Stringer's 2002 Ford Ranger V2.0 - Member's Projects Showcase - Tech Section

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mhoward
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Only problem I see with the flatbed is that it makes your truck look more like a service vehicle. Now everyone who sees it will think you are in business and will be trying to hire you! LOL Nice plan!

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So many mods... so little time...

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Posted: Tue Feb 4th, 2020 05:13 pm

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Scrambler82
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Interesting !
It could sendup looking real nice.

Maybe add some fold down/removable panels for the sides and back, that would take the sting off the "Service Vehicle" !

Good Luck to ya, this should be an interest thread.

Keep the pictures coming.

Last edited on Tue Feb 4th, 2020 05:14 pm by Scrambler82

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Ltr,
2003 EDGE, Std Cab, Steppie, E4 Red, 5sp, 4x
5" SuperLift, 33" x 12.50 x 15"
Hurst Shifter
Mod'd Backrack to fit Steppie
Front and Rear Bumpers by Custom 4x4 Fabrication, OK; now Mike's Welding and Fabrication.
Working on more Mods, just need more time, longer days would work !

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Posted: Tue Feb 4th, 2020 05:38 pm

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Stringer
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mhoward wrote:
Only problem I see with the flatbed is that it makes your truck look more like a service vehicle. Now everyone who sees it will think you are in business and will be trying to hire you! LOL Nice plan!

Scrambler82 wrote:
Interesting !
It could sendup looking real nice.

Maybe add some fold down/removable panels for the sides and back, that would take the sting off the "Service Vehicle" !

Good Luck to ya, this should be an interest thread.

Keep the pictures coming.
Well I do have my own mobile detailing business so if the service truck look makes them want to hire me, that would be alright with me lol

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OXFORD WHITE 2002 FORD RANGER SUPERCAB 4 DOOR XLT FX4 OFF ROAD 4.0L SOHC 4.10 GEARS V2.0

OXFORD WHITE 2002 FORD RANGER SUPERCAB 4 DOOR XLT FX4 OFF ROAD 4.0L SOHC 4.10 GEARS V1.0 - SOLD

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mhoward

Posted: Tue Feb 4th, 2020 07:11 pm

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Tsquare
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You need to add holes for a wooden stakeside.

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'04 XLT regular cab 3.slo stepside
Semi retirement

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Posted: Thu Feb 6th, 2020 09:46 am

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Idahome

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I love flatbeds
Once you have one you will not go back to a factory sheet metal bed. The factory beds are a HUGE waste of space, just to look cool and cover tires?
Flatbeds FAR MORE useful, headache rack, ladder rack built in, stake pockets for tall sides, ability to mount things like tool boxes, cranes, winches, vise...I can go on and on.
I love my flatbed trucks! This is a case where function over form looks better because the function is so useful that it actually starts to look good on the truck

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Stringer

Posted: Tue Feb 25th, 2020 10:06 am

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Stringer
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4th Update:

I had a bit of a problem Friday as I was leaving work. The truck overheated and was blowing coolant everywhere making it difficult to pinpoint where it was coming from. I had the truck hauled to a friends garage and we began trying to figure out the issue. After putting more antifreeze in the radiator and letting the truck run, we could see it leaking near the water pump. Saturday was spent acquiring a water pump and tearing the front of the engine apart to get to it. That fan clutch nut is a bear to get to and break loose lol. We decided the stopping point for the day would be once we got the water pump off. I will admit I had half a mind to keep going to the timing chain cover and replace the tensioners & chain while we were this far but I decided against it. I just wanted to get the truck back in operating condition before starting another project lol. I had that go bad on my first Ranger so I am well aware of what to expect and keep an ear out for down the road.

