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What did you do to your 2019 and up Ranger today?


JohnnyO

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4WD
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265/70-17
My credo
"220, 221, whatever it takes."
Window tint on the quarter windows of the half doors. My tinting skills were a little rusty but they look like they came out okay. 35% and not overly dark, PA cops are fussy about that stuff. Gonna do the rear window next, then the doors if it doesn't look too dark. This thing got awful hot last summer I think from the large sloped windshield.
 


sgtsandman

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Window tint on the quarter windows of the half doors. My tinting skills were a little rusty but they look like they came out okay. 35% and not overly dark, PA cops are fussy about that stuff. Gonna do the rear window next, then the doors if it doesn't look too dark. This thing got awful hot last summer I think from the large sloped windshield.
I have a sheet on the tinting laws in PA. Trucks and SUVs get more latitude than cars do. Remind me to send you a copy. I’m away from home now. So don’t have it available.

That huge windshield doesn’t help. A sun block helps.

Window visors for aide windows help too. That way you can leave the windows cracked during the day and not worry about the rain. Just don’t leave then cracked over night or you will have moisture build up on the inside of the windows to deal with in the morning.

A rear window slider helps a lot too but if your luck is like mine, make darn sure there is 0% chance of rain in the forecast. Or it WILL rain and drench your back seat.
 

JohnnyO

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Location
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Vehicle Year
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Make / Model
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."
I have a sheet on the tinting laws in PA. Trucks and SUVs get more latitude than cars do. Remind me to send you a copy. I’m away from home now. So don’t have it available.

That huge windshield doesn’t help. A sun block helps.

Window visors for aide windows help too. That way you can leave the windows cracked during the day and not worry about the rain. Just don’t leave then cracked over night or you will have moisture build up on the inside of the windows to deal with in the morning.

A rear window slider helps a lot too but if your luck is like mine, make darn sure there is 0% chance of rain in the forecast. Or it WILL rain and drench your back seat.
What I was able to find says that 70% of visible light must get through. I got the lightest tint Auto Zone has and it says 35% but I don't know if it allows 35% light (too dark) or blocks 35% (legit). It doesn't look excessively dark. I'd like to have it all done before the Ford Nationals.

Truck already had vent visors when I got it but if it didn't I would have got them anyway. Does not have an opening rear window.

My son has a 2016 Subaru and the factory tint is so dark I can't believe it's legal here but it's factory stock.

I got the cheapo tint for the quarter windows and will use it for the back since they don't move. There is a better quality tint I'll use for the side windows and I'll just take my chances with the po-po. I got a "fix-it ticket" for tint many years ago in my '99 Ranger. OTOH the police cars in my town have dark tint, so there is that.

With this truck I have the sun visor down almost all the time. Haven't seen a windshield banner I like except the one from RTR which is kinda pricey and I don't have a legit RTR Ranger (but I'm thinking about piecemealing it together). There's just that pesky money problem.
 

Blmpkn

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2.3
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Total Lift
2.5"
Tire Size
285/75/18
My credo
Its probably better to be self deprecating than self defecating.
What I was able to find says that 70% of visible light must get through. I got the lightest tint Auto Zone has and it says 35% but I don't know if it allows 35% light (too dark) or blocks 35% (legit). It doesn't look excessively dark. I'd like to have it all done before the Ford Nationals.

Truck already had vent visors when I got it but if it didn't I would have got them anyway. Does not have an opening rear window.

My son has a 2016 Subaru and the factory tint is so dark I can't believe it's legal here but it's factory stock.

I got the cheapo tint for the quarter windows and will use it for the back since they don't move. There is a better quality tint I'll use for the side windows and I'll just take my chances with the po-po. I got a "fix-it ticket" for tint many years ago in my '99 Ranger. OTOH the police cars in my town have dark tint, so there is that.

With this truck I have the sun visor down almost all the time. Haven't seen a windshield banner I like except the one from RTR which is kinda pricey and I don't have a legit RTR Ranger (but I'm thinking about piecemealing it together). There's just that pesky money problem.
Tint, from what I remember, is generally sold as the amount of light it let's through, so yours is likely too dark.

Maine law says no darker than 35% on the front 2 windows, and as dark as you want behind that. State police cruisers a lot of the time up here have MUCH darker than 35%... but.. as they say... "rules for thee, but not for me"
 

sgtsandman

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I have one direct from the Penn DOT web site that says the same thing as what the links above say.

The one link did mention about a certification sticker. But windows other than the front, side windows and windshield are wide open to whatever tint you want.

Knowing how the PSP can be, getting a professional certification might be a good idea.
 

sgtsandman

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Engine Size
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2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
Pre-2008 lift/Stock
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31X10.5R15/265/65R17

JohnnyO

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Vehicle Year
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Make / Model
Ranger
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2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
1.5"
Tire Size
265/70-17
My credo
"220, 221, whatever it takes."
Tried and failed to install my leveling kit from Truxxx. Step 1: Remove skid plates, check. Step 2: Remove three plugs from electric power steering. Nope, ain't happening.

