OK, she's here, what do I do to her first? (request for recommendations)

[momike]

As others have mentioned, BAKflip mx4 is very popular. I've had it on other trucks and loved it.

I spent the evening looking for the best deal I could find. Talked to 6 different vendors, including directly through realtruck support. The best price I could find was through napaonline.com

Add it to your cart and talk to support, they could get it down to $997

Thank you!

If I in stall this tonneau, will I later be able to use a slide in camper if I choose to go that route? Will it snap off temporarily or something?

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[Glisch]

Thank you!

If I in stall this tonneau, will I later be able to use a slide in camper if I choose to go that route? Will it snap off temporarily or something?

Honestly no clue, I've never used a slide in camper

You can easily remove the bed cover, it takes like 30 seconds to take off. The rails generally stay on (things the bed cover lock into). To remove the rails as well I'd say is like a 5 min job. To reinstall them when ready to put the bed cover back on maybe 10 mins. Nothing that takes long, just annoying.

I don't know if you could get away with just taking the cover off, or would need to remove the rails as well.

 

[Sharpix]

As for a Camper Shell, i pass you my experiences with a Taco and a shell (I have a Ranger now):
My camper shell was picked on the lightest one, no side windows (adding lightness), so that I could remove it making it a 2 PERSON JOB.
I left the camper shell in the garage and could put it back with anyone who was passing, as I am the only male gorilla at home.
All the convenience with a 60 pound shell.

I could go with my dog to a lake, the dog going in the cabin and after a good soak on the water, he went back on the bed, with the front slide window open for ventilation and being able to cross communicate between cabin and him in the bed.

I avoided steel or aluminum canopies because they are HEAVY, a 4 person job to take it out IF EVER. Not for me, homeboy.

I hope this help you on your camper shell quest. Regards!

 

[cc1999]

Congrats!
Nice truck!
You're going to love it.


Start Stop Eliminator comes to mind for a first mod.
Around $100 on Amazon.
Amazon.com: 4D Tech Auto Start Stop Eliminator - Easy-Install Autostop Eliminator Made for 2024-2025 Ford Ranger - Compatible Ford with Ranger Accessories : Automotive

I bought a 3rd Ranger for my business this week, and that start stop crap is something that has to go. I find it distracting and at times a safety hazard, not to mention the added wear and tear on the mechanical side.

It is always a first and must have mod for me.

View attachment 76618

 

[av8r]

Just enjoy it. Be content.

 

[Onceaneagle]

Congrats!
Nice truck!
You're going to love it.


Start Stop Eliminator comes to mind for a first mod.
Around $100 on Amazon.
Amazon.com: 4D Tech Auto Start Stop Eliminator - Easy-Install Autostop Eliminator Made for 2024-2025 Ford Ranger - Compatible Ford with Ranger Accessories : Automotive

I bought a 3rd Ranger for my business this week, and that start stop crap is something that has to go. I find it distracting and at times a safety hazard, not to mention the added wear and tear on the mechanical side.

It is always a first and must have mod for me.

View attachment 76618

I have never put one in but I am tired of having to turn the auto s/s off every time I start the truck. Installation seems pretty straightforward.

 

[cc1999]

I have never put one in but I am tired of having to turn the auto s/s off every time I start the truck. Installation seems pretty straightforward.

I have installed 4 of them on Rangers and 1 on a Bronco so far, the one i ordered yesterday will my 6th install of one of these start stop eliminators, first one took 30 min or so, now that i have done it a few times, i think my last one went on in under 10 min.

It’s really no big deal.
I do recommend some thin mechanics style gloves, there are some sharp edges up under the dash near where the plugs are located. I have cut my hands a time or two, the gloves I use now has seemed to solve that issue.

 

[ScottyRangerDanger]

Fluid Film or wool wax undercoat it, and do it asap. clean it thoroughly before you do too. especially in the NE. wish I could afford a Raptor because I am absolutely brutal on mine, I bought it for fun, I don't really drive it otherwise. sometimes I smash the front end so maybe a front end delete or crash bar? I think RR might be ok tho not sure.

 

[stemplar]

When mine was new I polished it and applied a few coats of ceramic coating (carpro cquartz) and sprayed a lanolin undercoating (surface shield) everywhere I could (except brakes and exhaust).

 

[Mike M]

Here are the things I did so far.

