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 02-16-2013, 11:00 PM
markiiu markiiu is offline
Armoured up
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 304
Default Markiiu's 2006 Ranger

Some of my photos are missing, especially of stereo things. If I can find them, I'll come back and edit them in later.

In May 2009, I got a completely stock 2006 Ranger Sport. 4.0L, Automatic, and basically stripped other than that. Crank windows, Basic AM/FM/1CD radio, Vinyl floors, and a Bench seat.



I drove it like that for a few months before I decided it needed a canopy. I went looking on Craigslist, and as luck would have it I found an ad with a canopy for a 6' bed Ranger. Free.
I called the guy, and he said it was free if I could get it off the roof at his Ex-Wife's place (She was sick of storing it, and he didn't have a Ranger any more).





It was in terrible shape, but I taped up the holes and drove it like that for the better part of a year before realizing that I needed some more light on backroads. I fixed this with a pair of Hella 500 Driving lights. I wired them to be relayed from the high beam switch, and only come on together.



I also swapped the Head Unit to a Pioneer DEH-2100 BT, and the speakers to Crutchfield brand 2-ways. Somewhere between here and July I also added a Sound Ordnance (Crutchfield) 8” Band-pass powered subwoofer.

That gave me the first taste of the modding bug, and in April 2011 I switched the (Terrible) stock 255/70R16 Wrangler RTSes for 265/75R16 Kumho KL78 AT tires.


(My canopy is off, the rot got bad enough that I started a months-long strip/rebuild/paint)

Those gave me an excuse to finally get out on a trail, and I went out on a stock-friendly run that summer.





This taught me a few lessons.
1.Rangers flex like crazy (In the rear).
2.Swaybars don't flex (In the front).
3.I need more clearance.
4.I need armour.

So I saved for a few months, and cranked my T-Bars. I installed Rancho RS5000 extended shocks, and pulled the swaybar at the same time. It didn't hurt the ride at all, I think because of the swaybar being gone, and the extra bit of droop travel.





I wheeled it like that for another few months, adding a radiator skid from Joshp767 on here (And discovering FRF through that), as well as adding a ford stock transfer case skid. After a while of that, I decided it was worth putting a shackle lift on the rear. I put belltech 6400 shackles and more Rancho shocks on the rear, and was happy that way, other than the lack of traction from the open rear end.







December 2011 I got a rebuildable Eaton LSD installed, but there's no pictures of that (I had a shop do it)

May? 2012 I did a brake job with new rotors. Hawk LTS pads and Powerslot rotors.

I took it out 4x4ing at Hale Creek a few months later, after adding a gas tank skid.



I went to the same area as my first trip had been, and smashed up my steps. I ordered sliders after, but also I learned the hard way about Belltech 6400 shackles not working with stock exhausts. I crushed the exhaust down to about 1” tall at the tip, and didn't have anything to cut it off with until I got home (120km from the trail!)



I also slashed a sidewall on my way into the trail, clipping a rock on my way up the fire road.



The tires were all worn down to 7/32” from the 13/32” that the P-Rated KL78 tires came with, so it wasn't worth getting one new tire. I'd cook the LSD that way, and I'd be on new tires by that fall at the rate they were wearing.

So I got a set of E-Range 235/85R16 KL71 Mud tires.



I also ordered and installed a set of Rocky Road sliders.







I also, sometime around this, won a $100 gift card for Bestbuy. I used that to get a set of Pioneer 6x8 3-way speakers for my front doors.

I moved, and wheeled it unchanged from that for a while longer.
I also took it to a 4x4 show to meet some people in my new city. Not many people there expected an IFS ranger to flex this well.





I also took it out for a bit of a backroads drive, and found a little bit of a lip.



I also updated the Headunit to a JVC KD-730BT for the bluetooth audio and handsfree calling abilities.

I wheeled the local trails a few times between August 2012 and January 2013, and then was accepted into the reason I moved. I got into a Sheet metal foundations program, and got access to a huge, well stocked sheet metal shop.

I used this to make brackets to mount an OBA tank on the subwoofer. I opened up the valves in the MV50 compressor, and drilled and tapped the head for a 1/4” NPT thread. I plumbed it all together with a cheap 5gal tank.













And that's where I am, as of Feb 2013.
__________________
2006 Sport 4x4 4.0, a few mods.
Build thread: Link
Trip thread: Link
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 02-16-2013, 11:32 PM
JTbeast JTbeast is offline
Busted Knuckle University
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,364
Default Re: Markiiu's 2006 Ranger

Very cool setup.
__________________
2003 Mazda B4000 Dual Sport

spindles, shackles, 17" ATX wheels, 285/75R17 Toyos
Click below
Build thread
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 02-16-2013, 11:36 PM
rangerdanger77 rangerdanger77 is offline
educated n00b
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,649
Default

