MI Ranger - Daily/Work/Play

[MIRangerfam]

Hey guys!!! I’m Dave!! This is my new
2021 Ranger XLT 4x4 Supercrew.

In a time that was difficult to find a good value on a truck, I came across this gem. Brand new, and I got the employee plan pricing on it… My first new vehicle!

I didn’t take great photos, still haven’t… so I apologize, but those will come! But I’m using this to record my progress with the truck… hope a couple of you will enjoy it!

Quickly snapped a couple pics while picking up my mail on my way home. The girlfriend had no idea I was getting a new truck ? and I was hurrying! I had a very rough build goal in mind… daily driver, mild tow/offroad with the capability to be used as a work truck… won’t be an everyday thing, but I work in the glass industry (construction) Monday-Friday and wanted the capacity to organize and store tools.

So… Work- minded topper, or drawer system with tonneau cover. After a stuuuuupid high quote for a topper, I went with the savings, and my preferred look so I looked into drawer systems. Ending up loving the decked system so needed to prep the bed first. Line-X spray in. Less than 400$ out the door (10% military discount)

My daughter who is turning six this week ? immediately told me I had to get a step for her… she had to CLIMB to get in ? I liked these NFab steps and found a good deal.

It was finally time for ceramic coating and my BakFlipMX4 + Decked System! The drawers are already overflowing, but I will be organizing it further and are 1000% better than the crossover truck box that came with the truck. The idea is my main cordless tools on the left with batteries/chargers. I have my common bits, batteries, chargers, hammer drill, two impacts, angle grinder, multi tool, and sawzall in the smaller drawer. On the right I keep a light, jigsaw, sander, corded AND a cordless circular saw, guides, pry bars, hammers, socket sets, then small (front section) hand tools on the right. I’m sure I’m forgetting something, but it’s a decent amount of storage! I purchased a couple dividers for both sides, so I’m going to see what I can rig up to maximize my space. Side note- the larger decked tool box that comes with it fits PERFECTLY in between the decked system and the tonneau cover! That box will probably be storage for more attachments/ blades etc. and I might end up getting another one! I don’t mind losing the bed depth, and am happy to strap things down when necessary. I keep straps, clamps and extension cords in the smaller side spots (not as weatherproof)

Oh, and I threw on a tailgate damper upon my daughter’s request (to avoid her brother almost hitting her head again ?)

Now it was time for the stock chrome wheels to go… and might as well get some rubber suited to the truck while I’m at it! Falken Wildpeak 265/70r17 wrapped around Fuel Shoks 17x9, +1 offset.

Just a bit proud of the fenders, but doesn’t look bad. I love the aggressive look, but it can’t be overdone…. And then came the expected rub… but that went with the crash bars!

I took a little bit to research and think about suspension, keeping in mind my purpose of the truck and decided to save that bigger purchase for the spring/summer. I purchased a spacer to level the front and rough country shocks for the rear. The shocks were needed to remove the floaty feeling (not truly horrible, but noticeably too-soft). They are firm, but not harsh. I was half expecting them to be trash, so I was very nicely surprised! Again, they are a shorter term thing until I get real suspension… leaning towards 2.0 Coilovers, maybe UCA’s?? ~2.5”lift… I want to tow a bit first to figure out the rear. May want OME leafs, may go auto-leveling bags, may be happy enough with how it is and get Fox’s or something… but I wanted something for the interim, so I went the affordable option for now. I haven’t installed the spacer yet, possibly tomorrow after work. Will post some pics once leveled!

This is how it currently is. Today I de-badged (heat gun) the stupid dealership logo, my 4x4 stickers, and just flicked off the Bakflip sticker. I have smoked LED lights on the way for the corner (fender) markers and 3rd brake light (2015-17 F150 is the same light btw). I also will be tinting the front windows to match the rears.

Looking into ladder racks, if anyone has any ideas other than the adderac… lemme know!

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[MIRangerfam]

Well no better pics as promised yet! I did start on the level kit last weekend… should’ve spent a lot more time reading instead of watching YouTube. Had a heck of a time getting the tie rod and UCA to break free (red thread lock definitely works well!), but with a torch and few aggressive taps with the hammer I got it all broke loose.

Side note- The 2.5” spacer was a lot bigger when actually having your hands on all the suspension versus looking at ride height. I’d recommend 1.5” for anyone sticking with stock rear height.

Everything seemed alright, but a bear to get back in, until I realized I couldn’t get the knuckle anywhere near the upper control arm. Took me some head scratching and looking at both sides a few time to realized I messed up my CV axle. I work two jobs on Friday and was under a time constraint so I had to get the truck going. I tried to align it back up but something internally wasn’t having it. In the process of messing with this I popped the passenger side sway bar end link out…. About popped a blood vessel, but I fought with it and am managed to connect the UCA. Tore that CV axle apart in no time, left the inner into the dif and pitched the rest. New one ordered.

So. Moral of the story!! Remove your axle nut and pull the splines through the hub so you don’t dislocate the CV axle…. AND remove the end links from the knuckle! They were super easy to remove. That way you don’t end up like me buying a new CV axle, and end link for a truck with less than 2000 miles ?)

