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Old 03-17-2014, 07:50 PM
Nother Level Nother Level is offline
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Join Date: Mar 2014
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Default Just bought two Rangers in about two weeks!!

I am within sight of the summit at 40 years old, work in residential remodeling specializing in carpentry, live outside of Philthadelphia, and am beautifully single and childless. I am FINALLY doing well enough to work on my own house, which is a sincere fixer upper. I own a 2002 RAV4 that is a phenomenal vehicle for what it is. I am waiting for the guy I work with to finish working on his old 2002 Dodge Sprinter for my next work truck. It's been snowed in for months now.

I still need to haul brush, firewood, other things that don't go in my van. I want to be able to tow light duty trailers. These and a few other needs spurred my decision to get --no, no-- my REALIZATION that I NEED another vehicle to handle these tasks. I do not ever want a full size pickup truck again unless I need it for work and it regularly makes me money. To expen$ive to drive, fix, maintain. Bulky to drive around, blah, blah, blah. So began my search for the ideal mid to compact pickup. I've been so impressed with my RAV that I immediately assumed a Tacoma is the natural answer. Until I talked to a handful of friends who have had them. Everyone has had frame rust issues. Every. one. And not just up to the 2004 recall. I know four people with issues on '05 and '06 models. Tacomas were out. I was at a loss and started doing major research. Several sources seemed to make rangers the clear choice. Then I found FRF. FRF not only confirmed Ranger as the choice, but thoroughly educated me on the ins and outs of everything Ranger. Every single ad I saw and truck I looked at was no longer a mystery once I scoured this forum. I went to every test drive well educated to confidently evaluate the truck which armed me with some good ammo for negotiations. Here I have to stop to thank and shout out ALL the amazing, knowledgeable, and down right friendly contributors to this forum. You guys are an awesome bunch. I've been lurking here sucking up knowledge waiting to finally find my Ranger so I'd feel qualified to register here and hopefully start contributing something back.

I've driven all over Jersey from top to bottom, and scoured Eastern PA for 3 months or so patiently looking. Finally I widened my search area. I found four trucks worth looking at in Pittsburgh are and owed my baby girl, Daisie Chainsaw, a road trip. After checking three low miles level II's and being thoroughly discouraged by discovering a blown head on one, and the other two obviously beaten harder than their price tags deemed I was ready to blow off the fourth. After all that one was just an FX4 Off Road and had 142,000 miles. Something made me go anyway. It was by far the cleanest, nicest, strongest Ranger I had checked out in three months. The man's price was low end of fair in my book, so I bought it. Within the first week of owning, I got three open offers on it for the amount I paid plus tax, tags, title---everything I had in it. So I kept scanning. Nothing better checked out on test drives so I pulled the trigger on installing an impressive sound/nav/etc system because I am a fully addicted audiophile. The day after the install, of course, I find an add for a 2003 FX4 Level II manual with 53,000 ORIGINAL MILES!!!!!! say whaaaaaat?!? But damn, it's in Cincinnati, OH. I'm in Philly. I spent he next six days trying to erase it from my memory. Didn't work. Drove out last night to look at it this morning and bought it immediately. Well, after verifying it is what it appeared to be. The clutch feels like it could be replaced to me, but I'll get a professional opinion once I'm home. Only other issue was the original tires that still had meaty tread were dry rot cracking from age. Already hit the tire shop. Writing this from the hotel in Ohio. Daisie Chainsaw and I are driving it home tomorrow. Not a single fluid/seal leak anywhere. No valve cover leaks, no oil pan leaks, NADA. By FAR the CLEANEST, NICEST Ranger I have laid eyes on in my search. And I looked at probably 20 to 30 FX4s and Level II's. I am telling the story of this search because all of you were an integral part of it for me. Even though you are all just meeting me now, I already feel connected to ya'll. Er, you know, in a non creepy kind of way. Hehe. Again, thank you for the treasure trove of info on this site. It's been invaluable to me.

