My 24’ Cactus Gray Ranger Build

[steveconnery]

When I looked at trucks on the Ford lot, I hated Cactus Gray, but when I see pics like this, there isn’t a better color out there. LOVE your truck Steve

Thanks buddy! Pretty happy with it! Hides the pinstripes a bit as well

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[Fix4Dirt]

Are the Dobinson’s still riding nice?

Sorry just saw this! Definitely. They are smoother over the small bumps & imperfections, and dont lean quite as much over long sweeping corners. It flexes real well too. I think itll be close to my perfect setup once I put 33s on it (after current set wears out) It seems to handle weight perfectly fine, but is still comfortable unloaded. That said, I haven't tried to jump it, but seems so far like a good all around setup.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

Little update, ordered new side steps so I sold the OEM ones only to find out that the steps I ordered are back ordered for 5-8 weeks.
Turns out those steps block a lot of stones tossed from the front tires. Went out one time and got a substantial amount of chips… I had a feeling this would happen so I added a little ride wrap I had from my mountain bike, but of course all the chips were above that..

I went on a deep dive to see if it’s possible to get ANY rokblokz to fit. It seems the 2023 won’t unless you give the mudflap a bunch of new holes, and get some different hardware. That seemed like a pricey experiment to me so figured I would just ordered the Amazon mixology ones and some better PPF and hope that’s good enough for now. The coverage isn’t as great as a rokblok, but it actually helped quite a bit, when I went out again I didn’t have to turn the music up to drown out the dings.

Loving this truck so far. Can’t wait to get the GoRhino steps on and some upgraded armour!

I noticed this too... there are chips down the hip of the bed on mine haha. Either way, sweet build though!!! Loving it.

 

[Shadowski]

Oh nice!

I bought my 2.7L XLT Sport with 301A equipment off the lot due to the crazy markdown at model year end, and was about 50/50 on the color, but now I love it. And you're making it look amazing.

You're giving me a lot of ideas. I am ready and interested in add ons, but past the bed liner (boo to not having factory spray) I haven't done anything just yet.

 

[steveconnery]

Oh nice!

I bought my 2.7L XLT Sport with 301A equipment off the lot due to the crazy markdown at model year end, and was about 50/50 on the color, but now I love it. And you're making it look amazing.

You're giving me a lot of ideas. I am ready and interested in add ons, but past the bed liner (boo to not having factory spray) I haven't done anything just yet.

I’m a huge fan of the color man. Looks great with accessories too! Loving the truck so far, glad you like the build! Stoked for you!

 

[Shadowski]

I’m a huge fan of the color man. Looks great with accessories too! Loving the truck so far, glad you like the build! Stoked for you!

Just redeemed some points to get the tailgate lettering. Looks better then I thought it would!

 

[Doc]

Welcome to my 2024 Ranger FX4 XLT cactus build! I wanted to make a little thread to document my build for fun.
Comingfrom a 2021 tremor I was a bit worried, but I’m happy to have the freedom to do what I want to it as the tremor had limited lift options and such. So far this thing has been amazing and I couldn’t be more stoked.
Day 1

I started immediately by removing the air dams, bed side decals, and adding my red rocket hitch recovery point!

Next was pretty big, level, tires, wheels.
Bronco Bilstein 5100’s with OME coil/Top Hat.
Toyo open country 285/70/17’s
Black rhino wheels 17x9 +25mm

Next up, was ditch lights, tailgate letters, switch panel, step removal, and tonneau cover.
AuxBeam Switches
Diode Dynamics amber combo lights.
Bison Hard Tri fold tonneau cover

Next up will be GoRhino rb20 slims and then will chill for a bit, but I hope to keep updating this thread as it
I’m also trying to figure out some sort of mounting method for maxtrax, rotopax and such. Maybe a bed rack or bed mounting. Not sure yet!
Anyways. Thanks for your time, hope you can gain some info for your builds!
Shameless plug, If you wanna follow any of my adventures in BC I will be logging them on my IG
www.instagram.com/bc.cactusranger
A few More Pics cause I love this thing.

Nice !

 

[steveconnery]

Some new stuff added.
Went for the RB20 Slim side steps.
Fairly easy install minus the instructions in a different language.
They fit up nice and tight, I wish it would be even tighter, so I may see if I can add a plate on the bracket to left them up 1/4 inch or so.
Overall think they look great, and very sturdy!

