Ford Ranger Forum - Forums for Ford Ranger enthusiasts!

Go Back   Ford Ranger Forum - Forums for Ford Ranger enthusiasts! > > >
Forgot Password? Join Us!

Welcome to Ford Ranger Forum

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread

  #1  
Old 03-16-2018, 05:23 PM
mfernandes mfernandes is offline
Real trucks are American
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,111
Send a message via MSN to mfernandes
Default How-to: super easy and important manteinance

Whats up everyone?
Its been a while since my last post... too much work I guess.

Here I bring you a very important yet super easy to do mainteinance for our Rangers; How to clean the windshield cowl drains.

In this tutorial, Im gonna show you step by step this super easy manteinance which will keep our Rangers out of water on the inside and most important, RUST FREE.

1- TOOLS NEEDED:

1.1- 3/16" socket and rachet
1.2- Flat screw driver
1.3- Garden hose
1.4- A brush with a long handle
1.5- Little bit of engine oil
1.6- Vacuum cleaner, a powerfull and water/dust preferably


2- PROCEDURE:

2.1- Open the hood and locate the two dain access points; they are 2 black plates located on the upper side of the firewall, right below the windshield cowl; one is located on the very middle of the firewall and the otherone just behind the engine relay/fuse box

2.2- Remove the 3 3/16" screws on the middle access plate

2.3- With the flat head screw driver, remove the relay/fuse box prying out the 3 tabs. Gently pry the tabs and lift the whole box up. Then set it aside.

2.4-
With the flat head screw driver, pry out the wiring harness push pin that holds the wiring on place. This may change from year to year, but in the 1995, 96 and 97 Rangers the wiring harness is fixed in place in the very access plate we want to remove. Check your vehicle as this may change.

2.5- Remove the 3 3/16" screws and remove the drivers side access plate.
Removing this 3 bolts is a little bit trucky, as you dont have space to work comfortable. Just be patient!!!

2.6- LET THE CURSES BEGIN!!!!
Check for all the dirt, leaves, sand and othe crazy stuff stuck in there for the last 22 years.

The cowl drain has two drain points, on the passenger side as well as on the drivers side. As you can see once the access plates are removed, the main drain has a slope towards the drivers side, so this is where all the stuff gets stucked.

My truck has been always good kept, me and the previous (original) owner always took good care of it: even on my clean truck, take a look at the inside of the cowl drain:


This is the middle access point


This is the drivers side drain point: just take a look. Look at it!


This is a close up on the drivers side: totally clogged up!

2.7- After removing both access plates, vacuum all the dirt, leaves and other stuff in there. Make sure the vacuum reaches all over the cowl drain in both sides.

After the vacuum cleaning, with the garden hose and the long brush clean all the drain, specially on both sides where the stuff is clogged.

2.8- After cleaning everything, even though my truck had no rust at all (thanksfully), I applyed a thin coat of engine oil to prevent from rust in the future.

This is the result of the cleaning inside the cowl (just vacuum and water, before the deep clean):




This is so easy to do, from now on once a year Ill be doing this.
I think this is a very easy thing to do, it will take just 30 minutes to complete using simple house-available stuff. Most important, by doing this simple manteinance, you can avoid water leakage to the interior of the truck as well as serious rust.

Hope you find this usefull!!!!!
__________________
Paysandú, Uruguay
1996 Reg. Cab Ford Ranger, V6 3.0L, 5 speed manual trans.

