GhostStrykre
Well-Known Member
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- #1
Some may recall, I've looked at a few other truck options out on the market here lately, and none of them really made me want to take the plunge. Instead, I could begin adding modifications to the Ranger to prolong my ownership of the vehicle. When it runs great, I love it. The vehicle is about 2 months from being paid off and that'll make me really like it 
Problem is that I fear vehicular commitment. I could trade this thing tomorrow, next week, next month, next year, or the next decade. I figure the best way to prolong my ownership of the vehicle is to take a bit of a phased approach to improving the vehicle. If each phase keeps growing my affinity for the truck and keeping me from looking elsewhere, I'll move on to the next. I figure it'll look something like this:
Phase 1 -- Driveability - Late summer/fall 2026
1a. Transmission fluid drain and fill with a new filter and that spiffy additive everyone raves about - lubeguard platinum
1b. Kind of part of 1a, actually, but this would be a good time to swap to the better aluminum pan. I'm undecided on standard vs deep pan.
1c. With the fluid addressed, it'll be time for a tuner. I'm undecided on Ford vs Livernois vs Revolution Auto... i don't give two craps about speed, just want good shifting. This truck is my daily driver AND the vehicle my wife and i tend to use for distance trips.
Phase 2 -- Suspension - Spring 2027
2a. Eibach suspension all around. I've read too much on this topic and am settled on this brand.
2b. Tremor leaf springs. Seems to be the best blend of on road comfort/manners without squeaks... kind of surprised that Icon has squeaky leafs.. OME might be too harsh/stiff for what i'm looking for.
2c. Tom Wood's One Piece Driveshaft -- i really wanted to do this in phase 1, but since I was planning a suspension change in phase 2, it seemed wise to wait.
2d. Some sumo springs/airbags?? I'll likely get a trailer to haul my motorcycles and make it a semi toy hauler while keeping the weight down.
Phase 3 -- Wheels/Tires - Fall 2027
3a. Not settled on any color or brand or whatever. I just want that nice near flush stance on the truck.
3b. I'll go Falken WP AT4s or Mickey Thompson Baja's for tires. With the small lift in phase 2, i'll likely push close to a 33 inch tire.
3c. Modded intrusion bar (if needed).
Phase 4 -- Final Form? - unknown time??
4a. Morimoto headlights. The stock halogens are probably some of the best halogens I've personally had on a vehicle, but still aren't great. If it rains the visiblity is les poopy.
4b. Katzskin leather seats. My dog is a GSP and has fur that has the appearance of a needle despite being incredibly soft. A nightmare to vacuum out of cloth seats.
if after all of that i'm still loving the truck and having a blast saving money by not having a car payment, i might do something particularly silly and mess with the utility in the bed for camping/hauling/etc.
That's my plan. I've been daydreaming about this for some time and it really intensified after my last pursuit of a full size truck fell through again (they're just more money than i want to spend -- even discounted). Figured this little journal could be fun.
Problem is that I fear vehicular commitment. I could trade this thing tomorrow, next week, next month, next year, or the next decade. I figure the best way to prolong my ownership of the vehicle is to take a bit of a phased approach to improving the vehicle. If each phase keeps growing my affinity for the truck and keeping me from looking elsewhere, I'll move on to the next. I figure it'll look something like this:
Phase 1 -- Driveability - Late summer/fall 2026
1a. Transmission fluid drain and fill with a new filter and that spiffy additive everyone raves about - lubeguard platinum
1b. Kind of part of 1a, actually, but this would be a good time to swap to the better aluminum pan. I'm undecided on standard vs deep pan.
1c. With the fluid addressed, it'll be time for a tuner. I'm undecided on Ford vs Livernois vs Revolution Auto... i don't give two craps about speed, just want good shifting. This truck is my daily driver AND the vehicle my wife and i tend to use for distance trips.
Phase 2 -- Suspension - Spring 2027
2a. Eibach suspension all around. I've read too much on this topic and am settled on this brand.
2b. Tremor leaf springs. Seems to be the best blend of on road comfort/manners without squeaks... kind of surprised that Icon has squeaky leafs.. OME might be too harsh/stiff for what i'm looking for.
2c. Tom Wood's One Piece Driveshaft -- i really wanted to do this in phase 1, but since I was planning a suspension change in phase 2, it seemed wise to wait.
2d. Some sumo springs/airbags?? I'll likely get a trailer to haul my motorcycles and make it a semi toy hauler while keeping the weight down.
Phase 3 -- Wheels/Tires - Fall 2027
3a. Not settled on any color or brand or whatever. I just want that nice near flush stance on the truck.
3b. I'll go Falken WP AT4s or Mickey Thompson Baja's for tires. With the small lift in phase 2, i'll likely push close to a 33 inch tire.
3c. Modded intrusion bar (if needed).
Phase 4 -- Final Form? - unknown time??
4a. Morimoto headlights. The stock halogens are probably some of the best halogens I've personally had on a vehicle, but still aren't great. If it rains the visiblity is les poopy.
4b. Katzskin leather seats. My dog is a GSP and has fur that has the appearance of a needle despite being incredibly soft. A nightmare to vacuum out of cloth seats.
if after all of that i'm still loving the truck and having a blast saving money by not having a car payment, i might do something particularly silly and mess with the utility in the bed for camping/hauling/etc.
That's my plan. I've been daydreaming about this for some time and it really intensified after my last pursuit of a full size truck fell through again (they're just more money than i want to spend -- even discounted). Figured this little journal could be fun.
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