What did you do to your Ranger today?

[subquark]

seems like a lot of work in order to replace 2 shocks? I just swapped to Fox 2.0's and I kid you not it took me maybe 10 minutes total. I didn't use and jacks, didn't touch the spare, etc. Broke the bolts loose and used my cordless ratchet to remove the bolts, tossed the shocks on, compressed them by hand from the bottom to get the lower bolts started and tightened everything up.

As I wrote at the end, you only need a breaker bar and a 15mm ratchet without the need to drop the spare or remove the rear tires.

I had a nice summer afternoon to fiddle so I went nuts to play with air tools and my new US-made bottle jack (and my 40+ year old US jack stands). I agree with you that I went bananas plus I had never checked the spare. =)

And my phenomenal physique benefited from making this a big production! Gotta keep this Adonis-like body in top Speedo form! =D

actual image of me doing the shocks last weekend =p

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[subquark]

I finally got around to designing and printing a replacement tonneau cover prop rod holder after one broke a while back. Not the best print, just used default settings to get it out fast and test the size and such. Not perfect, the lower clip needs to be a little deeper and with a flatter inner edge so it doesn't pull off while removing the prop rod. I need to get some red ABS now so I can make them accent the rest of the Thunder package red trim.

What is a tonneau prop rod? I've never seen one and am very curious to what I'm missing out on!

Plus, awesome bonus points for being a 3D printing whiz! =)

 

[ControlNode]

What is a tonneau prop rod? I've never seen one and am very curious to what I'm missing out on!

Plus, awesome bonus points for being a 3D printing whiz! =)

Allows me to prop the cover up like this, and drive with both rods attached. Allows for better access/use of the bed without completely removing the bed cover.

 

[subquark]

Allows me to prop the cover up like this, and drive with both rods attached. Allows for better access/use of the bed without completely removing the bed cover.

I like it! Thanks for the picture and explanation.

Plus I love the orange - when I was looking at a Maverick, that's the color I wanted.

Love to see a loaded bed - yours is a sharp looking truck! =)

 

[ControlNode]

I like it! Thanks for the picture and explanation.

Plus I love the orange - when I was looking at a Maverick, that's the color I wanted.

Love to see a loaded bed - yours is a sharp looking truck! =)

Thanks. The color plus black appearance package is what sold me on this Ranger. I really liked the Tangerine Scream Focus ST, but didn't want another FWD car at the time. When I saw a Ranger in this color on the lot, I had to look at it. My local dealer had ordered 3 like this almost back to back. I saw the first in Oct and looked, but didn't buy while thinking and it was gone. In November they got this one and I moved a bit faster to secure it. Then, in December they got the 3rd, a 22MY so more deleted things. Luckly that is just bulky stuff with minimal weight, tent, helmet and timing equipment. The trailer I attached before going to the track is the real weight at over 6,000lb.

 

[underwhelmed]

Put on my tailgate ladder this morning. Good instructions with photos. Drilled a few holes on the tailgate AFTER taking cover off to make sure I would miss anything vital!

Definitely going to attach a couple pieces of rubber to mid legs to keep any rattling down while driving. Will be a big help for this broke down midget. ??

 

[Grumpaw]

As I wrote at the end, you only need a breaker bar and a 15mm ratchet without the need to drop the spare or remove the rear tires.

I had a nice summer afternoon to fiddle so I went nuts to play with air tools and my new US-made bottle jack (and my 40+ year old US jack stands). I agree with you that I went bananas plus I had never checked the spare. =)

And my phenomenal physique benefited from making this a big production! Gotta keep this Adonis-like body in top Speedo form! =D

actual image of me doing the shocks last weekend =p

At least your not wearing your Speedo !!!

 

[bsr956]

Dad had one of those on his Dodge 3500,it was the only way to get in his bed. Loved it. With the diesel, couldn't really hear if it rattled or not.

