Chris's 98 Ranger Project
 

1998 Ranger 4x4 XLT

Bought it bone stock the summer of 2007.

This is the timeline to get up to date......

As purchased:
https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1354418048
https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1354418048

3" BL, Sport Trac cluster (with black surround), FX4 stickers, 01-05 modded tails, sport mirrors, gloss black interior panels, Cherry Bomb glass pack, and SS tip:
https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1354418048
https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1354418048
https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1354418048
https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1354418048

Clear corners, stupid euro tail lights, color matched grill, and resprayed bed rails (damaged by original fiberglass tonneau cover)
https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1354418048
https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1354418048

Explorer center console and 15" tear drop wheels (no picture)
https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1354418048

16" tear drop wheels (Mountaineer center caps), Flowmaster side exhaust, Extang tonneau cover, and recovered center console lid
https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1354418048
https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1354418048
https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1354418048

No more FX4 stickers, ditched the stupid euro tails for 01-05 LED's, Explorer center caps, painted undercarriage, Explorer OHC, UltraGauge, fog lights, and 5000K HID
https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1354418048
https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1354418048
https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1354418048

Tires (General Grabber AT2 285/75R16), emblems, and skid. The front skid and the rear diff cover are painted Hammered Grey
https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1354418048
https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1354418048
https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1354418048
https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1354418048
https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1354418048
https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1354418048

Cut up and re-welded my hitch to get it closer to the bumper
https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1354418048

Mustang GT hood scoop scoop. Definitely going to leave it DSG.
https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1354418048
https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1354418048
https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1354418048
https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1354418048
https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1354418048
My favorite view is from the driver's seat
https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1354418048

Sport Trac premium head unit (added aux input) and HVAC, 4 Pioneers 3-way speakers
https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1354418048
https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1354418048
https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1354418048

Leer 100XR, bed rug, under rail led's, Buggman led's everywhere
https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1354418048
https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1354418048
https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1354418048
https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1354418048
https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1354418048

Escape V6 emblems and recovered armrest with black leather
https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1354418048
https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1354418048

Little off day photo shoot
https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1354418048
https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1354418048
https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1354418048
https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1354418048
https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1354418048
https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1354418048
https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1354418048
Driver's POV
https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1354418048

Nothing to update at the moment except I took out my HID's and going to throw some Silverstar Ultras back in.

But the near future.........Cap is coming off, getting an Extang Full Tilt tonneau, and 06+ mirrors :D

This looks so much better.....
https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1354418293
than this.
https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1354418293

that is a great looking truck! i love how it doesnt really look lifted with those wheels and tires but it looks beefier and clean at the same time. how it should have been right off the showroom floor

Good looking truck... I like what you've done with it!

Thanks guys! My whole goal of the truck was to look "factory possible".

goal accomplished! i love it! when i saw the fx-4 stickers on it i was thinking you were going to do a dsg/black two tone

Thanks! I've actually never thought about doing two tone......hmmmmm

well it looks to me like it would flow pretty naturally with the grey fender flares and dsg hood scoop...

looking amazing man!

that center console came out cleannn, really nice looking truck. ever consider wheel spacers?

Looks like a nice clean rig! Beauty!

Thanks fellas!

I definitely want a wider stance but would never use wheel spacers. Thinking about Pro Comp 1069 16x8 wheels (more offset and wider).

I love how you showed us how your truck has changed over time. How it started stock then changed two or three times before you found what you like. Great thread. Thanks for the write up. The truck looks good.

Thanks a million!

I started out at RPS back in 2007, but the lowered guys were taking over. I've been at --- since 2010 but the idiots are taking over and just get plain annoying. Seems R-F is more "grown up" lol.

Great looking truck! I think some 33x12.5's would set it off though.

Thank you, 33x12.50's only about an inch wider than what I have, not to mention I just bought these in the spring. I think a wider set of wheels will help these tires fill out a little more though.

Good to see you over here on RF. I agree...RF does seem more grown up. I've always liked it better, and have been a member here since 2007 (well before I bought my Ranger LOL).

Truck is looking good. Nice and clean. Those teardrops look nice but a wider stance would definitely look better. I also think you should put some newer Ranger step sides on it.

Thanks! I have thought about step sides too, just haven't found a nice enough set.

That works too, I wasn't sure if you were trying to keep the stock look with the wheels. that would look really nice.

I do like the stock look, that's what's really holding me back. Not to mention I'm trying to buy a house within the next year lol.

That is a beautiful truck right there.

Cap is off and the Extang Full Tilt is on. Looks soooooo much better and soooooo much lighter.

Tail lights question
 

misterb-fx4, how did you upgrade the taillights. I know it's not as simple of just replacing the tail lights. How did you do the wiring so the blinker and brake likes work off of the same wire? We swapped my uncles bed off of a 2003 and took the lights along with the harness but the only lights that turn on on the rear are the parking and reverse lights. The brake and blinkers don't even light up, not even the emergency flashers.