2006 Fx4 Level 2 Ranger

UltraHDGames

Adventurer
As many of you know I used to have a 06 Mazda B2300 around here that I tried to make into an overland rig and for the most part did alright at it but eventually the lack of power, no space and only a 2wd really just got to be too much as I was craving more serious off road adventures and an overall more capable rig!

Here's the new rig that I picked up in January, had 97,000kms on it
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Being a level 2 it came factory with 4.10 gears, 8.8 rear end with a torsen lsd, bilstein shocks and rad, t case and gas tank skid plates

Since then a lot has changed to make it more capable, luckily I had a lot of parts from the Mazda to steal from before selling it!

Tires/Wheels
-285/75r16 Goodyear Duratracs(So far I love these)
-16x8(4.5" BS) Pro comp 7031s

Suspension
-T bars cranked but not quite maxed out
-Belltech extended shackles
-Long leaf add a leaf from local spring shop
-Factory 2.5" blocks
-Stock bilstein 4600s up front/5100s (From Mazda) in the rear

Lighting
-Led headlights in black housings
-Led Reverse/corner and license plate lights
-21" Kodiak double row combo bar on bumper
-4 5" Kodiak double row spots on roof basket
-Pair of Kodiak flush mount flood pods in rear bumper

Interior
-Led dome light
-Explorer sport trac silver hvac panel
-Kenwood double din radio
-Jl c2 5x7 front speakers(stock rears for now)

Exterior
-Custom rear swingout bumper
-Cap from Mazda
-Custom bed cage to wrap around cap
-Smittybilt rtt on cage
-Curt roof basket on explorer roof rails mounted to cab
-Black headlights/corners
-Black ford emblem

Misc
-Magnaflow muffler
-Air intake silencer delelte
-G2 high capacity diff cover

The plans
-Affordable Off Road winch bumper
-Smittybilt x20 10,000 pound winch
-Longer Bilstein shocks
-Finish sound systen(matching rear speakers, 10" sub located between jump seats, 5 channel amp for everything)
-35% window tint to match rear door windows
-Install cb/whip from Mazda
-Tune(4.0L has power but the extra weight is defiantly noticable)
-Torsen front lsd
-Lots more

Thanks for reading!
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gwittman

Adventurer
You should enjoy that Ranger very much. I sure like mine. It is a 2002 FX4 which is the same as the later Level II. It now has over 230K miles on it and is still running very well. Your choice of wanting to install the front Torsen is a good move. I did it and think it makes a big difference. I had 4.30 gears installed the same time I had the front Torsen installed. With 33" tires and a manual transmission, those lower gear were a must for me with the kind of stuff I do off-road.
A good tune helps with the power noticeably. That is one of the first things I did and glad I did it. Just don't expect more than 10% increase in performance and it may be closer to 5%. Some engines can achieve more but I don't think the 4.0 SOHC engine will without some other performance enhancers.
Nice ride and it looks like you know how to enjoy it.
 

UltraHDGames

Adventurer
You should enjoy that Ranger very much. I sure like mine. It is a 2002 FX4 which is the same as the later Level II. It now has over 230K miles on it and is still running very well. Your choice of wanting to install the front Torsen is a good move. I did it and think it makes a big difference. I had 4.30 gears installed the same time I had the front Torsen installed. With 33" tires and a manual transmission, those lower gear were a must for me with the kind of stuff I do off-road.
A good tune helps with the power noticeably. That is one of the first things I did and glad I did it. Just don't expect more than 10% increase in performance and it may be closer to 5%. Some engines can achieve more but I don't think the 4.0 SOHC engine will without some other performance enhancers.
Nice ride and it looks like you know how to enjoy it.

Thank you very much! I defiantly think the front torsen will be nice for snow wheeling etc, when it comes time to do the torsen I may re gear but we'll see, so far the 4.10s really aren't that bad
Later this year I plan on getting the tune done as with a better intake and possibly headers(already got a straight through magnaflow). Any gains will defiantly be nice although its defiantly not a slouch already for just a V6
 

RedF

Adventurer
Nice truck. I never had any significant problems with my ranger, other that it couldn't fit a car seat.

I'm skeptical of engine upgrades for the 4.0 motor; it's a lot of $$$ for very little gain. You're probably best off keeping the weight down and the tire size modest.

P.s. Where are the first couple pictures taken?
 

UltraHDGames

Adventurer
Nice truck. I never had any significant problems with my ranger, other that it couldn't fit a car seat.

I'm skeptical of engine upgrades for the 4.0 motor; it's a lot of $$$ for very little gain. You're probably best off keeping the weight down and the tire size modest.

P.s. Where are the first couple pictures taken?

Well I already got 33s so I'm not going to down size haha
As for weight she's not exactly a slim truck anymore....2 weekends ago on a trip to Thunderbay with 4 people in the truck, full tank, full box etc etc she weighed in at 5996 pounds haha

First 2 pictures are by thunderbay
 

UltraHDGames

Adventurer
Defiantly though about doing a supercharger on this thing, sure would be fun and one day if I'm craving more power i will! or if the 4.0 blows i'll do a 5.0 swap
 

02rangeredge

Adventurer
I have the 4.0, haven't had any issues with it in the year I've had the truck, way better than my much older 3.0, but I don't have a rtt on my cap- just 2 kayaks
 

UltraHDGames

Adventurer
Got my new Affordable Off Road bumper on! Extremely happy with the overall amazing construction of this thing, next thing on the list will be mount the 21" bar a little differently(Too far back right now and the bar hoop is cutting off a lot of spread) and then a winch!
https://www.affordableoffroad.com/shop/elite-ford-ranger-modular-plain-front-winch-bumper-1998-2011/

For anyone curious the bumper and oem rad skid I painted with Chassis Saver, then rock guard then clear coat to stop fading and to make easier to wash in the future and I love the texture!36361851_1331872530278366_7265552658587451392_n.jpg 36383607_1331752166957069_2500677826865266688_n.jpg36427216_1331752860290333_4564615045174001664_n.jpg36325244_1329922560473363_1865459280547676160_n.jpg
 

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