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Is It Worth It? - 2005 Ford Ranger XLT 4X4


I don’t know how you could stop it, but I hate when the media print stories like this. Now every idiot and his brother is going to go out and steal those tail lights.

When I was in college, somebody figured out if you mix salt water up in a coffee cup, and pour it down the coin slot on the vending machines, they would drop all the change. So the moron editors of the Cornell Daily Sun printed those details. The next day, all the vending machines were empty and fried.

BTW, it doesn’t work anymore.
 
The moment it hit the news it was over. There has got to be a way to put a locking screw on it or something.
 
Her's another angle to look at. I just read an article where the taillights of a modern Ford F-350 Platinum cost up to $1,200 to replace. Each. How much does it cost to fix your truck and keep it going in comparison?

Taillight theft ring caught

2019+ Ranger LED tail lights with the sensors in them aren't much better and are subject to theft as well.
 
Yet another reason to NOT want all the electronic gizmos on a truck. I'm not saying anything bad about the people who DO want them. Just not for me.

Edit: I say this as I consider adding a dash-cam, front and rear cameras to the radio, and a GMRS radio. Just a week after wiring in the winch. LOL
 
Most newer trucks have power locking tailgates (they themselves can be worth some money)

It can be annoying but I have the tailgate on my F-150 to lock/unlock with the doors and I don't even have the fancy tail lights.
 
Debt & lack of money in general = not a great start to restoring a vehicle

Ability/lack thereof and (assuming) no place indoors to disassemble it and do a restoration = stop right there.

I "restored" my stepside truck and it was disassembled in my shop for two years. Could I have done it faster? Probably, but I am not a professional so I was learning as I did it. I also have about as close to a professional assortment of tools as you can get without being in the body shop business... I might even have better stuff than some of them do. If you don't have time, space, ability, or tools, or money to do it, then it's a pipe dream. Just do your best to keep it reliable and somewhat decent looking and we'll all pat you on the back for driving rusty junk like we do :icon_thumby:

The moment it hit the news it was over. There has got to be a way to put a locking screw on it or something.
Most newer trucks have power locking tailgates (they themselves can be worth some money)

It can be annoying but I have the tailgate on my F-150 to lock/unlock with the doors and I don't even have the fancy tail lights.


My buddy makes those. Side note, if you go to the home page, my Explorer is parked right in the middle of the big picture that comes up.

The problem is that you can slip a Gearwrench between the taillight and the tailgate and remove the screws without even opening the tailgate.
 
They don't make anything for F-150's so I guess I am ok?

I am more worried about my tailgate running off than the lights anyway.
 
Debt & lack of money in general = not a great start to restoring a vehicle

Ability/lack thereof and (assuming) no place indoors to disassemble it and do a restoration = stop right there.

I "restored" my stepside truck and it was disassembled in my shop for two years. Could I have done it faster? Probably, but I am not a professional so I was learning as I did it. I also have about as close to a professional assortment of tools as you can get without being in the body shop business... I might even have better stuff than some of them do. If you don't have time, space, ability, or tools, or money to do it, then it's a pipe dream. Just do your best to keep it reliable and somewhat decent looking and we'll all pat you on the back for driving rusty junk like we do :icon_thumby:





My buddy makes those. Side note, if you go to the home page, my Explorer is parked right in the middle of the big picture that comes up.

The problem is that you can slip a Gearwrench between the taillight and the tailgate and remove the screws without even opening the tailgate.

Mine aren’t rusty, and the rustoleum covers the junkie parts pretty well, otherwise I completely concur.

One of the things I love about the 87 is there are minimal electronics or expensive parts. I get compliments for my artistry, which is nice, but you can fix it with what you find on the side of the road. If somebody did steal the taillight lenses, I think it was about 25 or $29 for the pair when I got new ones, and I have about 10-15 faded ones sitting in the shed of miracles.
 

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