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  #1  
Old 06-19-2013, 08:41 PM
Stewart Stewart is offline
photog
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
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Default Stewart's '97 XLT

I figured, with all of the things that I've done so far, it might be a good idea to make one of these before I lose track of all that I've done. So without further ado, here are two years in (what should be) chronological order. Most of the first few things I did are on my rarely-updated Cardomain page.

Before I started driving it, the truck was my dad's. He bought it new in 1997 and drove it until he got a company vehicle that comes with free gas, and at that point he stopped driving the Ranger. So it sat for 5 or 6 years, undriven.

When it came time for me to get my permit, it was not a running truck, the bed was a junk congregator, and the cab had become a storage container. So work began to get it in running order. My dad had to replace the starter and the fuel pump, then it was alright after running for a while. Here it sits after its first move in 6 years, down to the street.







After a wash up



Soon after I started driving it with my permit, I began thinking of what kind of mods to do. I did my first truck Photoshop as a guide. Not much, mind you. Humble beginnings as I had just began dabbling in PS.



So using this as a guide, my first mod to the Ranger was painting the grille. I decided on a metallic black.

This picture was the last one taken with a grille badge, I haven't had one since. Hopefully I can get one soon...



Getting ready



The Paint



Finished





After this the carpet was removed and given a good cleaning. It was awful after years of spilled drinks and non in-depth vacuuming. This is where I lost my cupholders, and I still do not have cupholders.





Next, since my shift boot was gone, it was time to get a more pleasing shift knob. I came across this one made by NRG, it's a real carbon fiber knob. Very nice.







Random interior shots after the clean







At some point I swapped out the old aftermarket JVC head for this new JVC head. I also painted the grilles for the rear speakers to match the grille.





Consider this Part I of the catch-up posts. I'll make a break here as I work on Part II.
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1997 Ford Ranger XLT
2.3L I4, 5 speed manual | Build
Flipped Shackles | Cat Delete | Polished Stock Exhaust | Throttle Cable Mod | LED conversions [cluster, HVAC, tag]
JVC KD-HDR60 | Polk Audio db6501 | Bazooka Bass Tube BT6024DVC | Hifonics ZRX1000.4 | PAC-LC1

RIP 10/8/15
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  #2  
Old 06-19-2013, 08:46 PM
ford4thot ford4thot is offline
2019 SSVT Ford 'Maro
 
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Default Re: Stewart's '97 XLT

Firsties!!! Lol looking good so far! Alot cleaner than I imagined

Last edited by ford4thot; 06-19-2013 at 08:48 PM.
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  #3  
Old 06-19-2013, 08:53 PM
bigfisher bigfisher is offline
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Join Date: Mar 2012
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Default Re: Stewart's '97 XLT

Yea very clean to have sat for 6 years. How did you lose the emblem and cupholders?
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2017 Lightning Blue Mustang GT PP 430/402
CJ Pony Parts Lowering Springs | Texas Speed Longtubes | PMAS CAI | Lund Tuned | Borla S-Type Catback
2013 F150 FX4 5.0 - Sold
1998 Jeep Wrangler TJ 4.0 5spd - Sold
2001 Mustang Bullitt - Sold
2005 Level II - Sold
2001 Integra GSR - Sold
1999 XLT - May 2013 TOTM - Totaled

Quote:
Originally Posted by 2004 fx4 level II
fuckin Nissan shhhiitttttttttt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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  #4  
Old 06-19-2013, 08:57 PM
Stewart Stewart is offline
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Default Re: Stewart's '97 XLT

Quote:
Originally Posted by bigfisher View Post
Yea very clean to have sat for 6 years. How did you lose the emblem and cupholders?
Emblem pegs broke when it was removed from the grille, and the cupholder was pretty nasty and trashed after a long struggle to get it free from the carpet. It was s-t-u-c-k to the carpet and the screws would not move. I'm hoping I can get these back when I go to Pull a Part, whenever that is :P
__________________
1997 Ford Ranger XLT
2.3L I4, 5 speed manual | Build
Flipped Shackles | Cat Delete | Polished Stock Exhaust | Throttle Cable Mod | LED conversions [cluster, HVAC, tag]
JVC KD-HDR60 | Polk Audio db6501 | Bazooka Bass Tube BT6024DVC | Hifonics ZRX1000.4 | PAC-LC1

