There are many builds, but this one is mine.

[OFC Ranger]

Build 2.0 is going to start tomorrow.

The rack is going to get a pretty big overhaul with some ideas I've started putting on paper.

I've also opened dialogue with an established off-road company, we will see where that goes.

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[OFC Ranger]

Monday an order of four 56.5” and one 44.5” RCI panel(s) will be placed. The cost was far greater than I had hoped however the end result should justify the cost.

Rack 2.0 is going to have true lighting modularity unlike anything Ive seen on the market. Not only does this include auxiliary full flank and rear lighting but this also applies to things like marker lighting.

Imagine rotopax, but for light placement.

I will also be installing new rear rack sequential turn signal / brake module lights x2 on rack 2.0

These will not be sequential Led strips but actual fully sealed stand alone units.

Also on Monday I will be taking down the platform to begin deconstructing portions in preparation of the new components. A new sub-frame interface will be built that ties the top platform frame to the RCI bed rack in a more uniform manner.

 

[bka0721]

Monday an order of four 56.5” and one 44.5” RCI panel(s) will be placed. The cost was far greater than I had hoped however the end result should justify the cost.

Rack 2.0 is going to have true lighting modularity unlike anything Ive seen on the market. Not only does this include auxiliary full flank and rear lighting but this also applies to things like marker lighting.

Imagine rotopax, but for light placement.

I will also be installing new rear rack sequential turn signal / brake module lights x2 on rack 2.0

These will not be sequential Led strips but actual fully sealed stand alone units.

Also on Monday I will be taking down the platform to begin deconstructing portions in preparation of the new components. A new sub-frame interface will be built that ties the top platform frame to the RCI bed rack in a more uniform manner.

Do you have a link for this company? A quick search did not yield anything other about audio equipment and condominiums.

 

[OFC Ranger]

Do you have a link for this company? A quick search did not yield anything other about audio equipment and condominiums.

https://rcimetalworks.com/

 

[OFC Ranger]

Looks odd lol

Also pretty sure I pooped a little removing it. That took some patience.

 

[GLekter]

Looks so great

 

[bka0721]

Took the liberty to put a touch on your photo, as there is some really great detail on the finish of your Ranger project. Looking good.

 

[OFC Ranger]

I'm off next 3 days so hopefully I can get 90% of the new platform build done. Sadly I did not get a chance to process my RCI panel order till earlier today so the finishing touches probably won't be done till sometime next week.

 

[OFC Ranger]

See if I can grab some progress picks sometime today. Yesterday afternoon and into the evening I got the rack tore down to its primary frame with just the grating platform. I took this opportunity to remove old wiring clips (3M backed zip tie squares) and install them under the frame uniformly. Before I kind of just stuck them where I could get access to because of the rack being already installed. I also plugged some old, now un-used, holes in the frame with ultra black gasket maker.

Ideally I would use some JB weld stick putty if these holes were going to be visible (then sand/repaint), but all of these holes will be hidden once re-installed so that seemed like a waste of time.

The very front frame support beam was removed and moved back about 8-10" and reinstalled. The front rack light bar installed like a glove in the support bars original location with the provided brackets. Once the side skirting is reinstalled it will completely hide the adjustment hex screws, but still be accessible by said hex tool. I just lucked out this idea fell into place like a boss with very little work (drill new mounting holes, plug old ones with gasket maker).

The unistrut floor framing was set aside as that component is being replaced by a new RCI panel system. I will probably re-purpose the unistrut pieces for my bed slide out system I will eventually build.

On the docket today:

- give the frame just a fresh coat of spray on enamel after a light scuffing just to address any small imperfections from my screws up while working on it (cause I am clumsy with a screw driver or ratchet sometimes). The outside skirts are going to get a "hammered" paint coat, then topped with a light coat of satin black and satin clear enamel. The last two steps are happening because every "hammered" black paint I've tested comes out more a dark gun metal color.

- while paint dries finish installing the newly designed sub-frame to bed rack interface. The remainder of the various rubber spacer/supports I ordered all came in yesterday.

 

[OFC Ranger]

I'm installing the rear chaff counter-measures next weekend. If all else fails it will confuse the hell out of whoever is tailgating me.

 

[OFC Ranger]

Someone is out on surgery so I've been racking (no pun intended) in overtime. I'll finally be off Wednesday after 84 hours in 7 days. Hey, this shit ain't gonna pay for itself.

Anyhow - I finally broke down and bought some much needed (albeit low-end) tools like a drill press, bench grinder, and some other items. Should all start arriving tomorrow. I'm still waiting on shipment from RCI for the panels and they said they should ship this week. They had a massive order of their racks to prep for shipment last week.

In my constant quest I have identified some areas of the the rack that need to be reconstructed, not because of failure points, but more to do with link-up points of components. Basically more QoL alterations. So I'll be taking the rack down again this week to make those changes. I'm pretty confident (knock on wood) these should be the last major design changes. I need to start getting ready for some warm weather trips anyhow and outfitting the truck with, you know, stuff to go on all of this. For the most part though I am in a holding pattern due to the RCI shipment.

 

[OFC Ranger]

Unistrut is a pretty common construction material for framing and electrical work. Very cheap (but solid steel) It is just a PITA to paint because it is galvanized. Have to basically give it a bath in vinegar and heavy grit sanding.

 

[OFC Ranger]

ARB Awning came today. Not bad, 2 day shipping. Guess I got lucky it was at a nearby Amazon distribution center. It will stay boxed up till next week....

....cause my panels shipped today from RCI. Good timing because next week is my short week (5 days off). I am hoping this project can come to a close next week so I can start on my bed storage and dog box projects. I'm hoping any further time spent on the rack is just delegated to some electrical wiring.

Also arriving this week is an electric paint sprayer. Been needing one for the house, but bonus is I can use it to lay down primer and paint on the completely rebuilt rack.

 

[OFC Ranger]

Spent all day sanding getting it ready for paint tomorrow (weather should be perfect). My sprayer came in, so other than toying with dilution to get proper flow the coatings go on tomorrow. Then the part I hate, watching paint dry until I can assemble it. Will give me some down time to work on the new wiring harness for the perimeter lighting I guess.

 

[Msfitoy]

Picture Dump. Past two days off have been fruitful. Ran into some snags with backfeeding on my junction board to power the perimeter lighting. Diodes should arrive saturday to solve that.

Also I've put the camlocks aside I had planned for the pods. I came with an idea to run electromagnetic lockers I can operate from the cabin; aka electronic button press unlocking.

Last up for the pods are I am going to install angled license plate lights. They will be installed on the lid so when they open via the gas struts the light will shine back into the pod properly illuminating all the areas inside. They will be operated by a water proof flush mount switch somewhere on the rack. I may just install it on the side of the first pod closest to the driver side.

Impressive...you should be doing my electrics lol...as long as I don't start a fire I'm doing ok... ?

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