KJ's Ranger

[KJRR]

Way overdue and thought it was time to start tracking all I've done to the Ranger since I added a bunch of small items recently and I'm starting to forget everything I've added.
Starting with the purchase Dec 9th, 2019.

2019 XLT Supercab with Sports appearance package, trailer tow package and bed utility package in Ingot Silver paint and Ebony interior

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[KJRR]

Got the Smarties and lost the air freshener somewhere on the workbench. I installed the Rokblokx Feb 1st, 2020. First one took a little time and the rest went on quickly. A tip for mounting them when its cold, keep them in the house and warm them over the kerosene heater when bending the tabs. I was looking at the Gatorbacks but these are much more reasonable cost-wise.

Wish the screws were black. Still haven't painted them black yet. Maybe when it warms up.

 

[KJRR]

Installed my Westin HDX Drop Steps on Feb 8th, 2020.
And the wife said they look good. Not required but nice to hear.
Thankfully my brother in law has a heated garage so I defrosted the inch of snow on the truck and rolled around in the wetness putting them on. At least it was warm. I didn't need them to get in the truck but they do help getting in without crushing the side of the seat. I'm no lightweight so that will help the seat last as long as the truck. And the wife wanted something to help her get in.
Install was easy with the second side going on in less than 30 minutes. Total of maybe 2 hours from unpacking and sorting to torqueing and testing. A dry truck would have sped up that time, had to dry off the glasses several times.
Got them on Amazon for a good price, more than $100 cheaper than anywhere else, got the stainless for less than the full black bars. They were back-ordered so I waited about 3.5 weeks for them but for the price, it was worth the wait.
Not a whole lot of choices in boards with the S/Cab. Would rather have had something that ran wheel to wheel but these look good to me and haven't seen a lot of them out there.
Next up a bed cover so I don't have to shovel out the bed again.

They are holding up well so far. They do collect snow and maybe the XL Rokblokx would have helped a little more with that. I just knock the snow and slush off with a boot.
Wish I would have painted the pinch lip before I put them on but it was cold and wet. Another summer project for the new year.

 

[KJRR]

I got my Extang Solid Fold 2.0 installed Friday. Feb. 14th, 2020 at http://autodetails-elyria.com/ Small shop, not too busy and they were helpful when I went out there to talk with them and looked over my options. You can read all you want about something but to actually have your hands on it is helpful to me when selecting something like this. Can't lose all the local shops to online places.
There is a rail that mounts on the front of the bed using existing holes. There are also 2 brackets that mount on the side at the front for the attachment clamps. If you have a drop in liner like me, it will need trimmed. There is some daylight beside the rail at the front of the bed. When it warms up I'll get some weatherstripping and seal that up.

Gaps are in the upper corners

close up of gap from inside

Gap from outside

See the detailed install instructions in one of the reviews in this link.

And the wetness you see inside is from going through the carwash the day before. I expected that seeing the gap after the install. Looking at it overall, I expect the water getting inside to be much less after I get the front gaps sealed up.

The bed cover is holding up well. Easy to remove when needed. I sealed up the hole up front with some extra Extang tailgate seal I had leftover. It keeps the water out from that area.
I do get water dripping in from the seams where the cover folds. I thought about sealing that up with V-fold weather-stripping but not sure that will fit in there since the lip is so small. Its worse when the cover is level as the water tends to pool on the cover. If its at its natural rake, its not too bad.

 

[KJRR]

Feb 22nd, 2020.
Planned on installing the tailgate assist I got in the mail. Of course that required a trip to the local Home Depot to pick up a T50 bit and found a scrap of 2X8 to make a bed divider so got to haul that home.

Then installed the tailgate assist.

Measured twice and cut once and it fit perfect the first time.

I have some epoxy paint I'll use on it when the weather is warm enough.

 

[KJRR]

March 29th, 2020
Installed my Extang tailgate seal and sealed up my Extang Solid Fold 2 with a couple leftover pieces.
No pics of that. It has pulled away a little around the damper with the cable rubbing against it but is still stuck down. It has kept the dust an water out in that area. I see there a new seal but this has worked fine for me.
Extang 1140 MaxSeal

Also got D-Ring shackles, tow strap, Cup Holder Hero liners, OBDLink for ForeScan and a 3-jaw oil filter wrench to assist in removing the oil filter.
Realized during the 1,000 mile oil change I did in January that I didn't have anything to easily remove the oil filter.

 

[KJRR]

April 2020 got a Smittybilt adjustable hitch with 2 balls. That should cover all my needs regardless of what I'm towing.
https://www.smittybilt.com/product/index/230.htm
Waited for a sale and got it for $65.
Much easier than multiple balls and draw bars and has worked fine.
Got locking pins for it also.

 

[KJRR]

May 25th, 2020.
One of the reasons for getting the Ranger. Towing a 1976 18ft Starcraft. First tow and it was no problem.

Have hauled the boat plenty of times including a trip to the UP MI and the Ranger tows well.

 

[KJRR]

June 4th, 2020
Now that I've got a few other projects completed around the house, had time for the truck. Installed the engine cover Monday and tailgate letters and painted the tailpipe last night.

 

[KJRR]

June 19th, 2020
Installed a temporary leveling kit.
Before

After

That was the first heavy load I hauled and the Ranger handled it well.

 

[KJRR]

August 2020
Made some safety improvements to the bed cover. May not be needed but I feel better about it.
Here's a shot of what I did. Its actually a small bungee cord from the bolt to the front of the bed.
I don't expect it would hold long if the cover came loose but just need enough to get off the road. As long as its strapped down when folded up, I don't imagine there's a whole lot of risk of it blowing off since its laying flat and fairly heavy. Its not folded up against the back of the cab like some do. You can see the second wing nut I added also.

 

[KJRR]

Sept. 26th, 2020
I've been thinking about how to keep thigs from sliding back and forth since I added the bed divider. I wanted something that would allow me flexibility from keeping a cooler in place to propane tanks or car batteries or what ever. So while at the local big box store for a kitchen project, I was browsing around the hardware aisle and it hit me, D-rings. I can use them with straps or bungees and they are fairly flat so don't take up much room. For smaller stuff I can throw one of the various size bins from the garage in there and strap it in. I put them on after I finished the kitchen project of course. Nothing like browsing around the hardware store for inspiration.

 

[KJRR]

Sept. 26th 2020
Time for a tailgate damper mod.
I went with the red velcro for a little style. Only after my cable was pinched.

 

[KJRR]

Nov. 26th 2020
Took the truck to visit the dealer for the first time since I picked it up. Fresh oil and good to go. I did the first oil change myself but wanted to spend some of my points before they expire. While I was there I had them check out a slight vibration at highway speed and loose window seals. Got the standard reply to both those issues, they all are like that. The vibration did appear to go away or at least its less than it was after the tire rotation and the window seals are really only noticeable when the windows are down. Not bothered by it enough to argue about it right now.

 

[KJRR]

I think I'm up to date now.
Been busy installing all the goods the family bought me for Christmas.

Console tray

My wife spent the rest of the Ford points on floor mats. She is really too honest, the parts guy said she was all set when he gave her the mats. She was about to leave and decided to ask if he was sure since I had previously told here there weren't enough points to cover the cost. He checked again and and collected the money due. I knew I was getting them since I saw the charge on the credit card.

Heated seat cover. I got one for my wife and decided I needed one. We can always move them from vehicle to vehicle if needed for a trip.

A light for the bed and easy to remove bed mat. I'll have more on those soon as put together a build thread.

Also got some D-rings to fill in for the missing tie downs but haven't had a chance to install them yet.