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

[97RangerXLT]

found out why my tailgate will no longer open. and it was exactly what I figured it was... after taking off the bedliner cover and the handle access plate, I noticed a broken plastic linkage piece. opened the tailgate with a screwdriver, lubed up the handle assembly and the latch points. Rockauto did not have the plastic clips, but Amazon did, less than 6 bucks for a pack of 10. will order them when I get paid. looks like a 5 minute job to replace them and put the access plate back on.

AJ

 

[ElectraRider]

Took mine to the shop and had them replace front axle seals , leaking pretty good. While they were in there found out the axles were worn where the seals seat so replaced them as well.

 

[Killakittie]

found out why my tailgate will no longer open. and it was exactly what I figured it was... after taking off the bedliner cover and the handle access plate, I noticed a broken plastic linkage piece. opened the tailgate with a screwdriver, lubed up the handle assembly and the latch points. Rockauto did not have the plastic clips, but Amazon did, less than 6 bucks for a pack of 10. will order them when I get paid. looks like a 5 minute job to replace them and put the access plate back on.

AJ

Got a link to one's you purchased?

 

[97RangerXLT]

Got a link to one's you purchased?

Aayup.

Amazon says it fits my 97, and they look like the remains of the one I removed...

Amazon.com

AJ

 

[Snatchsquatch]

I got my 3D printed bezel for my aftermarket gauges installed and wired up.

 

[Snatchsquatch]

I got my 302 running with the holley sniper, still need to neaten up the wiring and lots of little things.

 

[Maritime Drag Racing]

Our track photographer just sent me this photo of my little blue pain in the ass.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Tightened the steering box in my Choptop. Apparently that was my vibration…

Also worked a little more on getting the motor ready to pull in Paul’s Ranger. It’s being more difficult than usual.

 

[Blmpkn]

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I got my 3D printed bezel for my aftermarket gauges installed and wired up.

Awesome.

 

[Summers22]

Trifold tonneau. Not thrilled with the finish as the seam at the tailgate is wavy. I reached out to the seller for resolution. I suppose that's what a sub-$200 cover gets you these days.....

 

[Rick W]

Trifold tonneau. Not thrilled with the finish as the seam at the tailgate is wavy. I reached out to the seller for resolution. I suppose that's what a sub-$200 cover gets you these days.....
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Maybe work it in the bright sun/heat on a hot day with a plastic trowel/scraper like you use for bodywork? Or a heat gun, like when they work leather into position for recovering seats and such? There are probably videos on how to straighten out vinyl or leather, the techniques are the same.

Just a thought….

 

[Summers22]

Not sure as it self stretches when you close it. I just think the material was cut a little too short and over stretches it.

 

[Rick W]

Not sure as it self stretches when you close it. I just think the material was cut a little too short and over stretches it.

search on YouTube, search the web. If you use heat, you can mold the plastic or leather, and it will have a “memory” when it cools down. Of course you can damage it with too much heat, which is why I pressed that you should check around on the Internet. I’ve seen it done with all kinds of vinyl and leather, things that are stress or pressure, although I’ve never seen it for a timeout cover. But it should work independent of the materials.

The one afterthought, is you want to work it when it’s not at full tension on your truck. If you heated when it’s in full tension, it’s just going to pull back. When it doesn’t have tension on it, you may be able to roll it down in the back consistently

Hey, only just my two cents. Be careful who you listen to, I paint my trucks with rust oleum!

 

[Summers22]

Well the seller offered to send a new one, so I'll go that route, lol. Thanks for the tips though.

 

[superj]

went over to see my father in law's new ranger last night, the 2025 xlt fx4. he had ford put a 2" level on it and discount tire put some 285/70/17s on some aftermarket wheels and it came out pretty dang nice. and he gave me the "old" (has 60 miles on them) stock xlt wheels and tires. i have to go over and do some forscan work on it sometime to turn off all the nag screens when you first get in.