tricks and tips thread!
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,726
Likes: 10
From: down south
tricks and tips thread!
I thought it would be cool to have a thread about tricks and tips for working on cars/rangers. Simple stuff that that works!
I will start:
For years I have kept a container of acne pads in my bathroom.
These are great for those small areas of dug in grease that you miss after scrubbing up. You know, the kind you find on your face or the back of your arms.
Ok, who is next?
I will start:
For years I have kept a container of acne pads in my bathroom.
These are great for those small areas of dug in grease that you miss after scrubbing up. You know, the kind you find on your face or the back of your arms.
Ok, who is next?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,748
Likes: 16
From: Connecticut
Ranger Tailgate Cable Bolt Mod
This is a cheap and easy - but very handy - mod which IMO makes it a great idea. I first heard of it from FTE member 2K3 Mach. What you do is replace the top bolt on each tailgate latch with the same type of bolt found on the bottom of the latch (the "raised head" one that the cable hooks onto).
That's it! As a result of this mod, you now have an adjustable tailgate.
By unhooking the cables off the lower bolts and hooking them back onto the upper bolts, that leaves the tailgate at an upward angle, allowing you to haul those pesky longer items with much less risk of them sliding out.
Part # N806909S100 at the dealer (a few bucks per bolt) or just grab some at the junkyard like I did.
This is a cheap and easy - but very handy - mod which IMO makes it a great idea. I first heard of it from FTE member 2K3 Mach. What you do is replace the top bolt on each tailgate latch with the same type of bolt found on the bottom of the latch (the "raised head" one that the cable hooks onto).
That's it! As a result of this mod, you now have an adjustable tailgate.
By unhooking the cables off the lower bolts and hooking them back onto the upper bolts, that leaves the tailgate at an upward angle, allowing you to haul those pesky longer items with much less risk of them sliding out. Part # N806909S100 at the dealer (a few bucks per bolt) or just grab some at the junkyard like I did.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 7,841
Likes: 0
From: Vacaville, Ca
Ranger Tailgate Cable Bolt Mod
This is a cheap and easy - but very handy - mod which IMO makes it a great idea. I first heard of it from FTE member 2K3 Mach. What you do is replace the top bolt on each tailgate latch with the same type of bolt found on the bottom of the latch (the "raised head" one that the cable hooks onto).
That's it! As a result of this mod, you now have an adjustable tailgate. By unhooking the cables off the lower bolts and hooking them back onto the upper bolts, that leaves the tailgate at an upward angle, allowing you to haul those pesky longer items with much less risk of them sliding out.
Part # N806909S100 at the dealer (a few bucks per bolt) or just grab some at the junkyard like I did.
This is a cheap and easy - but very handy - mod which IMO makes it a great idea. I first heard of it from FTE member 2K3 Mach. What you do is replace the top bolt on each tailgate latch with the same type of bolt found on the bottom of the latch (the "raised head" one that the cable hooks onto).
That's it! As a result of this mod, you now have an adjustable tailgate.
By unhooking the cables off the lower bolts and hooking them back onto the upper bolts, that leaves the tailgate at an upward angle, allowing you to haul those pesky longer items with much less risk of them sliding out. Part # N806909S100 at the dealer (a few bucks per bolt) or just grab some at the junkyard like I did.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,726
Likes: 10
From: down south
Yeah, I didnt understand at first exactly what you were talking about until I went out and looked at it. Seems like a good idea to me too!
How about this, its an old one but one that some of the newer guys may not have heard. Its a real PITA to start spark plugs sometimes with your fingers up against the manifolds. Use a small piece of fuel or vacuum line to slip over the tip where the spark plug wire boot goes. This will give you a flexible extension that you can handle with your fingertips.
How about this, its an old one but one that some of the newer guys may not have heard. Its a real PITA to start spark plugs sometimes with your fingers up against the manifolds. Use a small piece of fuel or vacuum line to slip over the tip where the spark plug wire boot goes. This will give you a flexible extension that you can handle with your fingertips.
Senior User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 326
Likes: 1
From: Carthage, MO
Want to listen to the radio while cleaning or working on your truck, but you're tired of that stupid door dinger? Just take a screwdriver and flip the latch in the door so the system thinks it's closed. When you're done, you'll have to pull the door handle and flip the latch back open.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 23,849
Likes: 20
From: McKenzie River
on older 4x4 Rangers, (and any 4x4 with manual hubs) If you need to pull a heavy boat out of the water or any heavy load etc, with ease at very slow speeds........Simply drop the transfer case into 4wd low without turning the hubs........2wd low granny gear! you can pull a house off the foundation!.............Just make sure you come to a complete stop before shifting back to 2wd hi.
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finally got a ranger
well i finally got a ranger. Its an 89 4wd extended cab. 2.9 V6, 5 speed manual. needs a paint job and some other work and a few wiring snafus but i drove it three hours home for 6hundred bucks. ill probably be on here a lot now.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 216
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I actually learned this on www.astrosafarivans.com
BEFORE working on your car, rub about a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid in your hands and wrists like lotion, let dry.
When you clean up afterwords, hardly any dirt/grease/oil sticks. Kinda forms a barrier. Cheaper than official "barrier creams".
works great
BEFORE working on your car, rub about a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid in your hands and wrists like lotion, let dry.
When you clean up afterwords, hardly any dirt/grease/oil sticks. Kinda forms a barrier. Cheaper than official "barrier creams".
works great
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,851
Likes: 111
From: SW Va
I've posted this before, but maybe this thread would be a good place to bring it up again.
While replacing a battery, or doing repair work that calls for disconnecting the battery & you'd rather not loose all your "pre-sets" on the radio, clock, computer KAM, ect, just rig a 9 volt battery with one of those cigar lighter plugs ( be mindful of wire polarity & don't get your wires hook up polarity crossed), turn off all electrical loads, then plug it into the cigar lighter, or 12 volt power outlet, just before you disconnect the vehicles battery.
It'll keep all the presets alive while your battery is disconnected, IF you'll remember not to ground the disconnected battery B+ lead, or leave a door open or some other heavy electrical load on, that would run the 9 volt battery down.
Don't use a battery charger to do this, as most chargers have copious AC ripple riding on their 12 volt electrical output & some of the on board electronics might not like that!!!!
Edit: Remember to unplug the 9 volt battery as soon as you've reconnected the vehicles battery cable/s, as it'll try & charge the 9 volt battery & it might not like that over time.
While replacing a battery, or doing repair work that calls for disconnecting the battery & you'd rather not loose all your "pre-sets" on the radio, clock, computer KAM, ect, just rig a 9 volt battery with one of those cigar lighter plugs ( be mindful of wire polarity & don't get your wires hook up polarity crossed), turn off all electrical loads, then plug it into the cigar lighter, or 12 volt power outlet, just before you disconnect the vehicles battery.
It'll keep all the presets alive while your battery is disconnected, IF you'll remember not to ground the disconnected battery B+ lead, or leave a door open or some other heavy electrical load on, that would run the 9 volt battery down.
Don't use a battery charger to do this, as most chargers have copious AC ripple riding on their 12 volt electrical output & some of the on board electronics might not like that!!!!
Edit: Remember to unplug the 9 volt battery as soon as you've reconnected the vehicles battery cable/s, as it'll try & charge the 9 volt battery & it might not like that over time.
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