What did you do to your Ranger today? (Part Deux!)

[Dantheman1540]

Hey alignment gurus how does this look? Just picked it up and can’t believe that I can go down the road straight with the wheel centered for the first time since I owned the truck!

I guess nothing concerns me much except the 2* more caster on one side vs the other, but that shouldn’t affect tire wear.

 

[Rick W]

Hey alignment gurus how does this look? Just picked it up and can’t believe that I can go down the road straight with the wheel centered for the first time since I owned the truck!

I guess nothing concerns me much except the 2* more caster on one side vs the other, but that shouldn’t affect tire wear.

You’re never going to need new tires if you keep it that way. I understand children are starving in Africa making tires they can’t sell, or something like that.

 

[Dantheman1540]

You’re never going to need new tires if you keep it that way. I understand children are starving in Africa making tires they can’t sell, or something like that.

I’m assuming you’re referring to the 0.0* of camber? Or the almost 0.0 toe lol. I’m pretty happy, I got a phone calling in the ride home so I didn’t get to hear if it’s quieter now at higher speeds but I’m assuming so. The tire noise was getting pretty loud and they are basically new tires less than 3k miles.

 

[rubydist]

Well, with the excessive toe in that it had previously, it must have been hard to keep straight on the road, and it would wear the front tires pretty quickly, so its clearly a huge improvement. I personally like a bit more toe-in than where they set it, but as long as it doesn't wander then you are fine.

The caster is more than it should be, and that tends to make the tracking unstable at high speeds, but a Ranger doesn't really ever get to high speeds, so you probably will not have any problems with the caster or the caster variation from side to side.

I'm a little concerned about how they think your solid rear axle has different readings post-alignment than it did pre-alignment, but I guess that is just telling us the printout has more precision than the precision of the measurements actually has.

 

[Dantheman1540]

Well, with the excessive toe in that it had previously, it must have been hard to keep straight on the road, and it would wear the front tires pretty quickly, so its clearly a huge improvement. I personally like a bit more toe-in than where they set it, but as long as it doesn't wander then you are fine.

The caster is more than it should be, and that tends to make the tracking unstable at high speeds, but a Ranger doesn't really ever get to high speeds, so you probably will not have any problems with the caster or the caster variation from side to side.

I'm a little concerned about how they think your solid rear axle has different readings post-alignment than it did pre-alignment, but I guess that is just telling us the printout has more precision than the precision of the measurements actually has.

Oh yes previously it was fairly S**t to drive as far as steering at speed goes. Finally got a good 10miles in this morning to pay close attention to everything and the first thing is the wheel is centered and all my hard work replacing every steering component minus the box paid off! There’s no slop at all, despite how it felt before the alignment where there appeared to be a bit of slop or numbness in the steering.

Second thing I noticed is I could listen and sing along to Chris Stapleton this morning at only 13 volume vs the previous 20vol I would need at speed to hear over the alignment eating my tires. I was actually preparing to step down to an RT or AT tire thinking it was just these MTs getting loud after 3k miles.

Third is the that the truck looks right, I think it may be a tad taller now.

I still need to see how funky the alignment gets when I back into a spot, and also try full lock left turns. The driver front was rubbing on the radius arm at full lock previously, but I suspect it was alignment related since the passenger side never did it.

 

[Curious Hound]

Added an important feature to my front bumper in preparation for taking my POSOTM photos.

 

[Snoranger]

Added an important feature to my front bumper in preparation for taking my POSOTM photos.

View attachment 102706

That’s a nice beer glass.

 

[Curious Hound]

That’s a nice beer glass.

I know a guy that can get you one.

 

[DILLARD000]

A beer cup holder. That can be handy!!!

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I know a guy that can get you one.

Do share… lol

 

[Rick W]

Added an important feature to my front bumper in preparation for taking my POSOTM photos.

View attachment 102706

and it’s practical and it works in Georgia where open containers inside the vehicle are not allowed

 

[Snoranger]

I know a guy that can get you one.

I may have 2 in the kitchen cabinet.

 

[SCOTTY]

Stumbled on this on Hemmings Auctions Daily on a BII, did a little research on the web & pulled the trigger on 1 for my Ranger.
I didn't know they exsisted ! Pretty neat & useful addition I think. Good price too. Ebay has an OBB listing for $19.99.
Pretty cheap ! They come in 4 different colors (Silver, Blue, Red & Black) with the letter(s) stating the color @ the end of the part #.
I got the 2470B, the blue 1. I think they come in 16psi too.

Mr. Gasket 2470B Domestic Thermocap 13 Psi-Blue | eBay

 

[ben_2_go]

Stumbled on this on Hemmings Auctions Daily on a BII, did a little research on the web & pulled the trigger on 1 for my Ranger.
I didn't know they exsisted ! Pretty neat & useful addition I think. Good price too. Ebay has an OBB listing for $19.99.
Pretty cheap ! They come in 4 different colors (Silver, Blue, Red & Black) with the letter(s) stating the color @ the end of the part #.
I got the 2470B, the blue 1. I think they come in 16psi too.

View attachment 102722View attachment 102723View attachment 102724
Mr. Gasket 2470B Domestic Thermocap 13 Psi-Blue | eBay

Be careful with that. You're getting the radiator temp. The engine temp will be hotter.

 

[Rick W]

Floor mat question, for the Road Ranger, 97 extended cab XLT (and I have learned to search the site before I ask such questions):

The new carpet is just beautiful and I’d like to keep it that way as long as possible. It’s mostly a driver, but I do occasionally work out of it. I’d like to get the Weatherguard tight set-in-place floor mats that protect, but don’t shift around as you get in and out. I have to put the OEM floor mats in my F250 in the right place every time I get in, makes me crazy. Whetherguard doesn’t have a specific for that model, only the cut-and-fit yourself ones.

Does anyone know of a rubber or carpet or combo floormat that fits in place that doesn’t shift around for that truck? I’m open to a trim-down (like Weatherguard offers), but I want something more substantial structurally that’ll stay in place better than weatherguard offers.

My other thought is to pull the two bolts from the front of the seat, replace them with threaded studs and a nut to hold the seat down, but with the threads protruding so I can put them through whatever carpet piece I get and bolt the mat down. I could buy something generic, oversized, or just get a piece of appropriate carpet. I would run some kind of a strip along the edge in the rear so that it’s holding by more than just the two bolts spots.

I’m open to any other ideas like that so I don’t have to adjust it every time I get in and out of the truck.

Help! All contents and suggestions welcome