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

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Yesterday I tried working on replacing the power steering lines on the rack, the little metal ones that are part of the rack assembly. Cardone sells replacements. Well, the one nut is rusted to an awkward shape and another is conveniently located where you can feel it but not see it with the rack in on a 2002 Explorer and I’m pretty sure that one stripped. So yay me, lol

 

[sgtsandman]

Yesterday I tried working on replacing the power steering lines on the rack, the little metal ones that are part of the rack assembly. Cardone sells replacements. Well, the one nut is rusted to an awkward shape and another is conveniently located where you can feel it but not see it with the rack in on a 2002 Explorer and I’m pretty sure that one stripped. So yay me, lol

I think I had to cut a line or break it in order to get one of the fittings off on the ‘98. It was rusted through, so it wasn’t like I would have been able to save it anyway.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I think I had to cut a line or break it in order to get one of the fittings off on the ‘98. It was rusted through, so it wasn’t like I would have been able to save it anyway.

That’s the deal here, it’s rusted through and leaking. Very awkward to try to do anything to the rack on this Explorer, it’s mounted behind the engine crossmember instead of on top of it like the Ranger. Plus the pressure line to the rack snakes down the front of the motor to right near where it should connect, then inexplicably goes to the other side of the crossmember, clips to the frame, then crosses back over to the rack. Oh, and the power steering cooler is mounted in front of the rack. Definitely wasn’t designed with ease of service without removing either the engine or the rack. As it is, I’m having a hard time fitting line wrenches in there. Might have to go buy a cheap set and make some custom bends

 

[ekrampitzjr]

On the suggestion of another member here, last night I replaced the bulb in the center brake light above the cab with an LED version. Shouldn't have to worry about that one overheating and cracking the lens, as it's only 1.6 watts, v. 12 watts for the regular bulb.

Stop and think about this: that small original bulb draws 1 amp (= 12 W ÷ 12 V). Hmm...

 

[sgtsandman]

Broke into the 2011 because I failed to check that I had keys in hand before locking it. Luckily, it was at work, so had plenty of options for prying the door away from the frame and getting a heavy enough rod in there to push the unlock button.

So, I may have some door realignment work in my immediate future...

Definitely some paint touch up.

 

[ekrampitzjr]

Broke into the 2011 because I failed to check that I had keys in hand before locking it. Luckily, it was at work, so had plenty of options for prying the door away from the frame and getting a heavy enough rod in there to push the unlock button.

So, I may have some door realignment work in my immediate future...

Definitely some paint touch up.

Here's a sneaky trick that might help you in the future. Open the fuel filler door and feel inside at the top of the recess above the fuel cap to find a flat place out of view. I don't mean on the door itself, but at the inside top of the recess. Get some electrician's duct seal (it's like clay and comes in 1–pound blocks) and use that to fasten a spare key in that area where no one would normally see it.

Don't use one of those magnetic boxes for holding spare keys. They will come loose. Lost one from under a fender many years ago.

I had a 1997 Ford Escort wagon years ago and did a similar trick with duct seal. On this car the key went beside the fuel filler door hinge arm, which pivoted inside the fender. There was a deep cranny where the hinge arm moved. No one would ever notice the hidden key when opening the filler door because it was tucked inside that cranny. I checked for the key every once in a while, and it never moved.

 

[Roert42]

I've always taped my spare key to the fuel filler neck of something under the body. Inside the filler door is good though, don't have to crawl on the ground to find the key.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

To this day I use dad’s solution. Carry two keys, always. He would carry one set in one pocket and the other in another pocket. I’ve taken to clipping my primary set to a belt loop and carry the spare in a pocket. Train yourself to only use the spare when necessary. If I use the spare to say open a toolbox or something, it immediately goes back in the pocket. I carry a spare for any operational vehicle I have and just the primary for whatever I’m actually driving. If I go out and the one I’m driving has a problem and I have to switch vehicles, I swap out primary sets. If I’m working around the property and need to use more than one vehicle, I carry both primary sets. I also maintain at least two other complete sets for each. One stays locked up at home and one stays with my parents.

 

[Jazzer]

I carry a spare in my wallet, never locked out or stranded. Unles I don’t have my wallet with me, which is never.

I started doing that after once when I was wade fishing a creek, lost my keys, and had to hot wire my truck with a large fish hook.

-Jazzer

 

[sgtsandman]

I try to make it a point to USE the KEY to lock the door so I don’t worry about it.

That being said, I’m pretty sure I have a spare zip tied to the wire harness up under the truck that I completely forgot about until a little while ago....

 

[snoranger]

Ford has these little keypads as options. You punch in a 5 digit code and the door unlocks... The only ways your keys can be locked inside are a dead battery or you forget the code.

 

[Roert42]

Ford use to give you a plastic card with a door key that would pop out. You would keep it in your wallet like a drivers license or credit card. Had one for my F-150.

 

[sgtsandman]

Wasn’t an option when I bought the truck. When I bought it, they were looking to dump inventory and you got to choose what was on the lot. I don’t think even the Sport models had them.

 

[sgtsandman]

For use to give you a plastic card with a door key that would pop out. You would keep it in your wallet like a drivers license or credit card. Had one for my F-150.

View attachment 73112

They didn’t do that with the 2011. They gave you two keys and the fobs to go with them. That’s it.

 

[racsan]

I just noticed in the past couple of years that there is no outside key lock for the passenger door, just drivers door only. not sure when that started but apparently its been awhile. I never lock the ranger or the hhr. Theres nothing of value kept in either one and I dont want a broken window.