Love my new Ranger but I goofed!

[Jefain]

Hey folks, I’m new to R5G. I’m Active Duty Army (18 years) and just returned from Korea last month. While there, I ordered a 2023 XLT Tremor through Military Auto Source for about 3% under MSRP, which considering the times we are in made me pretty happy. Now, if you’re asking yourself, “why not wait for a 2024?” then you are not alone and I understand. The answer is two-fold… I got a good deal and I never buy first year models of anything. So, I built it out the way I wanted within my budget (albeit well above what I planned to spend on a truck initially). I added the Tech package and remote start, but otherwise just went standard XLT Tremor trim. Within a week, I swapped bulbs to Auxito LEDs, did a spray-in liner, added a hard trifold tonneau cover, put the requisite ultra subdued USA Flag plate on the front, added 3D Ranger decals to the tailgate and named er’ proper, “Ethel Gray” as subtly depicted in the rear glass.

Where I went wrong… I opted not to get the tow package in favor of the tow hooks in the rear. My thought is, since I have no trailer to tow, I would use the tow hooks more this raising their priority. It was either or, otherwise I would have equipped both. Now, I find myself in a predicament where I may have to pull a Uhaul for our pending move. I realize I can throw a ball in the bumper slot and it would probably pull a 2k trailer just fine like that. On the other hand, I spent over 40k on a truck and if I hurt it, I want it to be on a trail, not a chance encounter with Murphy that happens at the corner of 5th and Main in front of a $0.99 store. Anyone know of any mods to add a hitch to the existing tow hooks? They aren’t like hooks I’ve seen before, they have square tubing between them that resemble the cross brace on a hitch mount… it’s very beefy.

I love my truck so far and fully intend on modding it out and using it off-road. Within a week shesaw her first dirt and mud. Here are my near-term plans:

-589Fab hidden winch with a 9k ish winch.
-Ditch lights (open to suggestions)
-Rock sliders (yep, hate the steps)
-Low profile bed rack of some kind
-JLT catch can (former J&L)
-Red Ranger decals for the grill
-Sasquatch with flag for back window
-Subdued flags for doors
-Possibly figure out a way to replace tremor stickers with more of an old raptor-style badging in the rear (just a thought).
-add comms (GMRS vs CB?)

Now that I’ve consumed an hour of your time, I would love to hear your thoughts! Thanks for bringing me on board. I hope to see y’all on the trails! Let me introduce you to Ethel Gray…

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[BS67]

Welcome Jeff and Thank You for your service! Congrats on the Tremor and enjoy!

 

[9zero1790]

nice truck! look for a thread called rear tow hooks . another member modified a set of hooks to work with the tow package parts. it looked good and sounded easy.

 

[9zero1790]

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/rear-tow-hooks.20213/#post-523309



found it

also some place around here is a veterans thread. a nice group of folks talk in it off and on. be glad to have you say hello in it

 

[Friday yet?]

Hey folks, I’m new to R5G. I’m Active Duty Army (18 years) and just returned from Korea last month. While there, I ordered a 2023 XLT Tremor through Military Auto Source for about 3% under MSRP, which considering the times we are in made me pretty happy. Now, if you’re asking yourself, “why not wait for a 2024?” then you are not alone and I understand. The answer is two-fold… I got a good deal and I never buy first year models of anything. So, I built it out the way I wanted within my budget (albeit well above what I planned to spend on a truck initially). I added the Tech package and remote start, but otherwise just went standard XLT Tremor trim. Within a week, I swapped bulbs to Auxito LEDs, did a spray-in liner, added a hard trifold tonneau cover, put the requisite ultra subdued USA Flag plate on the front, added 3D Ranger decals to the tailgate and named er’ proper, “Ethel Gray” as subtly depicted in the rear glass.

Where I went wrong… I opted not to get the tow package in favor of the tow hooks in the rear. My thought is, since I have no trailer to tow, I would use the tow hooks more this raising their priority. It was either or, otherwise I would have equipped both. Now, I find myself in a predicament where I may have to pull a Uhaul for our pending move. I realize I can throw a ball in the bumper slot and it would probably pull a 2k trailer just fine like that. On the other hand, I spent over 40k on a truck and if I hurt it, I want it to be on a trail, not a chance encounter with Murphy that happens at the corner of 5th and Main in front of a $0.99 store. Anyone know of any mods to add a hitch to the existing tow hooks? They aren’t like hooks I’ve seen before, they have square tubing between them that resemble the cross brace on a hitch mount… it’s very beefy.

I love my truck so far and fully intend on modding it out and using it off-road. Within a week shesaw her first dirt and mud. Here are my near-term plans:

-589Fab hidden winch with a 9k ish winch.
-Ditch lights (open to suggestions)
-Rock sliders (yep, hate the steps)
-Low profile bed rack of some kind
-JLT catch can (former J&L)
-Red Ranger decals for the grill
-Sasquatch with flag for back window
-Subdued flags for doors
-Possibly figure out a way to replace tremor stickers with more of an old raptor-style badging in the rear (just a thought).
-add comms (GMRS vs CB?)

Now that I’ve consumed an hour of your time, I would love to hear your thoughts! Thanks for bringing me on board. I hope to see y’all on the trails! Let me introduce you to Ethel Gray…

Nice truck! Welcome to the circus. This crew will spend all your money for you.

Love the ROK!
2nd ID Apr. '84 - May '85! Camp Casey. Hooah!!!

 

[Jefain]

I saw that one, but that was the opposite problem. He got the tow package and added the hooks later. I want to keep my hooks but add a hitch mount. I appreciate the help though. Also, I’ll have to dig into the Vet thread for sure. Thanks for the heads up!

 

[got3fords]

Super pretty with and without the mud. I am partial to Cactus Gray. It should be pretty simple to add an aftermarket hitch. Not sure about the lighting connection,, is that in the tow package?

 

[Russd]

Can you buy a hitch and throw it on for the move then take it off after? I don’t think they are to spendy.

 

[JasonTremor]

I saw that one, but that was the opposite problem. He got the tow package and added the hooks later. I want to keep my hooks but add a hitch mount. I appreciate the help though. Also, I’ll have to dig into the Vet thread for sure. Thanks for the heads up!

Just bolt on a curt or drawtite hitch and keep your hooks. I went the curt route.

 

[Jefain]

It is included in the tow package. I’ll try to add a pic of the hook frame for reference tomorrow in the daylight.

 

[Skeezix]

Love the ROK!
2nd ID Apr. '84 - May '85! Camp Casey. Hooah!!!

607CBCS Camp Humphreys '97-'98.

 

[Jefain]

Just bolt on a curt or drawtite hitch and keep your hooks. I went the curt route.

I’ll have to dig into this a bit more. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[Trigganometry]

I know we got threads on here with folks adding the tow package with an aftermarket hitch setup. The rest is wire harness for the trailer connector and some changes to activate the Bliss with towing if you have that option already. Thanks for your service!

Factory hitch sits slightly higher so bumper is modified for that package.

 

[Jefain]

Thanks, trying to figure out some of the threads and mechanics on here. Never been much for forums.

 

[Rhino]

Just bolt on a curt or drawtite hitch and keep your hooks. I went the curt route.

wait the tremor has rear tow points??? not fair!

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