LaneTrain's 04 Daily Driver

[LaneTrain15]

Hey everybody, new user here on the forum, thanks for having me.
This will be my build thread for my 2004 4x4 XLT Ranger.
My Ranger has 109k on it now, with a stock 4.0 V6 and M5OD trans.
I bought it with 90k miles on it, and it's slowly becoming a more fun and more capable off road ride.
I'm a recent high school graduate, so I'm really "balling on a budget" here, as you can probably tell.
Pictures attached are from when I first bought the Ranger back in May of 2018. I will be walking you all through the different little upgrades and modifications I've made to it.
This is my first Ranger, and my first Ford, so the more I can learn and gain from this thread, the better!

 

[LaneTrain15]

Humble Beginnings

The Ranger Danger was purchased from a neighbor who had recently purchased a fullsize diesel pickup for work, so I got a great deal on his now-obsolete little pickup.
It served me well all summer, faithfully performing light farm duties and tackling dirt roads and small town streets.
I did a few small things, such as replacing the factory antenna with a stubby aftermarket one, plastidipping the front bumper (not valance) and gas cap, and repairing a leaky rear window. I also added a bug shield as well as window visors.
The toolbox went back to the original owner as well.

 

[1991fordranger1]

Start small aim big you will get there

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk

 

[Jim Oaks]

Welcome aboard!

 

[LaneTrain15]

The Ranger now-

I've had some more time and a bit of extra cash to play around with for the Ranger, so it's had a few upgrades.
-Undercoated the bed and wheel wells, and undercoated the floorboard.
-Upgraded from the stock 245/75/R16's to Toyo Open Country 285/75/R16's.
-Installed a glasspack muffler. Not obnoxious, but it has a good noticeable tone when I get on it.
-Repainted a few interior trim pieces to match my black floor liner.
-Drained and refilled my rear differential to get rid of the old nasty fluid that it (most likely) left the factory with, and repainted the diff cover a nice black color.
-LED running lights, brake lights, reverse lights, third brake light, and dome light. It's bright out there now!

To-Do List-
I recently purchased a bed mounted roll cage out of a 1980 Toyota Hilux. I'll be sectioning out the middle of it and shortening the width of the cage by about 4" so it'll fit in the bed.
I also need to install larger torsion keys and shackles to give the tires more room to articulate. Plus it'll look better.
The front bumper valance was damaged by freeway debris, so it came off just before the bigger tires. A plate or tube bumper will be in the Ranger's future.

What do you all think should be next? Any questions so far about the Ranger Danger?

Thank you to 1991fordranger1 and Jim Oaks for the warm welcome to the forum!