Which Hardtop Canopy?

[ekrampitzjr]

no, fiberglass is what they have been made from for years with no issues.

Agreed with this. What advantage ABS might have over fiberglass eludes me.

Before fiberglass became common, aluminum was normal for shells/canopies. Those did not age well in the weather and any salt exposure during winter.

 

[Mart123blue]

It will be my pleasure.

Truck arriving Wednesday, I'll post some pics.

 

[ekrampitzjr]

Truck arriving Wednesday, I'll post some pics.

Thanks! We're looking forward to seeing it. Will it have the hardtop canopy on it?

 

[Mart123blue]

Thanks! We're looking forward to seeing it. Will it have the hardtop canopy on it?

No after all this times it's on back order. The dealer didn't want it sitting round in his stores... Canopy will be fitted in August.

 

[Mart123blue]

Only negative so far is I can't find a little cubby to store some change and an emergency £20 note.

 

[ekrampitzjr]

The gray/grey color looks great on your Ranger! Nice pickup! Yours looks better than the current Ranger models, and we're supposed to get the same body as yours for 2024.

My 2011 is a darker shade of metallic gray that was common on American Ford trucks then. Silver was also available, but is far less common. The color on yours splits the difference between the two.

Interesting to see the tow package. I've wondered about the differences in towing light trailers between Europe and here. A 2" ball (51 mm) is most common here, but 1-7/8" (48 mm) is also in use for the lightest trailers. Here the balls themselves interchange, as they have a threaded stud that goes into a horizontal hole in the carrier. Your ball appears to be made as part of an assembly that attaches to the vertical plate just behind the rear bumper.

Looks like a beautiful day over there.

 

[Mart123blue]

Cheers bud, really happy with my truck. Couple of extra pics. You are right about the weather it is very unenglish and sunny at the moment. The tow bar was an option that was already specced by the dealer. I think it is technology pack 52. Anyway very happy with colour, let my son choose in the end because I liked them all. Cheers M

 

[Mart123blue]

Ok canopy finally due to be fitted next week. Truck has now done 1500 miles and I was thinking about getting oil and filter changed. Is this still a thing, or am I stuck in 1985?

Cheers M

 

[sgtsandman]

Ok canopy finally due to be fitted next week. Truck has now done 1500 miles and I was thinking about getting oil and filter changed. Is this still a thing, or am I stuck in 1985?

Cheers M

It won’t hurt anything. I don’t know if Ford uses a break in oil for their engines so I can’t say if it makes a difference. I don’t remember it looking any different.

One thing I will say is to not do 10,000 mile oil changes. Some of the Ecoboost engines have had worse coking issues on the valves beyond what is seen on those that get the oil changed more regularly. Plus, the oil is used to lubricate and cool the turbo and those things get real hot.

Depending on how much you drive, you might want to consider biannual oil changes, like every Spring and Fall. If you drive a lot of miles, maybe a 5,000 mile oil change. I wouldn’t go more than 7,500 miles like what is recommended on many older, naturally aspirated engines.

And don’t forget to reset the oil change minder. Your owners manual describes how to do that.

 

[Mart123blue]

Thanks very much for the good advice. Cheers M

 

[ekrampitzjr]

Changing oil at 1,500 miles will also help clear any leftover swarf from manufacturing. Then use the severe-duty oil-change schedule, sticking to the next scheduled mileage. Few people should use the standard oil-change schedule (longer change intervals) anyway. Almost everybody qualifies as "severe-duty", whether from dirt roads, stop-and-go city traffic, or trailer towing.

 

[Mart123blue]

Truck going in tomorrow to get canopy fitted and oil and filter change. Spent this afternoon clearing the detritus that has built up in bed since I picked it up.

 

[Mart123blue]

View attachment 99370

Really happy with the canopy. Thanks for all your help.

 

[Mart123blue]

 

[ekrampitzjr]

That's a handsome truck in a great color. Great choice of canopy/shell too.

Interesting to see Ford moved the center brake light to the top of the tailgate. I wonder whether the US version in 2024 will have the same arrangement. Almost every pickup offered in the US places it on the cab above the rear window, but Dodge Dakota was an exception years ago with the light on the tailgate.