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

[lil_Blue_Ford]

This is why, whenever I go to the chain parts stores, I do my research beforehand and have the part number(s) I need ready. Then I show up, ask for the part number, and if they try to tell me I'm wrong or they need to confirm I just calmly but firmly restate that I want this part with this PN, please get it for me. That generally shuts them up.

If they still tell me that they need to confirm or that it is wrong, I just either say "Hey, I want the part even if you think it is wrong, I accept responsibility if it doesn't fit" or I just leave.

Oh, I often went in with part numbers because I change so much stuff. Then I’d get into an argument because I’d give them the part number and they would insist on year/make/model even after I’d tell them they don’t need that information so I’d do something like “it’s a 1989 Bronco II 2wd with a motor out of a 90-something Ranger/Explorer, front axle out of a 92 Explorer, rear out of an 86 Bronco II, converted to 4x4, lifted, shocks out of who knows what and a bunch of custom stuff. That all fit in your little box? No, then shut up and go find my part.”

I don’t have to deal with that on the commercial side, the guy that is in charge of it has known me and what I do for the last like 15 years and the rest of them have figured it out by now, so they don’t question it.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I keep some on hand and get a replacement tube when it gets low. So far I've bought it from the dealer but that may change, the dealer I worked for has changed ownership twice since 2017 and their new parts manager has a GM background and can't find his backside with both hands.

Oh, I keep stuff on hand and try to maintain a stock of common use stuff, but still sometimes I’m in the middle of a project and things happen. Just a lot easier for me to make a call and take what they sell.

 

[CamTheHedgehog]

Oh, I often went in with part numbers because I change so much stuff. Then I’d get into an argument because I’d give them the part number and they would insist on year/make/model even after I’d tell them they don’t need that information so I’d do something like “it’s a 1989 Bronco II 2wd with a motor out of a 90-something Ranger/Explorer, front axle out of a 92 Explorer, rear out of an 86 Bronco II, converted to 4x4, lifted, shocks out of who knows what and a bunch of custom stuff. That all fit in your little box? No, then shut up and go find my part.”

I don’t have to deal with that on the commercial side, the guy that is in charge of it has known me and what I do for the last like 15 years and the rest of them have figured it out by now, so they don’t question it.

I should start doing this, especially if I end up doing a v8 swap- give them entirely too much info and that will make them be quiet. I like how you roll!

 

[JoshT]

But some yahoo working behind a counter slinging parts for just above minimum wage trying to tell someone who has tore these trucks down to the frame and put them back together again that I don’t have a clue what I’m working with, well, that’s really, really dumb.

Those are everywhere. I've turned to O'Reilly for most of my parts even though it's slightly out of the way. That chain still has the same, but the store I typically go to hasn't a problem. It also helps that one of the counter girls is pretty cute. I can put up with a little more dumb stuff for a pretty face, but amazingly haven't had to. She might be cute and actually have a clue.

I had a counter guy at a junk yard try to tell me I was an idiot when I called him out on getting me an axle with 3.73 gears when I specifically asked for 4.10 gears. Needless to say, I never went back after I got the axle I asked for.

Went though the same once. Needed a fan shroud for a 4.0L Ranger. Called around all the junkyards in the area asking for one. I clarified that it had to be 4.0L, they said that had it. Went to pick up and it wasn't a 4.0L. They tried to feed me the line of "they're all the same", I didn't get the shround I asked for and never went back. Well, I guess I did recently. That salvage yard closed up a year or so ago and a pick-n-pull opened in the same location a few months ago. Same location, completely different management and operation.

 

[CamTheHedgehog]

I had a counter guy at a junk yard try to tell me I was an idiot when I called him out on getting me an axle with 3.73 gears when I specifically asked for 4.10 gears. Needless to say, I never went back after I got the axle I asked for.

This is why I like Pull-A-Part or LKQ, you have complete control over what you pull and can hunt down exactly what you need.

The downside is they are always far away, in the slightly more rough part of town, or both. Small price to pay for not losing my braincells at the AZ parts counter though.

 

[Rick W]

I just had a wild thought. If you guys are having all this trouble getting the parts you’re supposed to use for your trucks, why don’t you try what I do and just use what’s in the shed of miracles, on craigslist, or what you find at the garage sale?

