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My 1996 Ford Ranger 4x4 (TRS-2) Re-Build


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
Hmm....

I got a couple sirens laying around. I've got one of these Federal Model 28's.

I haven't wound it up since I moved to Texas. If I wound that up here, people would be heading for their tornado shelters. 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
20200907_140306.jpg


Took this old switch box and replaced the original switches (second from the right) because they didn't light up.

Also replaced the legends and added labels.

20200907_140236.jpg


Time to start wiring everything back up.
 

sgtsandman

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Location
Aliquippa, PA
Vehicle Year
2011/2019
Make / Model
Ranger XLT/FX4
Engine Size
4.0 SOHC/2.3 Ecoboost
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
Pre-2008 lift/Stock
Tire Size
31X10.5R15/265/65R17
The blue switches for the blue strobe lights so you can relive your glory days?
 

racsan

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Location
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
and black paint/mylar decals might follow:

CD813609-7829-49A4-A1CB-CAB61B4EC592.jpeg
 

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

Jim Oaks

Just some guy with a website
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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
20200912_171858.jpg

Got my plywood console installed.

Top row:
Power switch that turns on a relay that powers the USB and 12-volt outlets.
USB port with a digital voltage meter in the center of it.
12-volt outlet

Second row:
Uniden CB radio

Third row:
Midland MXT115 GMRS

Fourth row:
Refurbished switch box for my LED lights.

I also painted my center console and add a dual USB port inside the console, a dual USB port, and a 12-volt port on the rear of the console.

There's also a dual 12-volt outlet on the right of the plywood console for my GPS, dash cam, or tablet.
 

sgtsandman

Aircraft Fuel Tank Diver
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Location
Aliquippa, PA
Vehicle Year
2011/2019
Make / Model
Ranger XLT/FX4
Engine Size
4.0 SOHC/2.3 Ecoboost
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
Pre-2008 lift/Stock
Tire Size
31X10.5R15/265/65R17
I like it! Nice job!
 

Uncle Gump

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Location
Ottawa IL
Vehicle Year
2006/1986
Make / Model
Ranger/BroncoII
Engine Size
4.0L SOHC/2.9L
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
Lead follow or get out of my way
Looks like the same CB I have... can't figure out where to put it.

Are you using a remote speaker for either of your radios? I'm hard of hearing... ask my wife. I would probably never hear those if the speakers are in the box.
 

racsan

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Location
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
On my ‘88 I put a remote speaker (for a cb) in the headliner right by the rear veiw mirror. Worked great! Dad put a speaker in his S-blazer by the drivers seat belt loom on the “B” pillar for his mobile ham radio.
 

PetroleumJunkie412

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Location
Dirtman's Basement
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ranger
Engine Size
2.9l Trinity
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
Give 'yer balls a tug. Fight me.
C-VS-0812-INUT-1_A_2-17-1-W_600.jpg


20200912_171858.jpg





You're right. Your cup holders are in line vs side by side, touchscreen vs keyboard, and switches and radio reversed.


😶
 

sgtsandman

Aircraft Fuel Tank Diver
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Location
Aliquippa, PA
Vehicle Year
2011/2019
Make / Model
Ranger XLT/FX4
Engine Size
4.0 SOHC/2.3 Ecoboost
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
Pre-2008 lift/Stock
Tire Size
31X10.5R15/265/65R17
Looks like the same CB I have... can't figure out where to put it.

Are you using a remote speaker for either of your radios? I'm hard of hearing... ask my wife. I would probably never hear those if the speakers are in the box.
I had one in my CR-V. I put it where the ash tray used to be. It's a great size to squeeze in a lot if odd places. They work well. A bit short on bells and whistles but they get the job done if you set them up right.
 

Jim Oaks

Just some guy with a website
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TRS Banner 2010-2011
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Points
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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
20200914_170225.jpg


20200914_185331.jpg


20200914_185335.jpg


20200914_185343.jpg

I rebuilt my snorkel. The old one curved and went into and out of the top of the cowl. Sometimes it would moan like a sick cow at idle.

All was going well, until I fawked up and drill out a 3.5-inch hole in the fiberglass fender 1-inch to far back towards the passenger door. Let's just say, there's a gap. :shok:

Oh well, the fender was busted already anyway. Maybe I can find something to cover it.
 

85_Ranger4x4

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Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
Last edited:

ericbphoto

Overlander in development
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Age
59
Location
Wellford, SC
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Engine Size
3.0L
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6"
Tire Size
35"
My credo
In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are different.
Thanks for the pix. I've been wanting to do a snorkel on mine. Thats the route I thought it should take.
 

Jim Oaks

Just some guy with a website
Administrator
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TRS Banner 2010-2011
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Joined
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Messages
13,493
Reaction score
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Points
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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
20200914_170502.jpg

I used:

(2) 2-inch 45 degree ABS pipe
(1) 2-inch 90 degree ABS short elbow
(1) 2-inch to 3-inch conversion ABS
(1) 3-inch ABS pipe
(1) 3-inch ABS 90 degree long elbow
(1) 4-inch ABS cap
(2) L-brackets
(1) 3-inch u-bolt

I got it all from Lowes

I used 3-inch since I had room inside my fiberglass fenders.

I think when I first did the I had to sand the end of the factory air cleaner inlet so the 2-inch ABS would fit over it.

I used the black ABS pipe cement. It sets super fast, so be sure of your position and angles before you stick them together. I fit everything together first and then test fit each piece to be sure as I put it back together with cement.

Note that those 45 degree elbows fit together without needing a short piece of 2-inch ABS. I bought a 3rd 45 degree elbow and cut the end off and stuck it in the 2-3 adapter so I wouldn't have to buy a piece of 2-inch ABS pipe.

The 3-inch u-bolt goes around the 3-inch pipe and through the side of the inner fender.
 

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