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TruBo
New Member
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2023
- Messages
- 4
- City
- Katy, TX
- Vehicle Year
- 1997
- Engine
- 2.3 (4 Cylinder)
- Transmission
- Manual
Hello all,
This is a fantastic forum. I have learned a lot from you. I have a 1997 Ranger which I bought brand new for about 15K. It's been my secondary vehicle until now. I’m now retired and no longer have company vehicles. It is an XLT, extended cab, flare side box, 2x4 with 2.3L engine. Nothing special, but it has been a great truck and still feels new with 155K miles. Over the past couple of years, I have been collecting parts and upgrading. The biggest of which is a 97 Explore dash. My original dash had a small crack and the odometer stopped working. So rather than just replacing the $3.00 odometer gear, I replaced the whole dash at a much greater cost. Replacing mine allowed me to install power windows, locks, passenger side air bag and tachometer gauge cluster. I’ve replaced the AC with all new components. The original one was loud and had a small leak. I recently purchased new wheels, tires, shocks and 1 ½” leveling springs. Now, I'm having the truck repainted factory new metallic silver. Soon, I will be installing new outer lights, new factory vallance/fog lights and Sport Trac overhead console. In the future I may add Explorer long center console. Point being, I can’t afford a new vehicle, I might as well fix this one up the way I like. I can at least work on this one. Any way that’s my story.
Cheers,
TruBo
This is a fantastic forum. I have learned a lot from you. I have a 1997 Ranger which I bought brand new for about 15K. It's been my secondary vehicle until now. I’m now retired and no longer have company vehicles. It is an XLT, extended cab, flare side box, 2x4 with 2.3L engine. Nothing special, but it has been a great truck and still feels new with 155K miles. Over the past couple of years, I have been collecting parts and upgrading. The biggest of which is a 97 Explore dash. My original dash had a small crack and the odometer stopped working. So rather than just replacing the $3.00 odometer gear, I replaced the whole dash at a much greater cost. Replacing mine allowed me to install power windows, locks, passenger side air bag and tachometer gauge cluster. I’ve replaced the AC with all new components. The original one was loud and had a small leak. I recently purchased new wheels, tires, shocks and 1 ½” leveling springs. Now, I'm having the truck repainted factory new metallic silver. Soon, I will be installing new outer lights, new factory vallance/fog lights and Sport Trac overhead console. In the future I may add Explorer long center console. Point being, I can’t afford a new vehicle, I might as well fix this one up the way I like. I can at least work on this one. Any way that’s my story.
Cheers,
TruBo
