Best budget mods for 4x4 Ranger

[86_FX4]

Hello, I’m looking for mods for my 03 ranger XLT 4 x 4 that won’t break the bank. One thing I’ve looked into at this point are light pods from Harbor freight and the accompanying wire kit any more ideas preferably under $100.

$100 Isn't a ton, I'd drop it towards general maintenance, maybe give it some TLC instead, like diff oil changes and tranny fluid change, get some mobil 1 5w-30 and a puralator for next oil change, airfilter, etc.
However, if you've got a modding itch, I totally hear you. By far my personal favorite mods I've done to my ranger for under $100:

---Change out the 12v cigarette lighter for a more modern dual USB socket. Easy mod, in my case I had to slightly enlarge the factory hole, but I'd never go back to a cig lighter again. What I also like is this shows battery voltage on the fly. Nice for a quick glance to check and also can quickly confirm alternator is working and battery holding voltage over long sits.
edit: changed link to display right product. The one I own WITH built in voltage is no longer availiable. I still reccomend getting one WITH the voltage and putting it on a switch to save battery if it's sitting long term or overnight (i've never had issues accidentely leaving mine on while working or overnight/a day)

12v USB module with battery voltage

---Add a better dome light. If your ranger is like mine, the dome is sad, on a timer circuit, and has no driver/passenger switches or control. I got mine, less than $20 at a u-pull salvage yard from a mustang and looks just like the one in the picture. Bolts directly in. Add some cheap but bright small led bulbs from amazon, a switch plate, and run a single power wire under the trim/headliner and you get a factory looking light with the stock fuction in the center bulb, and two additional lights on basic switches that are aimed at driver lap and passenger lap. Note: the switch plate isnt needed for this upgrade but I brought power into cab for these lights and wanted it to be fused so I installed the switch plate at this point, and used it for future lighting, compressor, and other projects below.

Mustang/Explorer dome light
Nice slim lighted fused switch plate
Cheap LED dome bulbs (WAY WAY too bright IMO, get a weaker one, I used something similar but less bright/smaller))

---Mount switch plate for future projects, the one listed above. If you have a manual it fits perfectly just barely squished under the dash centered behind the shifter. Pain to wire it but installed it almost looks factory. I use mine to switch usb charger, a cheap engine bay light, and a rear bed light. This leaves 3 switches for future projects like front lighting, compressor, and ???

---Especially if cracked or old, replace both brake lights and the cab mounted brake light with some smoke color ones. I like the look on mine and have never been too dim or feel like its a safety concern. For the cab mounted light I got one with a built in bed light and wired it while also wiring the replacement dome. FYI, the little white leds arent really bright enough for proper bed lighting at night but it still looks nice, is better than nothing, and match my brake lights.

Aftermarket brake lights, smoke
Aftermarket cab brake light, smoke

--- Modernize your stereo with bluetooth and fancy lights. Get yourself a doubledin kit, and a cheap pioneer. You can stream from your phone, accept calls, bluetooth, whatever. I would've sprung for a better deck, but I will say I love the lights on this. Its VERY customizable. I set mine to precisely match my all the other factory light colors and brightness levels and at night its not obtrusive and looks factory. In the future you can swap out your speakers.

Double Din ford kit
Cheap Pioneer (was cheaper when I got it and would not overall recommend, Sounds great though)


Other than that just put 100$ of gas into it and go drive!!!

 

[Lefty]

I swapped the front sway bar with a used Ford Explorer for $38.00. I got a pair of leaf spring clamps for the rear ($17.000) which works to minimize sway in the rear.

 

[White_4x4Ranger]

The $100 price tag sure limits you options.

Not sure of your mileage... not sure you can classify this as a mod... but I would consider changing the timing chain tensioners. Those are always worth doing if you don't know if they've been replaced.

Typically... the first thing I do is install real gauges. Probably a bit more then a hundo. I chose an a-pillar gauge pod... oil pressure and voltmeter in my 06.

