OK so the last 6-8 months has been a long road..... Finally getting to doing the installs I set out buying for the last two years

Starts with me selling my hard fiberglass tonneau for a soft folding one last fall.

ALSO removed that NASTY *** tip installed by the previous owner (shown above)


NEW tip JUST in time to park it for the winter.


OH yeah.. Trailer hitch too!! FORGOT ABOUT THAT! until I pasted this picture in the thread.. LOL

 

I also found the exact cap I wanted (Leer 100XL) already painted in my color. I got it so cheap the sale of my fiberglass tonneau paid for both the cap and soft folder. Crazy awesome deal


Moving on.. Some may notice the FX4 Y-spoke rims. Found some mint ones.. Add Michelins.. Mint.. but not done in that department...he he

 

OK so still posting Pre winter pictures here....

Pre cap.. right after adding the Y Spokes


this got me thinking.. Really thinking... Photoshop mode

 

OK so that ends the pictures from last year... You know what happens when the truck sits there all winter.. You are hibernating in the house.. Thinking about spring.. Slowly Buying things one at a time...



A little test fitting



Spacers will be required. 1" (25mm) up front and like 1 3/4 (45mm) rear. Front spacers have been purchased
Eibach hubcentric. I'm not screwing around with cheap ones.

 

Moving on... Rubber installed and test fit all four on the truck. Rear spacers are still required.

 

Truck looks really clean! I like the new wheels on it.

 

pic op!


Parked at the HSBC

 

And back to the progress

My front seat fell out..


So I replaced it...


and a couple pics... I can't leave just the left swapped




The seats are out of an 08 FX4.. Being 07 or newer the seat belt wiring is not the same so I had to swap my buckle/pretensioners

 

Very clean. I really like it.

 

Such a clean build so far. Keep it up

 

OK On with the show!!!

Stock tires back on... this is just unacceptable!


FLIP KIT (DJM 3/5)


Drop springs were not enough up front.. cut a coil off and achieved the drop i want. These were the springs from Hillbank. the old Roush/SLP springs. I think it gave me a 1/2" drop after install. So cut them up. I paid $35 so if they get ruined I will order another set. Turned out ok though.


the rear is a pinch too low so I got some air shocks for the back end to lift it or add more per the weight I carry. I don't do a lot of truck like work with it but I don't want to drag my *** everywhere like its on broken air ride. A touch of rake would be nice. Go away rain so I can install them.

 

OK now for the fancy shoes..

 

the explorer wheels look nice on there!

 

So here we are up to date pretty much.. Lots of rain and weekend yard work has slowed me a tiny bit in the last week or so. I still have to install the rear air shocks. I have a complete swaybar set (Hillbank again) to install when I get it in the air next too. The only issue I have run into is my left front is 1/2" lower than the right. I think I rotated the right side spring past spot it sits into in the lower control arm so that the end of the coil is on top of the higher area rather than nestled into the groove. So with that my left tire scrubs the plastic liner a tiny bit and only the two spots that the liner is contoured closer to the wheel. I am going to pull the springs for a third time (sigh) and align the springs properly and also put in brand new spring insulators. Even if I find thicker ones and it brings the front up a tiny smidge that is fine by me. Less chance of a rub on huge bumps. The big 20" rims fill the wheel well nice at the stock height let alone dropped.

Other things on my list to do:
-DETAIL until pigs fly...
-ALIGNMENT once i get the front ride height correct
-Install my center caps
-Get the front bumper painted (previous owner made a mess of it)
-Paint my spare tailgate and put my Roush spoiler on it.
-Buy my rear spacers and install (next couple months budget) the rear is fine just set in a bit
-Front Shocks

Future stuff...
-Tail light mod.. Still wrapping my head around it. Who would have thought that there is no aftermarket tails lights made for 98-11 Mazda. You can buy 01-05 sport trac tail lights.. there is a crap ton more B-series trucks out there lol
-Dome light and finish my autodim mirror install. Tossed it on in a pinch but never wired it up

 

As far as Ive seen My truck is the only one out there with the Adrenalin rims on it. I have seen a 2010 style Escape with them but no rangers...

FIRST !!!

 

yeah I've never seen them on a ranger. a friend of mines wife has em on her 2008 v8 limited explorer

 

It was an option on some of the Explorers and standard on the Sport Trac Adrenalin

 

Yah I know lol

 

Pure sex

 

Not a whole lot of work done in the last couple months. Little bits. Other projects and summer get in the way... Also had to hit the cottage. but here is some pics




One of said Projects...


This field was far from smooth.. It felt like it was turned and left to grow wild.





Couple shots from last night. From the first in pic in this post to the last pic. you tell me.. the nose is dropping more as the springs settle. Yeah I got a little rub on the fender liners now.. nothing major but it doesnt like the giant parking lot potholes at work or the one bump on the overpass. With the 20's on it it might be a touch too low for daily use.. I may need to purchase another set of $35 springs and adjust my cut.. Maybe buy a set of 2.3 one and see how they fit.

 

Looking good man!