Got the parts in and installed today. It was rain/snow mix and didn’t have access to a shop today, so I made it a quick one. Wasn’t in the mood for playing around today when I couldn’t break loose the inner CV axle from the diff so I broke out the angle grinder, put a hole it it, and used a hammer slide puller to get it out.

I’m done with suspension for this winter, just need to get an alignment done and then I’ll be set. Oh!! And got some cheapo side markers from Amazon… can’t complain!

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Well no better pics as promised yet! I did start on the level kit last weekend… should’ve spent a lot more time reading instead of watching YouTube. Had a heck of a time getting the tie rod and UCA to break free (red thread lock definitely works well!), but with a torch and few aggressive taps with the hammer I got it all broke loose.

Side note- The 2.5” spacer was a lot bigger when actually having your hands on all the suspension versus looking at ride height. I’d recommend 1.5” for anyone sticking with stock rear height.

Everything seemed alright, but a bear to get back in, until I realized I couldn’t get the knuckle anywhere near the upper control arm. Took me some head scratching and looking at both sides a few time to realized I messed up my CV axle. I work two jobs on Friday and was under a time constraint so I had to get the truck going. I tried to align it back up but something internally wasn’t having it. In the process of messing with this I popped the passenger side sway bar end link out…. About popped a blood vessel, but I fought with it and am managed to connect the UCA. Tore that CV axle apart in no time, left the inner into the dif and pitched the rest. New one ordered.

So. Moral of the story!! Remove your axle nut and pull the splines through the hub so you don’t dislocate the CV axle…. AND remove the end links from the knuckle! They were super easy to remove. That way you don’t end up like me buying a new CV axle, and end link for a truck with less than 2000 miles ?)

Got the parts in and installed today. It was rain/snow mix and didn’t have access to a shop today, so I made it a quick one. Wasn’t in the mood for playing around today when I couldn’t break loose the inner CV axle from the diff so I broke out the angle grinder, put a hole it it, and used a hammer slide puller to get it out.

I’m done with suspension for this winter, just need to get an alignment done and then I’ll be set. Oh!! And got some cheapo side markers from Amazon… can’t complain!

Looks like a great work truck Dave.

Don’t forget to ask @AzScorpion for your free t-shirt.

 

[P. A. Schilke]

Hey Duke!

I never got a free Tee shirt....?

best,
Phil

 

[MIRangerfam]

Thanks Duke! I’ll have to reach out to get one, and Phil you better get your shirt now too! ?

-Dave

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Hey Duke!

I never got a free Tee shirt....?

best,
Phil

Hey @AzScorpion - what the what? You haven’t given Phil a t-shirt yet? My gawd man, you’re slipping.

Phil, I’m sure Dave will make it right, in the meantime, here’s a free t-shirt and a single malt on me.

 

[AzScorpion]

Hey @AzScorpion - what the what? You haven’t given Phil a t-shirt yet? My gawd man, you’re slipping.

Phil, I’m sure Dave will make it right, in the meantime, here’s a free t-shirt and a single malt on me.

I wasn't in the T shirt business back then. ? Someone else actually made them up but then someone else thought it was offensive. The first ones if you remember were the Kool Kids Klub, so we had to change the wording.

 

[AzScorpion]

Hey Duke!

I never got a free Tee shirt....?

best,
Phil

Sorry Phil I didn't realized you never got yours. Just for that you're now Grand Poohbah for the remainder of 2021! ?

 

[AzScorpion]

Thanks Duke! I’ll have to reach out to get one, and Phil you better get your shirt now too! ?

-Dave

Welcome to the club Dave. ?

Now you can help me get Al @Texasota on board. He's been my main holdout for over 2 years now!

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Welcome to the club Dave. ?

Now you can help me get Al @Texasota on board. He's been my main holdout for over 2 years now!

Stay strong Al, stay strong - resistance is not futile! You can do it.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

I wasn't in the T shirt business back then. ? Someone else actually made them up but then someone else thought it was offensive. The first ones if you remember were the Kool Kids Klub, so we had to change the wording.

Offensive? What? How? I hope it wasn’t a Canadian - we have enough snowflakes here as it is. ?

 

[AzScorpion]

Offensive? What? How? I hope it wasn’t a Canadian - we have enough snowflakes here as it is. ?

I honestly cant remember who it was but I don't think it was a Canadian. Take a look at the original line and the first letter in each one. I honestly never even thought about it until it was brought up. So John (I cant think of his screen name now) edited it for me.

 

[AzScorpion]

Stay strong Al, stay strong - resistance is not futile! You can do it.

You really don't want that case of beer now do you? ?

 

[Texasota]

Stay strong Al, stay strong - resistance is not futile! You can do it.

You mean fold like Terry (@FoD) and betray the brave men and women in the resistance? Never! Never give in!

 

[AzScorpion]

You mean fold like Terry (@FoD) and betray the brave men and women in the resistance? Never! Never give in!

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