View attachment 103770

187,000 and the 4.0 SOHC. To the best of my knowledge the timing tensioners have never been done, as j in didn’t see it when I was looking through the service records from the past owner. It has had the transfer case serviced though, so that’s good. Is the timing tensioners hard to do? I have experience working in small engines (I’ve rebuilt a couple dirtbike engines) but none with automotive one.

 

[Uncle Gump]

They aren't to bad... money well spent too.

With watching a video... and doing a search here... you will have a better idea of what it takes. Make your decision on if you want to tackle it.

 

[White_4x4Ranger]

$100 Isn't a ton, I'd drop it towards general maintenance, maybe give it some TLC instead, like diff oil changes and tranny fluid change, get some mobil 1 5w-30 and a puralator for next oil change, airfilter, etc.
However, if you've got a modding itch, I totally hear you. By far my personal favorite mods I've done to my ranger for under $100:

---Change out the 12v cigarette lighter for a more modern dual USB socket. Easy mod, in my case I had to slightly enlarge the factory hole, but I'd never go back to a cig lighter again. What I also like is this shows battery voltage on the fly. Nice for a quick glance to check and also can quickly confirm alternator is working and battery holding voltage over long sits.
edit: changed link to display right product. The one I own WITH built in voltage is no longer availiable. I still reccomend getting one WITH the voltage and putting it on a switch to save battery if it's sitting long term or overnight (i've never had issues accidentely leaving mine on while working or overnight/a day)

12v USB module with battery voltage

---Add a better dome light. If your ranger is like mine, the dome is sad, on a timer circuit, and has no driver/passenger switches or control. I got mine, less than $20 at a u-pull salvage yard from a mustang and looks just like the one in the picture. Bolts directly in. Add some cheap but bright small led bulbs from amazon, a switch plate, and run a single power wire under the trim/headliner and you get a factory looking light with the stock fuction in the center bulb, and two additional lights on basic switches that are aimed at driver lap and passenger lap. You can use the switch plate for future lighting, compressor, or whatever projects.

Mustang/Explorer dome light
Nice slim lighted fused switch plate
Cheap LED dome bulbs (WAY WAY too bright IMO, get a weaker one, I used something similar but less bright/smaller))

---Mount switch plate for future projects, the one listed above. If you have a manual it fits perfectly just barely squished under the dash centered behind the shifter. Pain to wire it but installed it almost looks factory. I use mine to switch usb charger, a cheap engine bay light, and a rear bed light. This leaves 3 switches for future projects like front lighting, compressor, and ???

---Especially if cracked or old, replace both brake lights and the cab mounted brake light with some smoke color ones. I like the look on mine and have never been too dim or feel like its a safety concern. For the cab mounted light I got one with a built in bed light and wired it while also wiring the replacement dome. FYI, the little white leds arent really bright enough for proper bed lighting at night but it still looks nice, is better than nothing, and match my brake lights.

Aftermarket brake lights, smoke
Aftermarket cab brake light, smoke

--- Modernize your stereo with bluetooth and fancy lights. Get yourself a doubledin kit, and a cheap pioneer. You can stream from your phone, accept calls, bluetooth, whatever. I would've sprung for a better deck, but I will say I love the lights on this. Its VERY customizable. I set mine to precisely match my all the other factory light colors and brightness levels and at night its not obtrusive and looks factory. In the future you can swap out your speakers.

