My 02 Fx4 Black Build Thread

[Cole_CT]

It is finally time to make a build thread.

First a little about me:
I have had my truck since New Years Day 2014 and have been busy working and playing Lacrosse ever since. I'm going to college this fall (shooting for Masters in Mechanical Engineering) and I will likely be taking the Ranger. I received a summer job offer from a local company that builds Lightbars and Emergency Warning Devices (Whelen Engineering Co.). At 18, this is my dream job (mechanical engineer) and likely all the money I make there will either go to my Ranger or College expenses. So be on the lookout for some tasteful mods

Truck Info:
Its a 2002 XLT Fx4 4.0L with an Auto Trans, 4.10 L/S diff, and came with 31s (Goodyear Silent Armors) on some Alcoas in nice shape. Also came with a drop in bed liner that it looked like someone had spilled a full gallon of white paint into Hopefully I can find some pictures of when I got it so I can slowly get everyone up to date on where my truck is at now and how it has evolved.

I got the truck for a great deal by trading in my first vehicle, a 1998 Nissan Altima GXE and adding some $.

Mods that came with the truck were very limited:
-Two post removable aluminum ladder rack
-Wired for a sub
-Two loud tweeters next to the grab handles

Mods/Fixes that I want to do:

INTERIOR
-Aftermarket headunit (Done)
-Subwoofer/Monoamp (Done)
-Aftermarket 6x8 Speakers
-Fix door ajar issue
-Mustang Dome
-Explorer OHC
-Rubber Floor Mats all around

EXTERIOR
-6000k HIDs
-Projector Headlights OR Headlight Mod
-Paint/Reblacken ALL plastic (Done)
-Tint corners (Done)
-Lightly Tint Tails (Done)
-Tint 3rd Brake Light
-Find a Ford center cap for one of my Alcoas (missing)
-Refinish/Paint Frame (Done)
-3" Body Lift
-Add-on Backup LEDs (Done)
-Bull Bar with LEDs
-Bed Lights
-SS Nerf Bars
-SS Bed Rails
-Bedline Rockers and Top of Bed
-Maybe a Camper Shell
-Maybe an Aluminum Toolbox
-Repaint Bedliner (Done)
-Flowmaster Super 44/40

Please post your comments! I would love to hear them. I don't plan on doing anything crazy to my engine except for keeping it running I also don't really want/need a Susp. Lift. I don't do enough off-roading to need one. I do enjoy, however, the occasional trip through the state forest behind my house. The off-road capability that I have now with L/S is very adequate for my needs so the most I will want to do is a body lift for maybe BFG 33s one day. Thanks for your input.

Time for some pictures!

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My Very First Picture of the Truck, second day I got it.

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One of the First Mods I did was spray one coat of VHT Niteshade on my tails. They look Dark Cherry Red now. I'm rather pleased. Also notice my improvised toolbox in this picture.

[Cole_CT]

Tinted my Corners with 2 coats of VHT and added a plate cover. The picture makes the tint look dark than it actually is.

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Painted my undercarriage yesterday. I am currently the envy of many New Englanders hahaha

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The diff looks great with some Masterseries Chassis Black on it

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You didn't think i would forget the skid plates, did you?

[RANGERS4LIFE]

Nice

[Cole_CT]

Here's a decent the before and after picture. For $60 of materials, I would say this was well worth it.

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Bedliner Before

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And after one coat of black paint. Needs another coat, ik ik.

[Big94truck]

Nice truck dude! Not bad for an 02!

[Cole_CT]

Thanks man. I'm trying to keep it freshened up

[ranger024x4]

nice

[horizon94]

You have an awesome ranger Cole! It's going to look awesome once you're done with all of your mods, especially that 3" body lift

[2004 fx4 level II]

lookin good!!!

[black 06 ranger]

She looks good! Only thing I'd add to your mod list is removing the pen stripe down the side of your truck. I like your tails as well. Just did mine (2 coats) but the dark cherry looks nice! I thought the same thing when I finished mine.

[Cole_CT]

Thanks everyone. I did a lot of painting today on all the plastic. I'll upload pictures shortly.

Originally Posted by black 06 ranger

She looks good! Only thing I'd add to your mod list is removing the pen stripe down the side of your truck. I like your tails as well. Just did mine (2 coats) but the dark cherry looks nice! I thought the same thing when I finished mine.

Man I totally agree with you, I want that pinstripe gone. I heard I could probably take it off with a heat gun, razor blade, and a steady hand. I am weary of taking it off because I don't want to screw up the paint.

Anyone have any experience/know-how of how to properly take off my pinstripe?

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Originally Posted by black 06 ranger

She looks good! Only thing I'd add to your mod list is removing the pen stripe down the side of your truck. I like your tails as well. Just did mine (2 coats) but the dark cherry looks nice! I thought the same thing when I finished mine.

I really like your tinted corners. Maybe I'll find some '06+ corners haha

[2004 fx4 level II]

they're not 06 oem corners, u can get them on ebay!!

[Cole_CT]

Originally Posted by 2004 fx4 level II

they're not 06 oem corners, u can get them on ebay!!

Oh I see. Thanks! I'll check out the prices.

[2004 fx4 level II]

even this would look good on your truck


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the headlight and corners^^^

[Cole_CT]

Originally Posted by 2004 fx4 level II

the headlight and corners^^^

Hell ya they would!

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Fender Flare Before...
Annnd After

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Door Handle Before...
Annnd After