New To Ranger Forums. My 02 Level II
#6
10-30-2013
Welcome to RF!
Your truck is kind of an oddity! lol. Wrong console, seats, bedside decals, etc all throws my brain off. lol. One things for certain, those '02 Fx4 Off Roads sure were ugly on the inside compared to 03+ models! What seats are those?? Have you had any rear differential problems like many '02 Fx4's had?
Your truck is kind of an oddity! lol. Wrong console, seats, bedside decals, etc all throws my brain off. lol. One things for certain, those '02 Fx4 Off Roads sure were ugly on the inside compared to 03+ models! What seats are those?? Have you had any rear differential problems like many '02 Fx4's had?
#7
10-30-2013
Welcome to RF!
Your truck is kind of an oddity! lol. Wrong console, seats, bedside decals, etc all throws my brain off. lol. One things for certain, those '02 Fx4 Off Roads sure were ugly on the inside compared to 03+ models! What seats are those?? Have you had any rear differential problems like many '02 Fx4's had?
Your truck is kind of an oddity! lol. Wrong console, seats, bedside decals, etc all throws my brain off. lol. One things for certain, those '02 Fx4 Off Roads sure were ugly on the inside compared to 03+ models! What seats are those?? Have you had any rear differential problems like many '02 Fx4's had?
Pretty clean looking level 2 with twin sticks.
Last edited by Chris98; 10-31-2013 at 12:34 PM.
#8
10-30-2013
Those are seat covers on the seats. But other than that I kinda have a feeling it's a level 2 clone. Wrong Center console, Level 2 stickers are not in the correct location on the bed, steering wheel, dash and door panels look be painted and are a gloss black. The interiors on the level 2s were not gloss black, but a more matte black. And did the level 2s have black carpet? I thought they all had black vinyl floors.
But other than the fact that it looks to be a clone of a level 2, it is still a pretty clean looking truck with the level 2 twin sticks.
But other than the fact that it looks to be a clone of a level 2, it is still a pretty clean looking truck with the level 2 twin sticks.
Dash, door panels, wheel being so shiny could be the use of interior goop crap like Armor All. '02-05 Level II's got black carpet. My thoughts on the center console is pretty simple....looks to be of the older variety (mid 90's) in light grey with the upholstered cloth armrest. This could be as simple as a busted up stock console that nobody fixed, so they removed it and replaced it with something not broken. Previous owner, this owner, whoever. Flares, valence, rear step pad, and honeycomb all look correct being black(but that could be paint we're looking at). The stickers....may have needed bodywork at some point and were removed and replaced with eBay specials. PS: eBay specials aren't very accurate to the real thing! Note: color around the "level II" script and the size. Plus, this truck wouldn't have Level II decals on it stock....all it'd say is Fx4 Off Road.
But this truck has some custom stuff done to it, so who knows. Only thing mine is lacking from being indistinguishable from a LII is black interior plastics and headliner...which I'll never do. lol.
Anyway, nevermind the nitpicking post, welcome to the forums, Ryan!
#9
10-30-2013
I think it's a correct '02 "level II". I put that in quatations because there never was a '02 Level II, rather a '02 Fx4 Off Road. Name changed to Level II in '03 when they changed the name of the '02 XLT 4x4 Off Road to Fx4 Off Road for model year '03. Many, including me, refer to '02 Fx4ORs as Level II's.
Dash, door panels, wheel being so shiny could be the use of interior goop crap like Armor All. '02-05 Level II's got black carpet. My thoughts on the center console is pretty simple....looks to be of the older variety (mid 90's) in light grey with the upholstered cloth armrest. This could be as simple as a busted up stock console that nobody fixed, so they removed it and replaced it with something not broken. Previous owner, this owner, whoever. Flares, valence, rear step pad, and honeycomb all look correct being black(but that could be paint we're looking at). The stickers....may have needed bodywork at some point and were removed and replaced with eBay specials. PS: eBay specials aren't very accurate to the real thing! Note: color around the "level II" script and the size. Plus, this truck wouldn't have Level II decals on it stock....all it'd say is Fx4 Off Road.
