Well, it's been a 'great' couple of weeks, but I'm getting rid of my Ranger

[dankhimself]

At first I thought this guy was just trolling forums because he wanted to piss people off on the internet, but now I realize that he really did swear off tue manufacturer because there were rusty bolts. I rarely used my impact tools on my truck other than the wheels. I used hand tools because its just not that hard, and I live in salty road New Jersey, things rust here. If its really tough and corroded, I replace the fastener, with anti-seize or grease on the threads, so it doesn't happen again.

With all of this experience you have, you seem to be inexperienced. You're saying very irrational things. What bolt was so rusty and hidden that you couldn't get out? All I can think of would be the front leaf spring bolts, that's not just from The work I just did, its just the only bolt that I can think of that's tough to get to, and could be frozen to the sleeve inside.

 

[Insanejughead]

All I can think of would be the front leaf spring bolts, that's not just from The work I just did, its just the only bolt that I can think of that's tough to get to, and could be frozen to the sleeve inside.

True that. Those bolts can be hellacious!


However, the bolts that hold the factory transmission crossmember have been worse, to me. I haven't ever had a single one come out, so I end up breaking out dad's oxy/acetylene and carefully torching them off.

On a slightly lesser note, I've never had my leaf spring bolts out, but they never were priority to me, so I never pursued destroying them intently.

 

[adsm08]

What bolt was so rusty and hidden that you couldn't get out?

Probably one of the screws that holds the steering column trim on.

 

[Metallheadd]

It seems there is a lot of these whiny types these days. Instead of coming here and kicking people to spread misery why not just fix or sell the truck which was your choice to buy. It sounds like it may have been a poor one at that. If you need help the folks here are great with that. If ya dont piss them off first. Dont blame enthusiasts for your misfortune, poor judgment or lack of ability.

 

[adsm08]

Lol, you should read more carefully. I said I'm a professional mechanic. I have a couple grand invested in tools (mostly Matco, tho I do have some cheaper stuff), and I still have to borrow tools occasionally. Funny thing is the good tools are all useless when that 3/4" bumper bolt is placed so you can only get a ratchet (not even an air ratchet) on it. If I only worked on Fords I'd be better off with that $10 walmart ratchet set than the $500 1/2" impact I keep in my box.

What I was saying is that the Ranger is designed so you can't even get the impact on it to try.

It's called an impact swivel. They go for about $25 at Sears. I think Snappy sells them for $50.

Haven't found any bolts on the Ranger that can't be gotten with the impact swivel, assuming an air tool is appropriate.



Also, industrial equipment guys working on passenger cars, that's like letting the guy who crushes rocks with the big hammer in prison try to amputate your middle finger. He is gonna have trouble, it ain't gonna be done right, and he is gonna complain about all the stuff that's in the way.

 

[Andy D]

Lighten up, Francis . Air tools are fine if you're a perfessional and use them daily. I'm just a shade tree hack. I have a 3 foot cheater and all sorts of hammers and drills though. Most of my hand tools are 40 yr old Craftsmans. from my bug days. Rangers are mostly metric. It is just that some sizes have close enough inch sizes to work. I use 5/16 and 8mm interchangeably. Same with 19mm and 3/4 and 11mm and 7/16. Your distress is mostly because you aren't familiar with Rangers. I feel your pain. I am also feeling my way in Ranger-dom. But you gotta lighten up , its not healthy, or in your best interest to come on so hot to new situations. What if the boss wants you to do something outside of your comfort zone.? Up here, rust is a constant battle. and I had plenty of it to deal with. I'm not a slash and burn type, I take stuff apart as if I'm gonna re-use everything. The only time I dont is with brake lines. I use tin snips to cut them off the fittings.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Also, industrial equipment guys working on passenger cars, that's like letting the guy who crushes rocks with the big hammer in prison try to amputate your middle finger. He is gonna have trouble, it ain't gonna be done right, and he is gonna complain about all the stuff that's in the way.

Now that's just funny right there, I don't care who you are!