Next is an idea I’ve had for a while. I’m going to put 2 diode dynamics SSC2 spotlights in the bumper. I found some UTV pod light brackets that fit beside the ACC sensor. I’m going to drill a new hole and cut them a bit to get them closer to center the lights, but I think it’s going to look sweet. Went with the SSC2, White spot light, amber backlight which I will tap into the marker lights.

AI mockup

 

[Shadowski]

Thanks for showing the tailgate lettering. It really does pop. A simple little thing that adds a lot.

 

[Sauce]

Some new stuff added.
Went for the RB20 Slim side steps.
Fairly easy install minus the instructions in a different language.
They fit up nice and tight, I wish it would be even tighter, so I may see if I can add a plate on the bracket to left them up 1/4 inch or so.
Overall think they look great, and very sturdy!

Next is an idea I’ve had for a while. I’m going to put 2 diode dynamics SSC2 spotlights in the bumper. I found some UTV pod light brackets that fit beside the ACC sensor. I’m going to drill a new hole and cut them a bit to get them closer to center the lights, but I think it’s going to look sweet. Went with the SSC2, White spot light, amber backlight which I will tap into the marker lights.

AI mockup

 

[Sauce]

How much more tuck/clearance do you get with those running boards vs. stock? Do they mount to the frame or the oem mounts? I know they offer a bedliner finish vs stock. Assume yours are stock - are they slick at all? Was going to get the 5” boards.

I have a cactus xlt a lot like yours and love the updates.

 

[steveconnery]

How much more tuck/clearance do you get with those running boards vs. stock? Do they mount to the frame or the oem mounts? I know they offer a bedliner finish vs stock. Assume yours are stock - are they slick at all? Was going to get the 5” boards.

I have a cactus xlt a lot like yours and love the updates.

They mount to the OEM spots. They still feel super solid though, not a slider by any means but would probably take a bit of a hit. These tuck up a lot more than the OEM ones. I’d say they are in line with the bottom of the pinch weld. However, the brackets do hang down a little

 

[Sauce]

Some new stuff added.
Went for the RB20 Slim side steps.
Fairly easy install minus the instructions in a different language.
They fit up nice and tight, I wish it would be even tighter, so I may see if I can add a plate on the bracket to left them up 1/4 inch or so.
Overall think they look great, and very sturdy!

Next is an idea I’ve had for a while. I’m going to put 2 diode dynamics SSC2 spotlights in the bumper. I found some UTV pod light brackets that fit beside the ACC sensor. I’m going to drill a new hole and cut them a bit to get them closer to center the lights, but I think it’s going to look sweet. Went with the SSC2, White spot light, amber backlight which I will tap into the marker lights.

AI mockup

Any chance you have a link to those brackets or close up pics? Was going to mount some lights there too and finding something off the shelf would make my life much easier!

Did you have to remove the grill or bumper to get at those bolts or could you leave it all assembled?

Thanks

 

[steveconnery]

Any chance you have a link to those brackets or close up pics? Was going to mount some lights there too and finding something off the shelf would make my life much easier!

Did you have to remove the grill or bumper to get at those bolts or could you leave it all assembled?

Thanks

I didn’t have to remove the bumper of anything. I used the 2 existing bolts that hold the ACC sensor down.
I did have to do some modifications to the brackets though so the light would be center, and shoot straight. Basically the opening is 5 inches wide, and to line the light up you’d need the screw hole to be about 1.5 inches from the mounting hole for the light, as the screw is 1 inch from the sensor. The bracket itself is fairly long so I cut a few inches off with a grinder.
I’ll get ya the link and some pictures in a bit here. In the process of getting the lights on but having an issue with one of the pods…..
Gonna be sweet when complete though!

You can kinda see the 2 screws here that hold down the ACC sensor

 

[Sauce]

Gotcha and thanks. I was going to use those same bolts and just extend using a mending plate with a hole drilled where the mount is centered. Any reason you went with the L bracket instead?

Looks sick. Our cactus trucks are nearly twins. I’ve gotten a lot of inspiration from yours. I’ll post pics once everything is dialed.

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