But this truck has some custom stuff done to it, so who knows. Only thing mine is lacking from being indistinguishable from a LII is black interior plastics and headliner...which I'll never do. lol.
Anyway, nevermind the nitpicking post, welcome to the forums, Ryan!
Dash, door panels, wheel being so shiny could be the use of interior goop crap like Armor All. '02-05 Level II's got black carpet. My thoughts on the center console is pretty simple....looks to be of the older variety (mid 90's) in light grey with the upholstered cloth armrest. This could be as simple as a busted up stock console that nobody fixed, so they removed it and replaced it with something not broken. Previous owner, this owner, whoever. Flares, valence, rear step pad, and honeycomb all look correct being black(but that could be paint we're looking at). The stickers....may have needed bodywork at some point and were removed and replaced with eBay specials. PS: eBay specials aren't very accurate to the real thing! Note: color around the "level II" script and the size. Plus, this truck wouldn't have Level II decals on it stock....all it'd say is Fx4 Off Road.
But this truck has some custom stuff done to it, so who knows. Only thing mine is lacking from being indistinguishable from a LII is black interior plastics and headliner...which I'll never do. lol.
Anyway, nevermind the nitpicking post, welcome to the forums, Ryan!
And I've pretty much disguised my truck as a 04 Level 2. Even painted the interior trim pieces I couldn't find at the junkyard black. Got the red level 2 seats and a lot of the interior trim out of an o4. Only thing really keeping mine from being indistinguishable from a true level 2 is the Mazda steering wheel and the fact that it's a automatic.
Sorry for thread jacking your thread Ryan. You may now continue on with your thread. Just had some stuff on it that I was concerned with that's all.
Last edited by Chris98; 10-31-2013 at 12:37 PM.
#10
10-30-2013
Join Date: Oct 2013
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Welcome to RF!
Your truck is kind of an oddity! lol. Wrong console, seats, bedside decals, etc all throws my brain off. lol.- One things for certain, those '02 Fx4 Off Roads sure were ugly on the inside compared to 03+ models! What seats are those?? Have you had any rear differential problems like many '02 Fx4's had?
Your truck is kind of an oddity! lol. Wrong console, seats, bedside decals, etc all throws my brain off. lol.- One things for certain, those '02 Fx4 Off Roads sure were ugly on the inside compared to 03+ models! What seats are those?? Have you had any rear differential problems like many '02 Fx4's had?
#11
10-30-2013
Join Date: Oct 2013
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I think it's a correct '02 "level II". I put that in quatations because there never was a '02 Level II, rather a '02 Fx4 Off Road. Name changed to Level II in '03 when they changed the name of the '02 XLT 4x4 Off Road to Fx4 Off Road for model year '03. Many, including me, refer to '02 Fx4ORs as Level II's.
Dash, door panels, wheel being so shiny could be the use of interior goop crap like Armor All. '02-05 Level II's got black carpet. My thoughts on the center console is pretty simple....looks to be of the older variety (mid 90's) in light grey with the upholstered cloth armrest. This could be as simple as a busted up stock console that nobody fixed, so they removed it and replaced it with something not broken. Previous owner, this owner, whoever. Flares, valence, rear step pad, and honeycomb all look correct being black(but that could be paint we're looking at). The stickers....may have needed bodywork at some point and were removed and replaced with eBay specials. PS: eBay specials aren't very accurate to the real thing! Note: color around the "level II" script and the size. Plus, this truck wouldn't have Level II decals on it stock....all it'd say is Fx4 Off Road.
But this truck has some custom stuff done to it, so who knows. Only thing mine is lacking from being indistinguishable from a LII is black interior plastics and headliner...which I'll never do. lol.
Anyway, nevermind the nitpicking post, welcome to the forums, Ryan!