Damn that's a nice build man! So what exactly happened to the exhaust?
__________________
03 Ranger XLT 4x2 | 3.0l 2-door ext. cab auto trans | BTF Fabricated Spindles/Camburg Upper Arms/Camburg 2.5" coils/Bilstein 5100s/Limit Straps | 2" shackles/2.5" blocks | airbox mod w/ k&n drop in | thrush welded | blacked out emblems | 6000k hids | 06+ tails & corners | Cargo Light Mod | Billet Grille | Custom Bumper | Hella 700ffs | 32x11.5x15 BFG AT KO | 15" Procomp 7031 | Buggman LED Mustang Dome/Cluster/Reverse Lights | Kenwood Headunit | FORD floor mats
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 02-16-2013, 11:51 PM
markiiu markiiu is offline
Armoured up
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 304
Default Re: Markiiu's 2006 Ranger

The passenger's side shackle interferes with the exhaust, usually there's enough play in the rubber hangers to let the pipe swing around, but it got jammed between the shackle and a rock or a tree or something, which let it get crushed.

I'm really proud of my OBA brackets, and the MDF shelf the subwoofer is on. I fabricated both from my own plans, and the whole OBA/Sub/Extinguisher set is bolted in where the jumpseat was before.
__________________
2006 Sport 4x4 4.0, a few mods.
Build thread: Link
Trip thread: Link
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 02-17-2013, 12:06 AM
rangerdanger77 rangerdanger77 is offline
educated n00b
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,649
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by markiiu View Post
The passenger's side shackle interferes with the exhaust, usually there's enough play in the rubber hangers to let the pipe swing around, but it got jammed between the shackle and a rock or a tree or something, which let it get crushed.

I'm really proud of my OBA brackets, and the MDF shelf the subwoofer is on. I fabricated both from my own plans, and the whole OBA/Sub/Extinguisher set is bolted in where the jumpseat was before.
Oh alright because I might be getting beltechs but I have a stock exhaust so I don't know now lol.

But yea I really like the oba brackets too they are very innovative and well done. Nice job!
__________________
03 Ranger XLT 4x2 | 3.0l 2-door ext. cab auto trans | BTF Fabricated Spindles/Camburg Upper Arms/Camburg 2.5" coils/Bilstein 5100s/Limit Straps | 2" shackles/2.5" blocks | airbox mod w/ k&n drop in | thrush welded | blacked out emblems | 6000k hids | 06+ tails & corners | Cargo Light Mod | Billet Grille | Custom Bumper | Hella 700ffs | 32x11.5x15 BFG AT KO | 15" Procomp 7031 | Buggman LED Mustang Dome/Cluster/Reverse Lights | Kenwood Headunit | FORD floor mats
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 02-17-2013, 12:36 AM
markiiu markiiu is offline
Armoured up
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 304
Default

Just take a hacksaw (Or an exhaust pipe cutter) and cut the pipe off before the last 90* bend while you have the bed off for the shackles. It's easier to do all the work without the bed on, and you don't really need the 90* tip, it's only there to make it dump out the side. I put a shorter, smaller radius 90* on after that because of an ambiguous law here in BC that states you cannot dump exhaust under your body, but doesn't state if a truck bed with a canopy is the body or not.

The shackles are worth it, don't let that stop you.
__________________
2006 Sport 4x4 4.0, a few mods.
Build thread: Link
Trip thread: Link

Last edited by markiiu; 02-17-2013 at 12:39 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 02-17-2013, 12:44 AM
rangerdanger77 rangerdanger77 is offline
educated n00b
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,649
Default

Alright cool thanks for the tips man. Looking forward to seeing your future projects!
__________________
03 Ranger XLT 4x2 | 3.0l 2-door ext. cab auto trans | BTF Fabricated Spindles/Camburg Upper Arms/Camburg 2.5" coils/Bilstein 5100s/Limit Straps | 2" shackles/2.5" blocks | airbox mod w/ k&n drop in | thrush welded | blacked out emblems | 6000k hids | 06+ tails & corners | Cargo Light Mod | Billet Grille | Custom Bumper | Hella 700ffs | 32x11.5x15 BFG AT KO | 15" Procomp 7031 | Buggman LED Mustang Dome/Cluster/Reverse Lights | Kenwood Headunit | FORD floor mats
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 03-01-2013, 10:29 PM
markiiu markiiu is offline
Armoured up
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 304
Default Re: Markiiu's 2006 Ranger

So I did some more fabrication at school, I'm a while ahead of the course so I've been fabricating things for myself, as well as building whatever the instructor throws at me.

It's not directly Ranger related, but I built the grill and top hoop to turn this spiral pipe into a smoke eater for plasma cutting. My first time ever using a grinder, and my first try at the powered rollers. Lap seamed with spot welds, and the slats are just slammed into the zip-disked slots with a tinner's hammer. A mini-sledge would have probably worked better, but they're wedged in there pretty well.



And then I used the plasma cutter to make this sign, my first time with a plasma cutter, also, so it's a little janky.



I just need to knock the inner letters out and it'll be done, the top of the top F wasn't cut all the way through, but I think a few good whacks with the hammer should help it leave.

