2021 Ford Ranger FX4 TRS-3 Project Build

[Jim Oaks]

 

[SenorNoob]

Seriously, I see drivers every day with worse.

 

[Robertmangrum.rm]

Sounds like Low Price Auto Glass. I had them put a rear window with defrost and antenna in my 97 Altima. They said they had to have Carlex make it. 2 days and $167 later I was happy.

McClouds Auto Glass. Andy McCloud is a good friend of mine.

 

[Jim Oaks]

McClouds Auto Glass. Andy McCloud is a good friend of mine.

Can he replace and align the lane assist camera on the windshield? I think they had to recalibrate that when they replaced it the last time.

 

[Robertmangrum.rm]

Can he replace and align the lane assist camera on the windshield? I think they had to recalibrate that when they replaced it the last time.

I'm sure. He does several lots around town. I will call and get a price and check if you want. Don't you go down I-40 on your way back to Texas from KY? He could meet you at my shop or somewhere in Nashville area. He's mobile. It's just him and his son. That's why he can do it so cheap.

 

[sgtsandman]

McClouds Auto Glass. Andy McCloud is a good friend of mine.

They don't go around yelling "There can only be one!" and chopping people's heads off, do they?

 

[Jim Oaks]

I'm curious to see what he charges.

 

[Robertmangrum.rm]

They don't go around yelling "There can only be one!" and chopping people's heads off, do they?

No but he chant some Native American songs haha. He's super proud of his Cherokee blood line haha

 

[Robertmangrum.rm]

I'm curious to see what he charges.

I'll call him today and see if he can get me a price.

 

[Jim Oaks]

After completing a stage on the remodel of my shop and updating the TRS Forum software and server, I finally had time to do more work on the Ranger.

My kids got me a START-X remote starter kit for Christmas and I finally installed it. It's plug-in-play, really easy to install, and uses the factory key fob.

SEE: Installing A Remote Starter on A 2019-2023 Ford Ranger

​

12-Volt Camping Fridge

I decided recently to take the plunge and buy a 12-volt camping fridge for my adventure travel / overlanding trips. After looking at options I decided on the Explorer Bear 40L / 42 quart refrigerator / freezer.

I actually ended up using it when the fan in my house freezer quit working and wasn't freezing everything. I put my frozen food in my Explorer Bear until I got the new fan motor.

Last Sunday I put the fridge in the bed of the truck and went for a drive to see how well it would keep drinks cold in the Texas sun, and to make sure there wouldn't be any problems with the 12-volt connection I added to the face of my toolbox.

I'm happy to report that the fridge works amazing!

​

This little drive I went on turned into an interesting adventure that I will share soon.

Now that I have a fridge I need a way to carry it in the bed and a slider to slide it out from under my rack so I can get to the goodies inside. I started mocking up a sheet of 3/4" plywood along with some 2-inch angle and a pair of 36-inch VEVOR 250 LB Capacity Drawer Sliders.

​

When I had the Loan Ranger I used a sheet of 3/4" plywood as a foundation to mount things to. I don't plan to run around with the fridge in the bed of the truck all of the time and still use the truck to haul things, so I like the idea of being able to take it out when I don't need it,

I primed the wood and then painted it black. Tomorrow I'll start putting it all together.

It's Electric! (Boogie Woogie Woogie)

I need a way to run the fridge when the truck isn't running or while at the campsite. I got a used 12V DC-DC charger from @Robertmangrum.rm (This one) and picked up a 100Ah Lifepo4 Lithium Battery from Amazon.

The Jackery 500 was on sale for $299 (Normally $499) and I couldn't resist the deal. This 518Wh solar generator will power the fridge for a couple of days and I can even get their solar panel to charge it later if I want. I can charge it in the truck with 12-volts, but it will take forever. So, I got a BESTEK 300W Car Power Inverter with 65W USB-C and QC3.0 Ports to charge it with 110V much quicker. I could use the outlet on the back of the center console, but I prefer to keep the outlet free for my laptop and other electronics.

