Ford Ranger Forum - Forums for Ford Ranger enthusiasts!

Go Back   Ford Ranger Forum - Forums for Ford Ranger enthusiasts! > >
Forgot Password? Join Us!

Welcome to Ford Ranger Forum

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread

  #1  
Old 02-18-2010, 05:19 PM
BiggChris BiggChris is offline
Danger Ranger
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 292
Default Getting Darker - Progress Log

Well I figured rather than starting a new thread for every little new thing i did i would just start a project log. Im sure it will make a good reference for me too.

So after one week of nite-shading my tails and third i finally put them on. It took me that long because i was being picky like always. Did a 1000grit wet sand on everything, then hit them with two coats of shade. Waited 24 hours, two coats of clear. 24 hours later i noticed a bunch of imperfections, so i wet sanded with 2000grit, two more coats of clear. 48 hours later brings us to today.........




I was really concerned with how dark they looked. Before i even put them on i went out and bought Silverstar 3157s and 3156s; these are suposed to be 30% brighter than stock. I figured i could use every extra bit of brightness i could get. They actualy show up WAY better than i ever thought they would. Not sure how the 3rd brake light looks yet, after i got it installed and tested I figured out the bulbs are burned out, not a big deal to me though. For safe measure I ordered a Recon "line of fire" too, that hasent arrived yet.
__________________
2002 XLT SuperCab 4x4 OffRoad StepSide 4.0 Auto
-Pioneer AVH-P4200DVD | Pioneer 6x8 4-Ways
-Viper 5701 Two-Way Keyless, Alarm, Start
-Mustang Dome | Expo Console | Expo Bezel & Buggman LED Mods
-Thule Roof Rack (in progress)
"I want to die young, as late as possible"
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 02-18-2010, 06:19 PM
sullys_ranger sullys_ranger is offline
Ford Tough
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 474
Default

looks sick dude, thats how a black truck should look
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 02-18-2010, 08:00 PM
Smokey Smokey is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 597
Default

Im definitely lovin the tail lights man. the whole truck for that matter!
__________________
1999 3.0 XLT 2WD
3" Performance Accessories Body Lift| 3" Susp. Lift (Coil Spacers w/Blocks in the rear)| 33x12.50 Big Foot X/T's| 70's Style Blade Wheels| Pro Comp ES 3000 Shocks| Fabbed front bumper w/ 4 130W KC Daylighters| Black grille| Cherry Bomb Glass Packs| Fabbed rear bumper w/ detachable tire mount| Stock 3.73 gears.....for now| Auto Trans.

Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 02-18-2010, 08:01 PM
aaron_ariens aaron_ariens is offline
NO H8.
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,435
Send a message via AIM to aaron_ariens Send a message via MSN to aaron_ariens
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Audible Odyssey View Post
Im definitely lovin the tail lights man. the whole truck for that matter!
x2
__________________
2001 Ford Ranger XLT 3.0 V6 Automatic.
1995 Acura Integra LS
PNW Crew!
http://www.facebook.com/aaron.ariens

Quote:
Originally Posted by richarddhoward View Post
Lol, Aaron: "I only text with trees, it makes it hard to text while driving though, I have to keep running the truck into trees to text!!" EPIC my friend. Lol
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 02-18-2010, 08:31 PM
BiggChris BiggChris is offline
Danger Ranger
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 292
Default

Thanks fellas! Ill be installing the headlights this weekend, so ill pull it out of the pole barn for better full body pics.

Looks like ill be taking an eraser wheel to that tailgate sticker too, the pics make me realize how bad it stands out.
__________________
2002 XLT SuperCab 4x4 OffRoad StepSide 4.0 Auto
-Pioneer AVH-P4200DVD | Pioneer 6x8 4-Ways
-Viper 5701 Two-Way Keyless, Alarm, Start
-Mustang Dome | Expo Console | Expo Bezel & Buggman LED Mods
-Thule Roof Rack (in progress)
"I want to die young, as late as possible"
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 02-18-2010, 08:56 PM
Smokey Smokey is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 597
Default

Keep us posted!
__________________
1999 3.0 XLT 2WD
3" Performance Accessories Body Lift| 3" Susp. Lift (Coil Spacers w/Blocks in the rear)| 33x12.50 Big Foot X/T's| 70's Style Blade Wheels| Pro Comp ES 3000 Shocks| Fabbed front bumper w/ 4 130W KC Daylighters| Black grille| Cherry Bomb Glass Packs| Fabbed rear bumper w/ detachable tire mount| Stock 3.73 gears.....for now| Auto Trans.

Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 02-18-2010, 09:23 PM
Sandman Sandman is offline
I'm ya Huckleberry!!!
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 259
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by sullys_ranger View Post
looks sick dude, thats how a black truck should look
agreed I am trying to blackout my whole truck
__________________
1998 Project Black Stallion
4.0 built by me with .030 pistons comp cam head and intake work. 3" BL explorer rear spring and a t-bar crank comp x-alloys on 33" BFG AT TA KO's

1987 Project Blackfoot
2.3 soon to be turboed with a 4/5 drop and 18's not sure which ones yet and a complete redo of the interior
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 02-18-2010, 09:35 PM
brh80146 brh80146 is offline
Ford Ranger Owner
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 68
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by BiggChris View Post
Well I figured rather than starting a new thread for every little new thing i did i would just start a project log. Im sure it will make a good reference for me too.

So after one week of nite-shading my tails and third i finally put them on. It took me that long because i was being picky like always. Did a 1000grit wet sand on everything, then hit them with two coats of shade. Waited 24 hours, two coats of clear. 24 hours later i noticed a bunch of imperfections, so i wet sanded with 2000grit, two more coats of clear. 48 hours later brings us to today.........




I was really concerned with how dark they looked. Before i even put them on i went out and bought Silverstar 3157s and 3156s; these are suposed to be 30% brighter than stock. I figured i could use every extra bit of brightness i could get. They actualy show up WAY better than i ever thought they would. Not sure how the 3rd brake light looks yet, after i got it installed and tested I figured out the bulbs are burned out, not a big deal to me though. For safe measure I ordered a Recon "line of fire" too, that hasent arrived yet.
What kind of spray did you use? Whats a Recon line of fire?
__________________
[FONT="Fixedsys"]2001 Ford Ranger Edge
Nerf Bars
12" JL W1
JL V2 Slash class D amp
Kenwood Head Unit
Cobra CB Radio/ W PA
Cobra Radar Detector (Cord hidden
in the roof)
HID Headlights + LED Eyebrows
And of course my NRA sticker and CSA Battle Flag
5% Window Tint
[/FONT]
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 02-18-2010, 09:37 PM
Sandman Sandman is offline
I'm ya Huckleberry!!!
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 259
Default

The recon line of fire is the led light bar that people put between the bed and the rear bumper
__________________
1998 Project Black Stallion
4.0 built by me with .030 pistons comp cam head and intake work. 3" BL explorer rear spring and a t-bar crank comp x-alloys on 33" BFG AT TA KO's

1987 Project Blackfoot
2.3 soon to be turboed with a 4/5 drop and 18's not sure which ones yet and a complete redo of the interior
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 02-18-2010, 10:05 PM
brh80146 brh80146 is offline
Ford Ranger Owner
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 68
Default

Gotcha
__________________
[FONT="Fixedsys"]2001 Ford Ranger Edge
Nerf Bars
12" JL W1
JL V2 Slash class D amp
Kenwood Head Unit
Cobra CB Radio/ W PA
Cobra Radar Detector (Cord hidden
in the roof)
HID Headlights + LED Eyebrows
And of course my NRA sticker and CSA Battle Flag
5% Window Tint
[/FONT]
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 02-19-2010, 07:57 AM
BiggChris BiggChris is offline
Danger Ranger
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 292
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by brh80146 View Post
What kind of spray did you use? Whats a Recon line of fire?
I used VHT nite-Shades.
__________________
2002 XLT SuperCab 4x4 OffRoad StepSide 4.0 Auto
-Pioneer AVH-P4200DVD | Pioneer 6x8 4-Ways
-Viper 5701 Two-Way Keyless, Alarm, Start
-Mustang Dome | Expo Console | Expo Bezel & Buggman LED Mods
-Thule Roof Rack (in progress)
"I want to die young, as late as possible"
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 03-15-2010, 06:22 PM
BiggChris BiggChris is offline
Danger Ranger
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 292
Default Re: Getting Darker - Progress Log

I started a separate thread on this, but i thought i would add it to the progress log too.

Added an AeroForce Interceptor Scan Gauge....

Here is the thread..... AeroForce Interceptor Scan Gauge!!



