Query for Oppo's Offroaders

Kinja'd!!! "Mercedes Streeter" (smart)
09/06/2019 at 21:18 • Filed to: Truck Yeah

Kinja'd!!!0 Kinja'd!!! 26

I’m finally kicking off the Ranger build this weekend.

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I have a roof rack and roof rack basket coming in plus two sets of light bars. Due to the hilarious shortage of Ranger custom parts out there, the roof rack is going to be an interesting creation. It’s not going to hold much weight though, basically a 5gal jerry can or two.

ETA: Eh, cooler is better in the cab, how else am I going to get water on the trails?

ETA 2: Sounds like fuel on the roof is a bad idea. Well, since I already just have the cans laying around I’ll just have them empty. I’ve never heard of anyone running out of fuel on these rallies anyway.

From there I’ll try to figure out a snorkel and that leaves me with two big iffy bits: Bumper and skid plate.

I want to protect the radiator from getting killed and I really want to get rid of my broken bumper.

Unfortunately, the only custom bumper on the market costs nearly as much as I paid for the truck, so no. My idea for a solution is to just cover the remainder of the existing bumper in bedliner then send it as is, or find someone who can do a pre-runner style bumper for cheap. I also want a winch but I doubt I will be able to get one in time for October.

Next on the list is skid plate. For this I have three ideas, there is a decently affordable aftermarket one for $250 or so, again have someone fab me one, or...

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HDPE board. This stuff is pretty darn cheap and easy to cut and mount. But how would it be on the trails and mud? My Ranger will probably never go rock crawling so that isn’t a worry.

Of course, any advice will be helpful. While the Ranger is a Gambler I also kinda want to make sure I at least semi do things right. lol

ETA 3: So, it looks like premade parts are slim pickings. That $250 skid plate is the only option for the front, with OEM everywhere else unless I wanna start learning how to weld in less than a month. Of course, custom stuff is possible and I do have the people who can do it.


DISCUSSION (26)


Kinja'd!!! HammerheadFistpunch > Mercedes Streeter
09/06/2019 at 21:33

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the roof rack a looks thing only? i wouldn’t put weight on the roof unless you need to. i also wouldn’t worry about the bumper or a winch (tons of money and weight) and put your money into skid plates, tires and traction boards. 9/10 a tra ction board will solve a problem faster, safer and easier than a winch.


Kinja'd!!! Mercedes Streeter > HammerheadFistpunch
09/06/2019 at 21:39

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Pretty much! The most weight I anticipate it holding is the light bar and a jerry can or two.

Sounds like a decent plan! The winch is literally the last thing on my list, so not getting one is no problem for me.


Kinja'd!!! GoodIdeaAtTheTime > Mercedes Streeter
09/06/2019 at 21:43

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Spend the money on good skid plate s , they have saved me more than a bumper . Bumper, eh, stock one is fine until you get a winch, then go big . Keep in mind you might need to upgrade the front springs. Check out prerunner forums (dezertrangers.com is my favorite ) for ideas, find a local fabricator to build one, will be cheaper than a mail order pre- made or weld-it-yourself bumper.   As far as a snorkel, look for one from an Explorer ;) might be easier to come by.  O r build one yourself, doesn’t take much, hardest part is cutting a hole in the fender and having it look pretty.


Kinja'd!!! gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > Mercedes Streeter
09/06/2019 at 21:44

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I’d be careful. 1 full jerry can is over 40lbs. A fair amount of weight to be shifting around.

ever consider a bed rack?

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Kinja'd!!! If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Mercedes Streeter
09/06/2019 at 21:47

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Why not put the fuel cans in the bed?


Kinja'd!!! Mercedes Streeter > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas
09/06/2019 at 21:50

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Holy feck, I forgot about the weight of fuel (what, 8lb per gallon?) so maybe just the light bar and empty jerry cans. I mean, running out of fuel really shouldn’t be a thing out there. The other Rangers on these rallies certainly  don’t bring extra fuel.

Bed rack is also an option! Though the bed itself needs the front mounts repaired before I’d trust it with any weight up high. That part I’m not too worried about. Basically get some scrap metal and pay a fellow g ambler in beer to weld on the patch.


Kinja'd!!! Mercedes Streeter > GoodIdeaAtTheTime
09/06/2019 at 21:52

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After some extensive research, the only custom skid plate I’ve found was for the front. Amusingly, it’s cheaper and stronger than the OEM Ford plate that was an option on my truck.

Unfortunately, it looks like custom plates for the rest of the truck do not exist. That's fine, apparently the OEM ones weren't too bad.


Kinja'd!!! Mercedes Streeter > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
09/06/2019 at 21:54

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I could find a way to secure  them! The bed will already be carrying two spare wheels.


