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The "What did you do to your Ranger today" thread

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Old Dec 17, 2019
  #5551  
HT08's Avatar
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From: Pasadena, California
Originally Posted by Vetra
Over the weekend I changed oil and filter, replaced burned out side marker lights, installed 2006+ side mirrors, installed nice large blind spot mirrors and gave her a wash job.

The mirror upgrades have made a stark difference. I highly recommend it for anyone doing a lot of multi-lane driving.

On deck; stereo upgrade.

ENJOY
Vetra, could you tell me about the 2006+ mirrors, what's the deal with them? Some one else just installed a set, what are the advantages and benefits? Thanks
 
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Old Dec 18, 2019
  #5552  
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From: Oregon
They're larger, a better shape both aesthetically as well as for visibility.
 
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Old Dec 18, 2019
  #5553  
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From: Rockingham, NC
Originally Posted by HT08
Looks nice, but what's the deal with the mirrors compared to the previous years, thanks in advance for clarifying.
look nicer and larger glass. Have driven full size trucks for several years now. Almost feels like I’m in the Sierra now with the new mirrors. Better rear visibility. Biggest reason I changed was the old mirrors would not stay in position. Constantly falling down.
 
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Old Dec 18, 2019
  #5554  
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From: Rockingham, NC
Scary moment.

My dad pulled into my work this morning. I happened to be outside. As we are talking I notice a steady stream of liquid coming down from front of motor. Quick glance trying to hopefully find a busted hose and no luck. Get to looking closer and appears to be from water pump. Not good. With no time to be a mechanic, dad drives around block to professional mechanic. He finds the heater hose T has a nice size gash. Quick check of parts houses and not one in stock. So go see welding shop friend. He brazes for me. I decide to replace sender since have everything out of the way. Go to parts house to get and happened to mention T. Guy says “oh we have one “. So new T and sender.



 
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Old Dec 18, 2019
  #5555  
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From: Pasadena, California
Originally Posted by MaDMaXX
They're larger, a better shape both aesthetically as well as for visibility.
Originally Posted by Swampsauce
look nicer and larger glass. Have driven full size trucks for several years now. Almost feels like I’m in the Sierra now with the new mirrors. Better rear visibility. Biggest reason I changed was the old mirrors would not stay in position. Constantly falling down.
Thank You both for your reply, is there a preferred set? I see a lot of different ones online and my truck does not have power anything so manual ones will do just fine. Any suggestions form experience would be Great! Thanks again
 
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Old Dec 18, 2019
  #5556  
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From: Pasadena, California
Icon10

Originally Posted by MaDMaXX
They're larger, a better shape both aesthetically as well as for visibility.
Originally Posted by Swampsauce
look nicer and larger glass. Have driven full size trucks for several years now. Almost feels like I’m in the Sierra now with the new mirrors. Better rear visibility. Biggest reason I changed was the old mirrors would not stay in position. Constantly falling down.
Thank You both for your reply, is there a preferred set? I see a lot of different ones online and my truck does not have power anything so manual ones will do just fine. Any suggestions form experience would be Great! Thanks again
 
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Old Dec 19, 2019
  #5557  
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From: Rockingham, NC
Old Dec 28, 2019
  #5558  
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From: Kernersville
Today i installed a pin switch with a L bracket on my tailgate to control some automatic LED strip lights that i ran under the bedrails. now when i drop the tailgate the lights cut on. i also installed a 3 way switch so it can be On, Off, Auto. works good so far.
 
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Old Jan 4, 2020
  #5559  
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From: Rockingham, NC

From radiator

Flush

Final flush
ally had little time to flush radiator and heater core. Reversed core hoses also. First picture is out of radiator. Second one first bucket while flushing. Last picture is fourth and last bucket flush. Feel like everything is in pretty good shape now.
 
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Old Jan 4, 2020
  #5560  
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From: Hackensack, Nj
How old was the coolant? ....years?....miles?

Anyone know how long hoses last in these trucks?
 
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Old Jan 4, 2020
  #5561  
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From: Rockingham, NC
Originally Posted by Georgeandkira
How old was the coolant? ....years?....miles?

Anyone know how long hoses last in these trucks?

coolant was added to couple weeks ago when had a leak. I’ve only owned 8 months. But I’d be willing to bet never changed in the 207,000 miles
 
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Old Jan 20, 2020
  #5562  
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From: MODESTO, CA
New exhaust showed up today

I ordered a "Total Flow" single chamber muffler in stainless steel (2.5" offset in by dual 2.5" offset out) TOTALFLOW Black 2.5" Offset in / 2.5" Offset 442581 409 Stainless Steel Single Chamber Universal Muffler 2.5" Dual Offset Out Transverse
Amazon Amazon


I've had plenty of Flowmaster 40 series, but I wanted to try something new this time. It got pretty good ratings on Amazon. Hopefully I'll be able to get er' welded up this weekend. If I do I'll put a video up .
 
