Ranger bumper conversion

[draft]

So as most of you may know, exploder_hp (correct me if I'm wrong) is selling his truck (http://www.laundromatic.net/prouser/albums/album217/tiltedview2.jpg) with a sweet Ranger conversion with an Xenon big mouth bumper cover. Anyways, I'm planning on going down the junkyard this weekend to pick up some parts for my fathers '90 F-250 (tanker) that was stolen and picking up some parts to help refurbish it (tailgate, rear bumper, flares, etc).

Now, I'm a guy who likes to work on cars and does the easy/newbie replacement duties, whereas everything is supposed to clip into place with no fault. I've never done anything as far as conversion-wise, and would really like to give my X a new look, along with really enjoying time I would like to put into it. I'm one of those guys who can follow directions easily, also try-fail concepts, keeping at it.

So anyways, I know I'm in need for a Ranger bumper, the actual bumper itself. With this cover, is there a certain year Ranger bumper I need to get my hands on? Tips?

As far as the conversion goes... taking off the X bumper is rather easy -- the Ranger bumper; is this going to be a simple bolt on (knowing the Ranger and X chassis bodies and physics are almost exact), or am I planning on drilling some holes here and there? Should I expect this to snug fit, or work it a little bit?

I suppose the above is going to be the most "advanced" part in this, and the bumper cover just screwing right on top.

I'm all open ears, and really interested of what I'm looking forward to. I have no plans to rush this, just would like to really "work" on the car on my leisure time.

Thanks to everyone in advance, I really appreciate it!

 

[Stic-o]

I think..

You need a 98+ Ranger bumper. Pre-97 bolts different. Unless it will work without the brackets. The 93-97's bolt on with a L bracket that bolts into the side of the frame not the front like Ex. The 98+ are the same I think.

 

[Black Magic]

Did he adapt the cover to his Explorer front bumper? Causing it to wrinkle up like that? If so then I would get a ranger cover. Or at least cut a relieve cut in the cover and smooth it back over to take out the wrinkles. Other than that, It is a great looking cover!!!

 

[hydroxy]

speaking of ranger bumpers... here are some pics I just took today of a ranger w/ a rollpan. I wonder if that could be adapter to the explorers as well?

 

[hydroxy]

..

 

[hydroxy]

...

 

[Ak LTD Xplorer]

no it won't work..the x's have that plastic behind the rear wheel..ranger's actually have steel there(i don't make any sesne sorry)

but im pretty sure it won't work

 

[hydroxy]

x's have steel there as well. I know because I painted it =P

 

[boominXplorer]

explorer hatches have a little curve to them. That is what makes the whole problem to making a rollpan

 

[Hartman]

I swear I've said this 1000 times and nobody seems to listen.

Ranger rollpans DO NOT work.

 

[Stic-o]

Hey Hartman?

I swear I've said this 1000 times and nobody seems to listen.

Do you thing a Ranger roll pan will work?

Wait I know how about a B-series!

 

[hydroxy]

ha, well I'm not into making a rollpan so I havn't searched at all... I was just putting it out there for others to see

 

[Ak LTD Xplorer]

i know there's steel behind the plasic..but it does not come around enough

 

[draft]

Originally posted by Black Magic
Did he adapt the cover to his Explorer front bumper? Causing it to wrinkle up like that? If so then I would get a ranger cover. Or at least cut a relieve cut in the cover and smooth it back over to take out the wrinkles. Other than that, It is a great looking cover!!!

What he did.. and what I'm not going to do is, he stretched the bumper cover so tightly it sank in the middle without shaving some off the sides of the X bumper itself. The wrinkles are what I'd be avoiding, but who knows.

After talking with drew, I'm basically going to just get an angle grinder and grind the sides of the X bumper until I can have a nice snug (not too snug) fit on with the bumper cover, and just bolt it on; of course, all after I get it painted. Should work okay.

Too bad the Ranger rollpan won't work =(