Hello from Chicago-land

[Bronco638]

Just purchased my fourth Ranger, a 2001 Edge 4x4. It's spent most of its life in northern Florida so it's rust free. It has a few dings/dents but nothing major. I'll use it for winter commuting (I'm on two wheels the rest of the year) and hauling the bike or towing my small camper trailer.

I've already done my research so I know about the under drive pulley, electric fan switch-over, throttle cable mod and need for a tonneau. I have some maintenance items to address (plugs, wires, belt, air/oil filters and oil change). The truck has a new IAC, master cylinder and good (used) 4x4 control module. Thanks to Florida weather, super clean and I can't find any fluid leaks. The bed has been Rhino-lined.

The truck did have a couple of drops of water on the jack cover (behind the passenger seat). That was a mystery to the owner but he postulated that the "third eye" stop light might need a new seal (??). It does not have a sliding rear window but I wouldn't mind one of those (as my other three Rangers had one).

If anyone has any suggestions, on the issue above or anything else. I'm all ears.

TIA, Dave.

 

[TexasRebel]

Just purchased my fourth Ranger, a 2001 Edge 4x4. It's spent most of its life in northern Florida so it's rust free. It has a few dings/dents but nothing major. I'll use it for winter commuting (I'm on two wheels the rest of the year) and hauling the bike or towing my small camper trailer.

I've already done my research so I know about the under drive pulley, electric fan switch-over, throttle cable mod and need for a tonneau. I have some maintenance items to address (plugs, wires, belt, air/oil filters and oil change). The truck has a new IAC, master cylinder and good (used) 4x4 control module. Thanks to Florida weather, super clean and I can't find any fluid leaks. The bed has been Rhino-lined.

The truck did have a couple of drops of water on the jack cover (behind the passenger seat). That was a mystery to the owner but he postulated that the "third eye" stop light might need a new seal (??). It does not have a sliding rear window but I wouldn't mind one of those (as my other three Rangers had one).

If anyone has any suggestions, on the issue above or anything else. I'm all ears.

TIA, Dave.

Welcome to the station from Texas! It is possible that the third brake like/cargo light could be leaking. I have seen it happen before. It's an easy fix. You could just put some silicone on it and call it done or you could buy the rubber that fits it and do it right. Does sound like you bought a decent truck though. And LMCtruck.com has the rear sliding window for Rangers and their not too expensive if you really want one.

 

[Bronco638]

Thanks TR!

I most likely will order a new gasket for the high brake/cargo light assembly. And, I'll have a look at LMC Truck to see what those rear windows go for. Mrs. Bronco (a CPA) informed me that we'll have about a $2500 tax refund (each) this year. So, I have some funds with which to play.

I also forgot to mention that the front has new ball joints and lower control arms. I just noticed the raised white letters on the rear tires. I guess I'll need to get some tire black.

 

[TexasRebel]

Thanks TR!

I most likely will order a new gasket for the high brake/cargo light assembly. And, I'll have a look at LMC Truck to see what those rear windows go for. Mrs. Bronco (a CPA) informed me that we'll have about a $2500 tax refund (each) this year. So, I have some funds with which to play.

I also forgot to mention that the front has new ball joints and lower control arms. I just noticed the raised white letters on the rear tires. I guess I'll need to get some tire black.

Your welcome. $2500 oughta be plenty to do some decent mods to the truck. What kinda plans you have for it?

 

[Bronco638]

Nothing really.

To be honest, I was looking for a 4x2 but this one was too good to pass up. I needed a short wheelbase short bed Ranger to fit in the garage (along with the toys). It will be just fine in (mostly) stock configuration. I had a '95 Explorer that got a 2" body lift with 32" BFGs and a 13-50 manual xfer case. I swapped in 4.10 axles with lockers. It was a fun truck and fun to work on but I think I like playing on my XR250R more. I'm much more capable on that than I am with any 4x4 (even though the Ex would do some pretty heavy duty stuff).

The Ranger needs to serve as my commuter when the weather is too cold to ride on two wheels. I may use it to take my XR250R to places that are too far away to ride to (i.e. Moab, etc.). I will also use it to tow my small camper trailer when my wife can't come along or when we don't use her Escape.

I really need to do maintenance items (as previously mentioned) and I might look into an upholstery kit as the driver's seat is starting to fail on the seat back bolster (nearest the door). I would like a nice (soft) tonneau even though the bed is Rhino-lined. I would like to have the tranny flushed (since I don't know if that's ever been done) and I may flush/refill the xfer case. Since it's a 4x4, I think I have 10" drums. If the brakes are OK, I may leave them alone. If they need replacing, I may 'upgrade' to the finned Aerostar drums. I considered the upgrade to rear disc (1994-2004 Mustang) but there seems to be differing opinions on how much of a return on investment you get. A sliding rear window kit is looking like a definite though.

