2002 Ranger FX4 - Modded for dirt! - Ford Explorer Ranger Enthusiasts "Serious Explorations"®

DesertSpive · 10-27-2002, 11:00 AM

Hey guys, I got my '02 FX4 in December 2001. It wa one of the first manual FX4s ordered and one of the first manual FX4s deliver in the Western US. I love this truck and plan to get years of use out of it. Here are some stats and pictures...

Base Vehicle
2002 Ford Ranger XLT FX4 SC Silver Frost Metallic/Ebony Interior

Bed Rail Delete

Tow Package

Engine/Drivetrain
4.0L SOHC V-6 w/K&N FIPK, Custom SpinTech Exhaust, and SuperChips

Manual Transmission

Manual T-Case

Dana/Sterling 35 Standard Rotation Front Differential w/4.10 Gears and PowerTrax No-Slip Front Locker

31-Spline 8.8 Rear End w/4.10 Gears, Torsen L/S, and SVO Axle Girdle/Cover

Suspension
Pre-Production RCD 5" Coil-Over Lift, Featuring Special Bilstein Non-Resevior 6100s Front and 5100s Rear w/Deaver rear springs, RCD Traction Arms, and a Stainless RCD Skidplate.

Front Factory Sway Bar

Wheels/Tires
15x7 Ford/Alcoa hot forged wheels.

33x12.5 Bridgestone Dueler M/T tires

Superlift TruSpeed Speedometer Calibrator

Communicaion
Cobra WX ST 75 Remote Mount CB

Francis Amazer Fiberglass Antenna

Lighting
PIAA Pro 80 XT Lights

RCD Stainless Lightbar

Audio
Factory Dual Media Head Unit w/ Tremor Speakers

Accessories/Convenience
Electorchromatic Rearview Mirror w/Temp and Compass

Bed X-Tender

Line-X Over-The-Rail Bed Liner

Light Tint on Front Windows

Can-Back Pachyderm Top

Synthetic Fluids

Genuine Steel Receiver Shackle

Sound Deadening

Pictures
The Old '94 Splash 4x4:

Brand New:

First Off-Road Outing:

33x10.5s at Stock Height:

K&N FIPK and Pre-Filter

Adding Sound Deadening:

continued...

DesertSpive · 10-27-2002, 11:06 AM

Pismo:

Near 29 Palms:

Joshua Tree:

Undergoing RCD Transformation:

33x12.5 Bridgestone Dueler M/Ts:

coninued...

DesertSpive · 10-27-2002, 11:16 AM

The Mojave Road:

--Sean

*FourXFred* · 11-09-2002, 01:35 PM

dude, some kick ass pics of your awesome ranger! I like the last picture the best, bridges are for pussies.

DesertSpive · 11-10-2002, 05:12 PM

Thanks bro! There still is alot more work to do, but I am having fun with it.

--Sean

espnfreak · 11-10-2002, 05:17 PM

Nice pic in the water, how deep was it? Overall loooks like you put a TON of work into your ride, and it definately looks like a great offroad rig!

DesertSpive · 11-11-2002, 10:30 AM

The water there was about 28" deep or so. Thanks for the compliments I really have worked hard on my truck. I still have alot more to do, but I am getting there.

--Sean

**RangerX** · 11-11-2002, 07:40 PM

Sean, what's the next couple mods going to be?

DesertSpive · 11-14-2002, 02:55 PM

Custom Deavers are being made now, gotta do a slight exhaust modification, hopefully sliders before TruckHaven, and I should be getting the rest of the skid plating and the light bar back soon.

In the next year I would like to add GPS, JBA headers, Optima battery and a few other things. After that, I may do a regear to 4.56s. Eventually I'd like a front bumper and winch, some way to mount a rear tire, and a better CB mount. But for now the truck is real close to where I want it.

Next spring, hopefully, it'll be CJ-2A project time.