RIP 10/8/15
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  #5  
Old 06-19-2013, 09:00 PM
bigfisher bigfisher is offline
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Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 14,046
Default Re: Stewart's '97 XLT

Quote:
Originally Posted by Stewart View Post
Emblem pegs broke when it was removed from the grille, and the cupholder was pretty nasty and trashed after a long struggle to get it free from the carpet. It was s-t-u-c-k to the carpet and the screws would not move. I'm hoping I can get these back when I go to Pull a Part, whenever that is :P
if you want, I can most likely get those parts next time I'm at my JY. I know I can get the emblem, not so much on the cupholders.
__________________
2017 Lightning Blue Mustang GT PP 430/402
CJ Pony Parts Lowering Springs | Texas Speed Longtubes | PMAS CAI | Lund Tuned | Borla S-Type Catback
2013 F150 FX4 5.0 - Sold
1998 Jeep Wrangler TJ 4.0 5spd - Sold
2001 Mustang Bullitt - Sold
2005 Level II - Sold
2001 Integra GSR - Sold
1999 XLT - May 2013 TOTM - Totaled

Quote:
Originally Posted by 2004 fx4 level II
fuckin Nissan shhhiitttttttttt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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  #6  
Old 06-19-2013, 09:02 PM
Stewart Stewart is offline
photog
 
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Default Re: Stewart's '97 XLT

Quote:
Originally Posted by bigfisher View Post
if you want, I can most likely get those parts next time I'm at my JY. I know I can get the emblem, not so much on the cupholders.
That would be cool. I've checked eBay a few times and there are either new ones for $30 or used ones in rough shape with some broken pegs for $15. I'd get a Buggman colored one but idk if I'm ready to pay that much for a badge.
__________________
1997 Ford Ranger XLT
2.3L I4, 5 speed manual | Build
Flipped Shackles | Cat Delete | Polished Stock Exhaust | Throttle Cable Mod | LED conversions [cluster, HVAC, tag]
JVC KD-HDR60 | Polk Audio db6501 | Bazooka Bass Tube BT6024DVC | Hifonics ZRX1000.4 | PAC-LC1

RIP 10/8/15
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  #7  
Old 06-19-2013, 09:20 PM
bigfisher bigfisher is offline
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Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 14,046
Default Re: Stewart's '97 XLT

Quote:
Originally Posted by Stewart View Post
That would be cool. I've checked eBay a few times and there are either new ones for $30 or used ones in rough shape with some broken pegs for $15. I'd get a Buggman colored one but idk if I'm ready to pay that much for a badge.
I'll see what I can find the next time I'm there.
__________________
2017 Lightning Blue Mustang GT PP 430/402
CJ Pony Parts Lowering Springs | Texas Speed Longtubes | PMAS CAI | Lund Tuned | Borla S-Type Catback
2013 F150 FX4 5.0 - Sold
1998 Jeep Wrangler TJ 4.0 5spd - Sold
2001 Mustang Bullitt - Sold
2005 Level II - Sold
2001 Integra GSR - Sold
1999 XLT - May 2013 TOTM - Totaled

Quote:
Originally Posted by 2004 fx4 level II
fuckin Nissan shhhiitttttttttt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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  #8  
Old 06-19-2013, 09:24 PM
DARKSIDE DARKSIDE is offline
Four Bangin' Ridin Low
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 1,179
Default

Subd man. Keep up the great work. Can't wait to see it low

Sent from my iPhone using FRF App
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Evil little Street Truck
Quote:
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That's a true low ranger!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Stewart View Post
YES. That looks so good. You and darkside are murdering the lowered game (in more ways than one haha).
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  #9  
Old 06-19-2013, 10:53 PM
07XL 07XL is offline
Socially awkward.
 
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Default

Subd. Looking good.
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  #10  
Old 06-19-2013, 11:26 PM
Stewart Stewart is offline
photog
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,739
Default Re: Stewart's '97 XLT

Next I decided to remove that cheesy deformed-looking plastic valence in front. IMO made it look heaps better.



By this time I made a new Photoshop that I wanted to follow.



Soon after adding the new JVC head unit, I really started getting into car audio, and at the time all I had were two Polk 6x8's in the front and stockers in the rear. Time passed by and I broke a Polk, so it was time to upgrade. I went with 2 pairs of Rockford Fosgate r1682 two ways, a 6" Bazooka Bass Tube, and acquired a free Kicker KX150.2 amp from someone at my dad's work.



