What did you do to your Ranger today? (Part Deux!)

[JoshT]

I drove the 99. Aside from a trip around the block a few days ago, this was the first time it was driven in over 1.5 years. I parked it back then with a fresh oil change and a nearly full tank of gas. Oil still looks good and same gas. Drove the ~30 miles to my parents house flawlessly. Aside from that I've been slowly cleaning the interior over the last week. Today was spent trying to fix a 4-wheeler so I can use it to get a nother deer in the freezer after Thanksgiving.

 

[G8orFord]

The newest addition to the family...

@85_Ranger4x4 what's the best Bronco forum?

 

[rubydist]

bronco6g.com is by far the best.

 

[scotts90ranger]

Well, I sure did something to the '97 today... likely "technically" totaled but I'll fix it... Rear ended a Tacoma earlier today, did a number to the Ranger but the Tacoma probably just needs a rear bumper or some massaging on the rear frame horns and probably a new tailgate (minor dents but cheaper to get a new one likely...). The Ranger on the other hand will need a radiator, grill, front bumper (I'll wait till I find one), some massaging on the hood hinges, some tweaking on the core support and the passenger fender, some headlights or turn signals at least and apparently the timing belt skipped a tooth or something since it won't start and sounds funny cranking. I'm also guessing the drivers side motor mount went since the engine went far enough forward for the oil filter to hit the motor mount bracket... It's currently sitting on a trailer at my brothers house, I'll get a radiator and timing belt and fix it over there then drive it home hopefully on Friday. Towed it there with a 2500 Chevy van with a 4.8L, that van is a trooper... The important thing about it is the guy with his wife and kid in the Tacoma were all fine and me and the wife are both fine, we're a little sore from seatbelts and me from pushing on the steering wheel... we had to be going about 10mph when it happened I guess. I found out they moved the inertia switch to the other side of the passenger floorboard, so there's that...

I have a couple pics, not in the mood yet...

 

[Blmpkn]

Well, I sure did something to the '97 today... likely "technically" totaled but I'll fix it... Rear ended a Tacoma earlier today, did a number to the Ranger but the Tacoma probably just needs a rear bumper or some massaging on the rear frame horns and probably a new tailgate (minor dents but cheaper to get a new one likely...). The Ranger on the other hand will need a radiator, grill, front bumper (I'll wait till I find one), some massaging on the hood hinges, some tweaking on the core support and the passenger fender, some headlights or turn signals at least and apparently the timing belt skipped a tooth or something since it won't start and sounds funny cranking. I'm also guessing the drivers side motor mount went since the engine went far enough forward for the oil filter to hit the motor mount bracket... It's currently sitting on a trailer at my brothers house, I'll get a radiator and timing belt and fix it over there then drive it home hopefully on Friday. Towed it there with a 2500 Chevy van with a 4.8L, that van is a trooper... The important thing about it is the guy with his wife and kid in the Tacoma were all fine and me and the wife are both fine, we're a little sore from seatbelts and me from pushing on the steering wheel... we had to be going about 10mph when it happened I guess. I found out they moved the inertia switch to the other side of the passenger floorboard, so there's that...

I have a couple pics, not in the mood yet...

2500 van with a 4.8? That's a new one

Sorry to hear, at least everyone's alright!

 

[scotts90ranger]

The chevy vans only came with a 4.8L or 6.0L, no 5.3L... so yes, a 2500 van with a full floater (I think, pretty sure I looked...) 14 bolt rear axle, a 4L80 transmission and a 4.8L, was a plumbing van, got it a few years ago for $2500 down the street from my work... it's a bulletproof combo, little underpowered but not bad...

On the positive side, only a 3 day work week so 3 days of driving the '98 V8 Explorer at 16mpg vs 23mpg won't hurt too much, only about $200 in parts to get I think so far... we'll see on Friday...