I know the DC-DC charger and Jackery seems redundant but there's a method to my madness. I have a Smittybilt compressor in my toolbox but hate lugging it to the front of the truck and having to pop the hood and hook up the cables to the battery to use it. With the addition of this battery, I'll be able to hard mount the compressor in the toolbox, wire it to the lithium battery, and have air on demand.

And the nice thing about the Jackery is that I can easily stick it in another vehicle or take it in the house if my power goes out.

I have a lot of work to do.

 

[Robertmangrum.rm]

After completing a stage on the remodel of my shop and updating the TRS Forum software and server, I finally had time to do more work on the Ranger.

My kids got me a START-X remote starter kit for Christmas and I finally installed it. It's plug-in-play, really easy to install, and uses the factory key fob.

SEE: Installing A Remote Starter on A 2019-2023 Ford Ranger

​

12-Volt Camping Fridge

I decided recently to take the plunge and buy a 12-volt camping fridge for my adventure travel / overlanding trips. After looking at options I decided on the Explorer Bear 40L / 42 quart refrigerator / freezer.

I actually ended up using it when the fan in my house freezer quit working and wasn't freezing everything. I put my frozen food in my Explorer Bear until I got the new fan motor.

Last Sunday I put the fridge in the bed of the truck and went for a drive to see how well it would keep drinks cold in the Texas sun, and to make sure there wouldn't be any problems with the 12-volt connection I added to the face of my toolbox.

I'm happy to report that the fridge works amazing!

View attachment 131254
View attachment 131255
​

This little drive I went on turned into an interesting adventure that I will share soon.

Now that I have a fridge I need a way to carry it in the bed and a slider to slide it out from under my rack so I can get to the goodies inside. I started mocking up a sheet of 3/4" plywood along with some 2-inch angle and a pair of 36-inch VEVOR 250 LB Capacity Drawer Sliders.

View attachment 131256
View attachment 131257
​

When I had the Loan Ranger I used a sheet of 3/4" plywood as a foundation to mount things to. I don't plan to run around with the fridge in the bed of the truck all of the time and still use the truck to haul things, so I like the idea of being able to take it out when I don't need it,

I primed the wood and then painted it black. Tomorrow I'll start putting it all together.

It's Electric! (Boogie Woogie Woogie)

I need a way to run the fridge when the truck isn't running or while at the campsite. I got a used 12V DC-DC charger from @Robertmangrum.rm (This one) and picked up a 100Ah Lifepo4 Lithium Battery from Amazon.

The Jackery 500 was on sale for $299 (Normally $499) and I couldn't resist the deal. This 518Wh solar generator will power the fridge for a couple of days and I can even get their solar panel to charge it later if I want. I can charge it in the truck with 12-volts, but it will take forever. So, I got a BESTEK 300W Car Power Inverter with 65W USB-C and QC3.0 Ports to charge it with 110V much quicker. I could use the outlet on the back of the center console, but I prefer to keep the outlet free for my laptop and other electronics.

I know the DC-DC charger and Jackery seems redundant but there's a method to my madness. I have a Smittybilt compressor in my toolbox but hate lugging it to the front of the truck and having to pop the hood and hook up the cables to the battery to use it. With the addition of this battery, I'll be able to hard mount the compressor in the toolbox, wire it to the lithium battery, and have air on demand.

And the nice thing about the Jackery is that I can easily stick it in another vehicle or take it in the house if my power goes out.

View attachment 131258


I have a lot of work to do.

Looks good. I actually am going to redo my whole system again. I picked up another DC to DC like the one I sent you. So being mine is only 20 amps. I think the extra amps and the Bluetooth monitoring will be worth the upgrade. Plus being Victron it will communicate with my solar controller and inverter. Plus then all my components will match haha. OCD kicking in.