Sunday we put the truck back together and tested the new water pump out. It seemed to be working just fine with the coolant no longer leaking. With that being said, we noticed that the radiator wasn't staying full and the overflow tank was not compensating for any change. Despite this, I decided to take the truck home and monitor it. After the 30 mile drive home, the truck performed flawlessly and did not overheat - but the radiator needed topped off with another 1/2 gallon to fill it up. Moving into Monday morning, it is now time for me to go to work. I start down the road and I watch the temp gauge go up to hot and then almost immediately drop to cool within a slit second of each other. I got the truck off the road and sure enough coolant is blowing out underneath back towards the transmission. I had been carrying extra antifreeze with me incase something happened so I topped off the radiator with the remaining 1/2 gallon and got it back home. After a quick call into work to tell them I won't be making it, I started trouble shooting. Since the temp gauge spiked and immediately dropped, I starting thinking this is a possible thermostat issue - possibly getting stuck closed letting the engine overheat and finally giving way all at once forcing an abundance of coolant into the block which would account for the drastic drop in temperature. I did a little research and found that there is a pretty common issue with the thermostat housing cracking and letting coolant blow out the back and across the top of the block. Sure enough when I went out to look, I could see coolant laying in a puddle behind the housing and on top of the block. I ended up taking the truck back to the garage I was working in and began tearing down again to get to the housing. After unbolting the throttle body, we had a good view of the thermostat housing. At this point, I squeezed the upper radiator hose and we could see the coolant squirting out on the back of the housing. Unfortunately for my luck it was the lower thermostat housing piece that was cracked. I highly recommend looking up videos on how to remove this piece because there is very little room to work here and a lot of work needs done in very tight spaces - especially if you are not removing the intake like me.

Upper Housing & Thermostat removed revealing the Lower Housing:

After a lot of trial and error, we finally got the piece out. The plastic pretty much crumbled in our hands with how brittle it was. We bought a kit that had both housings, new thermostat, both sensors, and all new gaskets. It took quiet a few tries of putting the lower housing in at different angles and movements to get everything hooked back up and in place. After everything was bolted back up and reinstalled, we refilled the coolant and I instantly noticed the overflow tank was showing the correct level again.

It is now Tuesday and I am typing this from work where I drove to in the Ranger this morning. Coolant was full before I left this morning and not a single issue during my 30 mile drive here either. I believe the problem is fixed, thankfully.

So over the last 3 days, the truck now has new:
-Water Pump
-Thermostat
-Upper Thermostat Housing
-Lower Thermostat Housing
-Sensors
-Gaskets
-Radiator Cap

Still yet to come - rear frame swap, bed floor repair and shocks.... as long as nothing else goes wrong before then lol.

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Posted: Tue Feb 25th, 2020 10:46 am

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mhoward
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I have heard of those being a b*tch to change, but it sounds like you got it taken care of. :thumbsup:

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2003 Ranger Edge / Extended Cab / Flareside / 3.0L FLEX / 5r44e Auto / 2WD / 8.8 LS 4:10 / Sonic Blue Pearl

So many mods... so little time...

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Stringer

Posted: Tue Feb 25th, 2020 03:10 pm

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Stringer
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mhoward wrote:
I have heard of those being a b*tch to change, but it sounds like you got it taken care of. :thumbsup:

I can confirm that this is a 100% accurate statement lol. I checked everything on my lunch break and so far so good.

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Eddie Money

Posted: Wed Feb 26th, 2020 09:06 am

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Idahome

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usually remove the upper intake plenum as well and install new plenum gaskets/O rings
There are metal thermostat housings available these days on amazon/ ebay
Since you have to remove the thermostat housing and intake in order to change the drivers chain tensioner it is a good time to do this as well. Only use FORD tensioners, replace both sides. Ford recommends at 90K miles....

Well done, we have to do what we have to do to keep our rigs ready for work!

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Posted: Fri Apr 10th, 2020 09:34 pm

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Stringer
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5th Update:

Finally! I can officially say the rear frame swap is complete! This project pushed my limits and kicked my ass but it's done - 11 days later. The amount of rust was unbelievable.

I ended up having to cut off quiet a few bolts as well as grinding down the rivet heads due to the excessive rust. Even then, my rivets would not punch through. I spent close to 12 solid hours using a pry bar & sledge hammer to pry away the remaining old frame piece, but we did it.

In addition to the new rear frame, I put all new KYB Gas-A-Just shocks all the way around... I think they were over due lol.

