Hello

[Karbuster]

I tend to poke around your forums when I do work on my 2003 ranger and you guys never steer me wrong so I figured I might as well be able to talk
Quick rundown of truck

As it sits now

2003 FX4 4.0l V6
Mostly stock (just got it a couple years ago and haven't been financially able to seriously modify)
Did replace bed as I got in an argument with a power pole a couple winters ago and I won
Need to re/pair/place passenger front fender and bumper due to the power pole fight and some spineless bastard hit my truck and ran
Need to tune up the engine, inside and out, I can hear not good noises, probably going to do a couple little power adding tweaks while I'm in there (hell, i may just grab a 5.0 from an exploder)
And finally paint it the color I want

Modifications I'd like to make in packages

Kit One
4in suspension lift + 2in body lift and leveling kit
replace front, and if necessary rear, drive shaft (metallic clicking sound emanates from it at low speeds, possibly a welding blob came loose, hopefully it can be removed, if not, shaft will be replaced)
install 33in tires
install switch to disable ABS and airbags

Kit Two (probably the first kit)
Aftermarket intake
Aftermarket exhaust
Tuner chip

Kit Three
Install second battery in parallel or even in a way to separate the cab from the engine (electronically) and look into options for backup solar power

Kit Four
Real brush guard (with min 5k lbs winch)
Bed bar with flood lights

Misc Work to be done that isnt necessary but nice

replace existing mirrors with 2006 model year mirrors (in progress, have materials but weather isnt condusive to paint them)

Install LED Headlights, Fog Lights, Taillights and Third Brake Light

Off road lights and backup lights (i do a lot of driving in the county at night)

Bed illumination (in progress, halted)

Also would like to figure out why door ajar warning comes on when no doors are ajar (found, common problem, gets dirty and stuck)

Cab illumination upgrade (complete, looking to modify)

Side note, would like to replace existing interior lights with led-direct-fit replacements and install moar strips and on/off switches

Upgrade audio system (investigating)
New speakers (2/4 done)
New stereo (Done)
Ground loop isolator and embed an aux port in dash
Subwoofers & amp
Have found a very nice low profile, downward firing setup that will fit underneath pilot seats, I predict $500 to fully upgrade stereo system

I also want to install a shortwave cb radio system

So with that in mind I will probably be asking the gurus for much advice

 

[_dj_]

From one new member to another welcome


_dj_

 

[Karbuster]

After poking around I believe a little but of tinkering can be done with the audio system too

posted from Nexus 5

 

[TexasRebel]

Welcome to the station! There are tons of people here that can help you with just about anything you have in mind.

 

[Karbuster]

OK so I finally finished all of the work I needed to do swapping the new bed on and I'm quite pleased with the results
This is the truck after the accident

And this is the truck now

I still need to pull that dent out of the front fender and paint the truck but one step at a time
I am also very pleased with the new bed as I got it from the wrecking yard with a PROFESSIONAL rhino lining already done
posted from Nexus 5

 

[TexasRebel]

Looks nice. Now just to get it all painted one color.

 

[Karbuster]

Yeah I need to get a better job first and then fix the fender, I'm thinking of painting the whole truck a color similar to the bed

posted from Nexus 5

 

[TexasRebel]

Yeah I need to get a better job first and then fix the fender, I'm thinking of painting the whole truck a color similar to the bed

posted from Nexus 5

That would look nice. I love that color.

 

[Karbuster]

Cab interior illumination project mostly done thread to results
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=151982

posted from Nexus 5

 

[Karbuster]

Updated build workload and wishlist things are at a standstill cause I'm working hard trying to pay off a couple things and trying to get into the state patrol

 

[Karbuster]

Did a system check this weekend, changed the oil, oil filter, fuel filter, topped off radiator, washer fluid, cleaned and rotated my tires and did a couple other little things to my truck, all in all I saved myself about $250 in labor

posted using smoke signals

 

[Karbuster]

So I washed Blue Steel

And shined the tires

Cleans up nice and purdy

posted using smoke signals

 

[Karbuster]

So quick question, I can hear a lifter starting to tick I know that the engine is due for a rebuild as it is sitting at a hundred sixty thousand miles is it worth it to rebuild and maybe add a little bit more power/displacement or should I just yank a 5.0 from an exploder?

posted using smoke signals

 

[Karbuster]

Hey y'all, haven't posted in a bit, been busy and all. Anywho, i replaced my thermostat the other day (was stuck open) and then I decided the other day that I wanted to repaint the tailgate cap (metal plate across top of tailgate) because it was looking chipped and terrible so I sanded, primered and put the first coat on today gonna put second coat on tomorrow and decide if I'm going to clear coat it, also going to steal a couple ideas from 02Fx4red's build
Mainly the painting of the throttle cover and installation of '06+ mirrors (and I will be painting these too)
got a little overzealous and didnt take before pictures or during so you will just have to make do with the finished product of the tailgate cap but i will be detailed and diligent with the mirror swap

posted using smoke signals

 

[Karbuster]

Materials

Finished in the garage

Will post more pics after I get it on the truck

posted using smoke signals