Paul's 2011 Ranger FX4

[Paul]

Wait, did I miss something? Is your sport gone?

Kinda. . .

Damage wasn't catastrophic, but tweaked the frame and vehicle was "totaled". It's been languishing up at Kevin's (DiffWhack) shop for three years . . .

Here's the full story: Paul's '91 Sport (registry)

Been wrestling with what to do with the Sport - - throw money into a salvage titled vehicle doesn't make sense; another option is buying a clean Sport (getting harder to find) and swapping the good stuff; or take the best parts for another vehicle, but just maybe not a first generation Sport.

So that's where I'm at - - tough since I've owned the Sport since 1993. . .

Paul

 

[Paul]

Here's the final product . . . now just need to wire up some more accessories. . .

Per GPS, only 18 hours to Moab . . .

Paul

 

[Kirby N.]

That is so sad. I loved everything about your sport. sell me the atlas for cheap for my ranger?

 

[Paul]

sell me the atlas for cheap for my ranger?

Nope, will go in my Ranger first. . . However, I do have a set of killer 3/4 doors that "might" fit your Ranger. . .

I would be interested in rebuilding that thing for you! Just needs a frame and some body right?

Struggled with that option for years. . . In the end I don't even drive the Ranger that much (commute by motorcycle) so hard to justify another RBV built for trail use that will sit parked 350 days a year. But, have looked at a few Sports here that could be the base for swapping over all the good stuff. . .

Paul

 

[410Fortune]

How many years can it just sit there? Gotta do something!!

I sold my beloved 96 explorer because it was just sitting.....too many vehicles cannot justify just letting it sit there. Was a very hard thing to do.... Now I miss it, but what can you do? Just trucks! I used the money to get snow tracks for my Rzr....now those are fun! I only get to use those a few days a year to, but when I do I have a huge smile

 

[Paul]

Not all lights and decorative badging. . .

Work weekend up at Kevin (Diff Whack)'s melding two great Explorers into one, and got a little bit or work done on the Ranger. Was seeping gear oil from the rear diff pinion seal so swapped that out and replaced the axle seals. . . Was "hoping" that the last year Ranger FX4 had the 8.8 with the 31 spline axles, but not to be - - just 28 splines (guess it was only the first FX4 (2002[?]) and the "Level II"s that had the 31 splines...

Did have to dress it up a bit, since we're down there getting stuff done. . .

B&M 40297. Went from five pints (80 ounces) of gear fluid per Owner's Manual to five quarts! That ought to keep it nice and cool back there. . .

Paul

 

[Kirby N.]

That is alot more oil. I would keep an eye on overfilling it (higher that factory level). That can cause a pinion seal or wheel seal to leak. Ask me how I know...

 

[Paul]

Thanks for input / advice. . . This cover is big, even larger than Mag Hy-Tec on the Sport. . . Fluid level is an inch below the fill hole, but now share your concern with stressing the seals so will probably drain out a bit. Guess it was smart to swap axles seals at the time . . .

Paul

 

[410Fortune]

1" below might be the correct level? Just pull the factory fill plug and let it drain till it stops

 

[Kirby N.]

agree thats what I would do

 

[Paul]

Back at Kevin's shop to swap out the blocks that came with the new torsion keys with a few more leaf springs. Had to crank the torsion bars a bit higher for better clearance for the larger tires, and would prefer more leafs to blocks.

Got rid of these:

For these:

These springs were out of Phil's (Albino94ltd) Explorer, Kevin bought it for the body and I'm taking some of the parts for the Ranger and a 'Sport to be assembled later.

Good ride height and rake (about 3/4" higher in bed), and with 180 lbs. on the trailer hitch only 1/2" compression. Can also put the OEM overload spring in the pack if I get any droop over time. . .

Paul

 

[Paul]

Next project. . .

Just too damn busy. . .

Paul

 

[Rick]

Next project. . .
View attachment 317974

Just too damn busy. . .

Paul

Looks good Paul, but it's bad when I immediately thought of White Castle's sliders

 

[Paul]

Here you go:

Notched the pinch-welds to get the "Non White Castle" sliders (Rick!) snugged up underneath the rockers (not to be confused with the "Spinal Tap 'rockers'") . . .

No. . .

Quality product from Rocky Road Outfitters, straight-forward installation and beefy enough for the type of wheeling this rig is getting set up for (Overlanding). . . The company makes more aggressive styles with outriggers for pivoting off trees and rocks if anyone out there is interested.

About 1/2" between rocker and slider.

Paul

 

[Rick]

That looks nice and clean

 

[Paul]

Laid up for a few days, so posting the latest upgrades on the Ranger.

The truck is in overall great condition, sure it's got several scuffs on the fender flares, and I think the P.O. might have towed it behind a motorhome as the front bumper, grill, sideview mirrors and windshield all look lightly sandblasted. Additionally, the bug deflector appears to have been epoxied on, so when it broke off there was residue I could not fully remove. . .

So . . . Monsta-Liner ! !

I've used the product before in black for the Sport and some motorcycle stuff and recently helped Diff Whack (Kevin) with a project using "Read My Lips" red. So decided to go red-on-red for the Ranger and the plan was to coat the following:
1. Hood "lip"
2. Grill
3. Bumpers
4. Fender Flares
5. Rock Sliders
6. Headlight "surrounds" (trim piece under each headlight)

Monsta-Liner has a pretty short working life once mixed, so I wanted to use as much of the product as possible, since it's not cheap. . . so that led to some interesting choices after coating the primary items.

Like any painting project, it's all about the prep. . . and tear down. . .

Wheels off to get the product into the inner lip of the fender flares.

Paint station:

Bumper Station:

Fender flare prep:

Paul

 

[Paul]

Used a "real" respirator this time, dual cartridge - - none of that N95 particulate only stuff. . . Wasn't sure how the red-on-red would look, knew I could always rattle can black if needed, but in the end, really like the way it turned out.

So, instead of just coating the hood "lip" to cover the epoxy issues, added a layer to the concave section on the centerline:

Didn't want to coat the rockers all the way up to the hard curve, so settled about 3-4" above the bottom of the rocker :

Coated inside the door jambs:

Sideview mirrors needed a coating:

Added a bit to the "chromey" part of the Ranger emblem on both front fenders:

Paul

 

[Rick]

Paul, did you roll or spray the product on?

 

[Paul]

Paul, did you roll or spray the product on?

The product can be sprayed on, but not by me - - I'm a roller guy. . . The particulate is smaller than the Herculiner product, and the nap on the roller is pretty large - - pretty easy to apply, but best to have a good plan and work quick, especially when it's warm.

Few more pictures of reassembly:

So, as mentioned, wanted to use all the product - - so what's a guy to do. . . . ?

Skid Plates! :

. . . and tow hooks, and license plate frame, and rim hub covers. . .

. . . and then had to take the rig out to the woods to justify all the effort.

Happy Trails,

Paul

 

[Paul]

Oh, by the way, decided to leave the rock sliders black as purchased - - just seemed to tie in the other black components (wheels, side view mirrors, door trim, flag decal, etc.), and just in case the sliders actually get "used", they'll be easier to refresh.

''

Finally got around to swapping that crappy OEM thermostat housing that sweated fluid like a fat guy stuck on a steel roof for an aftermarket body from Simmons Autosportz (no affiliation other than a satisfied customer) . . .

Before:

After:

Much better. . .

Paul