Cactus Jack - Build so far (2024 Ranger Lariat FX4)

[CactusJack]

Got it. Looks good . Can you comment on Your off road experiences.

I've only had it on trail really once. The offroad tech is insane, all the camera angles, the off road modes do a good job of setting things up for you (even though it's disappointing there's no "rock" mode for the standard Ranger). Good ground clearance stock, and the little bit of skid plate on the FX4 is good for the average person. The limiting factor for me is the tires... These Wranglers are more of a road tire with some offroady looking pattern on the sidewall. Grip isn't great, weak sidewall, poor tread pattern. With a mild lift and some quality AT tires, I think it will be great!

I have an in-cab video I'll post shortly

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[CactusJack]

Got it. Looks good . Can you comment on Your off road experiences.

 

[Sportsman70004]

Looks like the same tonneau cover from my 23 Ranger.

 

[mattmico]

I'm about 2 months into ownership with my Cactus Grey Lariat FX4 (affectionately named Cactus Jack). Want to show what I've done so far and ask the community for resources on what I'd like to do next!

Very nice. I gave the same - Lariat FX4 but in Silver. Loving it so far. I’m in the market for a hard tri-fold tonneau cover but so far nothing in my price range or an exact fit. I like the idea of a roll top but I wonder how much space does it take up when it’s open all the way.

 

[CACTUSGREYFX4]

Need to move your hand position hit a rock/pothole and break your finger or thumb

 

[MJE]

Wow looks like it’s coming along great & you’re really enjoying it & using it! How does it compare to the F150? Is the Ranger still alright for space comfort? My hope is that once I have a chance to experience the Ranger it’ll be close to my all time favorite vehicle, my shouldn’t have sold F150, while being a little smaller & more maneuverable around the city.

 

[CactusJack]

Need to move your hand position hit a rock/pothole and break your finger or thumb

Ha I wasn't too worried on this mild trail. And I needed extra grip since i was one-handing it with the phone lol

 

[CactusJack]

Wow looks like it’s coming along great & you’re really enjoying it & using it! How does it compare to the F150? Is the Ranger still alright for space comfort? My hope is that once I have a chance to experience the Ranger it’ll be close to my all time favorite vehicle, my shouldn’t have sold F150, while being a little smaller & more maneuverable around the city.

The new rangers are the most spacious mid size for sure. It's definitely adequate for daily use. I'll only miss the space of the F150 like 2 weeks a year when I really have it loaded up. Nothing is as big inside as an F150 and you have to be more creative about what to bring and where things go, but it's so much easier to live with on the daily

 

[MJE]

The new rangers are the most spacious mid size for sure. It's definitely adequate for daily use. I'll only miss the space of the F150 like 2 weeks a year when I really have it loaded up. Nothing is as big inside as an F150 and you have to be more creative about what to bring and where things go, but it's so much easier to live with on the daily

Thanks for confirming that! that‘s what my sales guy told me, expect that because the Ranger is the ROTW’s F150 that they’ve taken some of those roomy design principles & applied them to the Ranger. Making it a good daily but not too small to do those once a year things too. Short drives in rural areas in a 24 F150 is sure nice, but a large vehicle for one guy & his dog when it comes to the city. Looking forward to experiencing a Ranger once they have a demo here. So far they’ve only had orders & pre sold examples.

I’ve only had a chance to sit in a Canyon so far, & though it was awfully nice (Denali) I was surprised that it seemed to be no larger than what I have now.

 

[Aranel23]

I optioned a spray in bedliner and retractable tonneau cover from Ford Accessories. I got the Embark LS (Retrax Pro XR) with the T Slot rails for a future bed rack system.

How do you like it? Any leaks?

 

[CactusJack]

How do you like it? Any leaks?

I love the tonneau, it's so much better than the Truxedo rollup I had on my F150.

It slightly leaks at the tailgate, the weather seal at that location notoriously leaves a small gap (less than 1/2") and if water comes in rearward it will leak in. That said, I think it would be easily fixed with a larger weather strip that contacts the tailgate itself. It doesn't leak enough to bother me and chase that down yet.

My only other complaint is I need to adjust the retention mechanism so it holds partially open better. When locked partially open, it still can slide forward and back without being unlocked. I'm sure it's just an adjustment though.

 

[CactusJack]

Thanks for confirming that! that‘s what my sales guy told me, expect that because the Ranger is the ROTW’s F150 that they’ve taken some of those roomy design principles & applied them to the Ranger. Making it a good daily but not too small to do those once a year things too. Short drives in rural areas in a 24 F150 is sure nice, but a large vehicle for one guy & his dog when it comes to the city. Looking forward to experiencing a Ranger once they have a demo here. So far they’ve only had orders & pre sold examples.

I’ve only had a chance to sit in a Canyon so far, & though it was awfully nice (Denali) I was surprised that it seemed to be no larger than what I have now.

I drove both the Canyon AT4 and Colorado ZR2, and almost got both had it worked out differently. They are great trucks, only slightly smaller in the cab than the Ranger but the Ranger definitely has a more comfortable drivers cockpit.

Interesting observation, I thought the back seats of the Canyo-Rado were actually more reclined, where the Ranger is more upright. Even though there's more rear seat leg and head room, the seating position in the back seemed more comfortable... But the ranger has better seats. Definitely odd.

 

[CactusJack]

Got Jack out for a little fishing trip this weekend, finally got some quality photos of it in the current form

 

[Elgin_Ranger]

Nice setup, is there any way to secure the Yakima rack so it won't get stolen?

 

[Velociraptor]

I love the tonneau, it's so much better than the Truxedo rollup I had on my F150.

It slightly leaks at the tailgate, the weather seal at that location notoriously leaves a small gap (less than 1/2") and if water comes in rearward it will leak in. That said, I think it would be easily fixed with a larger weather strip that contacts the tailgate itself. It doesn't leak enough to bother me and chase that down yet.

My only other complaint is I need to adjust the retention mechanism so it holds partially open better. When locked partially open, it still can slide forward and back without being unlocked. I'm sure it's just an adjustment though.

if you find a large enough weather strip let me know. I haven’t found anything that works.

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