Hi everyone!
My name is Matt, and I am completely new to overlanding. I'm a big researcher, and prefer to be prepared before I jump into a hobby; so this appears to be the perfect place to get started. Here's a little bit on my rig...
The Basics:
2009 Ford Ranger FX4 Off-Road, 62,500 miles (approx.)
4.0L SOHC, 5R55W auto
Rear: Factory 4.10 gears with factory Torsen LSD and 31-spline axles
Front: Factory 4.10 gears with torsion bar suspension and Dana 35 diff.
Factory skid plates
Suspension:
Supreme Suspensions lift keys with shock spacers and factory Rancho RS5000s
Supreme Suspensions lift shackles (same dimensions as a Belltech 6400)
2" lift blocks
2" wheel spacers
3.5" of lift front, 3" of lift rear
Moog polyurethane endinks
Tires:
285/75-16 General Grabber AT2s mounted letters-out (because I am a child).
Stock wheels
Brakes:
Wagner Heavy-Duty Semi-Metallic pads on Centric blank rotors
Recovery/Preparedness:
Smittybilt hitch shackle/receiver
Gear:
30ft tow strap with tree saver
2 spare shackles (they fit the factory tow hooks)
That's it so far...
Appearance:
Hella 500 Black Magic driving lights
2004 Ranger Edge grill with paint-matched trim ring.
Short-Term Plans:
Paint/install my replacement rear bumper
Install 2 shackle plates on hitch frame, one on each side
Rocky Road Outfitters rock sliders
Paint/ outfit my Century bed cap for camping (overhead net, air mattress, new screens in windows, lighting)
Bed lights
ORI Baja Challenger light hoop
2 more Hellas
Air compressor mounted inside driver's bedside with fittings in rear bumper
Bilsteins or Rancho RS9000XL shocks
Add-a-leaf or taller blocks for 1" more rear height
Some sort of air inlet modification
Self-built 2.5" stainless exhaust
Tuner (haven't decided which one)
Ford Explorer roof rack with basket for the cap
Long-Term Plans:
Deaver rear leaf springs
Coilover conversion up front, possible long-travel suspension
Supercharger
Headers, self-built y-pipe
LSD for the front
Locker out back
Please feel free to provide input or suggestions! If you have any questions about my reasoning for anything, I'll be happy to explain. For the record, I am quite happy with my Supreme Suspensions parts. I felt a bit apprehensive buying them, but upon inspection, install, and subsequent use, I have been impressed.
Also, I'd like to plan my first trip with the girlfriend and a few friends some time in August or September; likely up North in New Hampshire or Maine. I'd love input on what everyone feels the most important gear is to prepare ourselves with.
Without further adieu, here are the pictures; hope you like it!
Newly purchased in September, 2016:
(My two redheads)
(In the driveway with my turbo Focus track car and now-sold '79 242)
(Featuring my 2001 Yamaha Warrior with some basic mods)
(The first taste of work with me)
Progress and some action:
(Finally doing the last bit of trimming more than 2 months after lift/tires)
(Trying out the cap)
(Hitting the trail)
New grill and lights:
My name is Matt, and I am completely new to overlanding. I'm a big researcher, and prefer to be prepared before I jump into a hobby; so this appears to be the perfect place to get started. Here's a little bit on my rig...
The Basics:
2009 Ford Ranger FX4 Off-Road, 62,500 miles (approx.)
4.0L SOHC, 5R55W auto
Rear: Factory 4.10 gears with factory Torsen LSD and 31-spline axles
Front: Factory 4.10 gears with torsion bar suspension and Dana 35 diff.
Factory skid plates
Suspension:
Supreme Suspensions lift keys with shock spacers and factory Rancho RS5000s
Supreme Suspensions lift shackles (same dimensions as a Belltech 6400)
2" lift blocks
2" wheel spacers
3.5" of lift front, 3" of lift rear
Moog polyurethane endinks
Tires:
285/75-16 General Grabber AT2s mounted letters-out (because I am a child).
Stock wheels
Brakes:
Wagner Heavy-Duty Semi-Metallic pads on Centric blank rotors
Recovery/Preparedness:
Smittybilt hitch shackle/receiver
Gear:
30ft tow strap with tree saver
2 spare shackles (they fit the factory tow hooks)
That's it so far...
Appearance:
Hella 500 Black Magic driving lights
2004 Ranger Edge grill with paint-matched trim ring.
Short-Term Plans:
Paint/install my replacement rear bumper
Install 2 shackle plates on hitch frame, one on each side
Rocky Road Outfitters rock sliders
Paint/ outfit my Century bed cap for camping (overhead net, air mattress, new screens in windows, lighting)
Bed lights
ORI Baja Challenger light hoop
2 more Hellas
Air compressor mounted inside driver's bedside with fittings in rear bumper
Bilsteins or Rancho RS9000XL shocks
Add-a-leaf or taller blocks for 1" more rear height
Some sort of air inlet modification
Self-built 2.5" stainless exhaust
Tuner (haven't decided which one)
Ford Explorer roof rack with basket for the cap
Long-Term Plans:
Deaver rear leaf springs
Coilover conversion up front, possible long-travel suspension
Supercharger
Headers, self-built y-pipe
LSD for the front
Locker out back
Please feel free to provide input or suggestions! If you have any questions about my reasoning for anything, I'll be happy to explain. For the record, I am quite happy with my Supreme Suspensions parts. I felt a bit apprehensive buying them, but upon inspection, install, and subsequent use, I have been impressed.
Also, I'd like to plan my first trip with the girlfriend and a few friends some time in August or September; likely up North in New Hampshire or Maine. I'd love input on what everyone feels the most important gear is to prepare ourselves with.
Without further adieu, here are the pictures; hope you like it!
Newly purchased in September, 2016:
(My two redheads)
(In the driveway with my turbo Focus track car and now-sold '79 242)
(Featuring my 2001 Yamaha Warrior with some basic mods)
(The first taste of work with me)
Progress and some action:
(Finally doing the last bit of trimming more than 2 months after lift/tires)
(Trying out the cap)
(Hitting the trail)
New grill and lights:
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