Kinja'd!!! vicali > Mercedes Streeter
09/06/2019 at 21:55

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Gas at the tippy top above your head is a terrible idea. Get some old seatbelts, a couple bolts and fender washers, and some tie downs and bolt them down to the side of the bed.

Honestly I would look at ditch light setups before I would go bro-crazy with a rooftop light..

HHFP already nailed it, get armor, then sliders, then worry about the bumper..


Kinja'd!!! Mercedes Streeter > vicali
09/06/2019 at 22:04

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Noted! The jerry cans are more for looks anyway so they can be empty. Nobody runs out of fuel on the trails anyway.

The lights I have on order are two ditch lights and one 22" bar for the rack. Bro-like, I know. T hey’ll be independently switched (a lady on my team has a  row of toggles for hers) and only used on pitch black trails.

Alrighty then, so first thing first I’ll pick up the skid plate, then see about the rest of the armor. Big problem it seems with getting into older Rangers this late in the game is slim pickings for premade stuff.


Kinja'd!!! AestheticsInMotion > Mercedes Streeter
09/06/2019 at 22:08

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Talk to your local fab shops, see what they'd charge to get a rough fitted sheet of aluminum


Kinja'd!!! vicali > Mercedes Streeter
09/06/2019 at 22:08

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It might seem that way at the start but I bet there are a ton of guys welding/ f abbing their own stuff- you just need to find them. Any ranger offroad fb groups near you?

What do you have recovery gear wise? Two shackles and a snatch strap is minimum to be able to help or get helped. A hitch shackle is a nice easy way to pull..


Kinja'd!!! OPPOsaurus WRX > Mercedes Streeter
09/06/2019 at 22:10

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my cousin took a welding course at a local community college. it was cheap money. You get access to everything minus materials.  check around and see what courses are offered.  i’d guess tube steel is comparatively cheap.  maybe you can make your own bumper in a welding class.


Kinja'd!!! Mercedes Streeter > vicali
09/06/2019 at 22:13

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We have towing guys on our team and they always bring heavy gear, so not worried about recovery. I used their stuff to pull a F-250 using the smart last year. lol Thankfully my particular truck has nice frame mounted recovery points.

I can definitely get fab help and it does look like where I may end up.


Kinja'd!!! Mercedes Streeter > AestheticsInMotion
09/06/2019 at 22:17

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I’ll explore that option as well! I also need to check if mine actually has those optional OEM plates. It doesn't have the front one, that's for sure.


Kinja'd!!! TheRealBicycleBuck > Mercedes Streeter
09/06/2019 at 22:22

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Water is 8 lbs per gallon. Fuel is closer to 6 lbs per gallon. That’s what we use for weight and balance calculations before flying. 


Kinja'd!!! TheRealBicycleBuck > Mercedes Streeter
09/06/2019 at 22:24

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Have you found the RangerPowerSports forum yet? They know all things Ranger. I used to hang out there when I had my Mazda. 


Kinja'd!!! Mercedes Streeter > TheRealBicycleBuck
09/06/2019 at 22:31

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No, but I have now! :)


Kinja'd!!! HammerheadFistpunch > OPPOsaurus WRX
09/06/2019 at 22:39

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i need to do this. if for nothing else than equipment access.


Kinja'd!!! CRider > Mercedes Streeter
09/06/2019 at 23:01

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How off road are you planning on going? Just throw a locker and some good tires on that thing and it’ll do a lot. Just a void big boulders.


Kinja'd!!! Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Mercedes Streeter
09/06/2019 at 23:41

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Get UHMWPE if you can get your hands on some, and I’d back it with some metal, but it should make for a great skid plate.


Kinja'd!!! Mercedes Streeter > CRider
09/07/2019 at 00:56

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As hardcore as you can do in the Midwest, so the likelihood of hitting a boulder is low. lol


Kinja'd!!! CRider > Mercedes Streeter
09/07/2019 at 02:15

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So you probably don’t have to worry about adding skid plates . If you want to throw on a cheap lift and fit some bigger tires, you’ll be  fine. A l ocker will definitely help you stay unstuck if the roads get too soft and loose, and are also great for drifting around corners.


Kinja'd!!! shop-teacher > Mercedes Streeter
09/07/2019 at 10:37

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Merc, you've got an entire truck bed! If you can't fit two wheels, your Jerry cans, and a freaking scooter in it, you're doing it wrong. Do I need to come over there and show you how to truck?


Kinja'd!!! Mercedes Streeter > shop-teacher
09/07/2019 at 11:45

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Maybe! LOL Loading a trailer? Easy. Truck bed? How in the world do people load motorcycles into these things without killing themselves? 


Kinja'd!!! shop-teacher > Mercedes Streeter
09/07/2019 at 12:52

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Having a second person helps a LOT.