Dash, door panels, wheel being so shiny could be the use of interior goop crap like Armor All. '02-05 Level II's got black carpet. My thoughts on the center console is pretty simple....looks to be of the older variety (mid 90's) in light grey with the upholstered cloth armrest. This could be as simple as a busted up stock console that nobody fixed, so they removed it and replaced it with something not broken. Previous owner, this owner, whoever. Flares, valence, rear step pad, and honeycomb all look correct being black(but that could be paint we're looking at). The stickers....may have needed bodywork at some point and were removed and replaced with eBay specials. PS: eBay specials aren't very accurate to the real thing! Note: color around the "level II" script and the size. Plus, this truck wouldn't have Level II decals on it stock....all it'd say is Fx4 Off Road.
But this truck has some custom stuff done to it, so who knows. Only thing mine is lacking from being indistinguishable from a LII is black interior plastics and headliner...which I'll never do. lol.
Anyway, nevermind the nitpicking post, welcome to the forums, Ryan!
Thanks! It had no decals when I got it but it had all the other L2 goodies including the broken black center console that I swapped any console I could find (the grey one is from an Exploder sport) and the Alcoa wheels (but they were pretty beat) The shiny goop on the trim is detailing stuff we use at the dealer I work for. Makes anything shiny. Tganks for the comments y'all!
#12
10-30-2013
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#14
10-30-2013
That leads to my question; was the instrument cluster replaced with a newer version on 02Level2's FX4? It is certainly not the 02 FX4 cluster.
I am pretty sure all FX4s L2 and otherwise came with carpet. With respect to stick or automatic, I am pretty sure that most 02 FX4s and later FX4 L2s came with automatic. When I bought mine new, I had to search a long time to find a manual transmission. I had to go to San Diego to get it. That was in 2001 and it is possible manuals became more common later.
I have not had any problems with my 02 FX4 differential but it was replaced on the Recall a few months after I bought it. I am guessing I would have had the problem if not for the Recall. All 02 FX4s with manual transmission should have had the rear axle replaced on the Recall or had the replacement axle installed before being sold. The automatic FX4s did not get the Recall and many had problems with the rear differential.
#15
10-30-2013
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Everybody is entitled to there opinion. I personally like the 02 FX4 interior. While I also like the blue or red seat inserts, I very much like the cracked ice inserts too. I also like the black instrument cluster background. The silver is too bright for my eyes. I even wear sunglasses on a cloudy day because my eyes are sensitive light and brightness.
That leads to my question; was the instrument cluster replaced with a newer version on 02Level2's FX4? It is certainly not the 02 FX4 cluster.
I am pretty sure all FX4s L2 and otherwise came with carpet. With respect to stick or automatic, I am pretty sure that most 02 FX4s and later FX4 L2s came with automatic. When I bought mine new, I had to search a long time to find a manual transmission. I had to go to San Diego to get it. That was in 2001 and it is possible manuals became more common later.
I have not had any problems with my 02 FX4 differential but it was replaced on the Recall a few months after I bought it. I am guessing I would have had the problem if not for the Recall. All 02 FX4s with manual transmission should have had the rear axle replaced on the Recall or had the replacement axle installed before being sold. The automatic FX4s did not get the Recall and many had problems with the rear differential.
That leads to my question; was the instrument cluster replaced with a newer version on 02Level2's FX4? It is certainly not the 02 FX4 cluster.
I am pretty sure all FX4s L2 and otherwise came with carpet. With respect to stick or automatic, I am pretty sure that most 02 FX4s and later FX4 L2s came with automatic. When I bought mine new, I had to search a long time to find a manual transmission. I had to go to San Diego to get it. That was in 2001 and it is possible manuals became more common later.
I have not had any problems with my 02 FX4 differential but it was replaced on the Recall a few months after I bought it. I am guessing I would have had the problem if not for the Recall. All 02 FX4s with manual transmission should have had the rear axle replaced on the Recall or had the replacement axle installed before being sold. The automatic FX4s did not get the Recall and many had problems with the rear differential.
#18
10-30-2013
It seems most people like the silver instrument cluster. I don't dislike them, they are just uncomfortable to my eyes. A swap for a later model Ranger or Explorer cluster is not uncommon because of the appeal to most people.
