Paul's 2011 Ranger FX4

[410Fortune]

I like it! Hopefully that switch holds up being mounted there

<———- new leaf no clutter or chit chat

 

[Paul]

I like it! Hopefully that switch holds up being mounted there

<———- new leaf no clutter or chit chat

Considered mounting that switch on the forward edge of the bed support to reduce unintended contact, but even though I'll haul dirt and a camp trailer and beauty bark and a boat and motorcycles, etc. in this rig, it is not a hard-use work truck.

Have a bit more wiring to do, but waiting on some ACME-sourced components . . .

Paul

 

[Paul]

Already have USB ports on the visor shelf with the switch panel - - one dedicated to the GPS, the other for cell phone, but as the last guy with an iPod, wanted a few ports at the bottom of the dash.

So here's my fix:

The visor shelf switch panel is powered through the ignition, this one is direct to the battery.

Fuse panel under the hood:

Paul

 

[Paul]

In March of 2020 I posted this picture with the intent of a project determined to be executed “soon” . . .

These seats were mounted in my ‘91 Sport, and sat in the wrecked hulk of the Sport for a few years after it was totaled.

Able to finally get these mounted up last night with the assistance of a very skilled Ranger enthusiast - - who just happened to have a set of Corbeau seat brackets stashed in his shop.

Forgot how much I love these seats…

Wired for heat and reinstalled the lumbar air pumps:

As the 2011 Ranger had seat-installed air bags, I’ll need to address the dash-light that illuminates now that those air bags are no longer part of the system, but feel more secure in the Corbeau seats than the OEMs.

Anyone in need of some OEM seats?

Paul

 

[410Fortune]

Those 2011 seats are like solid gold if your fx4 had the black leathers I would be taking out a loan. I am ALWAYS looking for clean ranger seats

Not sure if you can use some airbag cheaters found in the older trucks under the seats..
The 2006-11 trucks airbags way more complex then earlier versions

 

[Paul]

If the OEM seats were leather, would have made the decision to swap them out all the more difficult, but like the fit of the Corbeaus. . .

DiamondBack install:

. . . because of the 270 topper design, there are three brackets that mount on the forward edge of the bed - - well-nuts used for the mounting.

Nice fit and six clamps hold it all down, removeable in about 10 minutes for hauling needs.

Under bed-rail lights work pretty well with cover closed.

Paul

 

[Paul]

So when I ordered the DiamondBack cover, I also purchased a bed tray to fit up by the cab. . .

Only problem, a bit too thick. . .

. . . so, could have cut off the cap-rail trim (black plastic), but didn't really want to do that.

DiamondBack is a solid company, "gifted" me the piece once they realized it came off the line a little off-spec (I offered to return it, their response: "Keep it..."). Played around with the idea of just cutting some voids in the bottom and self-clearancing the tray with some finesse. Decided to get it done right - - took a bit of effort to find a welder willing to do such a small job, but easy enough. . .

Nice fit when all said and done:

Tray with dividers. . .

Paul

 

[Paul]

On my other thread, I purchased a back-up camera for the trail rig due to the spare tire on the bumper and the headache rack between the cargo area that I’ve “molle’d” several items to. . .
(Shout-out to @410Fortune for the camera idea).

So because I was spoiled by the systems on the wife’s Escape, bought the back-up camera for that rig. Once that was done, came to the quick realization I needed the same setup for the Ranger.

Concern was the length of the cable for the camera - - plenty of it for my 2 door Explorer, but the increased length of the Ranger might pose a problem. So instead of going through the firewall, opted to exit the rear of the cab where the passenger jump seat resides…

(Hose for chafe protection)

There was an open weld under the cab that I drilled out, again, hose for some chafe protection.

Then stuffed the cable into wire loom I have running aft to the rear bumper mounted back-up LEDs.

Ideally would like a lockable tailgate latch with room for a camera, but license plate mount going have to be good enough for now…

Like the split view option:

Power from the USB port in the switch panel from the visor shelf.

Like the trail rig, not planning on hooking up the GPS or some of the other options, camera stuff is what I need.