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Old Jan 20, 2020
  #5563  
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From: MODESTO, CA
Almost forgot to mention...

Installing a lift/level kit and some wheel spacers as soon as my tax return shows up. I am thinking of lifting the front end an inch or so beyond level. I know others don't care for the reverse rake look, but I like it and it should promote drainage of any water from the bed.
Orion Motor Tech 5x4.5 Wheel Spacers 1.5 inches with 1/2-20 Studs, Compatible with Ford Ranger Explorer Mustang, Jeep Wrangler TJ Liberty KJ KK Grand Cherokee ZJ, 4pcs
Amazon Amazon
TORCH 3" Front 2" Rear Leveling Lift Kit compatible with 1998-2011 Ford Ranger 4X4 2WD Edge Sport
Amazon Amazon
 
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Old Jan 21, 2020
  #5564  
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From: Portsmouth, Ohio
New shocks front and rear. Rides great. Not a bad job. I've been soaking the nuts once a week for the past month and a half and they all came off easy.
Jim
 
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Old Jan 21, 2020
  #5565  
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Originally Posted by Sturgphish
New shocks front and rear. Rides great. Not a bad job. I've been soaking the nuts once a week for the past month and a half and they all came off easy.
Jim
Sorry to hear you were having problems with your Nuts ! LMAO !

New Shocks do make a difference; changed my ride in the '03 EDGE.
 
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Old Jan 22, 2020
  #5566  
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From: Portsmouth, Ohio
The nuts rides better too
 
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Old Jan 30, 2020
  #5567  
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From: SW, WA
I replaced the thermostat housing in my Ranger. The worst part of the job was the hoses. The clamps were a pain to get off, I used duckbill pliers on the spring clamps, and then the hoses were frozen on the outlets. I ended up replacing the spring clamp on the heater outlet with an old school screw type clamp.
I also went and bought a ratcheting hose clamp tool so if I have to remove other spring clamps it'll be much easier.
 
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Old Feb 1, 2020
  #5568  
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From: Rockingham, NC

Added some decorations to back glass. My dad has decided he’d like an older 80’s full size pickup. So we will find another project to play with.
 
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Old Feb 1, 2020
  #5569  
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From: Portsmouth, Ohio
Washed it and swept out the inside
Jim
 
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Old Feb 1, 2020
  #5570  
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From: Portsmouth, Ohio
Washed it and swept out the inside
Jim
 
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Old Feb 1, 2020
  #5571  
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Sent my Projector Conversion Parts to a guy who'll have the job done and back in two weeks.

Looking forward to driving at night and being able to see !



 
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Old Feb 2, 2020
  #5572  
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From: MODESTO, CA
I installed 1.5 inch wheel spacers and a rough country leveling kit (lifted the front end ~2 inches). I also had a TotalFlow single chamber (single inlet, dual outlet) installed. The stance is great, just wish I had enough cash to get a second set of wheels for off-roading. In time, hopefully. Anyway, I'm beyond happy with the exhaust, especially considering I only paid $40. Decibel readings taken at the tailpipe at idle were comparable (around 81db), the big difference comes when you mash on the skinny pedal! Its the perfect mixture of the old school deep throaty muscle car, combined with the high-rpm-rasp of a modern coyote or LS with an off-road X or H pipe.
 
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Old Feb 3, 2020
  #5573  
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From: MODESTO, CA
Painting the fender flares

On Friday I installed 1.5" spacers (front and back) and a Rough Country lift/level kit. I got about 2 inches of lift on the front end. Here is a couple pics showing the wider and taller stance. To most you wouldn't even notice, but hopefully fellow Ranger enthusiasts can spot the subtle widened stance and additional altitude.

Today I started to remove the fender flares so I could rattle-can paint them back to black. 21 years of northern California sunshine has them looking a sun bleached grey . I'm going to thoroughly wash them to remove any hint of oil, let them dry, and hit them with a few coats of semigloss black paint and primer.

Let me know what y'all think of the new stance!


 
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Old Feb 3, 2020
  #5574  
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From: Hackensack, Nj
Nice muscular truck. Well proportioned.

Your wheels look good with a white vehicle. The silvery tail lights add something.
 
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Old Feb 5, 2020
  #5575  
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From: VA
Installed a brake master cylinder, which took care of the ABS light. Went to bleed, and broke a wheel cylinder bleeder off. Looked at the rest, and decided to replace all of the rear brakes. The driver side drum barely went on, and the brake is dragging a little. Passenger went right on, and I adjusted it to where it should be. Also installed new shocks. Today I take it to work and will see how it rides. I would suspect much better.
 
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