My 01 Ranger build

[gotme1]

I've been camping and I have played in the mud with a Cherokee I once owned. After wheeling my jeep hard and breaking things and fixing, it got expensive quick. I realized maybe this was not for me as I could not afford to go and purposely beat my rig! I had to find other ways to enjoy being off the beaten path. I came across a Youtube video that pointed me in the right direction "Expedition Overland". They showed me that its possible to do both things I enjoy doing.

I have been slowly building my truck with the hopes of one day doing a little "overlanding". With this being said I decided to add a build thread to share what I have done to my rig and future mods. Advice is welcomed!

I started with a 2001 Ford Ranger 4x4 Edge 4.0L. This was suppose to be my work truck...but now it will be both!

After looking into suspension upgrades (which there are not many out there for ranger) I decided to try and keep things stock. Keep hearing that you only need mild lift. I chose to do a 3" body lift (not sure if thats good or not) and some 33x12.5x15 for a little clearance.

Found some used tires that practically new for good price!

I could not wait to get started so I quickly ordered body lift. Once body lift came in my boys and I wasted no time. Let the games begin!

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[gotme1]

I had tires mounted on wheels and was time to see how they looked.

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[gotme1]

There was not much going on in the interior so I added mounted a cb and Flashlight.

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[gotme1]

not sure why pictures keep turning sideways....

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[gotme1]

So I had a nasty shake going on when I picked up speed. Thought my truck was going to shake itself apart! I had already replaced ball joint, inner/outer tie rods and alignment. Only thing I could think of is tires. took back to tire shop and he said he had problem balancing them and that he used some beads inside of the tires. Beads and weights both failed. I ended up going to another tire shop and they told me tires where extremely heavy and they could not balance them out. So had to wait till I got some money together for new rubber. I had some 32's I had laying around from my old jeep.......so I used them for the time being.

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[gotme1]

Found a guy on Craigslist who was selling camper shell for $50 with all working windows. Little ugly cause its purple but nothing a little paint cant fix!

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[ExplorerTom]

Great stuff.

I'm kinda partial to the RBVs.

 

[gotme1]

I ended up purchasing some Goodyear Duratracs (33s)and painted cap.

Now it was time to make some type of sleeping platform. I wanted something pretty basic and can use for work. Picked up lumber and ended up with this.

After couple weeks and getting in and out of back of camper. I just did not like how close I was to roof of camper shell. Felt like what a coffin would feel like. Back to the drawing board we go. After looking around I found someone with a set up I could use. I can install when out camping and take out while working. Its pretty simple, just couple of storage cabinets secured to the sides of the bed with camper shell clamps. A piece of plywood down the middle for bedding. I also got my wife to make me some curtains for privacy!

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[gotme1]

Great stuff.

I'm kinda partial to the RBVs.

Thanks ExplorerTom.

Soooo what does "RBV" mean?

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[ExplorerTom]

RBV = Ranger Based Vehicle.

Basically means Rangers, Explorers (1st and 2nd gens), Bronco II and even the Aerostar are all based on the same rough platform.

 

[gotme1]

RBV = Ranger Based Vehicle.

Basically means Rangers, Explorers (1st and 2nd gens), Bronco II and even the Aerostar are all based on the same rough platform.

Ahh ok.

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[UltraHDGames]

Looks like a great start!

 

[gotme1]

In October buddy of mine wanted to go camping in Northern Illinois at a state park. His side was going to have electric as he had a camper. I figured it would be a good time to test out the sleeping quarters in the back of the Ranger and also use the electric that was on site seeming I have no electric running to the back yet.

So was not too bad little chilly inside could you some insulation Maybe sleeping pad. I thought for sure would have been a tight squeeze but at 5'8" I fit perfect.

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[gotme1]

And then there is the spare tire.......o how it can be a pain! After about a week of pulling it out and moving it around (cause it does not fit under bed) I decided to get a bumper made. Buddy of mine is starting up his own fab business and offered to help me out. Swing outs here we come!

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[gotme1]

Okay how can I tell when my pictures are going to be sideways when I post them?

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