Rogue's 2003 XLT Ford Ranger Project Log

RogueRanger · #1 07-02-2013, 03:00 PM

Buck, my truck, needed a project log because GOD only knows I have a lot to do on the truck. I LOVE the look of the '13 Raptors. THOSE TRUCKS ARE JUST SEXY. So, I am leaning towards that look but not trying to create a mini-raptor.

Short term projects (Finished projects are bold and red.:
1. Smoke tail lights and truck bed light.
2. Replace front lights with HIDs
3. Fix door handle (It rattles like crazy).
4. Fix trim that has fallen on the wayside.
5. Create a box for the amp of doom.
6. Paint radio bezel.
7. Replace gauge light that I have been putting off.
8. De-crum, I mean de-chrome Buck.

Longer term projects:
1. Replace gauge with something a bit fancier.
2. Replace radio with large touch screen
3. Remove bedliner and get spray on bedliner instead.
3.5 Figure out whether I want the rocker panels done too...
4. Install Bushwacker bed wraps
5. Install Buckwacker fender flairs (sexy)
6. Raise that mofo up 3".
7. Pick out tires and rims.
8. Fix, prime, PAINT (Leaning towards matte black with fancy paint details that can only be seen when hit a specific way in the sun).
9. Replace engine w/V8 and or supercharge.

10. Grill guard?
11. Trailer hitch
12. Replace carpet and seats.
13. Exhaust, muffler, etc.

There is probably more that I can't rattle off at the moment but, you get the general concept.

Here is the before picture!

RogueRanger · #2 07-05-2013, 11:23 AM

Well, I put the pictures in another post to help out some of the people who needed help with Nite-Shades but, I smoked my tail lights two days ago! Turned out FANTASTIC.

CLICK HERE FOR THE ORIGINAL POST.

Also plasti-dipped the front and painted the door handles. Improved the truck tremendously.

Looking forward to installing the lights and placed a best offer on the "Ford" emblem that I want for the front of the truck. I can't believe how expensive emblem stickers are (I was going to cover the back emblem so that it won't be blue against black).

Also, plasti-dipped the horse magnet I have on my truck. Yippee.

RogueRanger · #3 07-10-2013, 06:42 PM

Replaced the headlights! Haven't put the HIDs in but, bought halos. They arrived less than two days after I ordered them! AWESOME. We haven't finished wiring them. Ran out of time and I have to pick up more electric doo-dads.
We haven't adjusted them but, eyeballing them, they look somewhat even.

SUPER excited.

J's 05 · #4 07-10-2013, 07:08 PM

Nice! X2 on the 2013 Raptor

RogueRanger · #5 07-28-2014, 11:54 PM

Haven't been on much since, well, I haven't done much with the Ranger other than drive it. I got a new toy. A 71 bug. It's been getting all the love and attention.

Back to the Ranger! The idle has always really bothered me. I have felt little misses and the idle would change significantly if I had a harder stop. Changing the spark plug wires fixed the very large idle difference. Pulling the plug wire off revealed a broken connection that was making the truck run like crap. But! I can still feel the slight misfire and RPM change. Had my mechanic take a look at the compression. According to him, its got problems. I have 189k miles on it. Of coarse it has issues. Of coarse he wants me to do the $1,000 engine rebuild. I'm not convinced. It's irregular, inconsistent. Had my local parts guys take a look. I told them I think it is, in part, the idle control. So, we tinkered around with the idle control and we got it to run better and run much worse. Got the part. Replaced it. It now idles at 1000 RPM and about 2500 with the air conditioner. It's now having problems coming back down to idle at a stop. W.T.F..... I have kept the old part in case there were problems. And I am hoping that this is not a new problem. Swapping the parts tomorrow before work. I never thought my 71 bug would be my most reliable car.

Hoping for the best. A new-to-me Ranger 4x4 is not in the budget.

Regards!

RR