My Ranger Changes

Waterlooboy2hp · #1 01-08-2017, 12:38 PM

Well, I can`t start on most of them until Spring, so for now, I will work on a list and start on a few things, that I can do indoors. ---- John

This is what I am starting with. I bought it a few weeks ago, to replace the Dodge Cummins I sold and had been driving for 26 years. Just don`t need a big truck anymore. -----
Dealer said have the Ranger checked out and make a list of anything needing attention, as well as whatever else would make you happy. My long time vehicle inspector and I did just that. Gave the list to the dealer and he said, Thy will be done.

With 116,000 miles on it, the truck now has -- New Brakes, Rotors, Emergency Brake Cable, Radiator, Ball Joints, Head Liner, Valve, Timing and Oil Pan Gaskets, Headlights, Tires, Front Main Seal and Driveshaft Seal. That should hold me for a while.

I will be replacing the chrome 7 spoke wheels, with plain Jane steel rims. I plan to use wheel covers like this one, but only after the changes I made in the 2ed photo.

Another addition to the Ranger, is this item. It has been hanging on a nail in my barn for 25 years, as far I can recall. You young bucks may not even know exactly what it is, other than just a horn. ----

My list of things to come includes --- New paint job, overhead console, changing out the 60/40 seats to 40/40, moon visor, Line-x spray-in bed liner, 2" body lift and running boards. First things first, one step at a time. I am sure I will come up with a few more. --- John

perk7089 · #2 01-08-2017, 12:45 PM

Im curious as to what kind of horn that is!?

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Waterlooboy2hp · #3 04-08-2017, 08:03 AM

[QUOTE---

My list of things to come includes --- New paint job, overhead console, changing out the 60/40 seats to 40/40, moon visor, Line-x spray-in bed liner, 2" body lift and running boards. First things first, one step at a time. I am sure I will come up with a few more. --- John[/QUOTE]

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Been working in my living room all winter on projects for the Ranger. Have picked up some seats from a 96 Explorer 2dr sport, Explorer dome light and lighted visors, OHC, power antenna, New taillights and a cross bed toolbox, that was once a side mount box.

Here is my tweaked between the seats console----

This was a center console, from a 1989 Explorer, until I tweaked it a bit. The armrest was snapped clean off, leaving just a stub of its hinge bracket. That was perfect, as I would have scrapped the armrest anyway.

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The armrest hinge bracket, now becomes a frame for a small storage compartment on top and still bolts to the aluminum support frame, underneath. The lid is made from some scrap Rock Maple, with vintage Brass hinges and a piece of floor tile. The box inside is made from PVC foam board and covered with green felt. The handle is patent dated 1871 and once used to lift wooden sash windows.

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I built a larger new box, for the main center compartment, to gain more space. It is also lined with green felt. Beaded ball chain was used to stop the lid from opening to far (now that the armrest is not there to limit the travel).

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What once was the single cup holder, is now home for a vintage NOS car compass, sold by Montgomery Wards in the 1960s. (minis the original case)

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There is also a switch on the front of the console to light the compass and one on the rear to turn on the cargo lights independently from the Explorer dome light, that I will install.

The base of the console is the original Tan color. The rest was sprayed with Dupli-Color Vinyl & Fabric coating. Kind of looks Gray in the photos, but it is a light Tan. The Black was sprayed with Plasti-Dip. All the fasteners are Stainless Steel. ----- John

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tiredretired · #4 04-08-2017, 08:14 AM

I can't say I am totally crazy about your new choice in wheels. However, it is your truck and you know what you like better then anyone.

Mods are fun and you apparently are having fun. That is what counts.

BTW, when you get to installing the new OHC, it will have a digital compass as part of the display, making your old school one a bit redundant, unless of course you are looking for a backup EMP proof one.

Good luck.

Waterlooboy2hp · #5 04-08-2017, 10:34 AM

[QUOTE=
BTW, when you get to installing the new OHC, it will have a digital compass as part of the display, making your old school one a bit redundant, unless of course you are looking for a backup EMP proof one.

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Yes, I do know about the compass in the OHC. The digital compass is barely noticeable, unless you know it is there. Because I grew up with the old school features, I just want to add a few here and there, plus some that are not so much old school, but just my own ideas. ---- John

1vannn · #6 04-08-2017, 05:19 PM

I don't know if you have your Steelies you want yet, but I'd happily trade you mine for yours. Hell, I'd even paint them if you wanted to. Mines an 05, so it should work.

Waterlooboy2hp · #7 04-08-2017, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1vannn

I don't know if you have your Steelies you want yet, but I'd happily trade you mine for yours. Hell, I'd even paint them if you wanted to. Mines an 05, so it should work.

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Yes, I found 3 more rims to match my spare, so that gave me the 4 I needed. Also found a steel spare on a 1990 Explorer. Had all the same specs, with the exception of the punched pattern on the center. I am using that one for my spare now.

Rims and tires are being swapped around on Monday. ---- John

1vannn · #8 04-08-2017, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waterlooboy2hp

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Yes, I found 3 more rims to match my spare, so that gave me the 4 I needed. Found a steel spare on a 1990 Explorer. Had all the same specs, with the exception of the punched pattern on the center. I am using that one for my spare now.

Rims and tires are being swapped around on Monday. ---- John

Ah no problem. I just didn't want you to have to spend money if you didn't already. It's a sweet build buddy, your console modification looks amazing!

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johnday · #9 04-08-2017, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by perk7089

Im curious as to what kind of horn that is!?

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It's called an ahooga horn. Sounds like the horn on a Model T or A.

jheitt · #10 04-08-2017, 09:06 PM

I love the console. Mainly the compass.

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Waterlooboy2hp · #11 06-05-2017, 12:05 PM

Here are a few more bits of progress ----

96 Explorer Sport Seats

Explorer OHC, Dome Light, Mirror and 2 Piece Lighted Visors

Console Between The Seats & Shifter Console

Shifter Console With Folding SS Cup Holders

New 3ed Brake/Cargo Light & Narrow Toolbox For My Step-Side ---- (The Old Recycle Bins Are Also Very Handy).

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Waterlooboy2hp · #12 12-22-2017, 07:55 AM

Well, like everyone else, I lost all my Photo Bucket pictures. Here is what my truck looks like as of 12/2017. I will add more photos, as soon as I get them all on the Imgur site.--- John

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1vannn · #13 12-28-2017, 11:41 PM

There's an extension for Firefox and Chrome called Firefox Fix I believe and it fixes the Photo bucket external photo loading problem. I like your mirrors man, they look great!!

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Waterlooboy2hp · #14 12-30-2017, 09:51 AM

[QUOTE=1vannn;2740370]There's an extension for Firefox and Chrome called Firefox Fix I believe and it fixes the Photo bucket external photo loading problem. I like your mirrors man, they look great!!
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Thanks, but I can only use IE right now. Firefox and Chrome mess everything up for me. Many functions, that I have on IE, just disappear. Things like all of my email accounts and closing just a link, that I have gone to on a forum for starters. ----- The mirrors are off of an 80s Ranger. Once I came up with an idea on how to finish off the window corners, it was an easy swap. I have added more photos of other mods and still have a few more to do. ---- John