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Woah Black Betty, the Danger Ranger!


strugbus

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Ok, so the woodworking is pretty much done! Sunday ended up being a super long day. We wanted to go ride the mountain bikes but ended up burning the daylight on the faucet install. Allie had the idea that she could build a pivot for a stow away faucet that would use the cabinet top to lock into place. As you can tell we got the faucet done, we also got the 41" cutting board top cut and hinged, but it's not "finished" as we're still planning to route a blood channel into the surface. I didn't get pics of this as I was in a hurry to get the truck home from the wood shop. I have some very minor bits of woodworking left to do, but this week should see the last of that completed and allow us to start on plumbing and electrical.

Of course, as is always the case after spending a fortune on a vehicle the Check engine light came on while I was driving it home. I pulled over, made sure I had oil and she wasn't overheating then just drove her home. I'll pull the code tomorrow night when I get home and see what's up. I'm not terribly concerned about it, worst case scenario I have a good running 4.0 in the driveway I can toss in. I'm sure with all the work and banging around some stupid PoS smog thing failed though.
 


sgtsandman

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There is always something...
 

strugbus

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I'm not dead yet! Things have been progressing...

I went to my good friend Kelly's for assistance getting the lift and new suspension installed. She's amazing and has her name in the Bonneville record books as the mechanic on a record setting team.
20210213_100733.jpg


I don't think it to her 10 minutes to get the truck in the air and wheels off.

I bought a 4" lift kit from wulf. It was basically just drop spindles and an add a leaf. There were no instructions at all and although they have a help line it was Saturday.

There was definitely some assembly required up front.
20210213_144851.jpg

Had to cut and grind off the lip because the spindles were slightly bound up.
20210214_154737.jpg


New spindles and Bilstein's on.

20210214_163036.jpg


New rotors and pads up front. My rotors and all things suspension were completely shot.

Rear up and add a leaf going in:
20210214_122504.jpg

20210214140037_IMG_0698.JPG


I bet you want to see a picture of it done? To bad I haven't taken one because I'm lazy.

I also got latches installed on the solar panels to stop them from flopping around. No pics of that or the new tailgate handle (I'm on my 3rd handle).

I did get a picture of the new water inlet for the onboard tank though:
20210217_143219.jpg


Ok now, for the issues:
The rear isn't level, it'll probably need about 1.5-2" of lift. Taking recommendations on blocks and shackles for that. I'll do it when we swap the axle.

I have what I think is an abs issue. At very low speeds if the wheel is even slightly turned it clicks and pops. Its never done this before and we put new speed sensors in with the spindles and rotors. Everything up front is new.

Any thoughts?
 

sgtsandman

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1.5-2”? Axle blocks from a pre-2008 4X4 Ranger should get you that.
 

Dirtman

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It's up there.
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It's down there.
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Round.
My credo
I poop in the furnace.
Did the kit come with new brake lines?
 

rumblecloud

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My credo
What's the worst that could happen?
Oooh, I happen to have a pre 2008 4x4 ranger in my driveway...
Ooooohhh....sarcasm...I love sarcasm. Love this build too.
You mean you really don't have one in your driveway...do you? :yahoo:
 

strugbus

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Did the kit come with new brake lines?
It did not. They don't seem to have an issues though.
Ooooohhh....sarcasm...I love sarcasm. Love this build too.
You mean you really don't have one in your driveway...do you? :yahoo:
I do....

Ok more work has been done! The driver side wheel speed sensor wasn't fully tight and was tripping the ABS a couple turns with the wrench and all good.

We got more woodworking done on the rear and besides some latches and minor things that will probably come up from electrical and plumbing to come.

Quick shot of the truck for those of you needing a post lift look. Don't judge her, 35's are coming!
20210223_101433.jpg


GF made the handle for opening the rear a ❤!
20210222_204130.jpg


I think this is the first pic since all the pieces went in of the cabinets themselves in action. I got the interior spaces we left between the bed walls spray foamed along with the gaps in the wood floor/skin.
20210223_101403.jpg


Extended and with the 41" cutting board top:
20210223_112910.jpg


Pushed in:
20210223_113240.jpg


WHAT'S IN THE BOX!?!
20210223_115330.jpg


Other notable progress was cutting the bedding into cushions. My GF's wife is making the covers for me, she's a sweetheart. We also got a 90⁰ fitting and drilled the hole for the propane hose.

