Project "Slippery Slope" - 2011 FX4

[Saddle Tramp]

Wait, what? Please tell me they are easy to do.

 

[sgtsandman]

From what PetroleumJunkie412 tells me and the bit of research I did on them, the back one isn’t bad. The front one is right next to the thermostat housing underneath the intake can be rough. The black rod looking thing on the drivers side is the front one.

There is a video or two on the job on YouTube but I don’t remember enough to look up a link for you. @PetroleumJunkie412 might be able to help you out. They have to be pre-charged with oil before you install them.

 

[PNW Paul]

". . .when was the last time the external chain adjusters were changed? . . . I was not happy hearing about it after I did the work I did."

Yeah, likewise. . . Over the 70,000 mark by a few thousand, but not gonna fix it if it ain't broke. . . Already did 90% of the work with the thermo housing, always easier and quicker the second time around. Appreciate the maintenance pointer - - wish I had posted my plans on the thermo housing before executing. . .

Here's a video on the install, but more out there - - interested in the pre-oiling part:

Paul

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Wait, what? Please tell me they are easy to do.

Just did mine. Passenger side is super easy through the fenderwell, drivers is super visible but not super accessible. Remove thermostat housing and other surrounding crap to access. It sucks. Just do it.

Closes is lifetime warranty on all timing products and American made with American parts and labor. They warranty their racing parts as well. Speaks volumes.

Motorcraft just as good.

Heard on a forum somewhere that theyre a 60k mi maintenance item.

I did mine because I switched to Rotella truck and started getting startup clack to the point where I run the starter to get oil pressure before starting.


Moral of the story: rotella truck oil sucks.

 

[Saddle Tramp]

Thanks guys! I'm nearing 100K and don't think this was ever done.

 

[sgtsandman]

The pre charge is sticking the tensioners in a container of oil and pushing the plunger in until it stiffens up. Kinda like precharging/bleeding a clutch master cylinder.

 

[sgtsandman]

Thanks guys! I'm nearing 100K and don't think this was ever done.

It was the first I’ve heard of it when PetroleumJunkie412 told me. I didn’t even know it was a thing.

As bad as changing out a timing chain cassette is, anything to avoid having to do that job is worth doing.

 

[Saddle Tramp]

Any updates on the project, PWN Paul?

 

[PNW Paul]

Any updates on the project, PWN Paul?

"...but not gonna fix it if it ain't broke. . ."

As to the tensioners, no updates for a few thousand miles.

Paul

 

[PNW Paul]

Usually have to climb elevation to get into snow in most of the low-lying areas in the Pacific Northwest. . .

Not today ! ! ! About 10" in Tacoma, so took the Ranger out for a bit of a spin to check it's snow performance. Nothing extreme, just checking traction with the rear LS and Cepek tires. Had two 80lb. dumbbells and some recovery gear in the bed, handled like a champion.

Been working for the last few months on the "new-to-me" trail rig (also RBV: 1st Gen Explorer Sport), but the Ranger always a workhorse for projects and stuff.

This quick outing was reminder to get busy and install the Corbeau heated seats I had in the old trail rig to the Ranger!

Happy Trails,
Paul

 

[07nhbpsi]

Usually have to climb elevation to get into snow in most of the low-lying areas in the Pacific Northwest. . .
View attachment 55539
Not today ! ! ! About 10" in Tacoma, so took the Ranger out for a bit of a spin to check it's snow performance. Nothing extreme, just checking traction with the rear LS and Cepek tires. Had two 80lb. dumbbells and some recovery gear in the bed, handled like a champion.

Been working for the last few months on the "new-to-me" trail rig (also RBV: 1st Gen Explorer Sport), but the Ranger always a workhorse for projects and stuff.View attachment 55545

Happy Trails,
Paul

Good Lookin Truck u got there! Keep us posted

 

[PNW Paul]

Been a while, just finished up with the latest minor modification to the Ranger. . . To start off, I'm kind of a "Safety Third" kind of guy, so don't take offense if this mod rankles the Bubble Wrap Warriors out here on the interwebs. . .

Daytime Running Light delete. Bought this 2011 Ranger FX4 in 2018, and as I found out from this website the FX4 wasn't even offered in the U.S. during that last model year, so was lucky to get those options, but was never a big fan of the "headlights on all the time" from our neighbors to the North. . . And hey, I've been told I'm a bit of a "Control Enthusiast", so I like the idea of telling the transmission when to shift (manual), and when the headlights need to come on (when its dark or raining).

The parking brake is set, so you'll have to trust me that the headlights don't light when the engine is turned on. . .

Paul

 

[Saddle Tramp]

I must admit that one of my favorite things about my 2011 Sport is that it doesn't have DRLs.

 

[PNW Paul]

Sometimes I just can't help myself, (even if the shift pattern isn't correct). . .

Paul

 

[Lefty]

Purchased my lower mileage (65,000 M) Ranger in 2018, it was the FX4 with manual transmission, Rancho 5000 shocks, 4.10 gearing with a limited slip, and had a factory tonneau cover. Previous owner installed a Magnaflow cat-back exhaust and K&N air filter kit.

Here it is when I brought it home:
View attachment 38313

I do most of my commuting by motorcycle, so the Ranger is not a daily driver, but used like most pick-up trucks: yardwork, hauling gear, etc. After almost two years of ownership, wanted to make a few upgrades. So although only having the Ranger for two years, am familiar with the RBV line as I owned a first generation Explorer that I had set up for trail running for 25 years. That rig was well set up: ARBs rear and front, Atlas II transfer case, roll cage, etc., but the plan was not to replicate that vehicle.

So the goal for this project was just to set up this vehicle for over-landing, and to that end it meant mild lift, slightly larger tires, and some lighting upgrades.

Simple enough, right ? ? ?

So at the start of the new year added new torsion keys and rear blocks in order to reduce the front rake. Also swapped out the original Rancho's for a new set with a few more inches of travel. The tires were a bit undersized for the lift, but had plans on swapping those out in short order.

Post keys and blocks:
View attachment 38316

Stay tuned,
Paul

Yes! Very nice! It is great to see this and so many others so well restored.