I've had my 2000 xlt for about 7 months now. When I first got it, I took the time to tune it up first to make sure it was running as well as it could. After all of that, I decided to customize parts of it to make it to where I was happy with it. The major problem I had was that I have very little extra income to be throwing around.

I thought of a few things that I will do to make it nice without breaking the bank.

I will post pictures and prices BUT you should know that I work for an auto parts store (advance auto) and can get a small discount.

First thing I wanted was black wheels without shelling out $400 for new ones. So I picked up a spray on flat black paint for tires that we sell.



I was able to paint all four tires with one can with a little bit left over. I had to also pick up some 300 grit sand paper for preping them and some painters tape to tape off the tires.
Cost: about $20
Time: 5-6 hours (one tire at a time and one hour each to dry.

The next thing I wanted was black bumpers and grill instead of the chrome that I had. I priced out getting new ones, and they were well out of my price range. My friend then suggested a great idea: bed coating.



I took off my bumpers and grill and began coating with bed armor. I then ran out of paint and had to fashion a make-shift license plate holder out of wire to go and get more.





I decided to use the spray bed armor as opposed to the can roll on stuff, merely for the fact that it was so much cheaper. I did need the tools to take them off (a simple wratchet set) large cardboard sheets to paint on and more sandpaper to prep them.
Cost: about $25 (2 cans and sand paper)
Time: about 5 1/2 hours

I then restored the headlights using a DIY kit from my store to get them looking good as new.



There are lots of different kits. I used the one made by Sylvania.
Cost: about $18
Time: about 45 min

I still have big plans for the future, so I will keep you up to date on improvements as I do them.

Enjoy!

Look sweet, that bed armor came out sick!! Im going to probably do my rear bumper now!

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02 Edge 4.0 4x4. 3" body and 3" block rear. 35" Falcons (STOCK GEARING...4:10), eagle 15" 180 series wheels. Flowmaster super 44. HID's. Tauno cover.

Looks good!

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you painted the WHEELS not the TIRES correct?

Looks like you need some practice.

not a bad start.

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92 ford ranger 5spd, 2.3L, weekend beater
03 mazda 6s, not enough space to list all mods....
13 mazda cx5. Daily, not modded yet

This looks sweet. Im on a budget too but i might do the same with rims and bumper and i have the chrome grille, debating adding that in. Im nervous though (esp with the rims) because if they get scratched after painting them black the silver on the rims or chrome on the bumper will shine right through

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if you do multiple coats of w/e color + clear and proper prep.... the paint will last just fine. The worst part then is getting the fools at tire shops not to bang their air tools into your wheels.

I would recommend getting a tire shop to dismount the tires first. It makes for less prep work and usually only a few dollars for the service at walmart and/or used tire shops.

I have painted several sets of wheels before, and it really is all in how much effort you put into them.

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92 ford ranger 5spd, 2.3L, weekend beater
03 mazda 6s, not enough space to list all mods....
13 mazda cx5. Daily, not modded yet

a spray clear coat? can anyone recommend a brand? i never seem to get a very good one

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yes spray clear. For wheels I like Duplicolor wheel paint Clear, but I have never had an issue with any clear in a can that can be used for engines.

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92 ford ranger 5spd, 2.3L, weekend beater
03 mazda 6s, not enough space to list all mods....
13 mazda cx5. Daily, not modded yet

I think as someone who has had no experience whatsoever doing any of this, it has all turned out fairly well so far.



I went and picked up some turtle rubbing compound and a touch up paint kit from Duplicolor to fix up some of the small scratches and chips in the paint. It already looks ten times better than when I bought it
Cost: about $30
Time: a few hours

Lookin' good!

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A Bad Day Fishing is Better Than a Good Day at Work

2003 RangerXLT Supercab 4.0SOHC/Auto 4x4. DWB.
Turn Signal Mod. Fog Light mod. ACC power mod. Rhino Lined bed. LED gauges.

Truck definitely looks great! I can vouch for that spray on bed armor. Stuff is legit!

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2007 XL // 2.3 - 5 speed // DSG .. Finally low!

I think it looks great! Main thing is that your happy with it.

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2004 Ford Ranger Edge 3.0 V6

I am really happy with how it's coming along but still have so much to do until it is completely done. Now that I've done a lot to the outside, I think I may focus on the inside.

I had a few ideas, guys could let me know what you think.

1. Headlights and tail-lights are one option, and they aren't all too expensive.

1. I had seen a few threads on here about LED lighting behind the gauges/instrument panel. I may look into putting in some red ones, though I've heard from a friend that it's a bit difficult.

2. I may want to take out the dash/door panels and paint them black as well, to keep with the black and red theme.

3. I saw a thread about cutting off the center console on the 60/40 bench to make it buckets. I might do that and just slip on some black and red seat covers. I priced out new seats and they are a bit out of my price range.

4. New ceiling fabric. I could do this myself, but there is a company nearby that will do it for about $100 and at least then I know it wouldn't get messed up.

All are a bit more involved than what I've done so far, but the best way to learn is by doing, right?

You can get more noise and better air flow out of your motor by ditching the air box. At advance auto I bought a specter air fillter(smaller one), specter cupling, and a mass air flow senser adapter. I've done this on a lot of trucks i can put up pics if your interested



2001 xlt 3.0 airbox mod 40 series delta flow flowmater

ive seen many posts on people doing this...not to be a helpless n00b, but could you post a how-to??

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