--Sean

*DB_1* · 11-14-2002, 07:41 PM

I'd save your money as far the headers go, I have the silver ceramic JBA's and there's no noticeable difference in performance or sound....just my experience,
Dave

jonny 5 · 11-14-2002, 07:48 PM

Pics like those make me want to win the lottery, move out west, and buy/modify a ranger/F150. Very nice rig!

lonestar · 12-20-2002, 02:07 PM

Is the new wore off yet, a little too new to abuse for me..

Nice truck, looks good........

Good to hear you can still order manual tcase, but those shifters are ugly, they look like an old 70's 3 spd.

Have fun..

DesertSpive · 12-21-2002, 02:09 PM

Thanks for the compliments. I have had it a year and have about 16,000 miles on it now, so yeah the newness is gone. But I still use it as my daily driver, so I do try to wheel reasonably.

After the next round of mods and wheeling, I will have more pics posted.

And I like the shifters.

--Sean

DesertSpive · 01-17-2003, 01:12 PM

Added a few mods this past week. I got the RCD light bar a skid plate back, mounted up the PIAA XT 80 Pros, installed a superlift driveshaft, new Deaver springs, limiting straps, bumpstop extentions, replaced a granaded front axle shaft, added some billet interior trim pieces and finally washed the truck again!

Here are some pictures of the new stuff.

--Sean

*bates* · 01-27-2003, 09:49 PM

Man I love that truck! I think the canvas cap is badass, it just says offroad.

hey are those billet switches just covers? like do they snap over top?

DesertSpive · 01-28-2003, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bates
Man I love that truck! I think the canvas cap is badass, it just says offroad.

hey are those billet switches just covers? like do they snap over top?

Ha, ha! Thanks man! Hopefully I will be up and running soon. I should be installing the new RCD diff bracket this week.

The billet switches are way cool... They feel real high quality to operate. To install them to pull the old switch out and pop the rocker off and pop these new billet ones on. Real high quality.

--Sean

Ken Cooke · 02-27-2003, 07:59 PM

Sean,

I think you outta travel with us for this year's Baja Mountain Trail Run (August '03). The last one was in '01, and we are working on an agenda that will include rock crawling, sand, trails with deep water crossings, etc. - The best that Baja has to offer! I think you'd have fun out there with us! So far, there'll be 2 built Jeep CJs, 1 built Jeep YJ, and 1 built Ford Ranger (TTB). I'd like to see your IFS on the trail, and the guys at RCD would probably be impressed with your testing the Ranger down in Baja!

-Ken

mr.beanz · 03-18-2003, 05:52 PM

Sean, I have to throw you major props for that truck of yours. Can I steal it? j/k. Those are some great photos, I love all the mods you've done. The lift looks good and that canvas back looks like your truck was meant to venture out for weeks on an expedition ;D.

Where is 29 palms though? I wouldn't mind going out there.

DesertSpive · 03-21-2003, 01:09 PM

Thanks beanz! The 29 Palms area is out by Joshua Tree Nat'l Park.

--Sean

Not Yet · 05-27-2003, 08:38 PM

That's awesome, man! I was shocked (in a good way!

) when Ford put a manual tranny AND transfer case in that FX4 package...I thought for sure manual t-cases were going the way of the Dodo! Now if they'd just slap that package on Explorer Sports & Sport Tracs...

Just throwing stuff at the walls here, but I wonder how impossible it would be to transplant that FX4 manual t-case into say a 2001 Ex Sport...? Heck, why not the tranny while we're at it, right?!? What tranny is that, anyway...it's not the ol' M5OD is it? I thought they were supposed to come out with an 'all-new, heavy-duty' unit...in fact, I just saw an article touting the manual tranny as a late-availability option on the '04 model...?

Ah, I like to dream and babble...Have fun!