 

[Utope]

Went offroading last night. New 35s decided to claim another fender flare. So today I decide to do a “flare chop” and cut the whole flare section out of the fenders. I like the way it turned out and no more rubbing. Could maybe fit some 37s next time I buy tires!! Went back out offroading to the same trail as before and only thing I rubbed was full locked on the forward crash bar brackets. So those will be cut completely off next. I also had a big whoopsy on the trail and almost ran into a big rock wall head on…. Going too fast in a wash and the turn came up quicker than I wanted. Smashed the brakes and abs kicked in and I didn’t think I would stop. Had to whip it up another trail but still manage to catch a rock hard with the passenger front and thought I busted my wheel or blew a tire. The tire “burped” from 13 psi to 7 tho. But checked it over and nothing bent or cut or anything.

Well done. Are you going to trim the front bumper next to match the new fender line?

 

[20XLRangerFraptor]

Well done. Are you going to trim the front bumper next to match the new fender line?

I’m not sure yet. I might pull this bumper off and try to sell it so I’m hesitant on chopping it. I’m planning on build a tube bumper so I might just leave it as is for the next week or so until I get the time to fab up a bumper.

 

[Dr3wDrop]

With the weather cooperating, I broke down the BDS rear shackles I got from a member here to paint and get ready for install.

 

[Forrest_Ranger]

Installed both Black Horse brush guard and front receiver hitch (from @Heavy Duty). Now it's time for a leveling kit.

I've been thinking of doing this exact same thing. Do you use the front receiver hitch for a winch on a winch tray that slides into the receiver? If so how does it fit and what are the clearances? Any photos of that?

How do you like the Blackhorse brush guard? It's been one of the brush guards I've been looking at in addition to the Ranch Hand.

 

[John_Kriner]

I've been thinking of doing this exact same thing. Do you use the front receiver hitch for a winch on a winch tray that slides into the receiver? If so how does it fit and what are the clearances? Any photos of that?

How do you like the Blackhorse brush guard? It's been one of the brush guards I've been looking at in addition to the Ranch Hand.

Love the front hitch and love the Blackhorse brush guard. Didn't really have any problems with mounting either (although I would HIGHLY recommend you call a friend to help). Took off the tow hooks and installed the receiver hitch from @Heavy Duty. It was a trick to rotate it into position by myself, but should be no problem with another pair of hands. Then mounted the brush guard under the hitch plates and re-installed the tow hooks. As long as you mount everything in that order, it should bolt up with little drama.

The hitch is quite heavy duty with beautiful welds and a solid finish. I have no doubt that it will handle more weight than the factory tow hooks. It does sit in front of the A/C condenser, but I haven't experienced any issues with cooling or ventilation. I haven't mounted a winch yet, but have found several uses to include pushing trailers (game changer!) and front mounting my canoe with a bed extender.

The Blackhorse guard is a beast. Very solid and provides good overall coverage. The only criticism that I may have is the paint is a single coat so it scratches pretty easily down low. If it bothers me too much, I'll just powder coat or spray with bed liner.

Please feel free to DM me if you want any more pictures / feedback.

 

[Forrest_Ranger]

Love the front hitch and love the Blackhorse brush guard. Didn't really have any problems with mounting either (although I would HIGHLY recommend you call a friend to help). Took off the tow hooks and installed the receiver hitch from @Heavy Duty. It was a trick to rotate it into position by myself, but should be no problem with another pair of hands. Then mounted the brush guard under the hitch plates and re-installed the tow hooks. As long as you mount everything in that order, it should bolt up with little drama.

The hitch is quite heavy duty with beautiful welds and a solid finish. I have no doubt that it will handle more weight than the factory tow hooks. It does sit in front of the A/C condenser, but I haven't experienced any issues with cooling or ventilation. I haven't mounted a winch yet, but have found several uses to include pushing trailers (game changer!) and front mounting my canoe with a bed extender.

The Blackhorse guard is a beast. Very solid and provides good overall coverage. The only criticism that I may have is the paint is a single coat so it scratches pretty easily down low. If it bothers me too much, I'll just powder coat or spray with bed liner.

Please feel free to DM me if you want any more pictures / feedback.

This is great thank you! Thanks for the extra photos also. I can see a number of ways the front receiver could come into play. Makes me just want one more.

That brush guard is a beast and looks great. I like how it retains the factory tow hooks too. I was wondering how the paint was but like yourself if it gets to scratched up there is a local shop that I know could power coat it for me.

 

[RedDakooter05]

Washed and used turtle wax's wax and dry stuff. Worked great.

Then installed el-cheapo step bars.

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