Stock ranger, what should my first upgrades be?

Hey guys, I'm 14, got my permit. I'm planning on getting a job soon here so I can pay for my upgrades I'd like to do. I just don't know where to start. My brother and I go out and offroad and I want better performance on the trail. I want to get started upgrading now so my Ranger can be ready for when I turn 16 and have adventures with all my friends!

Any input would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

New seat belts or safety harness.

Ray

^^^ He has a good point. Also would recommend a rally or 4x4 driving course. But for now, there is the tech library at the top of every page that has lots of low cost ideas that you could start with;
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/index.shtml

Y'all can get a permit at 14? When I started driving, here in Georgia, we couldn't a permit until 15.

What mods to spend your hard earned money on at 14...

Insurance, good tires, good brakes, insurance, and gas in the tank

Preferably in that order.

Welcome to The Ranger Station!

Nobody mentioned tunes....You'll want a modern head unit with Bluetooth/Aux input, maybe an amp with better speakers!

I suggest you get a service manual and take this opportunity to catch up on all of its maintenance items. Simple things like a new serpentine belt, put new bearings in the two pulleys (or just buy new pullys). Flush the coolant and refill, check all the hoses and replace the thermostat with a quality 193 degree one. Flush out and replace the brake fluid when you replace the pads (and maybe rotors). Spark plugs can tell you how well the engine has been running, at least clean and gap those, if not replace with new double platinums (Autolite or Motorcraft) along with plug wires.

Then get into the mechanicals, check out the tie rods, ball joints for wear, replace with the kind you can GREASE occasionally. Flush the power steering fluid, replace it with synthetic ATF for quieter pump operation. I just suck out what's in the reservoir, refill with synthetic ATF, drive it a few days and repeat, repeat until you used up a quart.

Once you get all of those essentials up to snuff, think about the realistic usage of your truck. Big tires are all that off road, but effect your mpg driving around town. They also throw off your speedometer.

Make sure your parking brake/cables are in good working order, you NEED that to work. One trick I use fairly often is to gently apply the parking brake part-way when the rear wheels are spinning. Once it grabs and you regain traction, release the parking brake. That trick can get you out of a hole!

Take a look at your rear differential tag (or get the code off your door panel) and report back what your gear ratio is. If you have 4L10, that's the best for off road, stock. It'll work with taller tires better than 3.73s. If it's 4.10 without the L (for limited slip) I can predict you will be wearing out one rear tire and using the parking brake trick off road.

I suggest your first mod be adding LED Off Road lights.

I think these guys have the basics down for you...my first vehicle was cheap because it needed brakes and body work so I spent what little I had on the parts and learned to do that without any prior experience or even something like TRS to help me out...

In fact, there wasn't even a WWW back then...no cell phones either...we didn't even have real tools and used rocks and coconuts to do repairs...and no beer juice in a can...we had to go squeeze the beer trees into half a coconut shell for refreshments...

Those were the days...so, since you can't experience that without visiting Disney World it's better you come here for all tips, tricks and tool advice...

Yea.. I started driving at 13 when I lived (visited for the summer my Aunt/Uncle) in South Dakota. Long Long time ago. The more the farms are going away and more people are living in the cities and towns all states have changed the driving age laws. It was great though cause when I turned 16 here in California all I had to do is take the written test and a very short driving test. No Drivers Ed or training in H.S.

Anyway save your money as much as you can. GO TO COLLEGE!!!!!!!. Get a job and with the right degree you will have enough money to do a truck the right way.

But have fun with your new truck !!!!