10-27-2002, 11:00 AM	#1
DesertSpive Elite Explorer Huntington Beach, CA '02 Ranger FX4 Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 772 Vehicle Specs	2002 Ranger FX4 - Modded for dirt! Hey guys, I got my '02 FX4 in December 2001. It wa one of the first manual FX4s ordered and one of the first manual FX4s deliver in the Western US. I love this truck and plan to get years of use out of it. Here are some stats and pictures... Base Vehicle 2002 Ford Ranger XLT FX4 SC Silver Frost Metallic/Ebony Interior Bed Rail Delete Tow Package Engine/Drivetrain 4.0L SOHC V-6 w/K&N FIPK, Custom SpinTech Exhaust, and SuperChips Manual Transmission Manual T-Case Dana/Sterling 35 Standard Rotation Front Differential w/4.10 Gears and PowerTrax No-Slip Front Locker 31-Spline 8.8 Rear End w/4.10 Gears, Torsen L/S, and SVO Axle Girdle/Cover Suspension Pre-Production RCD 5" Coil-Over Lift, Featuring Special Bilstein Non-Resevior 6100s Front and 5100s Rear w/Deaver rear springs, RCD Traction Arms, and a Stainless RCD Skidplate. Front Factory Sway Bar Wheels/Tires 15x7 Ford/Alcoa hot forged wheels. 33x12.5 Bridgestone Dueler M/T tires Superlift TruSpeed Speedometer Calibrator Communicaion Cobra WX ST 75 Remote Mount CB Francis Amazer Fiberglass Antenna Lighting PIAA Pro 80 XT Lights RCD Stainless Lightbar Audio Factory Dual Media Head Unit w/ Tremor Speakers Accessories/Convenience Electorchromatic Rearview Mirror w/Temp and Compass Bed X-Tender Line-X Over-The-Rail Bed Liner Light Tint on Front Windows Can-Back Pachyderm Top Synthetic Fluids Genuine Steel Receiver Shackle Sound Deadening Pictures The Old '94 Splash 4x4: Brand New: First Off-Road Outing: 33x10.5s at Stock Height: K&N FIPK and Pre-Filter Adding Sound Deadening: continued... __________________ www.offroadrangers.com Administrator www.fourwheeler.com '94 Ranger Splash S/C 4x4 RIP '02 Ford Ranger FX4 - EE Blown 4.0L SOHC, MANual Trans and MANual T-case, DBR LT Suspension seanpholman@mac.com Last edited by DesertSpive; 10-27-2002 at 11:09 AM.

10-27-2002, 11:16 AM	#3
DesertSpive Elite Explorer Huntington Beach, CA '02 Ranger FX4 Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 772 Vehicle Specs	The Mojave Road: --Sean __________________ www.offroadrangers.com Administrator www.fourwheeler.com '94 Ranger Splash S/C 4x4 RIP '02 Ford Ranger FX4 - EE Blown 4.0L SOHC, MANual Trans and MANual T-case, DBR LT Suspension seanpholman@mac.com

11-09-2002, 01:35 PM	#4
FourXFred Masshole Boston, MA 02 EB Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 1,363 Vehicle Specs	dude, some kick ass pics of your awesome ranger! I like the last picture the best, bridges are for pussies. __________________ 4.6, RB 3 inch spacers, 265/75 BFG AT's, Brown wire mod, K&N cold air intake. 2ND rear end, 100th wheel bearing.

11-10-2002, 05:12 PM	#5
DesertSpive Elite Explorer Huntington Beach, CA '02 Ranger FX4 Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 772 Vehicle Specs	Thanks bro! There still is alot more work to do, but I am having fun with it. --Sean __________________ www.offroadrangers.com Administrator www.fourwheeler.com '94 Ranger Splash S/C 4x4 RIP '02 Ford Ranger FX4 - EE Blown 4.0L SOHC, MANual Trans and MANual T-case, DBR LT Suspension seanpholman@mac.com

11-10-2002, 05:17 PM	#6
espnfreak Wannabe Elite Explorer Elgin, IL '99 Maxima SE-L 5spd Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 3,820 Vehicle Specs*	Nice pic in the water, how deep was it? Overall loooks like you put a TON of work into your ride, and it definately looks like a great offroad rig! __________________ Mechanical Engineering @ Purdue University 1996 Ford Explorer - TOTALLED Life's A Garden - Dig It '99 Maxima SE-Limited 5 spd - 42,000 mi, fully loaded, silver

10-27-2002, 11:06 AM	#2
DesertSpive Elite Explorer Huntington Beach, CA '02 Ranger FX4 Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 772 Vehicle Specs	Pismo: Near 29 Palms: Joshua Tree: Undergoing RCD Transformation: 33x12.5 Bridgestone Dueler M/Ts: coninued...