Double Din ford kit
Cheap Pioneer (was cheaper when I got it and would not overall recommend, Sounds great though)


Other than that just put 100$ of gas into it and go drive!!!

dang, that’s alot of info. First I wanna say thanks for taking all the time to write that ESSAY out lol.
now, that out of the way, that idea for the cigarette lighter is a good one. I think I’ll look into that. The dome light in there now has a switch in it to manually turn it on and off, and has a function that shines (dim) light towards either the driver or passenger. So far the brightness from the main light has been fine, but if it burns out I’ll replace it with an LED one.
I would like a switch plate as I would like to install auxiliary lights in the future but I don’t love the idea of cutting up my dash, especially given the fact that it is in very good condition. The solution I have to that right now would be to connect a light bar on/off relay to the fog light button. It isn’t perfect but would allow me to keep my dash in one piece.
I’ve also been looking into a new stereo, but everything is so expensive. I would like to have one that has Apple CarPlay, and the cheapest name brand one I’ve found is ~180, not including and adapters or wiring stuff I’d need. I’ve found some cheaper ones on amazon below 100 that have good reviews and would probably work just fine but I’d rather have someone name brand. I’ve swapped out my front 2 speakers with new pioneer 4 way ones but the rear 2 are stock, I’ll get around to replacing them sometime.
Thanks

 

[00t444e]

Swap to a manual shift transfer case and a manual transmission as well if it isn't already. Lock Right locker in the rear axle, crank the Torsion bars up a little and install some 31-32" MT tires. Get a better job or do some side jobs as well because it will be more than $100.

 

[86_FX4]

dang, that’s alot of info. First I wanna say thanks for taking all the time to write that ESSAY out lol.
now, that out of the way, that idea for the cigarette lighter is a good one. I think I’ll look into that. The dome light in there now has a switch in it to manually turn it on and off, and has a function that shines (dim) light towards either the driver or passenger. So far the brightness from the main light has been fine, but if it burns out I’ll replace it with an LED one.
I would like a switch plate as I would like to install auxiliary lights in the future but I don’t love the idea of cutting up my dash, especially given the fact that it is in very good condition. The solution I have to that right now would be to connect a light bar on/off relay to the fog light button. It isn’t perfect but would allow me to keep my dash in one piece.
I’ve also been looking into a new stereo, but everything is so expensive. I would like to have one that has Apple CarPlay, and the cheapest name brand one I’ve found is ~180, not including and adapters or wiring stuff I’d need. I’ve found some cheaper ones on amazon below 100 that have good reviews and would probably work just fine but I’d rather have someone name brand. I’ve swapped out my front 2 speakers with new pioneer 4 way ones but the rear 2 are stock, I’ll get around to replacing them sometime.
Thanks

Nice! The usb thing is great. If you get one without the voltmeter built in, its as easy as popping off the section of dash that hold the stereo (2 screws, rest are clips) and you just cut off the cig lighter, crimp on spades and plug it into the usb plug, I had to use a knife/drill/dremel whatever you have to englargen the hole to fit the USB (just a little). I'm sure today you can shop around and find an exact diameter to fit existing hole probably.

The switch plate I listed requires no dash modification and really does sit flush, factory and flat in the little nook behind shifter. I can take a picture of mine and post if requested, I removed the swivel, cleaned thoroughly, and applied hardcore 3m velcro once and only once. Its been snug over countless 1000s of miles, 4x4, snow, roadtrips, etc.

Glad you're excited and looking to mod/improve! The ranger IMO is the best, budget small truck that can do some real work and keep truckin!

 

[White_4x4Ranger]

Now it needs a ladder/lumber rack

Nice truck.
How much power do the lights draw? I would like LED’s but compared to regular bulbs they are like 1.5 times as expensive.
also, my truck has a 4.10 limited slip diff from the factory.

 

[White_4x4Ranger]

Swap to a manual shift transfer case and a manual transmission as well if it isn't already. Lock Right locker in the rear axle, crank the Torsion bars up a little and install some 31-32" MT tires. Get a better job or do some side jobs as well because it will be more than $100.

It’s already pretty level, so I think it might have already been cranked. It has a manual tranny right now, and a factory 4.10 limited slip diff in the rear. Why would I want a manual transfer case as opposed to the regular electric one?
Thanks

 

[White_4x4Ranger]

Nice! The usb thing is great. If you get one without the voltmeter built in, its as easy as popping off the section of dash that hold the stereo (2 screws, rest are clips) and you just cut off the cig lighter, crimp on spades and plug it into the usb plug, I had to use a knife/drill/dremel whatever you have to englargen the hole to fit the USB (just a little). I'm sure today you can shop around and find an exact diameter to fit existing hole probably.

