Workin' On The Ranger II

ski3pin

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This summer we picked up a used Ranger II in the Sacramento area. We will be using it on our ranger pickup. Like many others we've been working on a remodel, fixing a few problems, and making it "ours". Some of the interior changes include removing the refrigerator as we've used ice chests for years and want the storage space. We have replaced the original sink and stove moving them both out from under the bed slider. Anyone here want a used stove and sink? Free if you pick them up. We are also putting two drawers in in place of the two bottom sliders in the lower cabinet. The original couch had been modified (being kind here) by the previous owner. We are doing a small dinette setup borrowing on many of the fine ideas posted on this forum. Thanks for sharing! We removed the wings and notched out the furnace area so it would fit the ranger's bed. I'll attach a few photos. My brother had some bumper material from off a car hauling trailer that we thought would work well for lower bumpers against the truck bed. This is a long strip of aluminum channel covered with rubber bumper that slips on two channels that we just cut short pieces from. We will keep you updated with photos as the project progresses.
 

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This looks great 3pin, currently I have a 2x4 duct taped to the floor pack as a bumper on mine. Yours is a much nicer solution. I just spent the weekend in Hope Valley which is very close for you and found some great camp sites, will be posting a trip report soon. The aspens were not changing yet but after this weekends snow I think next weekend or the weekend after will be prime aspen time. You should check it out.
 
Rich, I have about 5 feet more of that channel and bumper if you want some. Hope Valley is great isn't it? Scott Lake, Crater Lake, Burnside Lake, Forestdale Divide, Red Lake Peak, Stevens Peak; we know this area mostly in the winter as these are favorite backcountry ski trips of ours. If you like history, check out www.longcamp.com. The possible location of Fremonts camp prior to going over Carson Pass is discussed along with coordinates.

We made it down to ATC yesterday and came back with more supplies along with very helpful direction from the guys which is much appreciated. We will be working on the new cabinet and countertop and will post photos of the progress. Got to get this done before its time to wax the skis!
 
Time for an update. On October 20th we dropped the camper off at ATC for Marty, Jeff, and Don to replace the side liner material. We had several pin holes, the clear plastic window covers had shrunk, and the original had no outside storm flaps. And, after our first real storm of the year here, we found it leaked. Ten days later we have it back home. We are very pleased with the work done which included the new side liner; straightening and bracing a bend on the roof frame; taking off, cleaning up, patching, and resealing the roof; installing a new front lift mechanism - which they found we needed; re-bracing the rear lift; installing a fantastic fan; and a new propane door. We can't say enough about these guys expertise, workmanship, and helpful advise on how to do the work we are doing ourselves to finish up our project. It is a pleasure dealing with just down home great guys who also like cookies.
 

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Here's some of the work we have accomplished and what we still have ahead. The new floor is in. We replaced the paneling behind the cabinet. The cabinet is being rebuilt with a new counter top. Two drawers are going in below the cabinet. We are also working on the dinette set up for the two of us on the opposite side. The next chores are to redo the wiring, the propane supply lines, and designing the cabinet front. With all the places I'm hearing that my wife wants to visit, it looks like we need to get it done, and it will be getting lots of use.
 

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Tacodan, Yes it is a six foot bed. The camper is out six to 7 inches. I'm loading it back on the truck this weekend. I'll take some detailed shots.
 
The new side liner; straightening and bracing a bend on the roof frame; taking off, cleaning up, patching, and resealing the roof; installing a new front lift mechanism; and a new propane door set us back around $1350 if I remember well. Money well spent and the guys did a great job.
 
Here's some photos of the finished (yeah, sure) project. We're just using pillows on the dinette seats, maybe we'll get some cushions made. It was comfortable for the two of us on the shake down trip. Now, I think we'll relax and just keep using it. Happy travels!
 

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The last two.
 

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Here's some of the work we have accomplished and what we still have ahead. The new floor is in. We replaced the paneling behind the cabinet. The cabinet is being rebuilt with a new counter top. Two drawers are going in below the cabinet. We are also working on the dinette set up for the two of us on the opposite side. The next chores are to redo the wiring, the propane supply lines, and designing the cabinet front. With all the places I'm hearing that my wife wants to visit, it looks like we need to get it done, and it will be getting lots of use.



Lookin good. I think I have the same vinyl floor covering in my camper. Also nice choice of trucks. Mine is a 2003 Ranger Edge. We love it. Like the diamond plate also

Steve
 
Very nice work on the Ranger. Your sink and stove solution looks great.
 
Thanks so much for the kind comments, they are appreciated. Lostnot, good to know there's other Rangers out there. We had a 1994 4x4 we put 200,000 miles on. We'd still have it but it was a stepside and wouldn't fit a FWC or ATC. We replaced it with our new ranger with a regular bed. Decided to stick with a Ranger because we like the size, they're comfortable for us, and we know them. Having no previous experience with hauling a camper around on a truck, we had a lot of unknowns and apprehensions about how it would all work. We were quite pleased with how the truck handled the load, how the motor pulled the weight, and how the brakes handled the stopping. That's one reason why we drove up and over Monitor Pass on the shake down. We also did a short section of low range road to get a feel for that performance. We were pleased.
 
I like the shape of the dinette table. Looks like it enhances maneuverability inside. Gonna have to think about reshaping my table, too. Thanks for posting the pix of your work. Very sweet.

I've got a '99 Ranger XLT 4x4, (4 liter V6) and I have also found that it and the Eagle are a very good combo for my needs. It gets me up to my camping spot in the Sacramento Mountains where a larger truck would not. Most of the asphalt driving around here I do comfortably at an average of 2,000 rpm with no strain, and 20 mpg. Mixing in 4WD roads, I still average 17 mpg. I've had to do quick stops to avoid hitting elk (the teenage elk don't seem to have much road sense), and the brakes do their job pretty much the same as before I added the camper. I hope I'm not tempting fate with that last statement, since I have to stop for elk or deer pretty much every time I drive at night between home and work. I'll be honest about one thing, though, and say that if I had a lot of freeway driving in hilly country to do, I might think about a nice big diesel. But, as it is now, the last thing I want to do is spend time on freeways when I'm camping, so I'll happily stick to my Ranger/Eagle!
 
You have a 6' bed? How far dose the ranger 2 hang off it??


Tacodan, here are a couple photos
 

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