Got my Yakima Basketcase

[Toms01PSD]

No, on Stray Cat's Truck. That one on the rear of the bed.

Ya I had a brain fart and edited my post. I thought you were talking about the back glass, it just hit me you were refering to the side of the bed.

 

[straycat]

Thanks, guys for the comments. I take good care of my Ranger. i bought it new in July 99. Those fender flares came in a box that said Ford on them. They were in the rear of the cab and the dealer put them on for me before I drove off the lot that day. The decal at the rear of the bed is a Ford oval decal in the center and the stripes I made up when I had my decal maker before it blew up about 6 years ago!!!! lol. There is a Body Glove decal on the rear door that I bought on Ebay about 2 years ago.
The wheels are AR 172 polished 15x8's. I have had them since I bought the truck. I switched to 30x11.5 tires after Firstone had the recall. My truck for some reason sat higher than any other Ranger at the dealership. Even higher then the 4x4's that I looked at. Anybody know why??? The delaer told me he did not know why my truck sat higher either.
I lifted the truck and put 33's on my truck right after I put 12,000 miles on the truck. The next summer I added the bl. This is my second set of BFG 33x12.5's KO tires and I really like these tires. I just turned 72,000 miles last month!! Truk is getting old....lol

 

[MountainMike]

Ford flares? No way.

And your grille is different too, I have never seen a chrome 2 section like that before. Always 3 sections like mine and Tom's. Either way your truck is awesome looking.

 

[straycat]

Ford flares? No way.

And your grille is different too, I have never seen a chrome 2 section like that before. Always 3 sections like mine and Tom's. Either way your truck is awesome looking.

Hmmm. The box (big white/brown box) with the flares had a Ford logo on it. I always thought my flares were original....that is strange. Are you sure these are not a Ford product? Import? This has me baffled since the flares have been on there since since my dealer installed them for me (for free) July '99 when I bought it. The grill is as I got it as well. You got me confused on this too...lol

 

[MountainMike]

I'm sure the grille is a Ford option but I have never seen a chrome 2 part before. All the 2 parts I've seen have been body colour.

As for your flares Ford may have made them as an accessory back then, when I get back to work I'll see what microcat has to offer for information.

 

[Toms01PSD]

I just noticed the grille and i've never seen a chrome grille like that either. I've only seen those body colored. As for the flares, they look like 3rd gen flares without the mud flaps and painted black.

 

[MountainMike]

My 93's flares looks identical to the ones on my 98.

Those looks like the bushwacker extend-a-flare to me. Or whichever one is supposed to be 2" wider than stock but look OEM.

 

[Toms01PSD]

They look the same to me except his are styled different in the center of the flare over the wheel wells.

 

[MountainMike]

His come out farther from the truck.

Bushwacker "OE" style. Designed to match the factory ones but add 3/4" of coverage. That's got to be them.

 

[straycat]

Darn, I see what you are saying about the flares. Mine do look a lot like the original style but mine stick out a bit more. I always thought my flares were too skinny and wanted to order a different set for more coverage. I was thinking about ordering the extend-a-flares last year and changed my mind because nothing is wrong with mine (as per the wife). They still look great. I am glad I did not order any...they would be the same as mine....lol.
I am still baffled by this unless Bushwhacker and Ford had something going back then? Why would the box have Ford on it? My head is reeling over this....unless the dealer had some Bushwacker flares and put them in the box? I never noticed if the box was ever opened to tell you the truth.

 

[MountainMike]

Either way they look awesome. It you want more coverage maybe it's time to look for a set of the "Pocket Style" Flares.

 

[Boghog1]

Ford flares? No way.

And your grille is different too, I have never seen a chrome 2 section like that before. Always 3 sections like mine and Tom's. Either way your truck is awesome looking.

the grill is a 2wd grill vs the 3 section being a 4wd grill

What are the specs on your lift, I wish it didn't snow so much up here because a 2WD would be an option ( I need 4wd since the wife tends to borrow my vehicle during inclement weather and she can't drive worth a damn)

 

[straycat]

the grill is a 2wd grill vs the 3 section being a 4wd grill

What are the specs on your lift, I wish it didn't snow so much up here because a 2WD would be an option ( I need 4wd since the wife tends to borrow my vehicle during inclement weather and she can't drive worth a damn)

I added a Fabtech 3 inch spindle lift and I used Springtech 2 inch taller coils. At the rear I added a 3 1/2 to 4 inch add-a-leaf. The leaf kit instructions said approx 3 1/4 to 4 inchs of lift. I can't remember now what brand they are. I just told somebody what brand they were last month...lol, getting old!!!! They are supposed to be the best on the market. I also added a 1 inch lift block. I am thinking about removing the block this summer since for several years now almost all of my buddies say 'Bring that truck over tonight I'll take off the blocks for you'!! For some reason none of my buddies like to use lift blocks of any size!!!! The rear does sit a bit higher then the front. Some people have told me to leave it alone.
I aligned the truck after I had the ball joints replaced to the Moog type about 2 1/2 years ago. At that time I was told that only one of the lower ball joints was bad (right side). Those were the original ball joints at that time. I told them to swap them all out with the Moog parts as they have the Zerk fittings so you can lube them!! That was about $300 total with two new upper controls arms. I have taken it in to my Goodyear shop for my checkups and service for a very long time now. None of the techs have told me it needs to be aligned as of yet. It still tracks very well and handles great as well.
The ride is really smooth and I am very happy with it. The springtech coils still look great after all these years. They do really good work. Two of my buddies used the Springtech coils as well and really like them too.

 

[Toms01PSD]

the grill is a 2wd grill vs the 3 section being a 4wd grill

We know. The point was that we've never seen a chrome version of it, I don't remember seeing one atleast.

 

[MountainMike]

We know. The point was that we've never seen a chrome version of it, I don't remember seeing one atleast.

^Exactly. It's a normal grille design, just a different finish than expected.