The 2019 'Loan Ranger', and 2019 Ranger Adventure

[Jim Oaks]

Things have been crazy, but I need to get this thread caught up.

I purchased a 48-inch Hi-Lift jack and a JackMate to go with it. At this time, nobody makes a winch bumper for the 2019 Ford Ranger, but I know that the combination of the Hi-Lift jack and JackMate should be able to get the Ranger unstuck from about any situation. You can only winch a truck a few feet at a time with a H-Lift, but it's better than being stuck.

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I already showed you how I was setting up the bed.

Since I can't drill any holes in the bed, I took a sheet of 7/16" plywood and cut it to fit the bed, and then doubled up a section where the Hi-Lift would go. I used (2) 1/2" carriage bolts stuck through the bottom of the plywood and secured it with a washer, lock washer and nut. Then I added two nuts with a lock washer between them to serve as a spacer. The foot of the jack rests on the plywood. The rest of the jack sits on the 1/2" bolts. It's held down with a washer, a rubber washer, and a wing nut. The rubber washer keeps the wing nut from coming loose.

I have a Contico storage box held down to the plywood with (4) carriage bolts.
I purchased a set of X-Bull Recovery Tracks to use before resorting to winching. I bolted them to the front of the Contico box, and used the washer, rubber washer, and wing nut setup to secure it. I've used that setup before, and know that it works.

 

[Jim Oaks]

I used a Scepter water can, and Scepter gas can. They're held in place with a ratchet strap using the factory tie-down points.

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I used some foam pipe insulation and zip ties on the clamps for the bed rack, so the Scepter cans don't rub against them. I also used the foam on the ratchets to keep them from damaging the cans. I cut off the excess straps, but left enough to wrap around the ratchet to hold the foam in place.

I bought a Lifetime 55-quart cooler, and it's held down with a ratchet strap. I actually found this one at Walmart for under $100. It's rated to hold ice for 7-days, and is Grizzly Bear rated.

I purchased a shovel from Home Depot, and mounted it to the Yakima bed rack mount with Quick Fist clamps. I actually secured the Quick Fists to the rack with large zip-ties. Not the way I would like to do it, but it serves the purpose.

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Even though the Contico box is bolted to the plywood, I added an eye bolt to each side, and ran a ratchet strap to the tie downs at the front of the bed. This helps hold the plywood down. The other end of the plywood is held down by the ratchet straps holding down the cooler.

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I have an additional 6-gallon Igloo water cooler that's held in place on the right side of the Contico box by the ratchet strap on that side of the box.

 

[mtnrgr]

WOW Jim, your really making this Ranger an off / on road truck. When this Ranger goes back to Ford, are you removing everything you installed on it? Perhaps these parts will go on your 96?

 

[ericbphoto]

Very nicely done, especially considering how you have to preserve the truck.

 

[racsan]

It will take a week to get it back to “stock” . You might like it so much that maybe you can just purchase it.

 

[Jim Oaks]

I wanted some work lights at the rear of the truck. I purchased a pair of Nilight 27-watt 4x5 inch LED lights. The 2019 Ford Ranger has an optional accessory power jack available at the drivers side rear corner of the bed. If you look at the side of the framerail, you'll see a plug for the outlet to plug in to.

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Here's the plug with the cap removed.

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The lights were installed with a harness that use a remote control. This kept me from having to run a switch up to the cab. It came with a surface mounted switch with an adhesive back. I hid the switch on the bottom of the tailgate. Now I can turn the lights on from the cab with a remote, or by the switch under the tailgate.

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I mounted the lights using the bed racks factory hardware. I ran the wiring harness through the top bar so it was neatly concealed.

 

[97RangerXLT]

Very nicely done Jim!

I need to take some notes on this for loading up my Ranger...

AJ

 

[Jim Oaks]

Since the Ranger doesn't come with rear tow hooks, I added a receiver shackle.

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I need to do a walk around video of the truck.