I am definitely keeping the Level II until it or me dies. The Off Road's fate is still up in the air. If I mod the Level II too heavily (meaning replacing major drive train parts), then there was no point in buying that over an Off Road. But still do I leave it pure stock. Or do I make it my own aesthetically...? Maybe even some suspension/lift/tire size mods...? The three things that are definitely happening to it are:
1) '04-'06 steering wheel upgrade
2) Modifying that Tcase stick so I don't have to impale my calf on it to hit the gas in 4LOW
3) Adding class III hitch
The '04 has the wheel and the hitch... for now, hehe.
Oh, yeah. I'll probably also do air lift bags on the rear ( http://www.suspensionconnection.com/...t%20air%20bags )

Do I keep the Off Road to beat on? Or do I keep the Level II fairly stock and frame up total build the Off Road? Really don't think my life is ready for a frame up for another five or ten years.

I am heavily leaning toward making the Level II my own with mods, keeping the drive train essentially intact. And selling the Off Road. Any input, influence, ideas, pro/con thoughts very much appreciated and welcome. This community kicks ass, and I am happy to now feel a part of it. Thanks again, all!!!!!

Attached are pics of my two Rangers and the only female I have to answer to, my baby Daisie Chainsaw.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 20140317_173257.jpg (98.2 KB, 75 views)
File Type: jpg 20140301_222140.jpg (92.8 KB, 77 views)
File Type: jpg 20130217_152039.jpg (105.2 KB, 51 views)
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2003 Ranger FX4 Level II 5sp Manual, White, Factory Tonneau, Completely stock, Bought 03-17-14 with 53,074 miles

2004 Ranger FX4 Off Road Automatic, Sonic Blue, Cheapo black aluminum cap, Bought 03-01-14 with 143,000 Currently has an audiophile sound system (this one's for sale)
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  #2  
Old 03-17-2014, 07:57 PM
Welcome Bot Welcome Bot is offline
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  #3  
Old 03-17-2014, 08:55 PM
J's 05 J's 05 is offline
Same Shirt, Different Day
 
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Welcome to FRF!
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Gold 05 xlt 4.0 auto 4x4.

My build thread
http://www.fordrangerforum.com/proje...build-log.html
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  #4  
Old 03-17-2014, 09:09 PM
beef_stew beef_stew is offline
Simple Kind of Man
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,604
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Welcome and nice rangers!!!
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2019 Ford Ranger Lariat Sport Fx4 Crew Cab

2014 Ford F150 STX Sport 4x4 TRADED
2006 Ford Ranger Ext cab 4x4 TRADED
1999 Ford Ranger Reg cab 2wd SOLD
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  #5  
Old 03-17-2014, 09:32 PM
Fordfan444 Fordfan444 is offline
2004 Ranger XLT
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,309
Thumbs up Re: Just bought two Rangers in about two weeks!!

Welcome to FRF ... and congrats on the purchase of your Rangers.
I would keep the 2004, but that's just my opinion because I favor the 2004 + Rangers.(and I really like Sonic Blue)
The more you get to know your 2004 you'll find out that it's a completely different animal and most 2004 + parts can't be used on the 03 and older Rangers because the wiring was all changed in 2004.
Good Luck, and If you have any questions about your Rangers feel free to ask me. I have brought back 10 Rangers from the dead in about 4 years.
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2004 black Ranger XLT- Sold
2004 Vista blue 2WD(custom paint job)Ranger XLT 4-door ext. cab with the 3.slow and auto trans black and blue FX4 Level II bucket seats with shorty console
2004 DSG FX4 with a 5R55E auto trans and 4:10 gears-Sold
2010 Redfire Metallic 2WD Ranger XLT,4-door ext. cab, 4.0 SOHC with auto trans, SLA front sus. traction control, Sirius Satellite radio and 3:55 gears
2003 red Ranger Edge 4X4, 4-door ext. cab -4.0 SOHC with a 5R55E auto trans
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  #6  
Old 03-18-2014, 01:44 AM
Mike69 Mike69 is offline
Another old fart
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 7,486
Default Re: Just bought two Rangers in about two weeks!!

Welcome to FRF from your neighbor at the Jersey shore. Nice Rangers.
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2000 Ranger Extd Cab XLT, 4X4 Off Road, 4.0L, Auto, 8.8 - 4.10's, 01 grille & lights swap.
69 Mustang, modified 5.0, & 5spd.(project)
99 Explorer Sport, 4.0 SOHC, Auto, 8.8 - 4.10's, PW, PL, PM, Cruise, Tilt. (Wife's DD)
05 F-150 2WD Regular Cab. ( My DD)
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  #7  
Old 03-18-2014, 06:59 AM
dixie_boysles dixie_boysles is offline
5.Oh All the way

 
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Default Re: Just bought two Rangers in about two weeks!!