 

[TexasRebel]

Nothing really.

To be honest, I was looking for a 4x2 but this one was too good to pass up. I needed a short wheelbase short bed Ranger to fit in the garage (along with the toys). It will be just fine in (mostly) stock configuration. I had a '95 Explorer that got a 2" body lift with 32" BFGs and a 13-50 manual xfer case. I swapped in 4.10 axles with lockers. It was a fun truck and fun to work on but I think I like playing on my XR250R more. I'm much more capable on that than I am with any 4x4 (even though the Ex would do some pretty heavy duty stuff).

The Ranger needs to serve as my commuter when the weather is too cold to ride on two wheels. I may use it to take my XR250R to places that are too far away to ride to (i.e. Moab, etc.). I will also use it to tow my small camper trailer when my wife can't come along or when we don't use her Escape.

I really need to do maintenance items (as previously mentioned) and I might look into an upholstery kit as the driver's seat is starting to fail on the seat back bolster (nearest the door). I would like a nice (soft) tonneau even though the bed is Rhino-lined. I would like to have the tranny flushed (since I don't know if that's ever been done) and I may flush/refill the xfer case. Since it's a 4x4, I think I have 10" drums. If the brakes are OK, I may leave them alone. If they need replacing, I may 'upgrade' to the finned Aerostar drums. I considered the upgrade to rear disc (1994-2004 Mustang) but there seems to be differing opinions on how much of a return on investment you get. A sliding rear window kit is looking like a definite though.

Sounds like a good plan. Myself, I just don't really like the thought of leaving something stock or close to it. In my opinion, the rear disc swap would be a good investment. Better braking, easier to maintain, lighter, and just all around better in my opinion. The rear sliding window isn't that hard to install yourself if so chose to do it yourself.

 

[Bronco638]

Upon further review, it would behoove me to replace the cam sensor and the synchronizer gear. With 125K miles I might be on borrowed time even though I hear none of the tell-tale squealing. For ~$120, that's cheap insurance.

In my opinion, the rear disc swap would be a good investment. Better braking, easier to maintain, lighter, and just all around better in my opinion.

Duly noted. That may be a project for the Summer

The rear sliding window isn't that hard to install yourself if so chose to do it yourself.

Interesting. According to LMC:
"the rear window on 1986-97 Ranger Super Cab models and all 1998-10 models are attached with urethane adhesive. Professional installation is required. Contact your local glass installer for installation."

While I like to do stuff myself, this is something I would be OK with a professional doing, simply to avoid leaks. Unless, of course, it's so easy that I would be stupid not to do it myself.

 

[TexasRebel]

Upon further review, it would behoove me to replace the cam sensor and the synchronizer gear. With 125K miles I might be on borrowed time even though I hear none of the tell-tale squealing. For ~$120, that's cheap insurance.

Duly noted. That may be a project for the Summer

Interesting. According to LMC:
"the rear window on 1986-97 Ranger Super Cab models and all 1998-10 models are attached with urethane adhesive. Professional installation is required. Contact your local glass installer for installation."

While I like to do stuff myself, this is something I would be OK with a professional doing, simply to avoid leaks. Unless, of course, it's so easy that I would be stupid not to do it myself.

I don't know about on the newer Rangers, but I've done a couple in older full size trucks. I can't see it being too different. Maybe post in the exterior section of this site and see if anybody on here has any advice that they can give for the Rangers.

 

[Bronco638]

I'll poke around, here, some. When the time comes, I'll post a question to get some feedback. Thanks.

 

[TexasRebel]

I'll poke around, here, some. When the time comes, I'll post a question to get some feedback. Thanks.

Your welcome. There are tons of people here with great knowledge and should be able to help you with almost, if not everything about these trucks.

 

[Bronco638]

I looked around for a "How To" on the rear window install but there so much confusion between the Regular cab ('glue' in) and Extended cab (bolt in) that most "How To" write-ups, that I found, are Extended cab oriented. I do know about the string/twine trick because I've installed glass in a few old Mustangs. What threw me was the urethane adhesive. In an old Mustang, there was no adhesive. But, yeah, some one on the board is bound to know.

 

[TexasRebel]

I looked around for a "How To" on the rear window install but there so much confusion between the Regular cab ('glue' in) and Extended cab (bolt in) that most "How To" write-ups, that I found, are Extended cab oriented. I do know about the string/twine trick because I've installed glass in a few old Mustangs. What threw me was the urethane adhesive. In an old Mustang, there was no adhesive. But, yeah, some one on the board is bound to know.

I'm not too sure about that adhesive. The windows I've done were in older (70's and 80's) single and club cab full size trucks.

 

[Bronco638]

Yeah, there seems to be some sort of a cut-off point where Ford started using some type of sealant/adhesive. I wonder if they got tired of fixing leaking windows?