The Money Pit Ford Ranger
- Thread starter RangeRunner17
- Start date
RangeRunner17
Observer
Thanks for the reviews! I ended up ordering the fuse box and lights last thursday and just got them in. I went with some Tuff LED's from amazon, less than 50 for two. I hooked them up to a 9V battery last night, and they are much brighter than I expected! I'm hoping I can get them hooked up this weekend, and most of my wiring cleaned up under the hood.
Then It's time for a quick camping trip on the Mojave Road on Superbowl weekend!
plainjaneFJC
Deplorable
Nice Ranger you have.
RangeRunner17
Observer
Got some work done this weekend, and some ideas for later.
First thing that got done was I re welded the tabs for my front lights on. I had one break a few months ago, and finally got around to putting them back on.
Second, I added the Tuff LEDs to the side of my rack and wired up the fuse box. I still need to add a ground to it, but that's only for convenience.
And lastly, I built an awning from some EMT, a free HF tarp, and various pieces of hardware. (I can go more indepth if anyone wants.)
All told, the awning cost about $25!!!
I'm thinking a Voltmeter is a must now. 3 lets of lights, a GPS, a winch and a amp, and the space for 9 more circuits.
And I'm also thinking of relocating the switches to above the rear view mirror as well. Currently they are behind the shifter and quite difficult to reach in the dark.
First thing that got done was I re welded the tabs for my front lights on. I had one break a few months ago, and finally got around to putting them back on.
Second, I added the Tuff LEDs to the side of my rack and wired up the fuse box. I still need to add a ground to it, but that's only for convenience.
And lastly, I built an awning from some EMT, a free HF tarp, and various pieces of hardware. (I can go more indepth if anyone wants.)
All told, the awning cost about $25!!!
I'm thinking a Voltmeter is a must now. 3 lets of lights, a GPS, a winch and a amp, and the space for 9 more circuits.
And I'm also thinking of relocating the switches to above the rear view mirror as well. Currently they are behind the shifter and quite difficult to reach in the dark.
Attachments
RangeRunner17
Observer
I'm thinking something like this for the switch plate? Overhead might not be feasible since I don't want to cut up the headliner, but maybe in the middle of the dash or something. That one is 3x8".
RangeRunner17
Observer
Mine are currently right behind the shifter, in that cubby by the passenger airbag switch, and are impossible to reach when I'm in 1st, 3rd, or 5th. I'm thinking of doing something overhead, with the voltmeter and about 5 switches. I only have a need for 3 right now ( front, back and side lights) but I'd like to have room to grow.
I thought about doing it how you have it by the radio, but lately mine has been acting up, and whenever I push one button it thinks I pushed a completely different one. It might be time for a new one, and if that's so I'm getting a touch screen one.
In other news, I drove about half the Mojave Road this weekend!!! From Cima to Camp Cady. Stopped at the mailbox and lava tubes. Soda Lake was very muddy, but I had no problems. Did it in 4 hi 2nd gear. I'd say about 80% of the time I was in 2WD, And I only had to use 4 lo for the river crossing.
The Mailbox
Marl Springs
How I would set up camp
After crossing Soda Lake
The First bridge going into Afton Canyon
RangeRunner17
Observer
So I've been thinking about this switch panel I'm about to make. I want to have red and green led's for indicators (green on/red off) for each switch, and a master switch that sends power to all 4 switches and a voltmeter (which has its own internal light). I'm wondering if having one power wire into the master switch, which then powers 4 switches and 4 led's will give me an incorrect reading on the voltmeter. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
RangeRunner17
Observer
I got my switch plate finished up last week. It took a good 5 hours to wire the plate its self. Then I spent all day Saturday re wiring the inside of my truck. I had the interior stripped to let the carpet dry, and figured why not. There was a solid 15 extra feet of wire I pulled about half of which wasn't hooked up to anything! It's a HUGE improvement over my last setup. My last one was hard to reach in the day, and impossible at night.
My old setup
A very dirty floor, and spaghetti mess!
Finished product
The wiring to make it all work
And how it looks now
There's still a few things I want to do in the short term (new head unit, Hydro bumps), but I think I'm going to leave it alone and just enjoy it, and appreciate the fact that my truck isn't in pieces.
I went into Joshua Tree NP yesterday for some wheeling, and left very disappointed. I did Old dale mine road, Pinkham canyon, and Berdoo canyon. Had to get in 4 low once to climb a hill. other than that I was in 2x the entire time.
I'm thinking of heading into Johnson Valley for some rock crawling, but I'm a little bit nervous about what I've read. I know fissure mountain trail isn't that bad, but I want to do something a little more.
My old setup
A very dirty floor, and spaghetti mess!
Finished product
The wiring to make it all work
And how it looks now
There's still a few things I want to do in the short term (new head unit, Hydro bumps), but I think I'm going to leave it alone and just enjoy it, and appreciate the fact that my truck isn't in pieces.
I went into Joshua Tree NP yesterday for some wheeling, and left very disappointed. I did Old dale mine road, Pinkham canyon, and Berdoo canyon. Had to get in 4 low once to climb a hill. other than that I was in 2x the entire time.
I'm thinking of heading into Johnson Valley for some rock crawling, but I'm a little bit nervous about what I've read. I know fissure mountain trail isn't that bad, but I want to do something a little more.
RangeRunner17
Observer
Went out to Johnson Valley this past weekend with a buddy and did Fissure Mountain Trail. Absolutely loved it! One of the more technical trails I've found around here.
I have no idea how I made it down that!! This tuck will go anywhere I point, it amazes me sometimes.
Surprisingly, the only damage I got from that was a dent in my exhaust tip, and some scratches. I am however, going to get underneath her tonight and do a more detailed inspection for damage.
I have no idea how I made it down that!! This tuck will go anywhere I point, it amazes me sometimes.
Surprisingly, the only damage I got from that was a dent in my exhaust tip, and some scratches. I am however, going to get underneath her tonight and do a more detailed inspection for damage.
RockRanger
New member
Nice to see a ranger being used. You might be able to find a factory skid plate for your gas tank. I know my 86 and 93 had them. If you do get a factory skidplate, some beefing up would be a good idea and they sometimes rub the driveshaft when flexed out.
RangeRunner17
Observer
Nope no skids at all, I severely underestimated JV... They were on my to-do list, only way down there. I wanted to make my own and Cover the entire underside of the truck. Now I think I'm gonna get both of the ones that RCI Metal works offers, and build off of the t-case skid.