THAT AWESOME MOMENT WHEN YOU REALIZE YOU CAN TAKE ALL THE PEOPLE THAT BOUGHT A JUSTIN BIEBER ALBUM, MULTIPLY IT BY 6 AND STILL DON`T GET TO REACH THE SELLINGS OF PINK FLOYD`S "DARK SIDE OF THE MOON"
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 03-17-2018, 12:57 AM
Bob C. of Indiana Bob C. of Indiana is offline
Older Than Dirt !
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 5,235
Default Re: How-to: super easy and important manteinance

Great write up! I'll be doing this soon.Thanks
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 03-17-2018, 09:33 AM
Pbav8tor Pbav8tor is offline
Flyin High

 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,874
Default Re: How-to: super easy and important manteinance

Bravo!! Very well done. Spring cleaning has another 1 for the list.
__________________
03 RANGER EDGE 3.0
60/40 Seat Mod, Expo Full Console, Expo Mod Diff Cover, Thunderbolt Signal Mirrors, Flowmaster, Billet Grills, One Piece Halo Projector Headlights, HID Fogs w/Halos,
LED Lightbar, Euro Taillights, Interior Accents Painted, OHC, Indigo Cluster, 7" LCD Headunit, Mustang Dome Light, Manik Brush Guard
PNW CREW
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 03-17-2018, 10:04 AM
mfernandes mfernandes is offline
Real trucks are American
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,111
Send a message via MSN to mfernandes
Default Re: How-to: super easy and important manteinance

Quote:
Originally Posted by Pbav8tor View Post
Bravo!! Very well done. Spring cleaning has another 1 for the list.
Autumn clean for me


Thanks a lot guys
__________________
Paysandú, Uruguay
1996 Reg. Cab Ford Ranger, V6 3.0L, 5 speed manual trans.

THAT AWESOME MOMENT WHEN YOU REALIZE YOU CAN TAKE ALL THE PEOPLE THAT BOUGHT A JUSTIN BIEBER ALBUM, MULTIPLY IT BY 6 AND STILL DON`T GET TO REACH THE SELLINGS OF PINK FLOYD`S "DARK SIDE OF THE MOON"
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 03-18-2018, 02:42 PM
mfernandes mfernandes is offline
Real trucks are American
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,111
Send a message via MSN to mfernandes
Default Re: How-to: super easy and important manteinance

SUNDAY UPDATE:

Today I want back to the truck wondering... if theres a upper drain, there should be a lower drain as well!

So, I crowled under the truck and found the lower drains, they are just after both wheels arches, where the mudflaps are.
The lower drains are those black plastic trims above both mudflaps (check images attached).

So I removed both side mudflaps (2 5/16" screws each) and the plastic pop up trim to discover this:

REMEMBER ONCE AGAIN, MY TRUCK IS A CLEAN 2 OWNER TRUCK, ALWAYS TAKEN GOOD CARE OFF:


Drivers side lower drain point:



Passenger side lower drain point:



Prior cleaning this drain point and inspecting them, being an architect I thought to myself "there must be a hole to let the water run, this cant be closed". I was preparing to drill a hole when, while cleaning, I found this:



Its the lower drain point, where all the watter collected from the windshield, cowl and doors drains to. They where totally clogged on both sides with mud, stones and even 2 screws and a rubber grommet which I think are all original to the truck.





Prior assemblyng everything back together, I cleaned all the mud and derbis and applyed a thin coat of oil to prevent rust.

Btw... not a single spot of rust was found, american Ford build quality!!!

Hope you like it... lets keep those drains clean!!!!!
__________________
Paysandú, Uruguay
1996 Reg. Cab Ford Ranger, V6 3.0L, 5 speed manual trans.

THAT AWESOME MOMENT WHEN YOU REALIZE YOU CAN TAKE ALL THE PEOPLE THAT BOUGHT A JUSTIN BIEBER ALBUM, MULTIPLY IT BY 6 AND STILL DON`T GET TO REACH THE SELLINGS OF PINK FLOYD`S "DARK SIDE OF THE MOON"
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Mangaflow cat + dynomax super turbo seems too cheap and easy Clumzi Exhaust and Mufflers 5 07-26-2013 07:46 PM
Are these important? Ranger Rick1 General Tech 12 04-27-2013 06:18 AM
What does this do? and is it important? Jakester1994 Exterior Tech 4 12-05-2011 05:07 AM
HELP!! important bbrandon General Tech 7 09-13-2011 09:26 AM