What did YOU do today?

[Rick W]

I don’t take my cap off as often as I used to. Back when I had my first Ranger I took the cap off frequently when I’d need an open bed. I used to wax the heck out of the bed rails to try and keep the foam tape from sticking so bad. Now when I need an open bed I just take the F-150.

I did find that the bulb style seal almost requires extra clamps. Or to bolt it down.

Setting a cap on a plastic bed liner is a recipe for problems, you will never get a good seal for one reason or another. I’ve always either used no bed liner or one that fits inside the bed and not over the rails.

I have found that older caps have a tendency to leak around the windows and stuff, especially fiberglass caps. It’s sometimes really hard to notice. I haven’t done it yet, but I’ve heard you can pull the trim, pull the screws and replace the seal there with butyl rope.

I would try a local cap/camper store for the seals. A good shop will sell you the stuff without a hassle.

You’ll never guess, but I got a deal on the fiberglass cap, and I got a deal on the bed liner when I got the truck. It’s a little weird to put the cap on top of the bed liner that goes over the bed side, but the only times I take the cap off is when I’m going to put gravel or something nasty in the bed, and I’d rather protect the truck. I’ve had it since 96, and I’m hoping I can make it last…

I do hate to do things that affect the overall look of the truck…

Oh, and I did take the side windows out and reseal them about five years after I got the thing. The biggest problem I’ve had over the years, is that I put on one of those rail system roof rack things, where the brackets can slide forward and backward in rails mounted directly to the cap. I had to take them on and off a couple times to finally get all the screw holes to seal, and now after 25 years of having the rails, the top of the truck is all warped since it doesn’t drain water around the rails, it’s like a little swimming pool. The only reason I never addressed that, is you have to be about 6’ four to be able to see up there at all.

 

[sgtsandman]

Wow, it looks like you’ve got more work and effort in that thing that I have in the whole Missing Linc!

You know, a good coat of rustoleum, and that thing will last forever.

A coat of something has crossed my mind since it will spend most of it's life out in the weather. The smaller cap on the 2019 is heavier and harder to work with than the one on the 2011, even though they are both reinforced caps to carry loads. Go figure. I wanted to make sure the cart would handle whatever I threw at it as a result.

As far as work, I spent maybe 8 hours on it. From my point of reference, that is a quick project. Compared to the trailer project, that ain't nothing. I probably have about two years worth of work in that thing, broken up over several years but added together, it's a big chunk of time.

 

[Rick W]

A coat of something has crossed my mind since it will spend most of it's life out in the weather. The smaller cap on the 2019 is heavier and harder to work with than the one on the 2011, even though they are both reinforced caps to carry loads. Go figure. I wanted to make sure the cart would handle whatever I threw at it as a result.

As far as work, I spend maybe 8 hours on it. From my point of reference, that is a quick project. Compared to the trailer project, that ain't nothing. I probably have about two years worth of work in that thing, broken up over several years but added together, it's a big chunk of time.

I’m also quite impressed with the attention to detail, it’s obviously very well done. I wish I had the patience, and now the health, to do things like that like when I was younger. It’s great, and it’s inspiring to the other folks in the young folks. My comments on hanging the cap or certainly no criticism, it was just a matter of providing options for the young folks, and I think you knew that.

Have I ever mentioned that I think rustoleum is a good product for many things? I would mix up a little bit of 50-50 paint and mineral spirits, and bathe that thing, so it will sink in the surface. Wait a day, but don’t let it totally cure, and then hit it with at least one coat of the full strength stuff. It’ll last 20 years.

Whenever I’m working about my rusty and beat up, weird projects, if I’m working down in some dark corner, before I pull out, I’ll mix up some 50-50 and splash it all around, and then do a second coat with full strength. It might not be perfect, but it’s 99% as good, and avoids a lot of problems later.

I’m jealous of your projects, they’re obviously won’t fall out, functional, and cool

 

[sgtsandman]

I’m also quite impressed with the attention to detail, it’s obviously very well done. I wish I had the patience, and now the health, to do things like that like when I was younger. It’s great, and it’s inspiring to the other folks in the young folks. My comments on hanging the cap or certainly no criticism, it was just a matter of providing options for the young folks, and I think you knew that.

Have I ever mentioned that I think rustoleum is a good product for many things? I would mix up a little bit of 50-50 paint and mineral spirits, and bathe that thing, so it will sink in the surface. Wait a day, but don’t let it totally cure, and then hit it with at least one coat of the full strength stuff. It’ll last 20 years.

Whenever I’m working about my rusty and beat up, weird projects, if I’m working down in some dark corner, before I pull out, I’ll mix up some 50-50 and splash it all around, and then do a second coat with full strength. It might not be perfect, but it’s 99% as good, and avoids a lot of problems later.

I’m jealous of your projects, they’re obviously won’t fall out, functional, and cool

Thank you for the compliment and I knew you were trying to help. The system you suggest would be way superior, if I had the place to rig it.

