What did you do to your Ranger today? (Part Deux!)

[rjaaaaaa2]

That is an interesting look, kinda Studebaker like from the back. Personally I would have moved the rear window up a couple inches and the tires are a bit small for that stance, but it's definitely not bad and looking forward to seeing where you go with it.

Other than driving the '97 to work today, and the wife cleaning out the '00 Explorer for camping this weekend I haven't done anything Ranger related lately... The '90 is still in the driveway with the parking brake stuck on... I have gotten somewhere on the shop finally, 13 of the 14 posts are sticking out of the ground and 6 of them are square and tamped in with gravel...

Well here it is , fresh out of the "paint booth". Finished up the paint work yesterday and I think it came out great.

 

[Bgunner]

Started cleaning the patio for the multiday repairfest that I've been collecting parts for since January. Now I just need dry weather so I can start actually working on it.

List includes:

Body mounts,
Fuel filler neck,
Power steering box
Power steering hoses
Water pump,
Timing chain and gaskets,
Valve cover gaskets with associated gaskets,
Valve adjustment,
Thermostat check for proper opening temp,
U joints

There will undoubtedly be more but I still need to order the clutch and rear main seal though. I'll need a hand with that one since the shoulders and back wont allow for the removal of the trans by myself anymore.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

There will undoubtedly be more but I still need to order the clutch and rear main seal though. I'll need a hand with that one since the shoulders and back wont allow for the removal of the trans by myself anymore.

Getting it out is easy...

 

[Uncle Gump]

Not sure why... but I've always liked the amber fog lights. Not only do I like them... but they closer match the color of my park lights. So I bought a set of non DOT small clear LED floods (3.5")because nobody seems to make affordable DOT amber fogs. Then I bought some Lamin-X amber film and laid it on. I may do a second layer if the color isn't dark enough when they make it onto the truck. The Lamin-X is like $10 for a 7" x 8" sheet... way thicker then the tape at the parts stores. Hard to get it on without bubbles. They say they will go away... we will find that out also in time.

 

[8thTon]

My wife's car has been in the shop for a slave cylinder replacement, so I let her drive my car and I've been driving the Ranger again for the last week. Just like old times! I enjoyed it..

I have noticed a ticking from the back end as I come to a stop - it's road speed related, but it's clearly faster than wheel rpm. I was thinking U-joints, but they actually feel fine. The diff fluid is a little low, maybe 3/4" from the drain. It's extremely clean, so I'm going to top it up tomorrow and see if that helps (doubtful). Then I'll do the U-joints if not

 

[fred m]

I washed mine today for the first time in 4,000 miles (really unusual for me to put it off that long)

Set the toe for the front end because a tie rod lock nut had come loose from last year's subpar chain-store front end alignment. Set it to about 1/16" toe-in, steering wheel is dead center and it tracks perfectly straight all the way up to 85 or so.

Replaced a burned out tag lamp bulb.

 

[sgtsandman]

Changed the oil on the 2019. I still haven't figured out how to not make a mess changing the filter. The funnel thing that is supposed to direct the oil is next to useless. I got a sample for Blackstone Labs to look at and see what they think about the possible fuel contamination and how the oil held up to the turbo.

 

[fred m]

Changed the oil on the 2019. I still haven't figured out how to not make a mess changing the filter. The funnel thing that is supposed to direct the oil is next to useless.

A filter relocation kit is an option. I’d put it inside the frame or behind the bumper. Having a truck which presumably is under warranty may mean that isn’t a viable option for you, at least not yet.
For the BITOGer in me, what oil/filter did you use?

 

[Dirtman]

Put this in it... me go cut cut now

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Is that a wheelchair for someone with a major incontinence problem?

Put this in it... me go cut cut now

View attachment 44818

 

[Dirtman]

Is that a wheelchair for someone with a major incontinence problem?

I guess technically plasma would be an extremely effective way to keep your pants dry.

 

[airbourneranger]

Couldn't wait any longer. Had to put the new wheels and tires on the Ranger. Now It really needs the lowering kit to arrive. 245/45-18 front and 275/40-18 rear. Same diameter 26.7 so no issues with RSC or Traction control.

 

[sgtsandman]

A filter relocation kit is an option. I’d put it inside the frame or behind the bumper. Having a truck which presumably is under warranty may mean that isn’t a viable option for you, at least not yet.
For the BITOGer in me, what oil/filter did you use?

Yeah, I have to tread lightly with the 2019 right now since it is still under warranty. If I can't figure out a way not to make a mess by the time the warranty is up, I'll probably look at relocating the filter. I also want to look into an oil cooler because of the turbo as well. Something with a thermostat would be preferable.

As far as the oil, last change it was a K&N filter with Mobil 1 Truck/SUV full synthetic. This time it was Valvoline full synthetic with a Mobil 1 EP filter. I typically go with whatever full synthetic package deal is being offered with a better quality oil filter.

 

[8thTon]

I topped up the rear diff fluid (about 1/2 quart), and of course it made no difference. I stopped at an empty school parking lot to see what I could see, braking in forward and reverse, and then I noticed a new, louder noise that was definitely wheel speed related, and on the right side. So I checked the front wheel bearing and it was fine, and then I jacked up the rear axle. It sounded terrible, with something nasty and crunchy going on in the right rear drum.

It turns out the adjuster cable had broken and the end was busy grinding itself away on the drum:

I picked up a hardware kit at AZ and fixed that, and now all I have is the original higher speed noise, although it is fainter. There is some notchiness, but it is hard to tell if that is the diff or the pinion. Perhaps it's a sign of issues with the pinion shaft bearing, but it's not bad yet and I'm going to let it go for now and keep and eye/ear on it. Overall the rear is quiet while running and the noise I hear is very faint, only audible sometimes with the rear window open when almost at a stop.

 

[G8orFord]

Got a good start. Maybe I'll finish tomorrow. It's not as "plug and play" as I'd hoped, but not too bad.