I'm hoping to get her out to a local camping spot for a night or two soon and see what's up and what I need to change. Plumbing and electrical is coming soon and I plan on doing it right because I don't want to do it again.

I either have a flu or covid, have been feeling rough the past couple days. Waiting on test results
 

Dirtman

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It's up there.
Total Drop
It's down there.
Tire Size
Round.
My credo
I poop in the furnace.
Thanks, I'm buying the same kit soon, probably gonna install it this spring. I was curious if the OEM lines had enough reach when the caliper is moved down. :icon_thumby:

I don't suppose you have any other pics of the binding issue you had on the lower control arm that you had to grind? First time I've heard of this issue so its a little concerning but doesn't look like you had to do too much to fix it.

Have you had it aligned since installing the spindles? A spindle lift shouldn't effect much but im also curious about that as well as any effects on On-Road ride quality changes? Obviously some more body roll i would assume but its a truck not a sports car.

Love your truck. :icon_thumby:
 

strugbus

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Thanks, I'm buying the same kit soon, probably gonna install it this spring. I was curious if the OEM lines had enough reach when the caliper is moved down. :icon_thumby:

I don't suppose you have any other pics of the binding issue you had on the lower control arm that you had to grind? First time I've heard of this issue so its a little concerning but doesn't look like you had to do too much to fix it.

Have you had it aligned since installing the spindles? A spindle lift shouldn't effect much but im also curious about that as well as any effects on On-Road ride quality changes? Obviously some more body roll i would assume but its a truck not a sports car.

Love your truck. :icon_thumby:
So I did get it aligned and it wasn't a big deal at all. They didn't have any issues. I'll attach a before and then the after pics of the trim. I didn't trim it myself but basically the edge of the lip was binding. It was actually bad enough we couldn't get the spindle on without the trim, it was a bit of a leap of faith to do the trim and hope it would be enough. It totally is though and I'd do it again.

Before:
20210213_120739.jpg


After:
20210213_144846.jpg

20210213_144851.jpg


Hope that helps!
 

Dirtman

Former Middleweight Moss Fighting Champion
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2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Lift
It's up there.
Total Drop
It's down there.
Tire Size
Round.
My credo
I poop in the furnace.
So I did get it aligned and it wasn't a big deal at all. They didn't have any issues. I'll attach a before and then the after pics of the trim. I didn't trim it myself but basically the edge of the lip was binding. It was actually bad enough we couldn't get the spindle on without the trim, it was a bit of a leap of faith to do the trim and hope it would be enough. It totally is though and I'd do it again.

Before:
View attachment 56031

After:
View attachment 56029
View attachment 56030

Hope that helps!
Thanks, you're awesome.
 

sgtsandman

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Vehicle Year
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Make / Model
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Engine Size
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2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
Pre-2008 lift/Stock
Tire Size
31X10.5R15/265/65R17
Great work! How do you plan on hinging the lids? Piano hinge? It has worked well enough with the current platform in my 2011. When I go to replace the platform with a taller one that has drawers, I plan on using piano hinges again since the one has worked so well. However, since you are doing such a nicer job than I plan to do and have done, piano hinge with the barrel exposed might not be the look you want.
 

strugbus

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Great work! How do you plan on hinging the lids? Piano hinge? It has worked well enough with the current platform in my 2011. When I go to replace the platform with a taller one that has drawers, I plan on using piano hinges again since the one has worked so well. However, since you are doing such a nicer job than I plan to do and have done, piano hinge with the barrel exposed might not be the look you want.
Yes, they're all hinged with Piano hinges. My girlfriend has had so much fun doing this she wants to do more. If anyone else is near Santa Maria CA we'll be looking for more toys to build afterward. My skoolie project is still a ways off.
 

dvdswan

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Keep your mind like an umbrella, it only works if its open... Continually learning.

strugbus

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I think a shakedown trip may happen this weekend, do an overnight camping trip to get an idea of how she actually feels as a sleeping platform before I do electrical & plumbing.

We got side furring strips into the shell and latches for the cabinets installed. I've been using her a lot more, starting to miss my stereo pretty badly heh. That will be fixed soon I hope.
 

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