The switch plate I listed requires no dash modification and really does sit flush, factory and flat in the little nook behind shifter. I can take a picture of mine and post if requested, I removed the swivel, cleaned thoroughly, and applied hardcore 3m velcro once and only once. Its been snug over countless 1000s of miles, 4x4, snow, roadtrips, etc.

Glad you're excited and looking to mod/improve! The ranger IMO is the best, budget small truck that can do some real work and keep truckin!

Sure, if you could post a picture of that switch panel that would be nice. If/ when I get a stereo I’ll do the usb conversion. I would do it sooner but I have an adaptor I can use for now and I don’t really want to pull the center dash trim thing out twice.

 

[White_4x4Ranger]

LED lights are not the first thing you should spend your money on. Yeah… they look cool, but you won’t need them 99% of the time. The first mods you should invest in are: (in no particular order.)

Better tires
Recovery points and equipment
Lift or leveling kit

Basically anything that you need to get back on the road at the end of the day.

Well, not the news I wanted to hear but it makes sense. I bought the truck with new tires( around 500 miles on them) and it sits pretty level right now. I’d like a lift kit but I don’t have the money for it right now, as I said in the original post, I would like to keep it in the low end. I am 17 and have a part time job at dominos so I don’t exactly have a whole lot of expendable income lol

 

[Lefty]

Nice truck.
How much power do the lights draw? I would like LED’s but compared to regular bulbs they are like 1.5 times as expensive.
also, my truck has a 4.10 limited slip diff from the factory.

I don't really Know. I think I have a ten amp fuse on the lights, and I really like that Torsen.

 

[bobbywalter]

100 bux wont even fill the tank on mine.

 

[JoshT]

I'd like the "Explorer Center Console" mod to replace the original in my Ranger but I don't think I have an international parts search in me.

@Kira Why would you need to go international? Donor Explorers should be available at parts yards all across the country, including one near you. I would say keep you eyes open and you might find a V8 donor for cheap on the local classifieds that has the console as well, but I'm not sure how your state would like that little mod.

Why would I want a manual transfer case as opposed to the regular electric one?

You wouldn't for most normal usage. Just regularly exercise the transfer case and it'll work fine. 90% of the problem with the electric shift transfer cases is them never getting used. Most of the remaining 10% is failed auto locking hubs which your year model doesn't have.

With only a $100 to spend you best bet is to save it for maintenance or until you save up a bit more. These days I think the first mod worth doing is probably an aftermarket radio. I rocked the stock radio in my 99 until last year, wish I had done it sooner. That's going to be more than the budget for an nice unit though.

 

[Curious Hound]

I don't want to be a party-pooper. But, honestly, your best bet is to wait. Save up more money. Drive the truck and get to know it. You're better off having $100 in your pocket for when the starter fails or the water pump, or... You may end up needing to replace a $15 part, but need to buy a $60 tool to do it.

We all know the excitement of having a new vehicle, especially if it's your first truck. There is an unreachable itch to modify it, to do something that says "This one is mine. I've worked on it. It's at least a little bit different from all the others." But "budget mods" often end up being cheap and Inferior quality, simply because the budget is small. Even a cheap set of fog lights. The housings and brackets will rust quickly. The included wiring harness will have undersized wire and poor quality connectors so that there are problems afterwards. It leads to more frustration than it's worth. If you really want to spend your budget on something usefull for the truck, buy a decent starter tool set - metric and SAE combination wrenches, sockets, good screwdrivers, a set of quality ramps to pull it up on for doing oil changes, etc. Stuff like that. That way, when the budget allows for a decent modification, we can talk you through doing it yourself.