It's about time...
 

So...I've been watching all you BAMF's and your projects for about 6 years and I've finally gotten the opportunity to start my own. I have a 2008 Ranger XLT 4WD that I bought in 2010.



https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1476749101

It's been a great truck, other than basic maintenance I haven't had to do anything to it. However, about 2 months ago I noticed a weird looking spot in the bed. I went to push on it and my finger went all the way through. The bed had started to rust through from the bottom.

https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1476749101

I'm not sure how it happened or why but I figured it was time for some drastic changes! There is a guy that we use for work that is a bad ass welder and he does custom bumpers for 4 wheel drive trucks so I asked if he could do an entire bed out of aluminum. He had never done one before but it sounded like an interesting project so he went for it. So he is in the process of making a custom front bumper, back bumper and bed. I have new wheels and tires in my possession and hopefully the lift kit will be here tomorrow or Wednesday. (No crazy single axle swaps or anything, just a 2-3" lift) The plan is to get the inside, fenders, and underneath of the bed done in Line X. The rest of the bed and the front and rear bumpers will be in a flat black.

Here are some pics of the progress so far:

https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1476749101

https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1476749101

https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1476749101

https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1476749101

http://i1072.photobucket.com/albums/...nger%204_1.jpg

And here is the wheel/tire package I went with. The tire size is LT285/75/R16

https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1476749101

I'm pretty excited about this. I think it's going to look crazy when it's all finished up!

Holy crap! This guy is amazing with aluminum! I love the fact that you are striking out in a new direction... something totally different. Has a Jeep-ish bend to it, which is an interesting combination with the Ranger cab. Also, great wheel/tire combination. I think this is going to be total bad-ass and I can't wait to see it when it is finished! Keep us posted on your progress! :bigok:

Thanks mhoward! Im pretty excited and i definitely think it's going to be pretty original.

Finally got the truck back with both bumpers, the bed, headache rack, and spare tire holder complete. Next step is the lift kit and to mount the new wheels/tires.

https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1477015256

Damn, I like the way the bed turned out. Looks great!

That is awesome! Can't wait for pics of lift, wheels & tires!

I'm giddy as a school girl, finally got the lift kit and new wheels and tires put on!

https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1477599612

Next steps are to put the new front grill on, get the headache rack and trailer hitch back from the powder coater, and cut the tail pipe off so it doesn't stick out so much.

Dude, that looks MADD!!! :biggthump

Thanks! It's turning out even better than I had hoped. I wish I had better photography skills, the crappy pictures I'm taking don't really do it justice.

I finally got it all finished up and had a chance to get it washed!

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Very nice!

Cool build man!

Slick!

Great job! What kind of finish is that?

Sorry for the late response, I didn't see where anyone had replied. The finish is a spray on Line-X bed liner that I had a local shop do. They did the whole bed inside and out, both bumpers, the back of the cab, and a stripe on the bottom of the cab to tie in the front and the back. The did a really nice job.

Looks good!