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2021 Ford Ranger FX4 TRS-3 Project Build


Jim Oaks

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Nocona, Texas
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1996 / 2021
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Ford Ranger
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4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0 / 2.3 Ecoboost
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Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6-inches
Tire Size
33x12.50x15
The top-of-the-line offroad package for the Bronco is the Sasquatch.

Does that make TRS-3 ..............


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racsan

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central ohio
Vehicle Year
2009
Make / Model
ford/escape
Engine Type
2.5 (4 Cylinder)
Engine Size
2.5/151 I-4
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Tire Size
235/70/16
My credo
the grey-t escape
My Dash Bracket

@Robertmangrum.rm had a dash bracket that he made at work that fit into the tray on the top of the dash. I was able to get him to make me one.

It even says TRS III on it. 😃

I painted it satin black.

Then put Velcro down in the tray and on the bottom of the bracket feet to hold it in place.

I added a cell phone holder and a mounting bracket for an action camera to snap into.
I also purchased a (4) Port USB hub and attached to the bottom of the bracket and some 6-inch USB cables.


This way anything I mount up there can just plug into the USB port for power instead of having multiple cords hanging down from the dash.

The phone is an extra Motorola that I was given. It's not connected to a cell plan. It's blue toothed to the Wi-Fi in the Ranger so it can access the internet to display Gaia GPS or Google Maps. Or I can just use the camera feature as a dash camera.
I also installed the Arkon Tablet Mount that I used in the Loan Ranger and mounted my tablet in it. Now I can run Gaia GPS and Google Maps at the same time, or use the navigation maps and have a weather satellite map displaying the weather if there's storms in the area.

The george jones song -“high tech redneck” suddenly comes to mind. lol
 

Jim Oaks

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Location
Nocona, Texas
Vehicle Year
1996 / 2021
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0 / 2.3 Ecoboost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6-inches
Tire Size
33x12.50x15
Dee Zee Tailgate Board

You've probably already seen it in some of my photos, but I installed a Dee Zee DZ284126 Polymer Tailgate Board on the 2021 Ford Ranger.

I use my tailgate as a table quite a bit and wanted a smooth surface to use. The Polymer is like having a large cutting board on the back of the truck, and is a lot lighter than a sheet of plywood.

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All you do is remove (8) T20 Torx head screws, position the Board, and secure it with the new longer Phillips head screws that come with it.

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Jim Oaks

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Location
Nocona, Texas
Vehicle Year
1996 / 2021
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0 / 2.3 Ecoboost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6-inches
Tire Size
33x12.50x15
Lasfit Bed Liner:

My 2021 Ford Ranger didn't come with a bed liner. I had thought about a spray in one, but they're expensive. I had even considered one of the do it yourself roll on liners.

What I really need is something to protect the floor of the bed. The walls aren't as much of an issue. Due to the limited bed length, I find myself sticking lumber, pipe, and most recently steel tubing in the bed with part of it sticking up and out over the tailgate.

What would be great is a liner for the floor that's molded to fit it perfectly.

Come to find out, @LASFIT actually sells such a product. I got one and installed it.

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I'm really happy with it. I like that it comes up a few inches on the side. It fits perfectly and stays in place, but it's also easy to fold and take out if I should ever want to for some reason.

Check it out:


I'll be giving away a set of their molded floor mats at our 25th Anniversary Fall Adventure. Seeing how well this is made, I can't wait to see the floor mats.
 

Jim Oaks

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Location
Nocona, Texas
Vehicle Year
1996 / 2021
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0 / 2.3 Ecoboost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6-inches
Tire Size
33x12.50x15
Realignment:

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I just got back from having an alignment done on TRS-3. According to the shop owner, the alignment hadn't changed from the last time they aligned it. The suspension sagged. I had them align it immediately after I installed the 3.5-inch lift which included new upper control arms. I'm guessing that the suspension hadn't fully settled when I had it aligned.

They re-aligned it and it rides much smoother, but there's still a little vibration from the tire tread being cupped / feathered.

The alignment shop suggested that I have the tires re-balanced.

While I was there, two old guys came in that looked like they were brothers and probably in their late 70's or early 80's. They started talking about their '41 Ford, so I stepped outside to take a look.

It was a pretty cool car. I don't see the cars of today still being on the road 83 years from now.

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Jim Oaks

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Location
Nocona, Texas
Vehicle Year
1996 / 2021
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0 / 2.3 Ecoboost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6-inches
Tire Size
33x12.50x15
My Texas Two-Step Sliders

I wanted a set of sliders for the Ranger to protect the rocker panels if I want to explore some trails or washed-out forest roads.

I really didn't want to pay $800+ for a set of sliders, so I decided to pick up some square tubing and make my own. I don't own a tubing bender anymore to bend round tubing. I will say that round tubing is always better because the strength is distributed evenly in all directions. When I built the bumpers on TRS-2, I built them from 1-3/4" x 1/8" DOM (round) tubing. I've beat them against rocks, and they've never dented.

I was going to use 1-3/4" square tubing, but nobody had it in .120 (1/8") wall tubing, so I had to go with 2-inch.

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I welded (2) pieces of tubing side by side and angled them back as a kick out. These will help push the rear around large objects that I can't get a tire up on.

2019_ford_ranger_slider-250.JPG


2019_ford_ranger_slider-120.JPG

The sliders are 2-inch x 1/8-inch square tubing, and the mounts are made out of 2-inch x 3/16-inch angle.

2019_ford_ranger_slider-130.JPG

When I cut the tubing sections that go to the frame, I underlapped and welded them under the slider as well as the sides. I had to notch them to clear the seam under the cab. I capped the notch off with 4-inch long strips of 3/16-inch flat stock that overlaps along the tube 1-inch on each side.

