Hit 150k. At other than a few cosmetic issues, everything works

 

Nice! Another milestone to share with your Ranger! :)

 

two-tone paint....

https://www.flickr.com/photos/154582078@N03/37820168431/https://www.flickr.com/photos/154582078@N03/23967251558/https://www.flickr.com/photos/154582078@N03/37109983704/https://www.flickr.com/photos/154582078@N03/37607637210/https://www.flickr.com/photos/154582078@N03/37816344416/

 

New Rancho RS5000X shocks came in. Just have to wait to find a set of OEM rear blocks to go with my pre-keys. Then I can "lift" and get new tires.

 

after I get my valve covers done this month I'm doing bilsteins next. I'm stoked. I hope the ranchos do what you want.

 

I looked into Bilsteins but they were about $150 more. Plus, I had them on my '02 FX4 Ranger and it rode really rough. I swapped them for Rancho's when they got old and it rode much better.

My '11 came with Rancho's from the factory, all I did was upgrade to the newest version (the X model). I hope they work for me too. Guess we'll see.

 

Looking these up on Amazon there are a number of Spyder Halo lights. Do you remember which ones that you ordered?

Thanks!

b

 

Got my oem used remotes off ebay today and programmed then to my truck. So nice to have keyless entry. My driveway is silly dark so this helps.
​​

 

I had a hell of a time today gutting my old truck. If anyone needs anything from an '03 Edge, let me know!

 

Looks like fun! Don't happen to have a cold air intake on there did you?

 

Have you had a chance to measure the rotor diameter?

 

Negative, sorry.

 

No, I haven't, my bad. I'll do that next time I'm home.

 

I'd say i want the a pill trims as they have grab handles, but i'm really not sure if the 03's will fit my 02?

 

Max, the grab handles are more than just the trim and handles. There are square holes in the A pillar with plastic inserts that the fasteners screw into. Not sure if the 2002 has those, so you would have to improvise. But yes, the trim will fit.

 

Yeah, i can buy the actual handles that go underneath, can't get the trim though.

I pulled a single passenger side trim from a 2003 at picknpull, it has slightly different lines where the A pillar meets the roof line, but not bad, but the two rear clips, whilst they clip in, cause the piece to stand out from the roof line by about a thumbs width, no idea what is going on there.

The reason i only have the passenger side, is the truck was a roll over, drives side was flattened down and the trim piece split length-ways.

 

FINALLY got around to wrapping my door pull trim pieces... I've been driving for over a month now without them and it has looked like someone broke in and took pieces out of the truck. I was so used to shutting the door by the upper window that the last couple days with door pulls completely has me numb to using them.

Without a doubt this was one of the harder wraps I've ever done. It's because of the inner/outer complex curves it's a freaking nightmare to do. I wasted $65 worth of vinyl the first time thinking that I could do this myself with zero help.... I was 100% wrong.

If you are going to tackle this you need 4 hands...literally. I had my wife help by controlling the heat gun with one hand as I applied and contoured the vinyl then at times she'd use her other hand to hold a piece as I was moving stuff about.

Did driver side first and of course hit some problems. I started at the smaller inner curve by the handle first and went up. It didn't turn out right. Passenger was MUCH better by starting at the bigger portion and working down towards the smaller inner handle part. I am re-doing the driver side tomorrow. Should go a lot smoother. Driver side took about 1.5 hours to do and the passenger took about 45 minutes. I chuck up the first time because my wife didn't know or do this before so she was hit and miss with the heat gun as far as too close at times and or not knowing how this works...lol Passenger side much smoother. Driver side again should be as quick or quicker than passenger now.

If I have any left over I am going to do the A-Pillars. I will more than likely spray the rear pillars by the seatbelts black with the vinyl spray that I did my sun visors with since they are a low to no touch area and black will blend much nicer with the wrap than the ugly gray.

Been asked where I get the film:
https://www.metrorestyling.com/


-Nigel

 

Thanks for posting, it is something I wanted to try and with the exact material and pattern.

Looks good !

 

As i said over the other place, it's a really quality looking job, looks great.

 

Great job Nigel! Mine are slightly different (wider to accommodate the power window, lock and mirror switches, but same basic shape. I am going to try again, this time using your method (helping wife)! Thanks for posting!

 

Holy crap Nigel, that looks awesome! I wonder if a dip is easier? Makes me want to copy you!

Are you going to do the stereo surround as well?

 

I showed the pics to the wifey when I told her I would like her help on mine. Know what she said? OOOoooo!!! I like those little pepper things! LMAO

 

Yours actually might be a tad easier because they are wider. The hardest part for me and to get right in my opinion is the center opening where the door handle is. You have to cut it just right so that it not only covers the top inside but the bottom. Make the cut too high/low and then you run the risk of either the top or bottom not being covered in vinyl. Having a second pair of hands will GREATLY ease the installation and frustration!


I honestly thought about trying to find someone that does hydro dripping around me. I considered this after the first time I tried wrapping these parts and doing it by myself. The problem with dipping is I have yet to see one that actually resembles cf at all... most of the time it just looks so plain and non dimensional.

Did the stereo about 4 years ago (excuse the old pictures): :-)

I always wanted to do the door trim pieces but never knew the handles came off. I've removed the trim pieces tons of time but never thought to look to see how the handles were attached... I always figured they were just permanently attached. It wasn't until I found a thread on here that someone stated it's just two screws holding the handle on. Sure enough easy peasy. I did think it might be cool to paint them but since my truck is white painting that white would look bad... red and blue trucks it looks really nice.

-Nigel

 

Wow, your Radio Bezel LOOKS GREAT !

Nice work !

 

Yep, bezel is awesome also! :) Just have to ask this: did you pre-stretch the CF vinyl before you started? I have read that works well for compound curves, but never saw a demonstration video with anything even close to a bezel or door panel.