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

[Snatchsquatch]

I designed and 3d printed a couple of bushings to repair a couple of screws that pulled through the top of my instrument cluster bezel.

 

[Snatchsquatch]

I also printed a thingie that my Holley sniper bluetooth module screws onto and clips onto the back edge of my glove box.

 

[JoshT]

I designed and 3d printed a couple of bushings to repair a couple of screws that pulled through the top of my instrument cluster bezel.

That was a good idea, would save a lot of bezels. More than a few are broken like that, and it's difficult to find replacements that aren't as bad or worse.

 

[Saddle Tramp]

I'd love to see a section where people could share their 3D print codes on parts they made.

 

[Curious Hound]

I'd love to see a section where people could share their 3D print codes on parts they made.

That could be done pretty simply. But we might need a little administrative help to make it work. I'm not sure the forum will let you upload that file type. Let me play with it and get with Jim and Ryan to get the details worked out.

Good idea.

 

[Snatchsquatch]

That could be done pretty simply. But we might need a little administrative help to make it work. I'm not sure the forum will let you upload that file type. Let me play with it and get with Jim and Ryan to get the details worked out.

Good idea.

If anyone wants any of the stl files for stuff I make I'll happily share them.

 

[Snatchsquatch]

That was a good idea, would save a lot of bezels. More than a few are broken like that, and it's difficult to find replacements that aren't as bad or worse.

Imuna try and make repair pieces for the sleeve that goes around the steering column next as 2 of the 3 standoffs for the screws are broken off in it.

 

[Briansshop]

Installed drop beams. Now to get the rear down a bit more.

 

[Curious Hound]

I'd love to see a section where people could share their 3D print codes on parts they made.

".stl" files are not currently accepted for upload. I have contacted Jim and Ryan to see if that is something that could or should be added as a forum feature. We may need to wait until the next forum software update coming in the next few months. So, please be patient.

In the mean time, You may be able to use Google drive as a place to share your files. It is fairly easy if you have a Google account. Just put the file in your Google drive, perhaps in a separate folder. Then make that file and/or folder shareable. Then post the link to it in a TRS forum thread.

 

[JoshT]

I'd love to see a section where people could share their 3D print codes on parts they made.

".stl" files are not currently accepted for upload. I have contacted Jim and Ryan to see if that is something that could or should be added as a forum feature. We may need to wait until the next forum software update coming in the next few months. So, please be patient.

In the mean time, You may be able to use Google drive as a place to share your files. It is fairly easy if you have a Google account. Just put the file in your Google drive, perhaps in a separate folder. Then make that file and/or folder shareable. Then post the link to it in a TRS forum thread.

The issue I see with putting them in the open is control. I'm not sugesting that it is it is his plan, but what if @Snatchsquatch wanted to provide the file for those of us with printers (which I appreciate) and wanted to print them for those that don't. Maybe make a small profit on priting them for as payment for his time creating the file and as a service to fellow Ranger owners. If that STL is placed where it is publicly available, it won't take long for a third party to take it and start selling them on ETSY or Ebay with no credit or kickback to him. Not accusing anyone on this site of doing that, there are sellers on both of those sites that make a lifing from doing exactly that, scraping the internet for STL files to steal and profit from.

Installed drop beams. Now to get the rear down a bit more.

What you got in the rear now? Looks like maybe a shackle flip.

 

[Curious Hound]

. If that STL is placed where it is publicly available, it won't take long for a third party to take it and start selling them on ETSY or Ebay with no credit or kickback to him. Not accusing anyone on this site of doing that, there are sellers on both of those sites that make a lifing from doing exactly that, scraping the internet for STL files to steal and profit from.

I agree. But that's a simple matter. If you want the file publicly available for anyone to print, post it. If you want closer control over who can print the file, don't post the file. Just post your email address. But, even if you control it through email, there is nothing to stop someone from printing them for profit. So, the only true control is don't even mention it. Don't share it through email. Don't post the file anywhere. Just keep it for your own use and don't even talk about it. It's that simple.