I also made a little something for the truck, bonus marks for anyone who can guess what it is from this teaser photo.

__________________
2006 Sport 4x4 4.0, a few mods.
Build thread: Link
Trip thread: Link

Last edited by markiiu; 03-01-2013 at 10:37 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 03-05-2013, 11:41 AM
markiiu markiiu is offline
Armoured up
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 304
Default Re: Markiiu's 2006 Ranger

So the mystery photo was the brackets and cabling for Limb Risers.









16ga Cold-Rolled steel, cut into shape with two 16ga washers spot-welded around the hole. Stainless riveted to the inner fender, and the spot-weld along the top of the door. 1/8" galvanized cable.
__________________
2006 Sport 4x4 4.0, a few mods.
Build thread: Link
Trip thread: Link
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 03-05-2013, 11:50 AM
reconjb reconjb is offline
Found a Diesel
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 10,692
Default Re: Markiiu's 2006 Ranger

can i ask a question?

what the point of them?
__________________
Truck: 2000 Ford Ranger XLT 4.0 4x4 ext cab
My Build Thread
Mod Ideas
Don't Forget to:
Create a Signature
Show your system

Mods: Brush guard|Front Hitch|Expo Roof Rack|Train Horn|Door/Dash/step/Hood Leds|2" lift|Rear Tow Points|On-Board Air System| 22" & 40" LED bar|and More!
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 03-05-2013, 11:57 AM
markiiu markiiu is offline
Armoured up
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 304
Default Re: Markiiu's 2006 Ranger

In super tight trails they help lift branches up so they don't hit your windshield, or at least don't hit it as hard/low. I'll go out with a camera once I have time off work/school, but here's a video from a jeep club.
They also supposedly help with branches coming through your window and hitting you in the face.
__________________
2006 Sport 4x4 4.0, a few mods.
Build thread: Link
Trip thread: Link
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 03-05-2013, 11:59 AM
reconjb reconjb is offline
Found a Diesel
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 10,692
Default Re: Markiiu's 2006 Ranger

ah makes sense
__________________
Truck: 2000 Ford Ranger XLT 4.0 4x4 ext cab
My Build Thread
Mod Ideas
Don't Forget to:
Create a Signature
Show your system

Mods: Brush guard|Front Hitch|Expo Roof Rack|Train Horn|Door/Dash/step/Hood Leds|2" lift|Rear Tow Points|On-Board Air System| 22" & 40" LED bar|and More!
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 03-22-2013, 05:58 PM
markiiu markiiu is offline
Armoured up
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 304
Default Re: Markiiu's 2006 Ranger

I saw a 93-97 ranger today that I really liked the bumper on, I'd love to have a setup something like this, maybe sucked back in a little closer to the radiator (the winch was mounted entirely forwards of the grille on this one. I'd put a skid plate on, though, tied into the bumper to stiffen all of it up.





And a picture of my truck:


I went back from snow tires to my summer tires last night, because there hasn't been any snow down here in the city, and the winter warnings come off of the highway in a week, and it started snowing as soon as I left the house today. It didn't stick, but I always seem to have the worst luck with that.
__________________
2006 Sport 4x4 4.0, a few mods.
Build thread: Link
Trip thread: Link
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 03-22-2013, 06:08 PM
Devin-20 Devin-20 is offline
"FRF young'n"
 
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 5,539
Default

Really clean truck man!
__________________

~1994
~Double lifted
~Purple
~Bauce Edition

-My build thread-
http://www.fordrangerforum.com/project-logs/74791-devins-94-xlt-build-thread.html
Quote:
Originally Posted by DustyXB
Cause he's a bauce!
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 06-18-2013, 07:54 AM
markiiu markiiu is offline
Armoured up
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 304
Default Re: Markiiu's 2006 Ranger

Problem: I need more switches.
Usually this gets fixed with a panel across the gap in the bottom of the stereo, but I went a few steps further.







It's all 2024 Aluminium (0.050, O condition so I could shrink it), wrapped in vinyl fabric. The cupholders are standard drop-in boat cupholders from a marine store. In a few days I'll get the proper ring terminals and wire the blue switch (highbeams) back to one of the silver switch, and hook up the other switches.

Edit: Also, no more canopy.
__________________
2006 Sport 4x4 4.0, a few mods.
Build thread: Link
Trip thread: Link

Last edited by markiiu; 06-18-2013 at 07:56 AM.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
flex, markiiu, oba, sport, white

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Markiiu's Adventures in BC markiiu Vehicle Snapshots 52 05-21-2014 11:56 AM
2006 Ford Ranger tonguetalker 3.0 Vulcan Tech 2 01-22-2013 02:10 PM
For Trade: 2006 + Ranger emblems Fordfan444 Exterior Parts 6 10-23-2012 10:29 PM
Scott's 2006 Ranger dixie_boysles Project Logs 38 05-29-2012 09:03 PM
Will a MP3/CD Player from a 2009 Ranger fit in a 2006 Ranger? Rowdy Yates Audio / Video 2 10-20-2010 08:16 AM