a few.

 

[seasprite]

Love the color

 

[My12SecRanger]

Hello and welcome, very nice color choice looks good

 

[LBT]

Thanks all! I'm really excited to mess around with a new truck. Unfortunately a lot of the upgrades will be done by someone else since I don't really have a place to work on my truck now that I'm in an apartment. The suspension upgrade I would probably have done by a shop anyway since that's more than I want to deal with right now (especially since I've had some back issues lately).

On the suspension upgrade I'm thinking the Eibach coilovers make the most sense for my use case (mostly on road, with some forest service roads in the mountains and light off road at this point). I was originally looking at the OME kit since I liked the all inclusive aspect but it sounds like it would be stiffer than I want and is more off road/overland focused. Am I right about that? I'm open to other options and don't have experience with any of these.

As for the color, I almost went with a Cyber Orange one (and I kind of hate that I loved that school bus color) but the Velocity Blue was just too handsome!

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