I worked on Rangers for a couple years before progressing to air tools. Even now that I have air tools, since I don't have a shop, sometimes I don't feel like dragging out air hoses and crap and just do everything by hand. As far as rusted fasteners go, it can come with the territory (I live in the rusty steel buckle of the rust belt, it's a way of life here). I hit them with some Seafoam Deep Creep if they give me trouble (either that or mix up some "eel snot" aka ATF and Acetone). If that doesn't help them come out, then it's torch time. Any fasteners I have to replace, I lube them up good with grease or never seize. I use stainless for replacement fasteners whenever possible as well.

So don't whine to me about how a fastener is rusted and not easy to reach because I have no sympathy. You need to learn to adapt and overcome.

 

[Pruples]

It's called an impact swivel. They go for about $25 at Sears. I think Snappy sells them for $50.

Haven't found any bolts on the Ranger that can't be gotten with the impact swivel, assuming an air tool is appropriate.

The most recent ones are the bolts holding the front bumper on. 2 of them are easily accessible and well-placed, but the other two are impossible to get an impact on. As for the 'impact swivel', i'm assuming you mean one of these?

They're not much use for the bumper bolts I was removing. They'd have to cover a 90 degree angle, and if you have one you know they aren't any good for anywhere near 90 degrees.

Also, industrial equipment guys working on passenger cars, that's like letting the guy who crushes rocks with the big hammer in prison try to amputate your middle finger. He is gonna have trouble, it ain't gonna be done right, and he is gonna complain about all the stuff that's in the way.

Lol, that's nowhere near an accurate comparison. You've obviously never worked on one of these:

Everything is in the way of everything else. But everything is designed so you can get proper tools on it. My Ranger just isn't that way. My S10, however, is.

 

[adsm08]

Ok, 1st, that is not an impact swivel. I'm talking about the ball and socket CV style ones. No, they don't get to anywhere near 90*. I have found over the years that a long extension, a short socket, and a swivel can greatly reduce the angle needed.


And I have never had an 'everything in the way of everything' issue on the Ranger. Not to the degree you suggest. The AC air box makes the #3 plug hard to get at on the 2.9L and a few modules are buried deep down in the dash and the radio has to be removed to get that them, yes. But that is the absolute worst I can think of.

 

[Pruples]

Ok, 1st, that is not an impact swivel. I'm talking about the ball and socket CV style ones. No, they don't get to anywhere near 90*. I have found over the years that a long extension, a short socket, and a swivel can greatly reduce the angle needed.


And I have never had an 'everything in the way of everything' issue on the Ranger. Not to the degree you suggest. The AC air box makes the #3 plug hard to get at on the 2.9L and a few modules are buried deep down in the dash and the radio has to be removed to get that them, yes. But that is the absolute worst I can think of.

I'd pay to see you try to get a long extension and a swivel or wobble extension on them bumper bolts without pulling the radiator. The heads are pointed at the radiator with enough room to get a ratchet and socket on it and to back the bolt out all the way, but no more. If the bolt was a little longer the back of the ratchet would hit before the bolt was out all the way.

 

[adsm08]

Then I'm going to guess you have never heard of EZ-Red, gear wrench, etc.

 

[Pruples]

Then I'm going to guess you have never heard of EZ-Red, gear wrench, etc.

I actually have a set of matco ratcheting box-end wrenches. But as I said, there was enough room for a ratchet (barely) and more importantly I'm saying hand tools shouldn't be necessary on ~3/4" or bigger bolts.

 

[scooter]

I actually have a set of matco ratcheting box-end wrenches. But as I said, there was enough room for a ratchet (barely) and more importantly I'm saying hand tools shouldn't be necessary on ~3/4" or bigger bolts.

Jesus your STILL here?..?..?
You think Ford are junk, great, you stated your opinion now GTFO.
PLEASE.

 

[Pruples]

Jesus your STILL here?..?..?
You think Ford are junk, great, you stated your opinion now GTFO.
PLEASE.

If you don't like it, don't enter my thread. I haven't posted in any other thread since making this thread.

 

[dankhimself]

Its not yours, its all of our's. We'll post here if we want. We're all professional billionaire astronaut rocket mechanics, so we know what we're doing, ok?