Hello to all

I am new to your forum and wanted to participate in the future.

I have a 2000 Ranger, extended cab, long bed, 4X4. I have been working to upgrade the vehicle to better serve future off road driving. My brother and I are planning to do some, as they call it, overlanding this summer. Not severe but using older none or low traveled roads. What I wanted to do is get the advice and knowledge of this group about updating my Ranger to close to FX4 level II 2003 standards. I am asking for those that are knowledgeable regarding this model to share any items that were part of this option package with me that I have not already taken care of. Below is a listing of what I have done so far. Also, those items that I know may have been on the FX4 options I do not want. Thank you for your review of this thread.

SOME UPGRADES
1. Rear Axle: This has been upgraded to a unit that was originally off a 2003 FX4. Including the 31 spline axles, heavier axle housing tubes, and factory locker unit with 4.10:1 gearing. The only variant is the use of Aerostar van finned rear drums. I did rebuild the rear end with new seals, brakes, and u-bolts
2. Rear Suspension:
a. Upgraded to Gabriel coil-over rear shocks. There was some concern that this may increase the ride roughness but that has not been the case. It rides better than with the original shocks. I went this way as I wanted the increased load capacity. I know about the Bilstein units stock with the FX4 but felt the cost was too high and those don't have the extra spring.
b. I replaced the rear spring with units that have the overload "5th" lower leaf. These springs are rated to a 1/2 ton load rating.
c. I installed override traction bars
d. New spring bushings.
3. Front Suspension and axle
a. Replaced front shocks with matching Gabriel units for the back.
b. replaced axle housing with a unit that has the 4.10:1 gearing
b. adjusted torsion springs up to level the ride height.
4. Brakes: I could not see any real advantage to upgrading the brake system beyond good replacement items. After all, it's not a race car. .
a. Fronts discs are 12.5" rotors and NAPA brand ceramic pads. (These are really good pads and I noticed better braking when I went to these)
b. Rear shoes are NAPA standard units.
c. Rear Drums are from an Aerostar van with cooling fins.
4 Underside protection
a. Found and mounted a Ranger transfer case skid plate
b. Found and mounted a Ranger gas tank skid plate
AFTER MARKET ADDITIONAL ITEMS
1. Winch style Front bumper
2. Front bumper to below radiator skid plate
3. 13,000lbs Winch
4. Front bumper mounted amber fog lights
5. Off road style rear bumper
a. I added LED flood lights wired into back up light circuit
6. Canopy
a. floor of bed has a rug mat made for the Ranger
b. full bed liner
c. folding side tables for use when I sleep in the back.
d. plumbed for propane heater
e. additional 12 volt outlets
f. 12 volt to 110 volt inverter
7. Overhead / canopy roof rack
a. attachments for my high-lift jack
b. attachment for my shovel
c. adjustable cross beam to separate spacing in the rack
d. Two high powered off road LED spot lights
8. Interior: I don't want to change this away from the XLT interior the truck came with.
9. Automatic Tranny: I don't want to change this from the OEM tranny even though FX4 came with standard tranny.
10. Installed rock slides fabricated from a universal kit.
11. oversized tires on stock 16" diameter wheels. Tire size = 265/70R16 Tire type Falken Wildpeak A/T

Well, that's about it. Any advice would be appreciated. One more thing, I have pictures below.

Phil

 

Hello to all I posted this at the first of the year and have not got any replies. If you have any advice for converting my 2000 into a copy (by drivetrain only) of a 2003 Ranger Fx4 level II. Please be so kind as to comment

Phil

 

You've already done the suspension and rear axle assembly and skid plates, that is all there is to do.

 

Thank you for your response. I thought I had done it correctly parts wise but I wanted to have someone who understood the details better than I could find online. Again, thank you for your time and knowledge.