To fix the blown out floor in the front of the bed, I took a piece of HDPE Sheet Stock and counter sunk some holes for the bed bolt. This gave me material for the bolts to grab onto and pull it down to the frame. To help support the bulkhead, I add 4 brackets with self tappers. Plopped then bedliner back in and you would never know. It's rock solid up front again.

All while doing this, I had a brake line blow out at the rear axle so I spend half a day fixing that.

With all that, this truck feels and rides like a brand new truck now. It feels so solid... well considering how frame was not solid, this shouldn't be any surprise lol. But, it's finally done and I'm beyond glad. With my employer being shut down by our governor due to Covid-19, this allowed me to do the project and for that, I am grateful during these tough times.

On the board next might be new seats & center console. I found a holy grail rolled over being parted out less than 10 miles from me. 2004 FX4 Level II. It has factory leather seats & the Pioneer full length center console with a sub & amp built in. The guy only wants $350 for it all which I think is a steal. I'd really like to jump on the factory Alcoa's & Torsen rear axle but he wants $500 for each. I'd be at $1,350 for all that lol. Although, he is also selling as a whole for $1,500... good 4.0, good tranny... I just don't have the space for a donor truck lol.

If anyone is near SWPA and wants the contact info on it, I can post it.

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Posted: Fri Apr 10th, 2020 09:49 pm

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Scrambler82
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Wow a lot of work.

The interior should work out, the rear axle, yes it is a large tube axle, 31 spline but it is limited in a lot of other way.
An Ex rear axle of the correct year could give you a large tube, 31 spine, Posi Rear Axle WITH Disc Brakes... and although I am not sure I would think less than the $500.
So I think you made a good move, look for an Ex Rear Axle, watch the years for the Disc Brakes.

The other thing I would check out is the rest of the Interior pieces, i.e. the door panels, all the other trim piece, rear seats, in the Ext. Cab; they all should fit your Ext. Cab and they are black.

Looking good so far !

Last edited on Fri Apr 10th, 2020 09:51 pm by Scrambler82

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Posted: Fri Apr 10th, 2020 09:56 pm

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Stringer
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He is asking an additional $350 for all of the black interior plastics. I was going to pass it up since my interior is grey with black accents - the black leather seats would still go with the color of my interior.

My current seats are beat. They are smashed, stained heavily and my driver seat is held together with duct tape on the edge lol. For $350, I'm really considering those new seats and console lol.

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Posted: Fri Apr 10th, 2020 10:49 pm

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Scrambler82
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Remember they don't make these parts anymore, consider getting a price for the full interior, maybe less than the $700 you have stated.

IF I was near and had the cash, I would make an offer for the full interior.

Ltr

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Posted: Sat Apr 11th, 2020 08:58 am

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mhoward
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If I was near, I would buy the entire truck.

____________________
-- Michael

2003 Ranger Edge / Extended Cab / Flareside / 3.0L FLEX / 5r44e Auto / 2WD / 8.8 LS 4:10 / Sonic Blue Pearl

So many mods... so little time...

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Stringer

Posted: Sat Apr 11th, 2020 09:55 am

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Idahome

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omg I would so buy that interior
That center console is the unicorn of Ranger parts

good job getting her back up and running!! This is a great time to keep yourself busy with projects like this

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Stringer

Posted: Sat Apr 11th, 2020 11:41 am

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Stringer
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410customs wrote:
omg I would so buy that interior
That center console is the unicorn of Ranger parts

good job getting her back up and running!! This is a great time to keep yourself busy with projects like this
I broke it to the wife that I'm probably buying that interior the beginning of next week . She said do whatever... I don't know if that was meant as â€œdo whatever, I don't careâ€ or â€œdo whatever and see what happensâ€ ðŸ¤·ðŸ»â€â™‚ï¸. There is only one way to find out! Lol

Edit:

I just saw the guy listed the whole truck as pending. I took too long I guess but I had to get my truck put back together before jumping on the seats & console. Oh well, if it falls through maybe I can grab them up. Otherwise, it wasn't meant to be I guess.

Last edited on Sat Apr 11th, 2020 11:45 am by Stringer

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Posted: Sat Apr 11th, 2020 11:55 am

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Scrambler82
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mhoward wrote:
If I was near, I would buy the entire truck.
RIGHT !