Horrible Pic I know.
__________________
2002 XLT SuperCab 4x4 OffRoad StepSide 4.0 Auto
-Pioneer AVH-P4200DVD | Pioneer 6x8 4-Ways
-Viper 5701 Two-Way Keyless, Alarm, Start
-Mustang Dome | Expo Console | Expo Bezel & Buggman LED Mods
-Thule Roof Rack (in progress)
"I want to die young, as late as possible"

Last edited by BiggChris; 03-15-2010 at 06:29 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 03-15-2010, 08:41 PM
Falco51 Falco51 is offline
Drivin Slow & Lookin Good
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,280
Default Re: Getting Darker - Progress Log

i don't know if you already took the dealership sticker off but if you didn't, let me tell you something. You don't need to use the eraser thingy. If it's warm out, you can probably just pick the letters off then use some eradicator, goof off, elimitator, wd-40, any degreaser and just rub the residue off. If you can't pick them off, a heat gun would work to help warm it up. if you don't have a heat gun, then blow dryer would work too. Just tryin to help you out. The eraser thingy would be total overkill. haha. i pick off dealership stickers all the time at work. it'll take a little time, but it works.
__________________
2001 Ford Ranger XLT. 4x4 | Harvest Gold
JVC Stereo | K&N Air Filter | Bushwacker Bed Rails & Tailgate Cap | Recon LED "White Lightning" Light Bar | Smoked Corners | Curt Hitch | Low Profile Black Diamond Plate UWS Toolbox | Stock Ranger Rubber Floormats | Bwad's old '06+ Tail Lights | '08 All Red 3rd Brake Light | 15% Tinted Windows | Blacked Out Headlights | Painted Honeycomb Black | Black Ford Ovals | Fog Light Mod |Silver Star Ultras| '06+ Fender Badges | Hornblasters Air Horn | Tremor Rims
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 03-16-2010, 09:29 AM
BiggChris BiggChris is offline
Danger Ranger
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 292
Default Re: Getting Darker - Progress Log

I already took my eraser wheel to it. Took all of 2 minutes to do. I wouldnt call it overkill, more like time management.
__________________
2002 XLT SuperCab 4x4 OffRoad StepSide 4.0 Auto
-Pioneer AVH-P4200DVD | Pioneer 6x8 4-Ways
-Viper 5701 Two-Way Keyless, Alarm, Start
-Mustang Dome | Expo Console | Expo Bezel & Buggman LED Mods
-Thule Roof Rack (in progress)
"I want to die young, as late as possible"

Last edited by BiggChris; 03-16-2010 at 09:37 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 02-18-2011, 03:03 AM
BiggChris BiggChris is offline
Danger Ranger
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 292
Default Re: Getting Darker - Progress Log

Been off of here for quite a while, life has gotten busy or even hectic at times. Ill be down right blunt, I got bored with the ranger. The cab was beginning to feel cramped, it seemed like i never had enough cab space for stuff i didnt want in the bed. I made the decision, it was time for her to go. My intentions were not to veer too far off though, i was eyeballing explorers as my next ride...

Finally last weekend we got some decent temps on sunday. I gathered up my cleaning things and headed for the car wash. I gave it a good rinse, smoothed out a few scuffs, ran a clay bar over it, then finished with a coat of wax. As i was buffing out the haze i realized the ranger was looking pretty damn sexy. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks. I realized i know my truck inside and out, every little scratch, squeak and nick. I started to get scared to leave her, shes been so good to me; and what if i end up buying an explorer that has problems?? Needless to say, we rekindled our relationship that night and Ive been tweaking on it since. I pretty much picked up where i left off before i started to neglect the range. Ironically, i came back here to post this for you all and noticed that EXACTLY one year ago today i started this thread....

Last weekend after the waxing



..........

I realized my front grille was looking horrible so i fixed that today







Repainting the grille made a world of difference!!


........

In the works with this, dont worry its getting replaced!
BEFORE


AFTER


........

Another project in progress



That is all for now kiddies! To be continued....
__________________
2002 XLT SuperCab 4x4 OffRoad StepSide 4.0 Auto
-Pioneer AVH-P4200DVD | Pioneer 6x8 4-Ways
-Viper 5701 Two-Way Keyless, Alarm, Start
-Mustang Dome | Expo Console | Expo Bezel & Buggman LED Mods
-Thule Roof Rack (in progress)
"I want to die young, as late as possible"
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
My truck got a little darker this morning.. Lazler Exterior Tech 23 02-14-2010 10:58 AM
New Darker Theme - Round 2 Tom Site Announcements, Comments and Suggestions 17 09-18-2009 04:50 PM
New Darker Theme Added Tom Site Announcements, Comments and Suggestions 9 09-18-2009 10:06 AM
My Work In Progress CALI-RANGER Vehicle Snapshots 8 05-28-2009 07:02 AM