Hello. Newbie that needs help

[aolexa68]

Hello all. My name is Andrew, and I am a new member to the forum. My beast is a white 2004 Ford Ranger XL regular cab with the 3.0 (I’ll post pics later). As you’ll see, rust belt has given it a serious beating over time. This beast has been in my family for many years, and was my first vehicle. It’s far from perfect, and I along with my relatives were not the perfect owners with this truck. It had been crashed before I got it, and it’s been patched back together. But I’m determined to be a better vehicle owner, and since I got this truck, Ive been teaching myself and learning how to upkeep and fix this beast properly and responsibly. But enough rambling.

The main point of this post is I’m looking to replace body panels and the whole bed. I’ve been visiting different sites for a southern parts Ranger for body parts, and I found one on Copart that doesn’t appear to have any rust on it. It’s a 1998 Ranger XLT, and it’s in my budget. My question is, will these body parts (the bed and front panels) be 100% interchangeable or will they not fit? I know 2004 the ranger received some updates and is a little different than the previous rangers in some aspects, and I wasn’t sure if the body panels and bed are any different. Thanks guys.

 

[sgtsandman]

The basic body panels form 98 on are pretty much the same except for the front grill and quarter panels from what I remember. I can't remember if the 2004 shares the same grill and head lights or the 98 or not. Pulling up some images from google should help you narrow down what matches the front of yours before you buy. Everything else from the doors back should be pretty much the same with some minor exceptions.

 

[aolexa68]

The basic body panels form 98 on are pretty much the same except for the front grill and quarter panels from what I remember. I can't remember if the 2004 shares the same grill and head lights or the 98 or not. Pulling up some images from google should help you narrow down what matches the front of yours before you buy. Everything else from the doors back should be pretty much the same with some minor exceptions.

Looking online at the parts, the front panels do look slightly different. The front grill is definitely different, and so are the headlights. I think I’ll keep looking for another donor vehicle that’s 2004 or later since that seems to be the year that Ford changed the Ranger to look like mine does. Truthfully the front ends the nicest part, and that’s the part that was wrecked ?. Thank you Sgt (and also thank you for your service).

 

[aolexa68]

If I find a donor vehicle and I start adding pieces and fixing some internal problem, is restoration/attempting to restore threads something members take interest in here? I’ve seen some of the v8 swaps and other major wild builds on here, but I didn’t know if just the every day fixed up Ranger was something members particularly cared to see on here

 

[4.0blue98]

I'd be interested.

 

[sgtsandman]

We like the average, every day Rangers as much as the special builds. It’s why the forum is here.