Before and after progress Pictures 2002 XLT
 

Here are some before and after pictures, It has taken some time to get to this point and I have a lot left to do.

On the outside I removed cut up and tossed away the old bed liner.

I removed the poorly applied Black paint from the bumpers.

I replaced the lower bumper valiance.

I removed the look at me stickers

I added AVS in channel visors

I Replaced the outer window seals cleaned the inner doors replaced the passenger side window regulator.

I also cleaned out the lower section of the doors and removed the water drain plastic clip for the openings to prevent debris from clogging the drains again.

I removed the front turning signal mod that was poorly done, and repaired and replaced all the other lighting sockets and wiring as needed.

I replaced all four tires and wheels plus lug nuts with Hurst Dazzler 15x7s and 225/70/15 Radial T/As

I had to cut of the receiver lock since the previous owner lost the key.

I removed about 40 spots of dried tree wax from the truck being parked under a tree for a long time.

Things I did on the outside that make the truck look better and newer is while installing the new tires and wheels I cleaned then wet sanded the entire suspension and frame that I could reach with my bad neck and back ( mainly anything that is visible with the new tires and wheels installed )

I still have other parts under the truck that need to be cleaned wet sanded and painted.

This is the least expensive most bang for the buck improvement I made. So far it only cost a little wet or dry sand paper and 3 cans of satin black spray paint plus some masking tape and paper.

While I was working under the truck I used my ultrasonic on all the fasteners and brake parts that would fit.

I also repacked all the wheel bearings since they were about 1,000 miles from getting damaged from lack of grease and had play in the hubs.

I got luck and all my suspension parts were in good shape except for the shocks, and one upper ball joint boot.

I replaced the rear shocks with Monroe air shocks and the fronts got replaced with KYB brand.

I found two holes that were drilled into the exhaust. The previous owner thought leaking exhaust sounded cool? ( really who does this kind of crap )

For now I threaded the holes and sealed them with screws. ( to be replaced with a new exhaust system following the related TSB for installation )

The TSB helps prevent a rough idle from a improper installed exhaust that can transfer engine vibrations to the frame.

Under the hood I started detailing the engine compartment.

I removed any of the add on mod wires from various poorly done mods, I repaired a lot of the harness with solder and heat shrink tubing.

I replaced the Battery and cable ends using a 900 AMP Optima red top battery and GM color coded terminals.

I removed the torn up hood insulation which I plan on replacing with new insulation once I repair the few tiny spots of rust found at many of the spot welds.

I installed a new to me OEM Air inlet tubing with accumulator,

I repaired the damaged metal backed insulation on the evaporator housing.

I still have to replace all the AC lines , compressor, dryer, orifice tube.

I replaced the fan clutch yet plan to replace every single hose under the hood, all the vacuum lines all the cooling system hoses, and power steering hoses.

I replaced the wires with cheap one for now since I found a leaking valve cover which I will address when I replace the intake manifold.

At that time I may go ahead and install a high flow head new injectors and new cam shafts plus timing chain kit.

This is provided the bottom end passes a cylinder leak down test.

If it fails I will end up pulling the engine with some help and rebuild the entire engine
using a keyed forged crank upgraded rods and pistons as well.

Keep in mind all of this work will happen over many years as I cannot afford all of this work at one time and I am very limited with the amount of work I can do myself because of pain.

the interior got spoiled with a new headliner, which could have came out better due to 2 cans of spray adhesive that started spraying a thin line half way through I guess from a clogged nozzle I didn't catch.

I also installed new Leather seat upholstery replacing the nasty worn fabric upholstery.

I will have to bring it to a upholstery shop to get them to repair the seat foam I did the best I could yet it needs a professional touch and a good steaming for a better fit.

I was able to clean up the carpet

I spent a lot of time inside the truck repairing a wiring nightmare again soldering the harness properly.

I replaced the modded instrument cluster with a stock un molested unit found on eBay

I spent a lot of time cleaning on the door panels and dash and seat belts yet I still have much more cleaning to do.

The center arm rest needs a special stapler to fit down in the recessed trim slot and I need a new arm rest cover since the original one is cracked.

I may end up plastic welding it yet I am hopeful I will find a good replacement so I can bring the console in to get finished when I bring the truck to the upholsterer to work on the seats.

The kit I purchased came with new leather for the armrest upper and lower sections

It has been a while since I have been on this forum, I have done a lot of work to my Ranger since my last post.

Here are some more pictures of the repairs-upgrades I have made.

These pictures show the new rear brakes, New right rear axle and rear bearings , seals, brake hose, I pretty much replaced the entire brake system.

I installed a new chrome differential cover since my old cover was severely rusted and not worth the effort to clean it up.

These pictures show my new Tri Fold Bed cover I got for Christmas you can also see the new front brake rotors and calipers I will post pictures of those in another tab

These pictures show me replacing the timing cover fan drive bearing that everyone I talked to said could not be replaced without replacing the timing cover.

While I had everything apart I replaced the AC condensor a few lines and Dryer

Some pictures of my new front brake rotors, new powder coated calipers brake pads, brake hoses and dust caps.

I will have to go back and paint the surface of the rotors that do not contact the brake pads as it will build up rust.

I have been working on trying to repair some noises while my engine is warmed up and running.

So far I have found a bad fan clutch, worn and noisy fan drive bearing, a noisy alternator and serpentine belt tensioner pulley.

The water pump had no play or roughness found in the bearing yet the seal sounded dry so I replaced it along with the above listed parts plus I installed a new belt.

While I was working under the hood I replaced the intake manifold and installed a new PCV valve plus I cleaned the crank case cover and installed a new gasket

I still need to order a new molded PCV hose and a PCV elbow that connects to the valve cover

The videos I will post also shows my new brake master cylinder.

I did take a few videos that showed the noise I have been trying to repair or diagnose.

So far I have made many of the noises have gone away but the one that sounds like a connecting rod knock. Yet this noise goes away when I remove the belt.


Here is a video that shows disconnecting the belt and the noise seems to go away of get much quieter

Nice job looks very nice!

Great job! Where did you purchase your new headliner and chrome differential cover from? My new Ranger smells like smoke and I want to possibly replace the headliner if it's easy enough. And that chrome differential cover is the bee's knees!

Holy s*** nice work! looks professional, beats my project big time :P


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