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

[racsan]

used the tailgate as a workbench to cut out a transom for the boat I bought last november, wow plywood really has went up in price. Had to glue 2 1/2” sheets of 40” x 6” together to make a 1” peice. Waiting on some even more pricey marine grade epoxy to encapsulate it all with. I’ll end up with as much in the transom rebuild as I spent for the whole boat/trailer. Still deciding on a 9.9 or 15 hp motor. 9.9 is probably enough but why not have a “hot rod” boat? The transom will be beefy enough to take it. Oddly there is no capacity plate on this boat, online it says 9.9 or 15 max for a 12’ aluminum boat like mine, when I looked up my specific boat it said it could take a 25 but I find that hard to believe. Hopefully I can have it all together by july 4rth and watch fireworks at indian lake while actually out in the water. The old transom was so bad that when I removed it every sheet in the plywood fell apart like there was never any glue holding it together.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

used the tailgate as a workbench to cut out a transom for the boat I bought last november, wow plywood really has went up in price. Had to glue 2 1/2” sheets of 40” x 6” together to make a 1” peice. Waiting on some even more pricey marine grade epoxy to encapsulate it all with. I’ll end up with as much in the transom rebuild as I spent for the whole boat/trailer. Still deciding on a 9.9 or 15 hp motor. 9.9 is probably enough but why not have a “hot rod” boat? The transom will be beefy enough to take it. Oddly there is no capacity plate on this boat, online it says 9.9 or 15 max for a 12’ aluminum boat like mine, when I looked up my specific boat it said it could take a 25 but I find that hard to believe. Hopefully I can have it all together by july 4rth and watch fireworks at indian lake while actually out in the water. The old transom was so bad that when I removed it every sheet in the plywood fell apart like there was never any glue holding it together.

Up here there are lots of little lakes where you are not allowed to run 10hp and larger engines. Might be something to look into...

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

That epoxy stuff is kinda fun, I used it for my camper.

 

[Rick W]

used the tailgate as a workbench to cut out a transom for the boat I bought last november, wow plywood really has went up in price. Had to glue 2 1/2” sheets of 40” x 6” together to make a 1” peice. Waiting on some even more pricey marine grade epoxy to encapsulate it all with. I’ll end up with as much in the transom rebuild as I spent for the whole boat/trailer. Still deciding on a 9.9 or 15 hp motor. 9.9 is probably enough but why not have a “hot rod” boat? The transom will be beefy enough to take it. Oddly there is no capacity plate on this boat, online it says 9.9 or 15 max for a 12’ aluminum boat like mine, when I looked up my specific boat it said it could take a 25 but I find that hard to believe. Hopefully I can have it all together by july 4rth and watch fireworks at indian lake while actually out in the water. The old transom was so bad that when I removed it every sheet in the plywood fell apart like there was never any glue holding it together.

I’ve had a few boats, but having said that, what I know about boats would fit in a thimble and bounce around. The thing that caught my eye was that you might consider a 25 on the boat that’s rated for 15. If you’re thinking of getting insurance, I’m talking about liability insurance, you need to check in your state and your policy the rules regarding “overpowering” the boat. There was a big brouhaha about that in Georgia about a decade ago, and it wasn’t just the speed boats. It was everything from a dinghy to a cabin cruiser. Just a heads up.

 

[Dirtman]

Up here there are lots of little lakes where you are not allowed to run 10hp and larger engines. Might be something to look into...

Same here which is why the "9.9" exists. Most 9.9's were just restricted 15's anyway so you could literally just swap over to the 15hp versions carb or intake and wala, a 15hp motor with a 9.9 badge.

 

[Dirtman]

@Dirtman if all you want is trans temp, a cheap smartphone and Forscan or Torque Pro will give you that for a lot less hassle. At least I get it on my 2001 4.0. Yours may be different or is yours a manual? Can't remember.

I don't actually want any of the gauges lol. The point of the pod is to cover my totally messed up A pillar...

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Would it be easier to just get another trim piece?

 

[Dirtman]

Would it be easier to just get another trim piece?

Yes in theory it very much would....

But I've been looking in the junkyard for over a year. Every one I find is worse than mine.

 

[mtnrgr]

Did my desert journey putting around 400 miles, truck handled great. Sold the 3.0 package.

 

[Rick W]

I don't actually want any of the gauges lol. The point of the pod is to cover my totally messed up A pillar...

You could rig up just a couple of little LEDs in the pods to illuminate them, and print out a picture of @Rick W , @sgtsandman , @85_Ranger4x4 , etc., and mount them so the LEDs come on with the key. You’d always have us with you!

just a thought

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

You could rig up just a couple of little LEDs in the pods to illuminate them, and print out a picture of @Rick W , @sgtsandman , @85_Ranger4x4 , etc., and mount them so the LEDs come on with the key. You’d always have us with you!

just a thought

@Dirtman make mine randomly blink!

 

[Dirtman]

You could rig up just a couple of little LEDs in the pods to illuminate them, and print out a picture of @Rick W , @sgtsandman , @85_Ranger4x4 , etc., and mount them so the LEDs come on with the key. You’d always have us with you!

just a thought

Distracted driving is illegal in NJ and how would I ever pay attention to the road?!

 

[Roert42]

Found a 3 pod one which I think will cover more of my oopsies. Now I need to figure out 2 pointless guages lol. Trans temp is a definite but other than that... I really don't need any guages... Help me pick!

I have a tach, voltmeter, oil pressure (switch it's ford), coolant temp, what else could be practical?

Install a tachometer, but change the face of the gauge to look like a boost gauge. Then install a whistle.

 

[CubeDweller]

Replaced the headlights this weekend, also the original stereo (non-functioning) with a new Kenwood and a new knob for the Climate Control - it was missing. And new speakers in the doors, with a hefty dose of sound deadening on the door panels while I was in there.
Also replaced the outside rear view mirrors. Cleaned the grill while it was off, and everything behind it. Ford doesn't make it easy! I need to find trim for the top of the windshield. No idea what happened there.

 

[Neil Teske]

Success! No leaks, noises, or inconsistencies. Oil pan gasket, rear main seal, timing cover gasket, front seal, timing chain and gears, water pump gasket, exhaust flange bolts drilled and replaced, exhaust gaskets, drilled and replaced cat bolts and gasket, trans to transfer case gasket, repair starter lead, new u joints. 3 weeks with 3 break days.