 

[CamTheHedgehog]

I just had a wild thought. If you guys are having all this trouble getting the parts you’re supposed to use for your trucks, why don’t you try what I do and just use what’s in the shed of miracles, on craigslist, or what you find at the garage sale?

I’d love to have a shed of miracles…. But I still live with my parents (I’m only just out of HS) and my dad would probably not be thrilled.

When I have my own house, I totally will have a shed of miracles (or garage bay of miracles, we will see)

 

[sgtsandman]

I should start doing this, especially if I end up doing a v8 swap- give them entirely too much info and that will make them be quiet. I like how you roll!

Make a preprinted list with all the upgrades and swaps and what year an model it's from. Throw that on the counter when they push back and say, "Ok Einstein. Tell me what part I need, or are you just going to get what I asked for?"

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Make a preprinted list with all the upgrades and swaps and what year an model it's from. Throw that on the counter when they push back and say, "Ok Einstein. Tell me what part I need, or are you just going to get what I asked for?"

Yeah, I’m starting to organize notes. I have some notebooks that I’m starting to fill with part numbers. I‘m getting to where I’ve changed so much stuff on so many vehicles that it gets hard to keep track of it all in my head.

 

[broncc]

Just your average wednesday...

 

[JoshT]

Starting to accept the ugly truth about my V8 swap. That being the engine probably isn't in as good of shape as I thought. Both engines I ahve are 180k mile engines and I picked what I thought was the better condition off the two. I planned from the start to change the oil after a couple hundred miles so clean it out, so I started out with super cheap (Walmart Super Tech) 10w-30 oil and filter. Well after getting nice and warmed up on a long drive the guage started dancing at idle. Super Cheap oil, so not surprised. Well I changed the oil monday with better Halvoline 10w-30 High-Mileage, read something about highmileage possibly being on thicker end of spec, and a better filter. Still getting the gauge dancing at idle after a 30 mile drive. FWIW this was on a high 80s or 90 drgree day. While driving and when cool the gauge is rock solid, not that it means much since the gauge is essentially an on/off switch.

Given mileage and age, I'm going to put in a new oil pressure sensor and see if it persists. If it does I'm going to step up to a heavier grade oil and see what happens. I'm running 20w-50 in my FE to get good pressure due to wear. If I can run 15w or 20w in this and get through a year or two I would like it. I thinking that building the spare engine is going to happen sooner than later.

Yeah, I’m starting to organize notes. I have some notebooks that I’m starting to fill with part numbers. I‘m getting to where I’ve changed so much stuff on so many vehicles that it gets hard to keep track of it all in my head.

I need to do that too. Was going to make and keep a little notebook in the glove box of each of the projects with important info, part numbers, and modifications. Started it on the F-100, but it never made it into the glovebox and I'm not sure where it is now.

Just your average wednesday...

View attachment 109475

That reminds me, I need to top off the trans fluid from having the radiator out.

 

[Rick W]

Just your average wednesday...

View attachment 109475

I think that belongs on the inside, not the outside…

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Starting to accept the ugly truth about my V8 swap. That being the engine probably isn't in as good of shape as I thought. Both engines I ahve are 180k mile engines and I picked what I thought was the better condition off the two. I planned from the start to change the oil after a couple hundred miles so clean it out, so I started out with super cheap (Walmart Super Tech) 10w-30 oil and filter. Well after getting nice and warmed up on a long drive the guage started dancing at idle. Super Cheap oil, so not surprised. Well I changed the oil monday with better Halvoline 10w-30 High-Mileage, read something about highmileage possibly being on thicker end of spec, and a better filter. Still getting the gauge dancing at idle after a 30 mile drive. FWIW this was on a high 80s or 90 drgree day. While driving and when cool the gauge is rock solid, not that it means much since the gauge is essentially an on/off switch.

Given mileage and age, I'm going to put in a new oil pressure sensor and see if it persists. If it does I'm going to step up to a heavier grade oil and see what happens. I'm running 20w-50 in my FE to get good pressure due to wear. If I can run 15w or 20w in this and get through a year or two I would like it. I thinking that building the spare engine is going to happen sooner than later.

