Daniel's (Insert Catch Phrase Here) '03 Ranger

**Tbars4** · 08-25-2010, 10:13 PM

...Cool pics and always glad to see the old folks out wheeling too...

*Scott B.* · 08-26-2010, 09:20 AM

Hard to believe it was almost a year ago that we out there.

Looks like you had great weather.

And, of course, the Ranger looks good in the mountains!

Marcus Aurelius · 09-06-2010, 09:01 AM

Hey Daniel,

Just curious, what would be your review of your Bestop Supertop? I am thinking about a cap of somesort for my ranger. I like the durability of a fiberglass cap, but I'm not sure I want to have it be almost permanent. I really only want bed protection for autumn, winter, and a bit of spring. I like the look of the Supertop and it's folding ability, but I'm not sure how long it will last.

I know Bestop rates the top for 3-5 years, but I would like to get more years out of one if I had it. I see you have had your ranger for over 72,000 miles and
-want to know how long you have had your supertop?
Are you pleased with it?
Would you recommend it?
Is it worth it?
If properly maintained, will it last longer than 3-5 years?

Thanks

*dkchrist* · 09-06-2010, 12:16 PM

I don't know it is still in the air. I have had mine a year and a half. I had mine on solid for that time and the zippers are showing a little weathering but the top itself looks new. I am beginning to use it just for winter/fall since I have a place to store it.

As far as my thoughts on it.

In high winds, you can't travel 80 mph (oh, well the ranger is slow anywho)

I am very pleased with it and I would recommend it for the occasional topper user.

It comes off very nicely. If you are concerned about the price, start looking at fiberglass toppers. I priced them before I bought this one, and it would cost me three times what this one did. If figure if this one dies in 3-5 years, I will still be money ahead to buy another one.

Marcus Aurelius · 09-08-2010, 08:41 AM

That is a good point. If you said that the fiberglass cap would cost 3 times that, and each bestop lasts you about 5 years, you would go through 3 bestops over 15 years and cost the same price as a fiberglass topper. And you may not keep the truck for that long, so it may be worth it.

Thanks for the info.

*dkchrist* · 09-29-2010, 09:32 PM

And so it begins...

The plans for a hp d44 from a 79 fs bronco

:
Zip Locker
4.56s
complete rebuild (mostly stock)

Oh...and 6 inches narrower

*dkchrist* · 11-07-2010, 09:53 PM

Sweet progress...

It is 6 inches narrower (eb width)

yellowford · 11-09-2010, 07:50 PM

Progress looks awesome, are you going to be able to just run EB shafts with the narrowed width.

*Limited02* · 11-09-2010, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yellowford

Progress looks awesome, are you going to be able to just run EB shafts with the narrowed width.

If he lucks out like I did, his stock shaft should bolt right up.

yellowford · 11-09-2010, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Limited02

If he lucks out like I did, his stock shaft should bolt right up.

I was talking about the axleshafts since he is changing the width.

*dkchrist* · 11-10-2010, 06:03 PM

Yup, the plan is aftermarket Spicer shafts (760x) u-joint. As for the d-shaft it may bolt up but might end up being too short.

*dkchrist* · 05-06-2012, 09:51 PM

The mailman dropped of some fun presents.

The build is starting. Picture will come with the progress.

*gmanpaint* · 05-06-2012, 10:02 PM

*bronco2guy* · 05-15-2012, 07:27 AM

Looking good!!

*dkchrist* · 09-24-2012, 10:17 PM

More Progress. New bearings, air locker, new brakes, warn premiums, and a little custom color. Now waiting to start towards the end of the month.

*Limited02* · 09-25-2012, 06:59 AM

Looks to be coming along nicely!!!

Is it worth having the dust shields on? Mine used to get clogged with mud and it was a pain to clean, so I took them off if I remember correctly.

**Turdle** · 09-25-2012, 10:27 AM

That is going to work nicely under your Ranger. Pictures can't get the true tone of the green, but it is going to look sick with the dark blue

*dkchrist* · 09-25-2012, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Progress looks awesome, are you going to be able to just run EB shafts with the narrowed width.

