Project "Slippery Slope" - 2011 FX4

[PNW Paul]

You used "inserts" on the flat surface to give a raised letter effect? Thats pretty slick ?

Thanks, came out better than expected. . .

Done enough upgrades to justify slapping this on the tailgate:

Paul

 

[PNW Paul]

Here's the switch panel that I installed on the visor shelf in the Ranger. . . Obviously need more accessories now, but in addition to the volt meter there are two USB ports.

Only 18 hours to Moab. . .

Paul

 

[09fx4guy]

Very nice truck, keep up the good work!

I always wanted to get a roof visor like that, but never got around to it. I mounted my switches in the underdash panel, up and to the left of the hood release.

 

[PNW Paul]

Very nice truck, keep up the good work! I always wanted to get a roof visor like that, but never got around to it.

Thanks, limited build so far, but coming along. . . The visor shelf was "harvested" from my totaled Explorer - - I bought it a few years ago and it was actually spec'ed for a Ranger, but knew it'd likely fit the early Explorers (it did). When I went to order one for the Ranger, they seemed to no longer be available - - anywhere . . . So glad it fit since I didn't want to cut up the dash for switches.

Helped a buddy with his RBV project this weekend, so got the chance to swap the rear differential pinion seal - - not leaking puddles, but definitely slinging gear oil when underway.

Might as well dress up the rear diff while I'm at it. . .

B&M 40297.

Paul

 

[PNW Paul]

Storage. . .

Rescued this drawer system out of my (Explorer) 'Sport. The brand is Outback Solutions, kind a subsidiary of ARB. Won't bolt them in, but probably secure them in some fashion for off-roading / overlanding. With these in place I can still fit some action packers or pelican cases closer to the cab for lesser needed items.

Although hard to see, the deck lid has e-track style rails, with moveable attachment points.

Open:

Paul

 

[sgtsandman]

I want to do something like that for both my trucks. Maybe not as tall and probably not as pretty but more functional than what I have now. If I'm carrying cargo, the stuff I have stored in the platform I have now, I can't access the stuff without moving cargo to get at it.

 

[PNW Paul]

All the after-market bed storage systems are expensive. . .

Latest project, replace the rear leaf spring blocks with more leaves. Don't really mind using rear leaf blocks, but if more leaves are available, I'd prefer that option. Added new torsion keys to the front when the leaf blocks went in, but with the larger tires, had to crank the torsion bars to a point where the bed needed a bit more unsprung weight.

Out with this:

In favor of these. . .

Paul

 

[PNW Paul]

More good stuff . . .

Just need time to mock up and mount these. . . Too damn busy lately.

Paul

 

[PNW Paul]

Finally got a chance to mount these up . . . They are from Rocky Road Outfitters, and as I plan to use this rig more for overlanding than hard core trail use, I opted for the slider-only choice - - don't think I'll need the "outriggers" to pivot off rocks or trees . . .

To get the sliders as close to the rocker as possible, I notched the pinch welds.

The handy "Hazard Fraught" (aka Harbor Freight) transmission jack was called into service to position the sliders for marking and drilling.

Poser shot from the front of the garage. . .

Really satisfied with how they came out, less than 1/2" between rocker and the top of the slider, and they're snugged up (touching) the the front and rear fender flare, and a relatively simple install.

Paul

 

[09fx4guy]

Those are very nice. Looking good!

 

[PNW Paul]

Wait. . . what . . . ?

 

[ericbphoto]

Wait. . . what . . . ?
View attachment 45503

That's not how I normally install the wheels

 

[09fx4guy]

While you have the truck that far apart in the front, check the condition of the radiator core support. They can rust out at the mount and will eventually fall apart. (Ask me how I know)

 

[PNW Paul]

". . .check the condition of the radiator core support. They can rust out at the mount and will eventually fall apart. . ."

So far, so good, on the radiator support, and that's saying something for a truck that spent its first few years in Canada. . . The support for first gen Explorer I owned for over 25 years suffered the same fate as you allude to. . .

So the tear-down photo is prep for "Monsta-Liner" that I wanted to incorporate on this truck. I've used the product before for projects and been very happy with the results. Usually I've just used black, but helped a buddy with a project with "Read My Lips" in Monsta-Liner red and decided use the same color and go "red on red" for this one.

Plan was fender flares, rockers, hood lip (P.O. epoxied the bug deflector on, so when it broke off the residue stayed), grill, sideview mirrors, and bumpers (and a few odds and ends. . .).

Bumper station:

Hood lip with product also applied to the concave section on the centerline:

More to follow.

Paul

 

[09fx4guy]

Lucky guy. While you are in there, maybe at least coat some of the spots real good with fluid film.