Ranger44's "White Lighting". 03' Ranger Mods.

[ChargerOnDavins]

Love white trucks, and that's a nice ride! I also have an '03. My first black car ever, I'm pretty partial to white. I even own a 2003 green explorer now for some reason ;/

 

[Ranger44]

How the hell did you manage that?!? I get 15 on a good day with basically the same truck aside from mine being an FX4.

Idk, I was only expecting 16-17 when I got it, but can get 17.5-19.5 all day long without even trying, and 19-21 all highway and light footing it with cruise.

Dang Ryan.......Nice truck.

Thanks man......

Love white trucks, and that's a nice ride! I also have an '03. My first black car ever, I'm pretty partial to white. I even own a 2003 green explorer now for some reason ;/

I was actually not wanting a white truck till I got one......lol

 

[nate09]

How the hell did you manage that?!? I get 15 on a good day with basically the same truck aside from mine being an FX4.

sounds like your trucks having some issues, my truck averages 18-19 no problem.

 

[Clay Lorance]

sounds like your trucks having some issues, my truck averages 18-19 no problem.

So does mine come to think of it.

 

[Ranger44]

Doing plugs, wires, air filter, fuel filter, PCV valve, and FIS with seafoam tomorrow. I'm hoping to have lots of pics.

 

[Ranger44]

Difficulty: 6 out of 10.

Spark plugs used and recommended by FORD:

The driver's side is pretty much straight forward, you can get at it through the top.

Use a pair of pliers or spark plug pliers to remove the plug wires from the 1st spark plug. It's best to remove one plug and wire at a time. That way nothing gets mixed up and you can ensure everything is routed the same way it was removed.

Use a 5/8 spark plug socket to remove the first plug (cylinder #4).

Be sure to check and see that the spark plug gap is correct on your plugs. The gap spec given on the radiator support said .062-.068. With these fine wire platinums it's not a good idea to jam feeler gauges in there. So do your best to get it close, most of the time with the Motorcraft stuff it's dead on. All mine where surprisingly. I used an old autolite to give an example.

Install the new plug. Try not to bang the tip on anything while putting it in the socket, this CAN throw the gap off. When tightening the plug, don't crank on it. It only needs to be tightened to 13 ft/lbs, in other words..... snug with a socket and 3/8 ratchet.

Then take off the wire completely, and match it to one in the kit.

Plug wires I used:

Install the NEW wire, following the route the old one used, and laying it into the plastic guides/retainers........

Repeat with cylinders #5 and #6. Then move to the passenger side for cylinders #1-#3.

Big tip for the driver's side.

Break your front passenger wheel loose.

Jack up the front of the truck.

Add jackstands to the nifty little hooks on the front of the lower control arms, and let the truck rest on the stands.

Remove your wheel. Now check out the removable fender apron.....

Remove the christmas tree fasteners and the apron.

Ta da!

Repeat what happened on the other side, but try and keep your sanity. It took me a little while longer on this side. It's a constant battle of using different combinations of 3/8 ratchet (standard and flex head), extentions and swivels. AND going from top, to fenderwell and back in order to complete the job. You'll get it, but it'll just try your patients.

Make sure all your wires are ran:

Fire her up and check for proper operation........

If there is a miss check for disconnected wires, or plug wires not seated all the way. After that double check proper coil order to cylinder order.

 

[Ranger44]

Need to find a place that has the front HD Bilstien shocks in stock. If so the trucks getting them on all 4 corners even though i just put new monroes on.

Also, The rear brakes will be upgraded with discs. No explorer axle swap here.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/FMS-M-2300-M/

Add calipers, pads, and hoses........I'll have a new disc brake conversion for less than $350 or so.

 

[CHKNFKR]

i hate to do this to you in your own thread...

You'd better update.

 

[Ranger44]

Plans....plans....plans....update....update....update

Rear brakes need replaced. They squeak every once in a while and are about on the rivets.....lol. I was going to go rear disc, but cost outweighs the benefits. 10" drums are fine in the rear.

BUT, plans for lift are in the making:

3" PA Body Lift
1.5" torsion Crank
2" in the rear from a shackle lift (6400's)

Also I'm dying to put in a lock-right. I miss the traction.

Got some fee-bees at work yesterday too. We were SLOW as hell, and did and oil change, trans service, and coolant flush. Like $400 worth of stuff for no charge. Makes up for the crappy paycheck I will have next Friday.....I hope.

For anyone wondering BG makes a good product and service line up. My trans shifts much better, and took away the slight shudder going into 4th. We use their products and machines in combination with valvoline engine oils and ATF.

http://www.bgprod.com/home.html

 

[Ranger44]

Got bored last week or so and cleaned the engine:

Then noticed how my hood stoppers weren't stopping anything anymore. They had rusted and deteriorated to the point of pushing through the holes and bottomed out. This was my fix. 2 bolts, 4 nuts, 4 fender washers and voila!

The rubber even comes off the old, and with the help of adhesive, stays on the tops of the bolt heads.

 

[Ranger44]

Some parts!

Fox shocks for the rear. 2.0 emulsions. They one needs a new shaft, but I'll probably just use them till they blow.

Then got a set of extended shackles for the rear. They are RCD....for a 4" lift? Too much lift for what I want, but I think I can use them to rid the rear suspension of those factory lift blocks.

 

[Ranger44]

Headache Rack!

Need to make a spacer for the bottom, because it needs to raised 2.5". I mocked it up with wood, and held it in place with my spare.

Need to figure out what I want to do for lights. Those aren't my first choice. Thinking of at least 3, if not 4.

 

[MountainMike]

Then got a set of extended shackles for the rear. They are RCD....for a 4" lift? Too much lift for what I want, but I think I can use them to rid the rear suspension of those factory lift blocks.

I would thinj those with no blocks would give you the same amount of lift as going with Belltechs on regular suspension. I don't know how that much shackle is going to behave though

 

[Ranger44]

I'm sure I'll get it all to work. The block just kills the ride of the rear suspension. I'm actually rethinking the body lift. Might just stuff some bigger meats under a shackle/torsion crank lift.

I went out and bought me some regular Hella 500's. 4 of them to be exact...... On top of that fog lights for the valance. Geese.....this truck is going to be lit up like a christmas tree!

Mounting it all tomorrow. Pictures are a sure thing. Just stay tuned

 

[Robert_1967]

I'd do something about all that rust on the frame and front cross member before it get worst and starts weakling the frame..


it is a purdy truck.



Robert