Got it all installed and gave a rundown here


Another demo

System pics











At this point there weren't many things I did out of the ordinary. Summer came and I got my license, and between then and September I believe, I had been content. I drove it to school and the store and places like that. Around September though, the audio bug bit me and I decided it was time to up my audio game. I sold off my Rockford speakers and Kicker amp, along with other things to make money I needed to buy new gear. However, it wasn't until Christmas that I got my amp and even later my speakers. I rode around with the one remaining Polk 6x8 and my bass tube running off my head unit for months. Torture.

Mid-December I decided to go body color on my grille.

Before


After


Clearcoated the next day, wetsanded and polished in April.




Also in December, I got a flat tire.





Sad time. Still rolling on the spare and even tho I cleaned it up, it's still shit.

One of my favorite shots, it looks so clean here!



Cluster and HVAC LED's



__________________
1997 Ford Ranger XLT
2.3L I4, 5 speed manual | Build
Flipped Shackles | Cat Delete | Polished Stock Exhaust | Throttle Cable Mod | LED conversions [cluster, HVAC, tag]
JVC KD-HDR60 | Polk Audio db6501 | Bazooka Bass Tube BT6024DVC | Hifonics ZRX1000.4 | PAC-LC1

RIP 10/8/15
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  #11  
Old 06-19-2013, 11:43 PM
Stewart Stewart is offline
photog
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,739
Default Re: Stewart's '97 XLT

Early Spring, I finally got all of my new audio stuff shipped and spring break said INSTALL! New Polk Audio DB6501's and a Hifonics ZRX1000.4 went in. Video here.









Thanks for the help?





Picstitched system




A headlight went out literally right after I finished installing the system, so I ordered a pair of Philips CrystalVision Ultras to replace. Ebay for $4, not bad huh?



Comparison


Both in






Cleaned up the spare



Tinted my tails. I used Rustoleum Lens Tint instead of VHT after reading how people said it was better. Why not, ya know?

Steel wool after cleaning them up a bit


Reverse taped off


Looked good until I went full retard.






Got them looking just OK finally then the clearcoat went full retard


In the end, again, just OK. It was supposed to be better.




__________________
1997 Ford Ranger XLT
2.3L I4, 5 speed manual | Build
Flipped Shackles | Cat Delete | Polished Stock Exhaust | Throttle Cable Mod | LED conversions [cluster, HVAC, tag]
JVC KD-HDR60 | Polk Audio db6501 | Bazooka Bass Tube BT6024DVC | Hifonics ZRX1000.4 | PAC-LC1

RIP 10/8/15
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 06-19-2013, 11:55 PM
leotheclown leotheclown is offline
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 2,583
Default

Love your truck man. Keep up the good work!
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1996 Ford Ranger XLT Regular Cab 2.3l Auto

3/4 drop, Explorer seats/console/dome/white gauges/hvac controls, Kenwood KSC-SW11 powered sub, Kicker 4x8's, JVC KW-R500 head unit, 17" mustang bullitt wheels, one piece headlights, 06 tails, black bumpers with fog light valance, 93-94 grill, a.r.e. bed cover, air box mod/k&n drop in filter
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  #13  
Old 06-20-2013, 12:10 AM
Stewart Stewart is offline
photog
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,739
Default Re: Stewart's '97 XLT

Quote:
Originally Posted by leotheclown View Post
Love your truck man. Keep up the good work!
Thanks man! I'll post up my flip job when it's done.
__________________
1997 Ford Ranger XLT
2.3L I4, 5 speed manual | Build
Flipped Shackles | Cat Delete | Polished Stock Exhaust | Throttle Cable Mod | LED conversions [cluster, HVAC, tag]
JVC KD-HDR60 | Polk Audio db6501 | Bazooka Bass Tube BT6024DVC | Hifonics ZRX1000.4 | PAC-LC1

RIP 10/8/15
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  #14  
Old 06-20-2013, 06:04 AM
Yeller Yeller is offline
Wow.So cobra.Very Ranger.
 
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Posts: 5,695
Default Re: Stewart's '97 XLT

you need these mirrors right now....

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  #15  
Old 06-20-2013, 06:18 AM
Mudstomper99 Mudstomper99 is offline
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Posts: 774
Default

Looks good other then the door speakers..what happened. It looks like you should have recessed the mdf into the door to mount the speakers to not cut up the door panels just my thinking. Everything else looks ok tho!
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1995 Rclb 2.3 4x4
06 mirrors 06 tails
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