11-11-2002, 10:30 AM	#7
DesertSpive Elite Explorer Huntington Beach, CA '02 Ranger FX4 Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 772 Vehicle Specs	The water there was about 28" deep or so. Thanks for the compliments I really have worked hard on my truck. I still have alot more to do, but I am getting there. --Sean __________________ www.offroadrangers.com Administrator www.fourwheeler.com '94 Ranger Splash S/C 4x4 RIP '02 Ford Ranger FX4 - EE Blown 4.0L SOHC, MANual Trans and MANual T-case, DBR LT Suspension seanpholman@mac.com

11-11-2002, 07:40 PM	#8
RangerX Moderator Elite Ranger Vista, CA '93 Ranger XLT Join Date: Jul 1999 Posts: 5,916 Vehicle Specs	Sean, what's the next couple mods going to be? __________________ Bill Collins 93 Ranger XLT 4X4 - Full width D44/8.8 in the works "Beauty is only sheet metal deep." ------------------------------ www.firemountaintikis.com

11-14-2002, 02:55 PM	#9
DesertSpive Elite Explorer Huntington Beach, CA '02 Ranger FX4 Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 772 Vehicle Specs	Custom Deavers are being made now, gotta do a slight exhaust modification, hopefully sliders before TruckHaven, and I should be getting the rest of the skid plating and the light bar back soon. In the next year I would like to add GPS, JBA headers, Optima battery and a few other things. After that, I may do a regear to 4.56s. Eventually I'd like a front bumper and winch, some way to mount a rear tire, and a better CB mount. But for now the truck is real close to where I want it. Next spring, hopefully, it'll be CJ-2A project time. --Sean __________________ www.offroadrangers.com Administrator www.fourwheeler.com '94 Ranger Splash S/C 4x4 RIP '02 Ford Ranger FX4 - EE Blown 4.0L SOHC, MANual Trans and MANual T-case, DBR LT Suspension seanpholman@mac.com

11-14-2002, 07:41 PM	#10
DB_1 shark sugar La Quinta, Ca. 97 SC Ranger xlt Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 2,578 Vehicle Specs	I'd save your money as far the headers go, I have the silver ceramic JBA's and there's no noticeable difference in performance or sound....just my experience, Dave

11-14-2002, 07:48 PM	#11
jonny 5 Wannabe Elite Explorer Seekonk, MA 02771 (home), N. Dartmouth, MA (college) '98 XLT SOHC Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 920 Vehicle Specs	Pics like those make me want to win the lottery, move out west, and buy/modify a ranger/F150. Very nice rig! __________________ Westin Safari Bar, Bugdeflector II, Lund Windjammer, KKM, Edelbrock ISA shocks, custom painted vinyl.

12-20-2002, 02:07 PM	#12
lonestar Wannabe Elite Explorer lou,ky 91 XLT, 02 XLS Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 1,976 Vehicle Specs	Is the new wore off yet, a little too new to abuse for me.. Nice truck, looks good........ Good to hear you can still order manual tcase, but those shifters are ugly, they look like an old 70's 3 spd. Have fun..

12-21-2002, 02:09 PM	#13
DesertSpive Elite Explorer Huntington Beach, CA '02 Ranger FX4 Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 772 Vehicle Specs	Thanks for the compliments. I have had it a year and have about 16,000 miles on it now, so yeah the newness is gone. But I still use it as my daily driver, so I do try to wheel reasonably. After the next round of mods and wheeling, I will have more pics posted. And I like the shifters. --Sean __________________ www.offroadrangers.com Administrator www.fourwheeler.com '94 Ranger Splash S/C 4x4 RIP '02 Ford Ranger FX4 - EE Blown 4.0L SOHC, MANual Trans and MANual T-case, DBR LT Suspension seanpholman@mac.com