 

[Jim Oaks]

The Ford factory navigation is ok if you know the address to your local Starbucks. I use a Samsung tablet with a built in GPS for navigation. I can use either Google maps or Gaia GPS for navigation on the tablet. I can create a route ahead of time, and then follow it on my tablet. If I know where I'm going ahead of time, I can download the maps for those areas. The tablet will always show me where I'm at, but it relies on the internet to display the map. By downloading the map ahead of time, the tablet will still display the map, even if I lose my cell signal.

I purchased this Arkon tablet mount on Amazon. It clamps on to the console, and is adjustable.

 

[Jim Oaks]

I use a GoPro suction mount for my action camera on the windshield, and a cell phone windshield mount. I really like the cell phone mount and use it the most.

 

[Jim Oaks]

2019 Ranger Adventure​

This is where I kick off what I'm calling the 2019 Ranger Adventure.

Overland Expo West:

Wednesday May 15th:

On Wednesday 05/15/2019 I set out for the Overland Expo west in Flagstaff, Arizona. This trip would give me a chance to test out the Rangers abilities, and look for anything I need to add or change before a larger trip in June.

Overland Expo is a long drive for most people. Not only do people come to this event from all over the country, but people even come from other countries. It's like the Superbowl of adventure travel.

The trip to Overland Expo should be as much of an adventure, as the Expo itself. Don't get in a hurry, and enjoy the trip.

I left DFW and headed north on US 287 to Amarillo. I didn't want to travel on the interstate any more than necessary. The only good thing about IS 40 is that it follows along historic Route 66. When you get to the Texas / New Mexico border on IS 40, there is an old section of Route 66 in Glenrio where you can still find some old structures.

Continue to the next exit west on IS 40, and you'll find the Russells Truck & Travel Center. In addition to having a gas station, store, and restaurant, it also has a free car museum.

I continued on and stopped in Santa Rosa NM for fuel. I drove past the Route 66 Auto Museum, but it was closed. It had a few interesting vehicles outside though.

I continued on to Bernallilo NM (just north of Albuquerque) and spent the night at a KOA campground. It was the first night I spent in the Yakima Skyrise tent.

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It was late when I got there, and I didn't bother to install the rods that hold up the tents rain cover. I just opened the tent, threw my sleeping bag in, and went to sleep.

Thursday May 16th:

On Thursday I continued west towards Flagstaff, and detoured south on SR 117 through the El Malpais National Conservation Area. There's some scenic forest roads to explore.

After exploring some forest roads, I headed south on Rt 36 to US 60 west. I turned north on US 191 to US 180. When I got to IS 40 I continued west to Flagstaff. I finally arrived at Fort Tuthill County Park for Overland Expo. The event actually starts on Friday, but those camping on site show up on Thursday. After checking in, I got in a line of traffic waiting to get a spot to camp.

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After a short wait, I was finally direct to a place to park and set up camp.

 

[Jim Oaks]

WOW Jim, your really making this Ranger an off / on road truck. When this Ranger goes back to Ford, are you removing everything you installed on it? Perhaps these parts will go on your 96?

Yes, I'm removing everything. The tires won't fit the '96, so I'll sell them.

Very nicely done, especially considering how you have to preserve the truck.

Thanks.

It will take a week to get it back to “stock” . You might like it so much that maybe you can just purchase it.

I'm sure it can strip it down in a day.

 

[4x4junkie]

That thing is coming along nicely (and quickly too lol, though with only six months to have it, I can see why).

Nice work.

Yes, I'm removing everything. The tires won't fit the '96, so I'll sell them.

I don't s'pose they're letting you keep that tent... ? (the rack I'd guess wouldn't fit your '96 either, not without mods to it anyway)

 

[Ranger850]

I don't s'pose they're letting you keep that tent... ? (the rack I'd guess wouldn't fit your '96 either, not without mods to it anyway)

I think, If it came from FORD, it's going back to Ford. If Jim put it on, Jim takes it off. It's like a six month lease for free.

 

[racsan]

Talk about a long-term test drive! Couldn’t be a better promotion for ford though. Hopefully it’s back to stay and doesn’t disappear after a few years. I do wish a manual transmission was available. I’m just not a fan of automatics.