Dream ranger....white level 2
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2014 F150 SuperCrew XLT 4x4
275/65/17 Falken Wildpeak AT3W | Shorty Antenna | Tinted Windows | ProClip Phone Mount |5.0 v8 |Tow Package | Oxford White


Sold/Totaled: 2006 Ranger XLT 2D SuperCap 4x4 Torch Red
15x8 Pacer 164P Polished Wheels | 31x10.50 BFG ATs | Level II Tow Hooks | FX4 Red Insert Seats
Tinted Windows | 6000K HIDs | Kobalt Low Profile Toolbox | Pioneer Speakers
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  #8  
Old 03-18-2014, 12:03 PM
03DJ 03DJ is offline
Ford lover
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 7,058
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Welcome to FRF!!!
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2003 Ford Ranger FX4: 4.0L V6 | Auto | 4.10s | 265/75R16 BFG AT KO2 | Ion Alloy 174 | Pioneer radio | Alpine Speakers| 06 tails | Thunderbolt turn signal mirrors | Kobalt Toolbox | 22" LED lightbar | Blackout headlights | Headache Rack | 140K miles. DWB!
Build Thread <-- Clicky

March 2015 TOTM

2016 Ford Fusion SE. 1.5L EcoBoost. 6-speed Auto. White Platinum Tri-Coat Metallic. 18" 5 spoke black rims. Daily Driver.

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One can never have too many detailing supplies.
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  #9  
Old 03-18-2014, 01:34 PM
2004 fx4 level II 2004 fx4 level II is offline
sooo fuckin deeeaaadddd
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 7,881
Default Re: Just bought two Rangers in about two weeks!!

Welcome to FRF!!
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Fx4 levelII
enough^^ said

t-bar cranked 33x10.5x15 bfg all terrain ko2-15x8 pro comp 7031- blacked out headlight and corners mustang dome Westin brushguard March 2014 TOTM

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Yeah fuck Chevy
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  #10  
Old 03-18-2014, 01:59 PM
Springtown FX4 Springtown FX4 is offline
Future TOTM
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 688
Default Re: Just bought two Rangers in about two weeks!!

Quote:
Originally Posted by dixie_boysles View Post
Dream ranger....white level 2
Ha, same here, hate dealing with red although it has grown on me.

OP, I don't know your situation but since you were able to buy two then you must be doing ok, maybe keep the low mile awesome white ranger treat it well and let it be a toy and work the blue or sell it.
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2003 XLT FX4 Level II
Painted skid plate, Pioneer double din, painted radio bezel/door handles, headlight mod, throttle cable mod, Gibson cat back, afe cold air, 06+ fender badges, Remote start, 06+ mirrors,06+corners, 35W DDM HIDs 4500k head and fog lights,polished alcoas

Last edited by Springtown FX4; 03-18-2014 at 02:02 PM.
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  #11  
Old 03-18-2014, 02:04 PM
Trevor9168 Trevor9168 is offline
Nebraska Ranger
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 196
Default Re: Just bought two Rangers in about two weeks!!

Welcome to FRF! Beautiful trucks!
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--1998 Ford Ranger XLT--2 Wheel Drive--4.0 V6--Green GlowProLed Underglow--3 12'' Crossfire Audio C3D4 Subwoofers--TMA 1000.1 Amplifier--0/1 Gauge Power / Ground Wires--Throttle Cable Mod--More To Come--OH! and check out my Youtube Channel! https://www.youtube.com/user/trevor9168 -Follow NebraskaRangers on Instagram!--
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  #12  
Old 03-20-2014, 12:40 AM
Nother Level Nother Level is offline
Liking the Ford Ranger Forum
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 17
Default

Couldn't help it.
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File Type: jpg ForumRunner_20140320_034018.jpg (20.5 KB, 16 views)
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2003 Ranger FX4 Level II 5sp Manual, White, Factory Tonneau, Completely stock, Bought 03-17-14 with 53,074 miles

2004 Ranger FX4 Off Road Automatic, Sonic Blue, Cheapo black aluminum cap, Bought 03-01-14 with 143,000 Currently has an audiophile sound system (this one's for sale)
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