The EB shaft was perfect 6 in. off the long side.

Quote:

Is it worth having the dust shields on? Mine used to get clogged with mud and it was a pain to clean, so I took them off if I remember correctly.

This truck doesn't really see any mud unless it prevents me from getting to a rock garden. So I am not too worried about the dust covers.

The green looks rocking on the axle. I took those with a cell phone.

Man, this thing has serious lead in its drawers now that it is back together.

*dkchrist* · 10-08-2012, 10:09 PM

Doh! More projects rather than progress...just picked up a lightly used warn XD9000 Pictures to follow.

*2TimingTom* · 10-08-2012, 10:43 PM

I like it!

08-25-2010, 10:13 PM	#61
Tbars4 Offroad Moderator anaheim hills,california 95 ranger 4x4/ 91 X 4x4 Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 21,907 Vehicle Specs	...Cool pics and always glad to see the old folks out wheeling too... __________________ I have Rocks in my head. What's in yours? '95 ranger xl 4x4 2.3L std cab, 2 sticks Ranger RegistryThe Squirrel '91 4x4=To much to list, much more to add.. Project "X" and more Pics & Mod's List How to: Wheels,Tires, & Lifts... Buy Explorerforum.com Items here

08-26-2010, 09:20 AM	#62
Scott B. Elite Ranger GA '93 Ranger XLT, 06 FX4 L2 Join Date: Feb 1999 Posts: 2,457 Vehicle Specs	Hard to believe it was almost a year ago that we out there. Looks like you had great weather. And, of course, the Ranger looks good in the mountains! __________________ Scott NRA Life Member EMT-I, UFWDA Chief Instructor 1993 Ranger XLT V8, Modified 2006 Ranger FX4 Level II, Modified

09-06-2010, 09:01 AM	#63
Marcus Aurelius Wannabe Elite Explorer Toms River, NJ 2001 XLT Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 313 Vehicle Specs	Hey Daniel, Just curious, what would be your review of your Bestop Supertop? I am thinking about a cap of somesort for my ranger. I like the durability of a fiberglass cap, but I'm not sure I want to have it be almost permanent. I really only want bed protection for autumn, winter, and a bit of spring. I like the look of the Supertop and it's folding ability, but I'm not sure how long it will last. I know Bestop rates the top for 3-5 years, but I would like to get more years out of one if I had it. I see you have had your ranger for over 72,000 miles and -want to know how long you have had your supertop? Are you pleased with it? Would you recommend it? Is it worth it? If properly maintained, will it last longer than 3-5 years? Thanks __________________ Marc Josephsen 2001 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr. 4.0 V6 SOHC 4WD

09-06-2010, 12:16 PM	#64
dkchrist I am here...I think Ellsworth, KS '03 Ranger XLT 4x4 Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,274 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	I don't know it is still in the air. I have had mine a year and a half. I had mine on solid for that time and the zippers are showing a little weathering but the top itself looks new. I am beginning to use it just for winter/fall since I have a place to store it. As far as my thoughts on it. In high winds, you can't travel 80 mph (oh, well the ranger is slow anywho) I am very pleased with it and I would recommend it for the occasional topper user. It comes off very nicely. If you are concerned about the price, start looking at fiberglass toppers. I priced them before I bought this one, and it would cost me three times what this one did. If figure if this one dies in 3-5 years, I will still be money ahead to buy another one. __________________ My 2003 Ranger Deep Blue- My Registry My Ranger for Sale Daniel

09-08-2010, 08:41 AM	#65
Marcus Aurelius Wannabe Elite Explorer Toms River, NJ 2001 XLT Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 313 Vehicle Specs	That is a good point. If you said that the fiberglass cap would cost 3 times that, and each bestop lasts you about 5 years, you would go through 3 bestops over 15 years and cost the same price as a fiberglass topper. And you may not keep the truck for that long, so it may be worth it. Thanks for the info. __________________ Marc Josephsen 2001 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr. 4.0 V6 SOHC 4WD

