My 97 F150 page

[shane96ranger]

With the Ranger all but gone, making me Rangerless, I've moved into an F150. I decided to make a little home for "Hoss" to show my progress over time. It will be a slow process, but that's par for my course.

Some details about it:

1997 F150 XLT
4.6 Liter Triton V8
4X4
4R70W
3.55 Open Diff

 

[4.0B2]

start w/ a rear gear ratio! lol j/k

subscribed. curious to see your plans.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Anything you want to do with it?

Is it a debadged Lariet or Off-Road or are the rims like mine and added? (I have the same ones on my '02 XLT)

 

[shane96ranger]

Anything you want to do with it?

Is it a debadged Lariet or Off-Road or are the rims like mine and added? (I have the same ones on my '02 XLT)

The sticker on the door says it came with a 16 inch rim, so he added these. I don't care much for them, so new rims are on my list of wants. Also, I want to put the chrome grille on it and put all new lights on the front. The PO already put brand new tail lights on it.

I really like these wheels, but I've found conflicting information as to if they are a 16 or 17 inch rim:

 

[shane96ranger]

start w/ a rear gear ratio! lol j/k

I was actually very surprised when I found they were 3.55's. It has a decent amount of low end grunt for the ratio, and being a 4.6 liter. I drove 2 with a 5.4 liter in them, and thought this had every bit as much power.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

The sticker on the door says it came with a 16 inch rim, so he added these. I don't care much for them, so new rims are on my list of wants. Also, I want to put the chrome grille on it and put all new lights on the front. The PO already put brand new tail lights on it.

I really like these wheels, but I've found conflicting information as to if they are a 16 or 17 inch rim:

17's, my brother has them on his '97. They are a nice looking wheel, it is hard to find a set that isn't rusting around the edges though. I actually went to look at a set like those and they ended up being really nasty and I ended up with a set like what you have now just for something different than the thin polished aluminum 16's (they look like a chrome steel wheel)

Expeditions have a chrome grille that still has a mesh insert (as opposed to the cast aluminum looking thing in an XL grille)

 

[shane96ranger]

17's, my brother has them on his '97. They are a nice looking wheel, it is hard to find a set that isn't rusting around the edges though. I actually went to look at a set like those and they ended up being really nasty and I ended up with a set like what you have now just for something different than the thin polished aluminum 16's (they look like a chrome steel wheel)

Expeditions have a chrome grille that still has a mesh insert (as opposed to the cast aluminum looking thing in an XL grille)

Thanks for the info, I need to look around for some of those wheels. I have a question on the grilles that maybe you can answer. Can I put a 99-03 grille on my 97? The opening is a little taller but I really like the ones like this:

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I don't think so, the bumper covers on the 99-03 are shaped differently and kind of wrap around the larger opening more. The 97-98's are pretty much flat and pretty tight to the grille.

I have seen one going the other way (97-98 grille on a 99-03) and aside from a bigger gap at the bottom it looked like it fit ok.

This is the stock 99-03 bumper and grille setup. They use the same headlights and turnsignals as a 97-98.

 

[88_Eddie]

i reckon i'll watch lol

 

[shane96ranger]

I don't think so, the bumper covers on the 99-03 are shaped differently and kind of wrap around the larger opening more. The 97-98's are pretty much flat and pretty tight to the grille.

I have seen one going the other way (97-98 grille on a 99-03) and aside from a bigger gap at the bottom it looked like it fit ok.

This is the stock 99-03 bumper and grille setup. They use the same headlights and turnsignals as a 97-98.

I was looking at the way the grille and headlights are mounted today. I was looking at the two "tabs" behind each headlight, and after a minute realized that IS how the headlight and marker light are mounted. This ought to be a pretty easy swap.

I also did some routine maintenance (at least for me) stuff on it today. I took the intake ducting all out and cleaned it. I also cleaned the MAF sensor and throttle body. It now is due for an oil change, and I can still see through the oil.

I added a new item to my "to do" list for the truck. It appears the alternator does indeed have externally accessible alternator brushes. So, I will probably go fork over some cold hard cash (3 or 4 Washington's) for some new brushes, housing, and keeper tool. Some people think I'm weird for doing this, but damn near every alternator that's taken a dump on me was because the brushes were bad and caused more issues.



EDIT: If anyone is interested, I did a little mini-write-up on brush replacement on my Ranger here:
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=94951

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I was looking at the way the grille and headlights are mounted today. I was looking at the two "tabs" behind each headlight, and after a minute realized that IS how the headlight and marker light are mounted. This ought to be a pretty easy swap.

Switching grilles might not be too bad, but I think to put in the 99-03 grille you will have to change the bumper, airdam and bumper cover.

Your '97 bumper is flat across the top, pretty close to the headlights. Look at mine again where the grille dips down into the center of the cover... I think that is going to interfere on yours unless you change a bunch of stuff.

 

[shane96ranger]

Yeah, I believe you are right. It looks too big/tall to fit. I will have to settle for an Expedition grille for now. Hopefully I can get into a used one for cheap.

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

Why not painting the honeycomb in black, like the red pic? looks sexy that way imo.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Why not painting the honeycomb in black, like the red pic? looks sexy that way imo.

That is how they should be from the factory, Shane's looks the same.

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

ive seen em look like ash because of faded paint haha