XionUAV
Well-Known Member
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Hello Ranger family. I recently picked up a 2020 FX4, 35k miles with front driver damage I’ll be repairing. This is a vehicle I plan to keep and use primarily for mild off-roading, mainly desert roads/trails and fire roads.
I’m a 60-year-old “garage” mechanic and have done engine, transmission and clutch replacements, engine and suspension work, minor body work, electrical diagnostics and so forth mainly on Audi and VW, although I do own and work on a ‘95 F250 460. When there are questions about this Ranger, I’m hoping some of you might share answers or offer advice. This will be a several month project.
It appears to have been hit by something from the front of the fender angled forward. The body mount assembly on the frame rail has been sheared off and the body mount is about 4 inches forward. The inner-fender sheet metal forward of the upper control arm is split. Once pieces are repositioned, the split will be reinforced and welded. There was no airbag deployment.
The frame rail doesn’t appear to be bent but once everything is removed, the vehicle will be taken to a frame shop to have it inspected, brought back into spec if necessary and the body mount welded back in place. I have a wire-feed but would prefer a pro to weld the frame pieces.
The radiator support is mangled under the headlight. Structurally I don’t think there would be any harm in leaving it as is but I’ll replace it anyway to ensure all other connecting pieces will line up properly. Plus it’s the professional thing to do.
Next step is visiting salvage yards in the area to see if some of the small parts can be sourced. Taking lots of pictures of a normal Ranger is also on the list. A new intercooler has been ordered and I’ll likely order a prepainted fender and upper bumper facia. There is no engine damage other than the intercooler, which oddly isn’t damaged but was separated from the plastic side pieces still attached to the inlet and outlet. It was lying in the bed with everything else that was swept up from the accident scene.
The hood has a nasty imprint and is slightly tweaked at the corner. Getting another hood would be preferred but this is supposed to be a “budget” repair so I’ll clean up and straighten the damaged area and keep the hood for now. The AC condenser and radiator are slightly bent but don’t appear to be leaking. I’ll replace them both at some point anyway
Moving the vehicle revealed that the brake pedal is hard to push. When sufficient pressure is applied it will drop and activate both the brakes and ABS. There are some shredded wires under the headlight but obviously there is more damage to wiring than is immediately apparent. Once getting into it I’ll reference a wiring diagram and figure out what’s what.
One thing that’s curious is there are parking sensors in the rear bumper but not in the mangled front bumper that was in the bed when the truck arrived. At this point I also have no idea if it has adaptive cruise or not.
I like the look of the OEM bumper but sourcing one would be substantially more work and likely more cost than aftermarket. The Rough Country bumper looks the nicest to me out of the zillions of options out there. I’d remove the center LED bar to allow for a little more airflow.
This is a vehicle that begs for flares and fat tires. But I will refrane . . . for now.
Thank you for taking a look. I’ll post as progress is made.
I’m a 60-year-old “garage” mechanic and have done engine, transmission and clutch replacements, engine and suspension work, minor body work, electrical diagnostics and so forth mainly on Audi and VW, although I do own and work on a ‘95 F250 460. When there are questions about this Ranger, I’m hoping some of you might share answers or offer advice. This will be a several month project.
It appears to have been hit by something from the front of the fender angled forward. The body mount assembly on the frame rail has been sheared off and the body mount is about 4 inches forward. The inner-fender sheet metal forward of the upper control arm is split. Once pieces are repositioned, the split will be reinforced and welded. There was no airbag deployment.
The frame rail doesn’t appear to be bent but once everything is removed, the vehicle will be taken to a frame shop to have it inspected, brought back into spec if necessary and the body mount welded back in place. I have a wire-feed but would prefer a pro to weld the frame pieces.
The radiator support is mangled under the headlight. Structurally I don’t think there would be any harm in leaving it as is but I’ll replace it anyway to ensure all other connecting pieces will line up properly. Plus it’s the professional thing to do.
Next step is visiting salvage yards in the area to see if some of the small parts can be sourced. Taking lots of pictures of a normal Ranger is also on the list. A new intercooler has been ordered and I’ll likely order a prepainted fender and upper bumper facia. There is no engine damage other than the intercooler, which oddly isn’t damaged but was separated from the plastic side pieces still attached to the inlet and outlet. It was lying in the bed with everything else that was swept up from the accident scene.
The hood has a nasty imprint and is slightly tweaked at the corner. Getting another hood would be preferred but this is supposed to be a “budget” repair so I’ll clean up and straighten the damaged area and keep the hood for now. The AC condenser and radiator are slightly bent but don’t appear to be leaking. I’ll replace them both at some point anyway
Moving the vehicle revealed that the brake pedal is hard to push. When sufficient pressure is applied it will drop and activate both the brakes and ABS. There are some shredded wires under the headlight but obviously there is more damage to wiring than is immediately apparent. Once getting into it I’ll reference a wiring diagram and figure out what’s what.
One thing that’s curious is there are parking sensors in the rear bumper but not in the mangled front bumper that was in the bed when the truck arrived. At this point I also have no idea if it has adaptive cruise or not.
I like the look of the OEM bumper but sourcing one would be substantially more work and likely more cost than aftermarket. The Rough Country bumper looks the nicest to me out of the zillions of options out there. I’d remove the center LED bar to allow for a little more airflow.
This is a vehicle that begs for flares and fat tires. But I will refrane . . . for now.
Thank you for taking a look. I’ll post as progress is made.
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