Which one is that? Curt class 3? Still debating if I want to put a hitch on while the bed/bumper are off the truck... I've never towed anything in my life so not sure what if anything I would ever tow, but I like how it looks...lol

-Nigel

 

Installed a new Continental Elite Poly-V Belt & Motorcraft tensioner pulley. Unfortunately, this didn't resolve my squeal so I will be getting out the stethoscope this weekend.

 

Pulled the ranger in. Going to be doing chassis saver paint on the frame and on the bottom of the bed over the weekend. Changing fuel filler neck.
Did injectors and replacing valve cover gasket. I forgot to take pictures of the valve cover but I cleaned that up and will paint it a color as well... not sure which color yet. Maybe wrinkle red? I broke my EGR tube so that's on order. Probably won't get done with it till after next week.

-Nigel

 

First coat of rust coating.

 

 

New shocks and brakes

 

While I have my ranger's valve cover off, figured I'd paint it.

I already had VHT engine enamel burnt copper from what I had planned on painting my AMG calipers but decided against it. Figured use up the can since I won't use this color for anything.

I should have taken before pics. Just your standard aluminum. Turned out nice. In the oven curing.

-Nigel

 

That’s probably the Chinese copy of the Curt, I got it off eBay. The hitch can wait until after the bed and bumper, it was super easy to install.

 

I had to repair a broken seat back. Two back support wires were broken and had to be welded back together, they had started poking through the seat. While I had the seat out I bolted a Bestop lock box under it.

 

Not just today, but this weekend. Installed my hitch, sucked out a huge mouse nest and reconnected a wire the little buggers chewed through.

 

That is sweet looking.

 

33 in tires, 2in leveling kit and 2 in wheel spacers plus some extra stuff

 

is that load bearing so it can raise the back little more

 

Replaced the heater core in my 1999 ford ranger.

 

Picked up a PML rear diff cover. It is such a quality piece. I plan on painting it this weekend the same color as my valve cover. Burnt orange and the top of the fins will remain the natural look as it is now.

Should have purchased this years ago. Adds about .5 quarts of fluid from stock. Very nice piece! Came with all s/s hardware and a new gasket.

-Nigel

 

I just inherited my Dad's 1998 2wd 3.0 and was wanting to replace the ball joints tomorrow because it is suppose to be nice. I only was able to pick up the lower ball joints because they have to order the uppers. Will I be doubling my work if I replace the lowers only and fix the uppers next week when they come in.

 

Replaced all 4 tires on my DD, although I only needed two. And got her inspected for 2018.

 

Cut off original mount, straightened bracket and reversed camera mount before rewelding back together.
Ground top edge to give tailgate clearance...then painted.
Notched out top of plastic bumper step.
Camera as it sits into notch.
Shows about 3/16" of clearance from tailgate.
Final position of camera which now sits about an inch closer to tailgate.

 

Diff cover painted. I am going to sand the fins in the morning.. hopefully it comes out looking good. Then in the oven it goes to cure.

-Nigel

 

Welp much easier than what I thought...lol

Started with 600 gritt, the 800, 1000, 1200, 1500, then finshed with 2000. It's in the oven now curing. I will then polish the fins with mothers. It's pretty smooth shiny now but I guess just for sake of making it so it doesn't oxidize too crazy the polish will help greatly.

I thought about clearing it but every time I have used VHT or duplicolor clear it ends up yellowing and or making the end product of color look different.

So far this is what it looks like. It's in the oven now curing then I'll polish it up shortly.

-Nigel

 

Fixed my exhaust. Broke infront of the muffler from a previous repair from the last owner. Put a piece of pipe in and welded it up. Should hold for a while.

 

Clear coated the diff cover and installed it. Filled up the diff with amsoil synthetic diff fluid.

-Nigel

 

Hey Dustin,

How's the shorter shocks working out ?

I found my shocks in the rear were too short and increased the bump steer problem I was having. Got longer shocks and the truck rides a lot better without Bump Steer.

 

Truck rides 100x better. I relate part of it to correct shock length, and part of it to the fact the shocks on the truck were cheap piles of junk.

 

2004 Ranger Edge 4X4 4.0
I replaced rotors and pads (rotors were a pain to get loose). Replaced spark plugs and wires (also a pain on the passenger side - had to remove inner fender), replaced vacuum lines and broken driver door handle. Hope that's it for a while.