410customs wrote:
omg I would so buy that interior
That center console is the unicorn of Ranger parts

good job getting her back up and running!! This is a great time to keep yourself busy with projects like this
The center console is a winner fro sur, but the whole BLACK interior is the holy grail !

Stringer wrote:

I broke it to the wife that I'm probably buying that interior the beginning of next week . She said do whatever... I don't know if that was meant as â€œdo whatever, I don't careâ€ or â€œdo whatever and see what happensâ€ ðŸ¤·ðŸ»â€â™‚ï¸. There is only one way to find out! Lol

Edit:

I just saw the guy listed the whole truck as pending. I took too long I guess but I had to get my truck put back together before jumping on the seats & console. Oh well, if it falls through maybe I can grab them up. Otherwise, it wasn't meant to be I guess.
Woman are funny, their answers are always so convoluted BUT in this case bite the bullet and but the interior IF it comes back around, make it up to her later.
If she gets upset, explain is it a one in a lifetime thing, that can't be passed up or it WILL be gone, as it maybe !

The rear axle you can live with losing, there is alway an Exploder around somewhere but the BLACK Interior... NOT !

Good Luck, I hope you can get it.

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Posted: Sat Apr 11th, 2020 01:43 pm

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Idahome

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pending means cash talks
get over there! LOL

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Posted: Sun Apr 12th, 2020 08:30 pm

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Stringer
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6th Update:

This is a small one but I was able to track down a factory Hitch Receiver for $40 from a guy fairly local to me. Now that the frame is good to go and able to support it properly, it has been mounted up.

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Posted: Mon Apr 13th, 2020 09:59 am

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Idahome

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Im loving the concrete floor in the garage/shop there with the drain in it! Looks like a nice place to work!

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Stringer

Posted: Mon Apr 13th, 2020 10:28 am

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Stringer
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I wish I had a shop to work in lol. That is an apparatus bay floor at my fire department. Instead of rolling around in the mud at my house yesterday to bolt the hitch up, I pulled one of the trucks out real quick and did it there lol.

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Posted: Wed Apr 22nd, 2020 06:28 pm

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Stringer
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7th Update:

This one is minor. Since my wife has a side business making decals & custom cups and such, I took advantage of the machine and made some decals for myself today.

First up were the recreation 4.0L SOHC decals that I had my first Ranger.

Next up, I was feeling a little patriotic and always liked how this looked on other vehicles. Both rear SuperCab windows have these in matte black.

That's it for now but more is on the way. I am expecting quiet a few packages over the next week.

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Eddie Money ,410customs

Posted: Wed Apr 22nd, 2020 06:34 pm

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mhoward
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Sheeeeiiitttt! I really like those side window decals!!!!!

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2003 Ranger Edge / Extended Cab / Flareside / 3.0L FLEX / 5r44e Auto / 2WD / 8.8 LS 4:10 / Sonic Blue Pearl

So many mods... so little time...

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Scrambler82 ,Stringer

Posted: Wed Apr 22nd, 2020 07:41 pm

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Scrambler82
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X2 on the Window Decals, NICE... but I only have a Standard Cab, 2-dr., so won't fit !

Maybe n the rear window but put on from the inside.

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Stringer

Posted: Wed Apr 22nd, 2020 09:23 pm

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Stringer
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mhoward wrote:
Sheeeeiiitttt! I really like those side window decals!!!!!

Scrambler82 wrote:
X2 on the Window Decals, NICE... but I only have a Standard Cab, 2-dr., so won't fit !

Maybe n the rear window but put on from the inside.

It took some figuring to be able to cut them on my wife's machine. She can only cut up to 11.5â€ Wide X 23.5â€ Long. The decal needed to be more like 16â€ X 19â€. I had to cut them down and space out the additional stripes at the bottom. Wasn't too bad, just a couple extra steps lol.

Getting them on the truck was a different story. There are still a couple small bubbles in the vinyl but I plan on trying to work those out when it's a nice warm day lol. As for cutting them, I free handed it with an knife.

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Scrambler82