01-17-2003, 01:12 PM	#14
DesertSpive Elite Explorer Huntington Beach, CA '02 Ranger FX4 Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 772 Vehicle Specs	UPDATE Added a few mods this past week. I got the RCD light bar a skid plate back, mounted up the PIAA XT 80 Pros, installed a superlift driveshaft, new Deaver springs, limiting straps, bumpstop extentions, replaced a granaded front axle shaft, added some billet interior trim pieces and finally washed the truck again! Here are some pictures of the new stuff. --Sean __________________ www.offroadrangers.com Administrator www.fourwheeler.com '94 Ranger Splash S/C 4x4 RIP '02 Ford Ranger FX4 - EE Blown 4.0L SOHC, MANual Trans and MANual T-case, DBR LT Suspension seanpholman@mac.com

01-27-2003, 09:49 PM	#15
bates Shine on Benevolent Sun Kingston, Ontario, Canada 1991 Eddie Bauer 4x4 4dr Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 1,183 Vehicle Specs	Man I love that truck! I think the canvas cap is badass, it just says offroad. hey are those billet switches just covers? like do they snap over top? __________________ Josh Johnston 2006 Toyota Yaris RS <-- beater 1991 Explorer 4dr 4x4 EB 1989 Mustang LX 5.0L

02-27-2003, 07:59 PM	#17
Ken Cooke Wannabe Elite Explorer Riverside, California '03 Rubicon - Tomb Raider Join Date: Apr 2000 Posts: 2,086 Vehicle Specs	Sean, I think you outta travel with us for this year's Baja Mountain Trail Run (August '03). The last one was in '01, and we are working on an agenda that will include rock crawling, sand, trails with deep water crossings, etc. - The best that Baja has to offer! I think you'd have fun out there with us! So far, there'll be 2 built Jeep CJs, 1 built Jeep YJ, and 1 built Ford Ranger (TTB). I'd like to see your IFS on the trail, and the guys at RCD would probably be impressed with your testing the Ranger down in Baja! -Ken __________________ ::::Tomb Raider #815 Website:::: Mods: 4" Pro-Comp w/MX-6/Tera-Flex Discos/33" TrXus Muds/K&N FIPK/Optima/Cobra CB/Rock-It & TeraFlex Skidz

03-18-2003, 05:52 PM	#18
mr.beanz Wannabe Elite Explorer CA Ranger '00 XLT Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 8 Vehicle Specs	Sean, I have to throw you major props for that truck of yours. Can I steal it? j/k. Those are some great photos, I love all the mods you've done. The lift looks good and that canvas back looks like your truck was meant to venture out for weeks on an expedition ;D. Where is 29 palms though? I wouldn't mind going out there. __________________ Blue Oval Pride =D.

03-21-2003, 01:09 PM	#19
DesertSpive Elite Explorer Huntington Beach, CA '02 Ranger FX4 Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 772 Vehicle Specs	Thanks beanz! The 29 Palms area is out by Joshua Tree Nat'l Park. --Sean __________________ www.offroadrangers.com Administrator www.fourwheeler.com '94 Ranger Splash S/C 4x4 RIP '02 Ford Ranger FX4 - EE Blown 4.0L SOHC, MANual Trans and MANual T-case, DBR LT Suspension seanpholman@mac.com

05-27-2003, 08:38 PM	#20
Not Yet Wannabe Elite Explorer Seattle, WA '00 F-150, '76 Bronco Join Date: Feb 2000 Posts: 49 Vehicle Specs	FX4 Explorer Sport...? :D That's awesome, man! I was shocked (in a good way! ) when Ford put a manual tranny AND transfer case in that FX4 package...I thought for sure manual t-cases were going the way of the Dodo! Now if they'd just slap that package on Explorer Sports & Sport Tracs... Just throwing stuff at the walls here, but I wonder how impossible it would be to transplant that FX4 manual t-case into say a 2001 Ex Sport...? Heck, why not the tranny while we're at it, right?!? What tranny is that, anyway...it's not the ol' M5OD is it? I thought they were supposed to come out with an 'all-new, heavy-duty' unit...in fact, I just saw an article touting the manual tranny as a late-availability option on the '04 model...? Ah, I like to dream and babble...Have fun!