My '97 Ranger 4x4

[Dawgpack]

After putting my body lift on, I feel like my truck has become an actual "project" so a project log is appropriate. And I also want to keep track of all the stuff I do somewhere.

I'm gonna use this to keep a running list of all the mods (even the small ones) that I've done:
Cobra 19 DX IV CB Radio, PA Speaker
Hella 500FF's Converted to HID (35W 5000k) mounted on grille with homemade light bar
Bench to bucket seat mod with an Explorer center console
All my exterior trim is painted black
MB Chaos 5 rims, 31x10.5R15 BFG All-Terrains
3" Performance Accessories body lift
Custom Switch Panel
Under-dash LED strips
Sony Xplod's in the rear
JVC Head Unit
New clutch at about 141k or so miles
Flowmaster super 44
Camo headliner
10 Gang fuse block running all my aux stuff
2 55W auxiliary backup lights ($16 harbor freight lights)
First gen explorer roof rack


Here's when I got it. Quite lovely.



First thing I did was I added a CB radio. Not a big deal but it's really the first mod I ever did to anything, so it was kind of a big deal to me at the time.





Next big thing I did was paint the fender flares black.



That black was more of a gray and I didn't like it so I painted them with Rustoleum gloss black. The results were much better IMO. You can see how they got darker in this picture



Hella 500FF's mounted on a homemade light bar. They're converted to HID too. These are probably the best thing on the truck. there's nothing like lighting up the roads at night.



Before HID conversion:


After HID conversion:


Another one of my favorite mods, the new rims and tires! MB Chaos 5 rims with 31" BFGoodrich All-Terrains!




And some other things that have happened include the bench to bucket seat mod and an explorer center console



A few days later I put the CB inside the console


LED strips under the dash




My switch panel. The rocker switch used to be the Hella's, now they're on the missile switch and the rocker controls the under-dash LED's. I just ordered two more switches, one for fog lights in the future and the other for a horn that my grandpa sent me out of his old f-150.



AND FINALLY, the 3" body lift that just went on. I still have some finishing touches to do, like fixing my parking break (kit didnt come with the extension for some reason) and getting gap guards.






I wouldn't be able to do most of this stuff if it wasn't for all you on FRF, so thanks for all the help whether you know you gave it to me or not!

[nicksranger01]

thats kinda funny my truck also came with those crappy ass open country tires and now we have the same rims with the same size tires, but so far so good

[Dawgpack]

I got my gap guards put on today. I followed the How-to for making gap guards thats on here. The step guard stuff was pretty easy to work with. I got it at home depot for $12. It makes the back of the truck look 1000x better.

Before:


After:


Driver side:


My Super 44 should be here on monday as well, so that will be going on soon!

[Dawgpack]

I got my Flowmaster Super 44! My dad doesn't like it dumped so he's gonna pay for someone to weld up a side or rear exit. I'm pulling for the side exit but we'll see.




And just a picture I like

[FFparker]

Cool truck! we got the same radio

[Dawgpack]

Originally Posted by FFparker

Cool truck! we got the same radio

Sweet I like it. Small but useful

[FFparker]

yup. I've had it for 4 years..No issues

[knightmare1015]

Nice exhaust. The side exit sounds good. I thought your dad would like it dumped?

[Dawgpack]

Originally Posted by knightmare1015

Nice exhaust. The side exit sounds good. I thought your dad would like it dumped?

Nah, I told him its been done a lot before but he wast buying it. Hell I ain't gonna complain if he's paying for it to get welded up

[knightmare1015]

Originally Posted by Dawgpack

Nah, I told him its been done a lot before but he wast buying it. Hell I ain't gonna complain if he's paying for it to get welded up

I hear you man. I've went into many of exhaust shops with a set price in mind and get something opposite of what I wanted and planned for many of times myself. I also would end up spending more money too.

[pooleo]

rear exit FTW! it will sound much better, letting it travel the length of the truck before exit. Its not a v8 brah

[Dawgpack]

Originally Posted by pooleo

rear exit FTW! it will sound much better, letting it travel the length of the truck before exit. Its not a v8 brah

I know it ain't a v8 :P Theres somebody on here with a side exit that looks soooo awesome though. I want it. but the final decision on what it'll be always happens at the point of purchase

[knightmare1015]

Originally Posted by pooleo

rear exit FTW! it will sound much better, letting it travel the length of the truck before exit. Its not a v8 brah

No kidding Pooleo. He knows that and a rear exit is not what we're really talking about. He's talking about a rear exit in front of the rear tires. Not the full length of the truck.

Originally Posted by Dawgpack

I know it ain't a v8 :P Theres somebody on here with a side exit that looks soooo awesome though. I want it. but the final decision on what it'll be always happens at the point of purchase

Here's my old Flowmaster set up. It's similar to what you have now and you can still use what you have already without spending alot of money and it will still sound good.

Here's where the muffler was installed:



Here's where I had the rear tail pipe exiting:



You don't have to use that severe of an angle, but you get the idea though. It sounded good and alot of people loved it. Mom liked it better than what I have on there now. And she also liked the Deltaflow 40 series I had on there in the same configuration as well.

[Dawgpack]

thank you very much sir

[knightmare1015]

Originally Posted by Dawgpack

thank you very much sir

No problem man. I glad I could help out.