I've learned a thing or two from youtube channels, like Engle's Carriage Shop and a couple others, that helped immensely in getting it done well, quickly, and efficiently. I got a quick plan in my head, measured what I expected to go in it, and factored in an uneven, tired driveway that it would have to move on. There wasn't a lot of patience, other than getting the thing square after the base was built and the braces were about to be put on. Heck, nothing was even sanded except for where the handles are. It was all pretty much slapped together and called "good enough".

Heck, I put more patience and care into those stupid tinder boxes I built than this. All because I was curious how good of a job I could do if I set my mind to it.

 

[Bill]

I put a burrito in the microwave and didn't notice I accidentally pressed an extra zero until it started burning.

 

[sgtsandman]

I managed to get most of the cap hoist thing done today. I was working on the final center of balance to place the giant eye bolt when and evening summer storm rolled in. So, I guess I get to work on that tomorrow.

If all that goes well and I successfully get the cap off the floor and out of the garage, I can then start setting up to build the bed drawer box for the 2019.

As far as the cart, I was looking around the garage, while putting stuff back where it belongs and found the left over gallon of paint/stain from when I redid the picnic rable and benches. So, I guess the cart is going to be picnic table red. Not my favorite but it's just a cart and I already have it.

 

[97RangerXLT]

mowed the lawn before central Indiana turns into Satan's armpit tomorrow and the next 5 days

AJ

 

[scotts90ranger]

Finished fixing the other bench for the boat tonight then was staring at it and trying to figure out the other quick thing to do so I cut out the old exhaust which was a pain in the rear since it was 3" by like 3/16" wall tubing. Started out with the dremel and a 1 1/2" circular saw bit which REALLY made the dremel mad, then I realized I have a 1/8" collet for the die grinder which worked much better... The reason for that is the new engine has 4" exhaust which is the new standard, I got some through hulls from work so next step on that is grinding the mess I made tonight flat then taking the body saw or something or other and cutting 4" holes...

 

[holyford86]

Managed to install one of the two windows I bought for the overland camper. Tomorrow I'm going to try getting the one remaining window in and the rest of the woodwork done.

 

[sgtsandman]

It works! It needed a bit more balancing after it was hanging on the chain hoist hook but by golly it works! The duct tape is to protect the left over pipe insulation I had in the garage loft. Staples tacked it in place and then I wrapped the crap out of it with duct tape to make sure it pull away and to help prevent it from getting busted up. Pipe insulation really wasn't designed for what I'm using it for. I also had some left over rubber seal from when I redid the cap seal that I used as bumpers where the metal hook fasteners are. There wasn't much I could do about the hinge pins on the strap hinges or the hooks themselves but I had some left over foam packing from the RTT that I used to cover the fasteners attaching the hinge leaves to the wood.

Folded up to be stored away somewhere. Probably in the metal shed now that there is some room in there.

Cap stored away on the cart. Nice and out of the way. I have a poly tarp covering the top and the open bottom of the cap since it is lined with carpet.

 

[sgtsandman]

I also did some work in the plumbing for the solar shower so that short people can reach the on/off valve. I got most of the leaks address but the one for the valve it self. Whatever the Chinese use isn't pipe thread. I'm hoping the the pipe putty does the trick. I'll check to see if it's dried tomorrow and try again.

 

[Robertmangrum.rm]

I went to a local offroad club event today. Wore my TRS gear to represent of course. I was the only Ranger. 1 F150 and 1 F150 Raptor. Then a sea of Toyotas and 1 Jeep.

 

[scotts90ranger]

Today I went to an auction again (I go to support my brother being a farmer without debt... I'm the truck driver basically and obviously mechanic if you pay attention ). Anywho kept the impulse buys and tools I don't need to a minimum, got a roofing nail gun with most of a case of nails (garage roof needs attention within a year), almost 9 full boxes of .17 HMR for $80 (one is short 5) and the rest was pretty random but minimal... Then when I got home I started grinding on the boat exhaust, grinding aluminum sucks... I got both sides of both holes flat so far though, next step is enlarging but I just stopped for dinner.

 

[scotts90ranger]

Well that frustrating project is done for now... it's not the most fun to cut a 4" hole in 1/8" aluminum with a body saw (jig saw would have been the same or worse I'm pretty sure, would have been more awkward at least) but it got me there. Of course had to spend a fair amount with a die grinder to get the holes cleaned up (I cut a bit on the small side, better safe than sorry).

Now that I'm done making a mess in the boat I need to clean up real good then work on the flooring tomorrow. I "think" I'm on track for where I wanted to be this weekend... unfortunately I'm losing a few days this week since I'm getting shipped to the Pensacola area on Tuesday through Thursday...

 

[Rick W]

My arm, from the surgery, is still really inflamed from the trip to National’s a couple weeks ago. So I’ve been watching the news about the B2s and the bombing.

Those B2s come from Missouri. They had to refuel three or four times on the way to Iran, the bombs weighed 30,000 pounds apiece times two, etc., etc.

Then I remembered I bought my 78 Continental Mark V in Missouri. It weighed 60,000 pounds and I had to fill it up 3-4 times on the way back to Atlanta, too, so I could sympathize with what those guys went through. At least it hasn’t blown up yet.