Summers22 Bright Island Blue 2001 XLT build thread

[Summers22]

Starting a "build" thread that is more of a maintenance thread for a "low" mileage neglected truck.

Details: 2001 RWD XLT Flareside Supercab with the 3.0 flex-fuel and 5R44E

Just picked up this 2001 Ranger. Body and interior are in amazing shape. It has 101k and wasn't loved much. Towed it home 3 hours because the tires are 12 years old. My Superduty made easy work out of the tow. I may daily it a year or 2 as it's for my 13 year old son as his first vehicle.

Items replaced so far due to a VERY rough idle, stalling, failing to start at times, transmission that runs better with O/D off and worn out bushings all over:

2/25/2025 @ 101,756 miles
Transmission fluid and filter - Wix filter & gasket and Motorcraft Mercon V fluid
IAC - Hitachi
Coil, sparkplugs, plug wires - all Motorcraft
Cleaned MAF and Throttle body - removed throttle body for this
Swaybar links and sway bar bushings - Moog
Cam position sensor and Cam Synchronizer - Motorcraft
Air Filter - Wix
Fuel filter - Wix
Oil and filter - Pennzoil full synthetic 5W20 high mileage and Motorcraft filter

2/26/2025
Driver door switch - Motorcraft
Philips Ultinon 9007 led bulbs
Silverstar 3157 front turn signals

2/28/2025
PCV - Standard Ignition

3/2/2025
Coolant flush, new thermostat and temp sensor, both Motorcraft, Prestone antifreeze
Both upstream O2 sensors -Bosch
Programmed 2nd key using forscan, Batteries Plus cut it for $11. Strattec Key was used.

3/9/2025
KYB Excel-G shocks for front and rear
Upper control arms - Carquest premium
Lower ball joints - Moog
MAF- Blue Streak
EGR pressure sensor- Standard Ignition

To order/do:
Brake rotors and pads, not sure what brand just yet
Lubelocker gasket and rear diff fluid
New set of tires
Rust Reformer the frame and undercoat it (fluid film or PB blaster surface shield)

Gifts (eventually for my son to add to the truck, this will happen over the next 2 years)

Touch screen head unit with Apple Carplay & Android auto
4 new speakers
Window tint
Floormats
Tonneau cover
Exhaust tip
Windshield wipers, lol

The truck needs a deep clean on the exterior and the interior will be a breeze, I love to detail/clean my vehicles, but this is very clean as it sits. Already removed and cleaned the armrest, it looks new now. I'll try and do better with more pics in the future!

 

[sgtsandman]

It will save you work in the long run since everything will be in one place rather than spread out everywhere for reference, if nothing else. I've regretted not doing it sooner with the 2011.

Pro tip: Save a link for this thread as a bookmark and possibly as a link in your signature so it is easier to find later on since threads move down more and more as other threads are created. Unless you update this thread on a regular basis.

 

[Summers22]

Yeah, I may do that. I habe a build thread over on F150forum with over a million views, so navigating forums is nothing new. There won't be too many crazy modifications done to the Ranger, but like you said, having a place to report all the happenings to is nice to have.

 

[Summers22]

I'm on the hunt for some quality floor liners. Looks like Husky is in the lead for molded specific liners. I wanted some like I had in my 01 Superduty yearssssssssss back, but apparently Plasticolor no longer makes the fronts with Ford logo's, just the rear or a runner.

 

[Jazzer]

Gonna be a heck of a truck, you’re certainly using quality parts!

 

[Summers22]

I have learned over the last 52 years, using quality parts reduces the chances of having to repeat being irritated, lol

 

[Summers22]

Coolant flush today, system was filthy. Took 4 flushes using distilled water, 1st flush I used the Motorcraft VC-1 coolant flush. 2 gallons of Prestone green concentrate, Motorcraft thermostat and temp sensor were replaced as well. Got the 24 year old overflow bottle pretty clean

 

[Summers22]

Over on F150forum, I designed some front wheel well splash aprons for the 15-19 F150 5.0 trucks as they didn't have them from the factory, but the Ecoboosts did. It was a team effort (2 other members helped me with the uploading multiple template pages into a shareable link) a Google drive link was added for free so others could duplicate them. https://www.f150forum.com/f118/how-summers22-splash-apron-mod-front-wheel-wells-459625/

That all got my wheels rolling today when I had to access the O2 sensors through the wheel wells. Those splash aprons are showing their 24 year age, so I plan to go to Home Depot and obtain some rubber flooring material and duplicate them. Should be an easy project, plus I have tons of the Christmas tree style push-pins on hand.

I'll totally remove them next weekend when I put on the new UCA's and shocks. Then I'll trace them out and possibly make them slightly larger.

 

[Summers22]

Any recommendations for an exhaust tip? I want one about 6-8" long and just barely slips over, that is not much bugger than the existing pipe.

 

[Summers22]

Would this slip right on to the factory tail pipe?

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/aph-xsrpt214

 

[SenorNoob]

It says 2.25 ID. What's the OD of the existing pipe?

 

[Summers22]

I haven't had a chance to measure, we had an ice storm and blizzard so while I was warm and cozy by the fire, I made a post on it, lol

 

[Summers22]

Updated original post. Replaced MAF and EGR pressure sensor,
KYB Excel-G shocks for front and rear,
Upper control arms - Carquest premium,
Lower ball joints - Moog

 

[Summers22]

 

[Summers22]

Anyone ever have an issue with the thermostat gasket leaking? I used a fel-pro gasket and got both surfaces really clean, like perfectly clean. I had to snug up the bolts a little more. Wondering if its the hose above the thermostat housing.