So, just a thought. Maybe try pulling the cam sensor assembly out and check it over. It drives the oil pump and the sensor. I didn’t notice my gauge fluctuating but it may have. My assembly had some slop in it and after a few hundred miles it turned into a real problem with choking the engine under hard acceleration. Everything got a lot happier when I dropped a new assembly in.

I need to do that too. Was going to make and keep a little notebook in the glove box of each of the projects with important info, part numbers, and modifications. Started it on the F-100, but it never made it into the glovebox and I'm not sure where it is now.

I won’t keep my books in the vehicles. I tried that years ago and it lasted until a mouse used it to make a home in the glove box one winter. Mine stay together at home and they are all the same and all labeled. If I need to take one with me, it gets stuck in my sort of go-bag (someone will probably make a wisecrack about a murse I’m sure, but hear me out). I have a bag that goes with me most places. I got tired of jumping in a vehicle and going somewhere and needing something that was in a different truck or at home. So my bag has band aids, tape measure, notepad, business cards, 11 in 1 screwdriver, day planner, charging cables and adapters, cigar cutter and lighter, and just a collection of commonly needed things plus a place to tuck my tablet. That way, no matter what rig I decide to take, I know I’m gonna have certain things with me. I don’t really usually keep anything in my glove boxes if I can help it because I’ve had too many issues with mice making it a home. So the bag is basically a portable glove box to me plus a few things and I don’t have to worry about mice shredding something because it goes in wherever I stay. Just keeps things neat and organized.

 

[JoshT]

Had to swap the synchronizer from one block to the other due to sensor differences. I don't recall there being any slop or abnormal wear, but I wasn't looking for that either. The gauge doesn;t show an issue under acelleration, load, or any time off idle, just when warm at idle. Also does not seem to have an ignition issue.

I'm not going to give you crap about the bag. I've got a sling bag that goes in which ever vehicle I'm in and I carry into work for the same reason. Used to have a lot of stuff in it like chargers, glucose meter, battery pack, and other stuff when I was working in a tool box. Now I'm riding a desk and can keep most of that stuff there, but still carry around the tablet that I use as an e-reader, ear buds, and other odd items that would otherwise fill my pockets. It'd have a bang stick in it too, but since I work on a federal installation, that isn't a good idea.

 

[Rick W]

So, just a thought. Maybe try pulling the cam sensor assembly out and check it over. It drives the oil pump and the sensor. I didn’t notice my gauge fluctuating but it may have. My assembly had some slop in it and after a few hundred miles it turned into a real problem with choking the engine under hard acceleration. Everything got a lot happier when I dropped a new assembly in.



I won’t keep my books in the vehicles. I tried that years ago and it lasted until a mouse used it to make a home in the glove box one winter. Mine stay together at home and they are all the same and all labeled. If I need to take one with me, it gets stuck in my sort of go-bag (someone will probably make a wisecrack about a murse I’m sure, but hear me out). I have a bag that goes with me most places. I got tired of jumping in a vehicle and going somewhere and needing something that was in a different truck or at home. So my bag has band aids, tape measure, notepad, business cards, 11 in 1 screwdriver, day planner, charging cables and adapters, cigar cutter and lighter, and just a collection of commonly needed things plus a place to tuck my tablet. That way, no matter what rig I decide to take, I know I’m gonna have certain things with me. I don’t really usually keep anything in my glove boxes if I can help it because I’ve had too many issues with mice making it a home. So the bag is basically a portable glove box to me plus a few things and I don’t have to worry about mice shredding something because it goes in wherever I stay. Just keeps things neat and organized.

I admire a man who is confident, sure footed, and comfortable enough with his sexuality, regardless of his preferences, to carry something fashionable for his daily needs. Car people always have to have the attention to detail and insight to make sure it blends with both the outfit and the car that will be driven that day. Something flashy for a sports car, sparkly for a night out, or utilitarian, but smart, for the trip in a truck.

As regards content, I didn’t see an extra pair of underwear. Remember, mother always said we should be ready in case we had to go to the doctor. And we know from public school that a Trojan or two isn’t a bad idea either.





(you didn’t think I was going to be able to resist this, did you?)