09-29-2010, 09:32 PM	#66
dkchrist I am here...I think Ellsworth, KS '03 Ranger XLT 4x4 Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,274 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	And so it begins... The plans for a hp d44 from a 79 fs bronco : Zip Locker 4.56s complete rebuild (mostly stock) Oh...and 6 inches narrower __________________ My 2003 Ranger Deep Blue- My Registry My Ranger for Sale Daniel

11-07-2010, 09:53 PM	#67
dkchrist I am here...I think Ellsworth, KS '03 Ranger XLT 4x4 Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,274 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Sweet progress... It is 6 inches narrower (eb width) __________________ My 2003 Ranger Deep Blue- My Registry My Ranger for Sale Daniel Last edited by dkchrist; 11-07-2010 at 10:04 PM.

11-09-2010, 07:50 PM	#68
yellowford Wannabe Elite Explorer Gardner ks 97 xj Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 915 Vehicle Specs	Progress looks awesome, are you going to be able to just run EB shafts with the narrowed width. __________________ 97 Heep Cherokee 01 explorer sport 2wd

11-10-2010, 06:03 PM	#71
dkchrist I am here...I think Ellsworth, KS '03 Ranger XLT 4x4 Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,274 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Yup, the plan is aftermarket Spicer shafts (760x) u-joint. As for the d-shaft it may bolt up but might end up being too short. __________________ My 2003 Ranger Deep Blue- My Registry My Ranger for Sale Daniel

05-06-2012, 09:51 PM	#72
dkchrist I am here...I think Ellsworth, KS '03 Ranger XLT 4x4 Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,274 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	The mailman dropped of some fun presents. The build is starting. Picture will come with the progress. __________________ My 2003 Ranger Deep Blue- My Registry My Ranger for Sale Daniel

05-06-2012, 10:02 PM	#73
gmanpaint Torsion Bar Free since 2010 94 XLT-95 FX4 Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 6,926 Vehicle Specs	__________________ The Black Hole Pugly

05-15-2012, 07:27 AM	#74
bronco2guy Built not bought. Columbia, MO 91 Ford Explorer Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 2,345 Vehicle Specs	Looking good!!

09-24-2012, 10:17 PM	#75
dkchrist I am here...I think Ellsworth, KS '03 Ranger XLT 4x4 Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,274 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	More Progress. New bearings, air locker, new brakes, warn premiums, and a little custom color. Now waiting to start towards the end of the month. __________________ My 2003 Ranger Deep Blue- My Registry My Ranger for Sale Daniel

09-25-2012, 06:59 AM	#76
Limited02 Wanna Race? Gardner, KS '02 Limited V8 Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 3,087 Vehicle Specs	Looks to be coming along nicely!!! Is it worth having the dust shields on? Mine used to get clogged with mud and it was a pain to clean, so I took them off if I remember correctly. __________________ "Spending money I don't have, on parts I don't need, to impress people I don't know" 2002 4.6 4x4, K&N CAI, Henson tuned, FM70 and 20" Boss 306's My Built-in Cabinet EXPLORER FORUM LICENSE PLATE FRAMES!!!

09-25-2012, 10:27 AM	#77
Turdle Old and in the way Humboldt, Kansas 2000 Mounty Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 23,745 Vehicle Specs	That is going to work nicely under your Ranger. Pictures can't get the true tone of the green, but it is going to look sick with the dark blue __________________ Jon 2000 Mountaineer Turdle-gone Vitamin D Wagon Sold also

10-08-2012, 10:09 PM	#79
dkchrist I am here...I think Ellsworth, KS '03 Ranger XLT 4x4 Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,274 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Doh! More projects rather than progress...just picked up a lightly used warn XD9000 Pictures to follow. __________________ My 2003 Ranger Deep Blue- My Registry My Ranger for Sale Daniel

10-08-2012, 10:43 PM	#80
2TimingTom Elite Explorer Highlands Ranch, Colorado '97 XLT Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 1,307 Vehicle Specs	I like it! __________________ 1997 XLT SOHC Auto 4wd 132,000 miles Explorer registry Also in the garage: 2012 Escape Limited 4wd V6 auto AND 2004 Saturn VUE 4 cylinder 5 speed Colorado 4x4 Adventures