Move on to plan B.
Change rear axle lube. Magnetic plug had a bunch of metal on it and the lube was black, as expected.
Fill with Redline 75w-90, AFAIK the only synthetic lube that meets the Ford Spec in the owner's manual.
Much easier than it was in my old Sport Trac, don't need to remove the spare tire.
Elapsed time, 10 minutes FTW.

Tint side windows. Passenger side looks okay, driver's side may be F'd up. We'll see how it looks when it dries.
My garage is too tight to do it in there so I have to do it outside and I live on top of a hill so there's always a breeze.

Anybody know if it's absolutely necessary to unplug the power steering?
 
Last edited:

Blmpkn

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Vehicle Year
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Make / Model
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Engine Type
2.3 EcoBoost
Engine Size
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Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
2.5"
Tire Size
285/75/18
My credo
Its probably better to be self deprecating than self defecating.
Tried and failed to install my leveling kit from Truxxx. Step 1: Remove skid plates, check. Step 2: Remove three plugs from electric power steering. Nope, ain't happening.

Move on to plan B.
Change rear axle lube. Magnetic plug had a bunch of metal on it and the lube was black, as expected.
Fill with Redline 75w-90, AFAIK the only synthetic lube that meets the Ford Spec in the owner's manual.
Much easier than it was in my old Sport Trac, don't need to remove the spare tire.
Elapsed time, 10 minutes FTW.

Tint side windows. Passenger side looks okay, driver's side may be F'd up. We'll see how it looks when it dries.
My garage is too tight to do it in there so I have to do it outside and I live on top of a hill so there's always a breeze.

Anybody know if it's absolutely necessary to unplug the power steering?
What sort of plugs are they?
 

JohnnyO

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Location
Pittsburgh, PA
Vehicle Year
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Make / Model
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."
What sort of plugs are they?
Looks like a standard wiring harness plug. There are red tabs that you pull back, which I did, but I couldn't pull the plugs off. I have arthritis in my hands so my grip isn't what it use to be but I tried prying and pushing with a screwdriver and that didn't work either. If I try it again I'll just disconnect the battery.
 

sgtsandman

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Location
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Vehicle Year
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Make / Model
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Engine Size
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2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
Pre-2008 lift/Stock
Tire Size
31X10.5R15/265/65R17
Move on to plan B.
Change rear axle lube. Magnetic plug had a bunch of metal on it and the lube was black, as expected.
Fill with Redline 75w-90, AFAIK the only synthetic lube that meets the Ford Spec in the owner's manual.
Much easier than it was in my old Sport Trac, don't need to remove the spare tire.
Elapsed time, 10 minutes FTW.
Where did you get the Redline or did you order it?
 

JohnnyO

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Location
Pittsburgh, PA
Vehicle Year
2020
Make / Model
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."
Where did you get the Redline or did you order it?
Amazon. Arrived in two days.
Have D6 for the transfer case on order now.
I have a transfer pump if you need one.
 

Jim Oaks

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Tried and failed to install my leveling kit from Truxxx. Step 1: Remove skid plates, check. Step 2: Remove three plugs from electric power steering. Nope, ain't happening.

Move on to plan B.
Change rear axle lube. Magnetic plug had a bunch of metal on it and the lube was black, as expected.
Fill with Redline 75w-90, AFAIK the only synthetic lube that meets the Ford Spec in the owner's manual.
Much easier than it was in my old Sport Trac, don't need to remove the spare tire.
Elapsed time, 10 minutes FTW.

Tint side windows. Passenger side looks okay, driver's side may be F'd up. We'll see how it looks when it dries.
My garage is too tight to do it in there so I have to do it outside and I live on top of a hill so there's always a breeze.

Anybody know if it's absolutely necessary to unplug the power steering?
I unplugged it on the Loan Ranger when I started to install a leveling kit, and then plugged it in when I decided to leave it stock. Why don't you want to unplug it?
 
Last edited:

JohnnyO

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Location
Pittsburgh, PA
Vehicle Year
2020
Make / Model
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."
I unplugged it on the Loan Rangerwhenistarted to install a leveling kit, and then plugged it in when i decided to leave it stock. Why don't you want to unplug it?
I tried but I couldn’t pull the plugs out. I slid out the red tabs but couldn’t pull the plugs off. Arthritis in my hands is getting worse and my grip isn’t what it used to be.
 
Last edited:

85_Ranger4x4

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For those of us with less sophisticated trucks why is unplugging the power steering a thing?
 
Last edited:

Robertmangrum.rm

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For those of us with less sophisticated trucks why is unplugging the power steering a thing?
I was wondering the same thing. Does it say to in the instructions? I didn't unplug anything when I leveled mine. I did have to break the driver side wheel nut loose do get the lower control arm to drop low enough to get the longer strut in. But passenger side went in fine.
 
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