1. Came with a factory bed liner but if you don't have one get it ASAP
2. Rubber bed mat from Ford on top of the spray in.
3. Tonneau cover from Leer Ford branded. Almost water proof and lays very flat.
4. If you do a tonneau cover seal the bed fender caps to keep water our. I used black silicon and Gorilla water proof patch and seal.
5.. Hydraulic hood struts from Red Line.
6. PPF on front, hood and front fenders with small piece on rear fender well.
7. Ceramic coat the whole thing. Canceled my car wash... saw where a member had the
antenna ripped off from one. Pricey but I think will be well worth it.
8. Hard wired my Valentine One Gen 2 radar detector to my rear view mirror power (amazon has
a kit to back tap the connector (some one had a real good post on what and how to tap)!
9. Muslogy center console storage organizer, especially the one that fits inside the console top.
Great for putting wallet, gift cards and cash in.
10. Black ET Truck Spline Lug Nut Kit; 12mm x 1.5; Set of 24 (19-26 Ranger)
11. Three front grill lights from Ford Next Gen Raptor- RP24 Dual Colour LED Grille Lights
(White & Amber). I tapped the under hood fuse box by adding a circuit easy installation. I put a quick connect / disconnect on both the amber and white so I can change colors if I want.
12. Last but not least a custom license plate RPatrol, those born before 1960 will get it!

If you need more detailed info let me know.

Do you have any photos or more details for #4? Thanks!

 

[Dre' Dawg]

Do you have any photos or more details for #4? Thanks!

Mike,

There are several good post of people that went way beyond and above what I did. Search the forum for,"
Water leaks from bed rail caps."

Post from 452Ranger said: and Silent Thunder have good pictures and ideas.

I forgot to add I did the performance tune right off the bat. Let me know if you need more info.

 

[Dre' Dawg]

Mike,

There are several good post of people that went way beyond and above what I did. Search the forum for,"
Water leaks from bed rail caps."

Post from 452Ranger said: and Silent Thunder have good pictures and ideas.

I forgot to add I did the performance tune right off the bat. Let me know if you need more info.

Also put a 1/4 in D seal on the end of the Tonnea cover and it helped a lot.

 

[Double B]

Whelp, this is quite a moment for me. Super stoked for this new rig. This pic is within an hour of delivery, realized I hadn't taken a snap of it yet

I'm going to enjoy it as it for awhile, but I'm also aware that there are some things to make it even better, I guess that's part of the fun.

First question: Are there any modifications I should make right away, things that are protective or preventive? For example, when I was considering a tacoma, I saw a video where people were rigging up shields to protect the engine bay from wheel spray, and put silicone liners in teh cup holders because they are not well sealed against leaks. Are there known issues like that that I should take care of right away while it's still new?

Second: Here are the things I'm planning up front (say within the next few months).
Spray in bed liner. Is there a reference brand or material for this?
PPF: This I'm not sure about. I'd want to find someplace to do it for a more reaonsable price.
Some sort of protection for the rear seats. Ski boots, packs, and other gear will definitely get tossed back there. What's the best way for me to avoid needlessly thrashing the leather?
Tonneau cover: is there a reference best version?
Rock sliders. These steps are a serious weak point. What's the agreed on best capable rock slider?
Sign up for Ranger Raptor school
Delete whatever tracking it does.
What am I missing on this list?

Later:
Lift: I think I read somewhere on here that Fox is developing a lift kit. I'll wait for that, as it is attractive to me to have something blessed by the manufacturer.
Tires: How big can I go? I'm sure there are many threads on that.
Rims: Are methods a good compromise between the stock rims and heavier bead-locks?
Tune: Probably will get the Ford performance tune after I break it in and get bored with how it digs trenches in basic form. Probably won't do anything else to modify it. Unless I do.
What am I missing on this list?

AND:
Camper. What's the best source for finding the ideal camper, and parsing out the best way to go for me? As you can see, I want the option to use the bed, so maybe slide in is best. Is there a unicorn slide in that's also light enough to not need to modify suspension? Does a camper void the warranty?

I may start separate threads for some of these things and do more reading. Feel free to get annoyed at me to not doing that first, but better would be to take this as an expression of my excitement. (Me last night : "I never thought I'd say these words to you. I bought a Ford.") And here I am with the best truck available, and it says ford on it. Who wouldah thunk!?


ment.

I bought the cover for the back seats directly from ford and it’s great. Complete coverage.

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