 

[Vindictus]

I drive a 2500 with 4.8 for a work van. Solid good working van

 

[racsan]

big temperature drop, corrected the air pressure in tires on both the escape & the ranger. The escape was off the most, but those tires hold a larger volume of air so id expect that. Transferred 400# of softner salt back into the bed of the ranger in case we get any substantial snowfall.

 

[Ranger850]

The newest addition to the family...
View attachment 85540View attachment 85541

@85_Ranger4x4 what's the best Bronco forum?

I don't know how I know this and you don't, but TRS has a Twin Bronco Forum called https://www.broncocorral.com/

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Hopefully I’m doing some junkyard shopping today. Figure I have today and tomorrow to do it then I have to get back home. Also hopefully I’ll finally manage to get a driveshaft for the F-150.

 

[JoshT]

Polished out the headlights. Found a product that I can actually recommend.

3M 39008 Headlight Lens Restoration System

Comes with 2 grits of sanding discs, a "refining disc", a buffing pad, a holder for the discs to use in drill, and a little rubbing compound. Mounted it up in my 1/2" chuck corded drill and spent an hour or less to knock out both headlights. Don't need a 1/2" chuck drill, but it's the only one I have with an auxiliary handle which was nice for handling and control. Once buffed I applied a little spray on wax to hopefully keep them looking fresh a little longer.

No before and after pics. I didn't put a lot of effort into getting it superdetailed and cleaned, just getting it to where light is on the road. The area that I used the kit on is atleast as clear as when they were new. Another day I might pull the headlights and marker assemblies and do a thorough cleaning.

For $35 at the local autoparts store I think it was a prety good deal, and I don't mind repeating again in a year or two at that price. If one were going to do it a lot they could probably piece together their own kit online for less per light cleaned.

Liked it enough that I went and bought another kit to drop off at the parents house for dad to do it on mom's car sometime soon.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

bronco6g.com is by far the best.

Only when I need to look something up.

I can't stand the "community"... Or lack thereof over there. Everybody is so mind boggling negative it is maddening.

BII corral is OK but there are only like three of us over there.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Nothing to the Ranger, but I finally got a rear driveshaft for the F-150!!!

Tomorrow may land a few more junkyard goodies, then it’s time to load up and head home

 

[sgtsandman]

Polished out the headlights. Found a product that I can actually recommend.

3M 39008 Headlight Lens Restoration System

Comes with 2 grits of sanding discs, a "refining disc", a buffing pad, a holder for the discs to use in drill, and a little rubbing compound. Mounted it up in my 1/2" chuck corded drill and spent an hour or less to knock out both headlights. Don't need a 1/2" chuck drill, but it's the only one I have with an auxiliary handle which was nice for handling and control. Once buffed I applied a little spray on wax to hopefully keep them looking fresh a little longer.

No before and after pics. I didn't put a lot of effort into getting it superdetailed and cleaned, just getting it to where light is on the road. The area that I used the kit on is atleast as clear as when they were new. Another day I might pull the headlights and marker assemblies and do a thorough cleaning.

For $35 at the local autoparts store I think it was a prety good deal, and I don't mind repeating again in a year or two at that price. If one were going to do it a lot they could probably piece together their own kit online for less per light cleaned.

Liked it enough that I went and bought another kit to drop off at the parents house for dad to do it on mom's car sometime soon.

That kit may be different than the others I’ve used and what others have used. Meaning the head light lens might stay that way. The ones I’ve used were maybe good for a year unless you clear coated the lenses. Without a protective coating, they just haze over again.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I did go pick up my kid at daycare with the Ranger, kind of a surprise for him since it usually doesn't have a carseat in it... thus he usually can't ride on the street in it.

Kinda neat, it was still kinda cold when I got there so I set the parking brake, put the trans in neutral and put the tcase in neutral and let it idle (to discourage someone from taking off in it) I came out after we got all our shoes found and coat on and it was still idling just as nice and smooth as the late model Yukon beside it.