2019_ford_ranger_slider-220.JPG
Then I added some angle to brace the mounts from a side force.

2019_ford_ranger_slider-140.JPG

The pieces in the middle are angled back just like the stripes on the fender.

2019_ford_ranger_slider-150.JPG

There wasn't room for (2) brackets at the front of the slider, so I added gussets on both sides of the bracket for added support. (sorry for the bad photos)

2019_ford_ranger_slider-230.JPG

2019_ford_ranger_slider-240.JPG

The slider is bolted to the frame using 1/2-inch grade 8 bolts.

I left a 1-inch gap between the slider and the body.

2019_ford_ranger_slider-160.JPG

I added some Skid Guard 2-inch black anti-slip tape to the top of the outer tube. I trimmed 1/4" off one edge so it would fit. (I don't want to slip off and bust my ass when I stand on them to wash the roof.)

2019_ford_ranger_slider-170.JPG

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The kickout comes out as far as the tread, but not the sidewall.

2019_ford_ranger_slider-200.JPG

2019_ford_ranger_slider-210.JPG
I'm really happy with the way they turned out. Most people are going to look at them and think they're running boards. Running boards and 'factory sliders' that some vehicle manufacturers offer bolt to the body, not the frame. So, the body is still absorbing the impact. Anyone that knows what a slider is and does should be able to look at these and realize that they're way more than a running board.

So, I built these in Texas, they look like a step, they're made out of two rows of 2-inch tubing, but they're actually a slider. Thinking about this, the name Texas Two-Step Slider popped in my head and just stuck.

I need to do more metal fab. The last thing I welded was the bumper I built a year ago.

I had some problems welding.

One problem was that from time to time I would get the tip of the welder to far from the surface which would result in a thick weld in those areas. I'd go back and weld through them again to make sure I was getting good penetration but would still end up with a thick weld. I probably should have ground them down before rewelding them (I actually did on some of them), but I'd probably still be welding on them.

The other problem was that my wire kept sticking in the torch and I'd have to stop and wait for it to pop loose. This kept me from having a smooth weld. I switched out the wire to Lincoln Electric 0.35 flux core wire and the problem stopped.
 

Robertmangrum.rm

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Age
49
Location
Tennessee
Vehicle Year
2020
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
2.3 EcoBoost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
2.5 level kit with rear add a leaf appox. 1.5
Tire Size
305/70r17
My credo
Buy it, build it, and drive it like you stole it
I was gonna build square sliders. Then I found the RRW set that bolt on on Marketplace for 400. I wanna get them welded on. Hopefully I will find time this weekend but I really need to finish up my water system install.
 

Jim Oaks

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Location
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1996 / 2021
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0 / 2.3 Ecoboost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6-inches
Tire Size
33x12.50x15
I had some 2-inch square tubing and some 2-inch angle left over from my slider build, so I built some side pieces for my grill guard. The winch plate had mounting holes on the side plates, so I used those. One bolt goes through the side and the other goes through the bottom.

I would have liked to have a piece back from the middle of it to the frame to brace it, but I'd have to drop down to far to clear the bumper. The end and bottom piece is 3/16" thick, and then I added a 1-inch angle that connects along the bottom to brace it up more.

These piece are for brush and trail obstacles, not to pritect the truck in a crash.

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85_Ranger4x4

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Bumper kinda reminds me of the modular bumper for the Bronco.
 

sgtsandman

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Ranger XLT/FX4
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Pre-2008 lift/Stock
Tire Size
31X10.5R15/265/65R17
I had some 2-inch square tubing and some 2-inch angle left over from my slider build, so I built some side pieces for my grill guard. The winch plate had mounting holes on the side plates, so I used those. One bolt goes through the side and the other goes through the bottom.

I would have liked to have a piece back from the middle of it to the frame to brace it, but I'd have to drop down to far to clear the bumper. The end and bottom piece is 3/16" thick, and then I added a 1-inch angle that connects along the bottom to brace it up more.

These piece are for brush and trail obstacles, not to pritect the truck in a crash.

Your bumper sensors must hate you.
 

Jim Oaks

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Location
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Vehicle Year
1996 / 2021
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0 / 2.3 Ecoboost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6-inches
Tire Size
33x12.50x15
I don't have front sensors.
 

JohnnyO

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Pittsburgh, PA
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2020
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Ranger
Engine Type
2.3 EcoBoost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
1.5"
Tire Size
265/70-17
My credo
"220, 221, whatever it takes."
While I was there, two old guys came in that looked like they were brothers and probably in their late 70's or early 80's. They started talking about their '41 Ford, so I stepped outside to take a look.

It was a pretty cool car. I don't see the cars of today still being on the road 83 years from now.
Doubtful because if the electronics crap out they're dead in the water.
I'm told that a fair number of late 80's - early 90's Corvettes have become garage art because of an electronic part that ages out, mileage has nothing to do with it. Car won't run without it, it's obsolete from GM, and not being reproduced. The only hope is to get said part from a junkyard but it may not be any better.
A '41 Ford you can keep running with nothing more than a screwdriver, crescent wrench, and a hammer.
 

85_Ranger4x4

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Doubtful because if the electronics crap out they're dead in the water.
I'm told that a fair number of late 80's - early 90's Corvettes have become garage art because of an electronic part that ages out, mileage has nothing to do with it. Car won't run without it, it's obsolete from GM, and not being reproduced. The only hope is to get said part from a junkyard but it may not be any better.
A '41 Ford you can keep running with nothing more than a screwdriver, crescent wrench, and a hammer.
If you can't get a SBC to go you don't have a hope with 40's iron...
 

Jim Oaks

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Location
Nocona, Texas
Vehicle Year
1996 / 2021
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0 / 2.3 Ecoboost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6-inches
Tire Size
33x12.50x15

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