 

[Rick W]

Just a thought on liability. The dash bezel bushings aren’t an issue. But what if somebody wanted to provide plans on how to print something for the drivetrain or the brakes or some other safety issue?

 

[Rick W]

UPDATE:

First, I got underneath and checked where I put the U clamps on the U joint. I loosened the bolts and tightened the bolts, I don’t think it made any difference.

Then, I took another spin (yuck yuck) to better evaluate the vibration. I don’t feel it till I’m going about 45 miles an hour, and it does get worse, but not much by the time you’re going 65 miles an hour. A little less, and I probably wouldn’t do anything, but it’s just enough to drive you crazy even though I don’t think it would hurt anything.

Obviously, I do all this myself because I just enjoy tinkering with the toys. A couple thoughts.

Remember that bearing went out when I was going about 30 miles an hour, and those driveshafts bounced around in the housing, I thought the truck was coming apart, and then I drove it home at about 10 mph. I was only 3/4 of a mile from the house.

I called the driveshaft place, and he said to take both drive shifts out, test them, straighten them, and balance them would cost me about $300 and they’d do it in about two or three hours. It would probably take me three times as long, and if something is bent or out of balance, I’d still have to head that way. But I could save $125 if I pulled it out myself and brought it to them.

And remember, I’m still recovering from surgery on my right arm. Amazingly, even the day of the surgery I didn’t have much pain in my arm, but it has been one colossal pain in my ass.

And I can be selfish sometimes. Tomorrow is my 70th birthday. Birthdays are not a big deal to me, but I guess this is a big one. There’s this cute little brunette in my life who wants to do something special.

And then there’s the Carlisle Ford Nationals in three weeks. If you remember when I went to the truck nationals last year and the year before, 12 hour drive, both times I ended up driving half the night or all night due to a couple problems. I prefer to avoid that part of the experience, so I don’t want to be fixing this thing the day before I have to leave like the last two times.

So, for the brunette, for my health, for my sleep, for my birthday - but mostly for you guys, so you won’t have to live without me at the Carlisle Ford Nationals - I have an appointment at 8 o’clock Wednesday morning to get it fixed.

Y’all can breathe lighter now…

Update on the driveshaft.

I took it to the driveshaft place when they opened at 8:00 this morning, then got home about 1:15. The good news is it’s all fixed, spinning like a top!

And maybe I should put this in the “today I learned” thread, but it still seems appropriate here. Today, one day after my 70th birthday, I learned again you’re never too old to learn something new (and what a dummy you are).

I never knew, I never even suspected, that when you put the universal joints on the driveshaft, they all have to line up in the same orientation. Not knowing that, when I put the front driveshaft back in, the U joint was at about a 45° angle from the U joint in the rear, and that was the cause of the vibration.

I always like to learn new stuff, and I actually learned $385 worth. Considering the 300 K+ miles on the truck and drivetrain, and the weird stuff I’m doing with it, I went ahead and had it all checked for being straight and balanced anyway. But it was an expensive lesson to learn.

When it was all done, and I was just shooting the breeze with the guys in the shop, one of them said “did you know you could replace that with a one piece driveshaft?” I wonder why nobody on the forum mentioned that…

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

@Rick W , a few of us did mention it… you must have had your hearing aids off and your blinders on…

 

[Rick W]

Afterthought, but the driveline shop is an almost 100 year old family business. Pleasant people, good service, great knowledge, hospitality, and a thank you for doing business with us when you’re done.

They literally have driveline parts from model T’s to modern Peterbilts. Dirty, nasty, greasy pitstop kind of place off the main road, with all kinds of junk around the perimeter, sorted as if it was placed there by a large explosion in the middle of the place.

When I went out and walked Lincoln, I passed this stack of driveshafts that was marked “60s“.

my favorite was the show and tell assortment on the counter when you walk in the front door