Project Ruby
I've been been putting off a build thread for a while, but I'm getting to the point where I'm doing a lot to the truck and I actually want to keep track of the progress.
So this is Ruby when I bought her. Had a busted transmission and the dude wanted $4000. Offered him $2000 in cash and it was mine https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...01e9504102.jpg Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ---------- The first upgrade I did to the truck after I got her back from the transmission shop, was led lights for the gauge cluster, as all but 1 was burned out https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...f7cded01bc.jpg Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ---------- This turned into a goal of replacing all of the oem lights with leds. Put a mustang dome in with red leds https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...680b061366.jpg Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ---------- Part of the needles glow red with the map light on https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...4e133883ac.jpg Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
Re: Project Ruby
Added off road lights from Harbor Freight. Of course, the kit didn't come with an inline fuse or a relay. They want you to connect straight to the battery. That wasn't going to fly with me, so I put those in as well as a different switch because the one that came with the kit was stupid large
Before & after https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...44748f3c50.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...71cc116ba8.jpg Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ---------- Didn't quite like the lights flush mounted to the bumper, so I made some brackets https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...957fda4188.jpg Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ---------- https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...2b54e1c061.jpg Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ---------- This is another aspect of Pennsylvania that I hate. The climate plus road salt just tears up these frames. Went over a bump and the whole mount and shackle disappeared https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...f6c7fd71ab.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...f1a5c85381.jpg This led to me having the rear frame replaced Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
Project Ruby
Replaced the original axles for the PVH system with live axles. Also put in new shocks, sway bar bushings and end links while I was there
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...75a25a6360.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...fac2c819d1.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...d8ea02e7f2.jpg Also painted everything Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
This your truck in the pictures? Somebody posted something on a ranger group on Facebook claiming it is his and I'm like 90% sure it's yours lol
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Re: Project Ruby
Yeah, it's mine. I don't have any pics of her on Facebook
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Project Ruby
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...8f2c0e44a8.jpg
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ---------- Here's the wiring I did for the off road lights https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...0ca3517c8a.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...8908dc7b86.jpg Found some convenient ground spots https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...6989e3a1a5.jpg https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...be9eb0ed98.jpg Then put the excess in a loom that tucks into the valence https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...f562a5bbc4.jpg Here's the switch. It's in a super convenient spot minus the fact that the led is so bright https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...6978561fad.jpg Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ---------- So last weekend I was at an outdoor expo. Found a note on my windshield that stated I hit their truck. Well I didn't, but I didn't even think about if they did anything to my truck. Well when I got home I did a walk around and sure enough https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...1cc5f9c08b.jpg Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ---------- It gave me the opportunity to make appropriate brackets which is what I did today https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...40809078e0.jpg https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...b71b012394.jpg https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...a1d1e8fb4a.jpg https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...f5a309b69f.jpg https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...7376275f5f.jpg The bolts I bought were a little long, and I had to flip them because I couldn't get the nuts on from the underside of the bumper, so I suppose I'll trim them with a cut off wheel Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ---------- Did a test fit for my roof rack so I can cut it to size https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...d256431ff7.jpg https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...fc56224a18.jpg Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ---------- Also did a test fit of the spare tire carrier. It's off of a 90's Blazer. I'll have to take my torch to the mounting legs and bend them about 15 degrees to get them to fit with the curvature of the bed https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...f2817e6547.jpg I have a lot to do to get it ready, but I'm really excited to get it mounted. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
Re: Project Ruby
Great build to follow! What did you use to paint your trim?
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Re: Project Ruby
Krylon Fusion. I'm going to also put a clear coat on since I scratched the roof rack with the callous on my finger. It could also be that the paint isn't fully cured, since it's been so cold here.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...bc81b013b3.jpg Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
Re: Project Ruby
Just a thought, but just to minimize or prevent an entry point of water you may want to reroute that firestick cable higher up. it would be a slight more chore but if you were to take the cable out through the upper firewall, use a water proof pass through. If you dont go through very many water crossings or have flash floods in your area it may not be a big concern or even an issue, I just thought Id mention it since I come across a lot of water crossings. as seen here.. lol
On another note, how have you liked the urethane bushings? do they squeak at all? |
Re: Project Ruby
The urethane bushings are a little stiffer than rubber, which I prefer. I put a heavy coating of grease on them, so it minimizes the squeaking.
I've got some silicon sealant that I'm going to put around the grommet and cable. Same thing I used to do in the Marines on the AAV. Every time we came back from being out on the ocean, we'd have to spend a week scrubbing salt and corrosion of of the engine and pretty much the whole vehicle. The silicon protected all the fittings and anything else I put it on. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ---------- By the way, I love your rig there! I'm seriously impressed that it goes through that deep of water! Are you going to put a snorkel on it? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
Re: Project Ruby
A snorkel is mos def a near future mod..
I've been spending the last 2 mos putting together not 1 but 2 business and other than a couple local jeep trails and some nice pics, I've had little time to get back into my creativity. A couple things I need and want to do yet, most start in the bed with the spray in bedliner so I can resume the future build out of the bed area. There's MORE going on behind the scenes than pics or narrative has given away :) I hang out with a lot of ex MIL and LEO's.. Coming from an autocross background I thought and almost ordered every bushing in urethane for my truck. But I held off due to comments and experiences others shared of the pros and cons. Where abouts in PA you from? My better half is from the Lehigh Area.. |
Re: Project Ruby
I definitely recommend the urethane bushings, just for the durability and longevity of them. I did run into an issue with the sway bar though, I'm not sure if I got the wrong size, but I would get their mounting bracket. I ordered new ones from Ford and it was a super tight squeeze. I put grease on the inside and outside of the bushing to help it fit into the bracket, and used a jack to press and hold it in place, because the bracket didn't want to go all the way on, and didn't line up all the with the hole since the frame tapers to the front.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ---------- I'm in the Honey Brook area which is about 30-45 mins west of Philly. Went to a welding school up in Allentown, so I'm familiar with the area your wife is from. Ask her about Dorney Park. But I'm originally from Grass Valley, Ca, it's about an hour west of Lake Tahoe. Great area for 4 wheeling and anything else outdoors. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
Re: Project Ruby
Looking good, thanks for sharing!
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Re: Project Ruby
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