#19
10-30-2013
#22
10-31-2013
#23
10-31-2013
I am not sure what "twin stick option is late production availability" means. If it means what I think it means, the brochure must be wrong. My 02 FX4 with twin sticks has a build date of 11/01. I may be wrong but I would not call that a late production build. I am not sure when they started building the FX4 but 11/01 seems fairly early for an 02 model.
The twin sticks option was the first time it was available in quite a few years in the Ranger and it was only available for 2 years (2002 and 2003), this time.
The twin sticks option was the first time it was available in quite a few years in the Ranger and it was only available for 2 years (2002 and 2003), this time.
#25
11-03-2013
Gotcha on it, Ryan.
On the center console, SEM Trim Black is a perfect finish that matches the stock color and shine if you were to paint the "new" console. Also, look into finding the stock-like black or grey vinyl armrest and hinge. You may even still have the stock stuff around. Rockauto.com sells a fix for the VERY common "shorty" console armrest breakage. It replaces the flimsy plastic under the armrest and keeps the padded part on top. Part #ARM-100 or ARM100. $40 fix but VERY worth it. Can't tell ya how many bucket equipped trucks I see for sale online with a busted up console armrest! lol.
I may be able to re-use your current hinge and if you need a cheap black armrest pad, I've got one. Not in the best of shape but not in the worst either. Just PM me if you're interested.
2001 2002 2003 Ranger Genuine Ford Center Console Lid Arm Rest w Top Pad | eBay
1991 2001 Ford Explorer Ranger Center Console Arm Rest Pad Grey Gray | eBay
We all got our opinions.
My comment wasn't so much focused on certain detailed aspects of the '02 Fx4 interior like gauges and seats and what not, it was more so as-a-whole. Just too bland, too black, and colorless for me. Nothing breaks up all the black. Black gauges, the perforated door panel vinyl above the armrest, black radio bezel, etc. I do however LOVE the '02 Fx4 seats with the rock pattern. Absolutely regret not buying the set I saw on craigslist locally many years ago for $100.
Looks sick!! How'd the masking work out? What was your process? I only ask because mine were a ***** to mask and get perfect a number of years ago...
Not plasti-dip, automotive paint though.
On the center console, SEM Trim Black is a perfect finish that matches the stock color and shine if you were to paint the "new" console. Also, look into finding the stock-like black or grey vinyl armrest and hinge. You may even still have the stock stuff around. Rockauto.com sells a fix for the VERY common "shorty" console armrest breakage. It replaces the flimsy plastic under the armrest and keeps the padded part on top. Part #ARM-100 or ARM100. $40 fix but VERY worth it. Can't tell ya how many bucket equipped trucks I see for sale online with a busted up console armrest! lol.
I may be able to re-use your current hinge and if you need a cheap black armrest pad, I've got one. Not in the best of shape but not in the worst either. Just PM me if you're interested.
2001 2002 2003 Ranger Genuine Ford Center Console Lid Arm Rest w Top Pad | eBay
1991 2001 Ford Explorer Ranger Center Console Arm Rest Pad Grey Gray | eBay
Everybody is entitled to there opinion. I personally like the 02 FX4 interior. While I also like the blue or red seat inserts, I very much like the cracked ice inserts too. I also like the black instrument cluster background. The silver is too bright for my eyes. I even wear sunglasses on a cloudy day because my eyes are sensitive light and brightness.
My comment wasn't so much focused on certain detailed aspects of the '02 Fx4 interior like gauges and seats and what not, it was more so as-a-whole. Just too bland, too black, and colorless for me. Nothing breaks up all the black. Black gauges, the perforated door panel vinyl above the armrest, black radio bezel, etc. I do however LOVE the '02 Fx4 seats with the rock pattern. Absolutely regret not buying the set I saw on craigslist locally many years ago for $100.
Looks sick!! How'd the masking work out? What was your process? I only ask because mine were a ***** to mask and get perfect a number of years ago...
Not plasti-dip, automotive paint though.
