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

[dkchrist]

Daniel's '03 Ranger- The Wedgie

I have been here for awhile and a few have seen the truck so now I guess it time to reveal all about the Wedgie. I have owned the truck since it had 28K on it and now I am pushing 100K and she is still going strong. I never though to take before pictures of her but here are the after.

As she came for the factory.
4.0 SOHC
5 sp.
4.10s
Electronic 4x4
All manual
No Cruise
MACH Audio
2 Dr. Cab
Deep Wedgewood Blue (hence the name)

Since then Wedgie has went through a few changes.
Interior
XM Radio
Autometer Oil Pressure Gauge
Cruise Control
CB
Misc. Switchs (See More info below)

Exterior
Westin Brush Guard
Bestop Supertop
Driving Lights mounted to lower valance
Pack Rat box aka tool box
Swingout Tire Carrier (Special Thanks to Jon "Turdle" for the powder coat)
Highlift mount on the carrier/D-ring Hooks
FX4 Level II Alcoa Rims w/ 33X10.50 BFG A/T

Drivetrain
4.0 SOHC w/ Bama Chips Tunes
AEM Intake w/ dryflow filter
Flowmaster Exhaust
ARB Locker in the Rear (that is where those switches go)
ARB Onboard Air
4.56 Gears
MagHytec Rear Diff Cover (and yes it has a dipstick )
AVM Hub Conversion
Custom Front Driveshaft Adapter to a Double Cardan Driveshaft
99 Ranger Steel Rear Driveshaft
Oh and did I forget the RCD 5" Coilover Lift

Now some pictures

Things to do yet:
Some Big driving lights on the grill guard
Limit Straps
and Some Secret Mods : More info later on...

 

[Tbars4]

..Since you are "Elite", click on the thread tools and you can move this to the "Ranger Registry"..
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=20

...I am hoping to see your Ranger in person soon...

 

[dkchrist]

Holy Cow! The ranger that I have always looked to for inspiration and you are complementing on my truck! Are you taking the ranger to Ouray or the Ex?

 

[Burns]

For sure a awesome ranger.

I hope to get to ride with you again soon.

 

[Tbars4]

...Wow and Thanks...

...I hope to make it and if I do, I will be taking my Ranger again...

..I am curious in your soft top and want to definitely check it out...A few of the pictures in my Ranger Registry are from the trails in Colorado from last year's CCR..I still need to repair my front axle from Ariz.'s trip but that's the easy part...

 

[dkchrist]

Burns, I hope to get the chance to wheel with you again, maybe with some better meats next time

Tbars, I really do look forward to being able to meet some of you guys in CO this year. Hopefully, you can make it an Scott, you, and I can show everyone why they are called Ranger based vehicles : :biggthump

 

[Scott B.]

Scott, you, and I can show everyone why they are called Ranger based vehicles : :biggthump

 

[dkchrist]

SMORR wheeling pictures, that's terribly punny. :

 

[dkchrist]

Found some other place the ranger and I have been.

McAllister Gulch, CO

Tincup Pass, CO

Cumberline Pass, CO

The Kansas Icestorm of '07

At the end of Wearyman Creek, CO

And a plug for my faithful sidekick

BTW, the jeep in the pictures is my dad's that we build in our shop. It started out life with us as a stock 01 Wrangler with a bent front axle and crushed front passenger fender. Now, 3.5 Rubicon Express short arm, D44 & ARB in the rear, 4.56 gears, 33x10.50s

 

[Scott B.]

We'll have to get some more from Colorado!

 

[gmanpaint]

Daniel, wheres all the custom pinstripe at? You know, the ones made from the trails?

I am pumped for our next get together! Ouray or BUST!! Woot!

 

[Turdle]

One very nicely done Ranger. I really like this truck. I almost forgot about that Ice storm. It was weird stuff, kinda like snow but rock hard and deep.

That dog looks like a handful--whats his name?

 

[corkey]

and where are all the sharpened pencils from that ride down the hill at SMORR ??

 

[dkchrist]

The dog is Riley, and yes he is a pistol.

The pinstripes, I just don't take pictures close enough so you can't see'um

I think the pencils might still be rolling around on the floor

 

[dkchrist]

Alright, just completed a couple more mods
Limiting straps

some custom front disco's (more info later)

Soon, I hope to have a front diff skid plate in the works.

 

[Turdle]

The disconnects look like a good idea--

 

[gmanpaint]

I'm liking it Daniel, very nice.

With the length of your limit straps, how much more travel will you have with the disconnects removed?

 

[dkchrist]

The travel is not limited by the sway bar but by the straps. The disconnect will make for a much smoother ride offroad and get maybe increased articulation.

 

[gmanpaint]

The travel is not limited by the sway bar but by the straps. The disconnect will make for a much smoother ride offroad and get maybe increased articulation.

Ok, maybe I worded my question wrong.

With the sway bar disconected, and with the limit staps installed, how much droop can you now get? How much more articulation stuffing the tire?

 

[dkchrist]

Not a lot more flex but the ride is amazing. It mostly eliminates all the side to side movement and allow the front to work independently (like it should)