Paul

 

[Paul]

In order to get the cable thru the rear of the cab (bolt-hole), had to remove the jump seats - - no kids and no one I associate with could fold themselves into these things anyway, so why not make some more space in the cab.

Never used:

More room already:

Black carpet scraps and used four of the seat bolts to hold the carpet in place. . . (bottle jack and carrier also on top of the new carpet):

Took a trim piece off each of the rear seats, and carved out some of the excess to partially fill the voids in the corners of the cab:

Pretty pleased with the end result. . .

Instead of a floor based storage compartment, think I'll purchase a few molle racks for the back of the cab.

More to follow . . .

 

[410Fortune]

Good show! What was welded on the sliding tray? Hard to decipher

They make a tailgate handle with camera for our sport tracs only because ford decided to steal our tailgate from the ol stepside f150
I would think the ranger would be a perfect candidate for aftermarket camera handle too… maybe 3d print something? Can’t let the new trucks have all the fun

 

[dvdswan]

Nicely done!! BTW your year is upside down on your plate. lol

 

[Fix4Dirt]

Nicely done!! BTW your year is upside down on your plate. lol

That just means its 5202! 3177 years before it has to be re registered!


Great build! Might use that tray idea for the Ranger...

 

[Paul]

Good show! What was welded on the sliding tray? Hard to decipher

Apologies if that came across confusing - - the tray was built and shipped by DiamondBack, but must have failed QC as it was a 1/4" wider than the frame rails. . . didn't want to cut off the plastic cap rails, so found a good TIG shop that cut off the extra metal and re-welded the side back onto the tray.

So, semi-quick answer: It is snug, but slides back and forth, but is primarily designed to sit behind the cab (where the "270" hatches lift up); and is limited by the bolts I used to secure the bed lights that are mounted under the bed rails, which has worked well.

Seen here:

Happy with how it is working. . .

Paul

 

[Paul]

Nicely done!! BTW your year is upside down on your plate. lol

Not by accident . . .

Reside in a county that voted against the Sound Transit false car tab fees gimmick of funding the area light rail that will primarily be used as a hobo transit system, . . . oops, I mean "those poor unfortunates currently experiencing homelessness... transit system". Since the state raised our vehicle registration fees anyway - - against the Will of the People, it’s my way of civil dissent.

Washington State Code requires the registration tabs must be visible and legible. . . orientation of the stickers not listed as a requirement. . .

 

[dvdswan]

Funny how they have the right to do that without our vote. Disgust.

BTW, they do have Ford tailgate emblems with cameras if you don't want it on your license plate...

Google Search

 

[410Fortune]

It looks like the camera will face the hitch? What about rear view? Anyone have one of those ford oval emblem cams? Would love to use this if it gives a good rear view

 

[dvdswan]

It looks like the camera will face the hitch? What about rear view? Anyone have one of those ford oval emblem cams? Would love to use this if it gives a good rear view

Ford F-Series truck F150, F250, F350 HD backup camera with Night Vision Technology - OEM Ford Bezel, replaces factory tailgate emblem

OE factory emblem camera Ford F-Series truck Can be used as a front view camera F150, F250, F350 backup camera with Night Vision OEM Ford backup camera reverse camera truck backup camera tailgate camera

reversecamera.com

they also have them for the front emblem.

 

[Paul]

Up to something. . .

Guessing from all that wiring that the previous owner had a serious sound system (?)

Backing support for Molle. . .

Molle panels are great, but they need space behind them in order to get the pouches secured. So added some spacers . . .

. . . and reasoned the best way to secure the stuff is be able remove the Molle panels altogether if needed, so wing-nuts seemed like a good option. . .

Good use of the space where the jump-seats used to be. . .

Passenger side:

Paul

 

[Paul]

More Molle. . . .

Just too much available space in the rear cab with the seats out and Phase 1 of the Molle Project completed.

So, more is better. . .

Similar install with some flat stock aluminum offset from the back panel and wingnuts for quick removal access to the Molle panels. Also bumped the FAK up off the jack cover (previous holes filled with plastic plugs).

Like the utilization of space, now need to add some stuff to the panels.

Added some Kilmat sound deadener when I had the rear panel off.

Paul