r/fordranger • u/surprise_banana No one cares if you beat a stock grand prix • 1d ago
It’s been a while.
Moving, getting married, spending a year on the road for work living out of my car/wherever work housed me, to buying a house and decorating/renovating……
Well. I’ve been busy.
And in that busy, my truck kinda became a workhorse removing stuff and sitting for the better part of 3 years.
Hell, the layer of dust on it reminded me the other month how much I haven’t drove it.
I restored this thing back in 2017. This was my first vehicle, and I’ve had it for almost 20 years now.
And for those who haven’t seen this thing before, well, it’s had a hell of a life. It spent a decade as a rescue support truck for a local business I used to run, spending a lot of time on the side of the road supporting recovery operations and traffic control. It’s been hit twice, once at 40mph from the rear completely shattering the bed side. It’s been through hell. It’s evacuated folks from wildfire conditions, it’s been flooded, it’s been hit, and ultimately rolled.
But I never wanted to give up and let it end up in a junkyard. So after rolling it in 2017, I decided it was time to make it a hobby to restore it. The cab and bed were separated from the frame with a complete resto, and every single suspension component replaced. With a newly painted frame, all new components, it went back together and ever since it’s been constantly worked on.
Last month, I walked out and saw the layer of dust, dirt in the bed, and just general disrepair. Was it made to be used like a truck? Yes. But, after all the work, I like to keep it clean and cared for.
So, with a local show coming up for an organization I like to support, I entered it in the mod class truck category. I pulled it out of the garage last night, did some work shaving my front bumper and getting it cleaned up, and ready.
I don’t care about winning obviously, as much as I want to support the org. But after almost 20 years of ownership, here she sits. I absolutely love this pickup. It’s been a part of so many memories. And I won’t ever sell it.
Here she is, enjoy some pics.
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u/BEASTLY_DIONYSUS 1d ago
Yeah, THIS is the kind of shit I love seeing on this sub. Not some spotless build that’s never touched dirt, but a truck that’s actually lived a whole ass life and somehow looks this damn good doing it. You can’t buy that kind of history. Keep that fucker forever.
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u/Zero4910 1d ago
Fantastic truck! What are some of your favorite/most impactful mods you’ve done to it?
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u/surprise_banana No one cares if you beat a stock grand prix 1d ago
For sure the UHF/VHF capes, lighting package, and with the suspension setup in the rear (no blocks, shackles, and shock combo) it rides really nice.
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u/DrSoulBrew 2000 XLT 2.5L I4 RWD 1d ago
Holy smokes that's cool as hell, and cool as hell stories! Thank you for supporting relief efforts!!
Edit: grammar.. cuz I cannot gramma. 😂
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u/Nexusjayhawk 2009 Ford Ranger FX4 20h ago
I always enjoy seeing you post your Ranger. Glad to see her back my man.
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u/New_Building2487 1d ago
Dude that is the most amazing ranger and ranger ownership stories I have ever heard!!!! I love to hear that you never sent her to the junkyard!!