And lots of auxiliary lighting for the Ranger. It's time I splurge and spend some coin on these things I've always wanted.
Long post, let me warn you.
Had a black ice powered low speed crash with a post, will be taking it in to the dealer's body shop to fix that and while there, getting a hood stone deflector, rain deflectors for the side windows and the "cage/taillight guards" installed then, all OEM options I regret not getting in the first place.
After which, some aftermarket goodies are going on, will be buying a Back Rack with toolbox mount and sport light brackets, and the Rear bar.
I also want to get a crossbed toolbox, hence my decision to buy the Back Rack with toolbox mounts, and a front grille guard/brush guard or whatever you like to call it. I want to mount a pair of extra driving lights on the grille guard, and a pair of lights on the back rack hence the "sport light bracket" option I will be buying on that.
Will certainly ask for as much info as I can on the backrack at the shop I buy it from, I've only owned a truck for a year and know next to nothing about all these accessories. I'm sure there are plenty of BITOG members that know this stuff inside and out who can share their experience and knowledge with me.
Not sure if the "sport light brackets" are designed for these lights to face forwards, back or reversible. I would like to have 2 or 3 sets of the high mounted (on the top of the back rack) lights, one-two set(s) forward and one set facing back tied into my reverse lights to come on automatically when I shift into reverse, as the regular reverse lights in the taillight assembly is quite inadequate in dark, completely unlit areas (especially offroad). Nothing excessively bright to blind anyone, just enough to help see what I'm backing up towards. If it turns out I need a separate switch to keep them off in a city environment I will do so. I also want a lot of lighting power forwards for both offroad, city, freeway and rural highway use.
The truck has foglights stock (more like low mount driving lights) and I intend to add an extra pair of such lights to the grille guard. I'd like to use lights that are about the same brightness as my foglights, and tap their relay off of the circuit for my factory fogs so they come on when I turn on my factory foglights, and be able to use them on the roads without blinding anyone with excessive candlepower. And yes, I will have them aimed correctly.
For offroad usage I want to mount 2 or perhaps even 4 large, super bright lights on the top of the backrack, which will definitely have their own switch and absolutely will not be used anywhere there is oncoming traffic.
I'd like some newbie education here, The Back Rack thing I've got figured out. I'd like recommendations on a toolbox, and on a front grille guard, on selection of lighting based on the intended uses I've explained, and any installation advice.
I will DIY the backrack and toolbox install for sure, the grille and lighting maybe or maybe not.
Typically where and how is the grille guard mounted and what's involved in an install?
What kind of weekend can I expect installing and wiring up all these lights, relays and switches?
Would it be smart to leave some or all of that top the professionals?
Makes and Models of toolboxes, front grille guard and lighting to look for, and which ones to avoid?
Please school me on how it's all done, what I've got right in my plan and what I'm dead wrong on or how to improve?
Thanks to all those that read through all of that and a HUGE thanks to anyone who helps educate me on this.
Long post, let me warn you.
Had a black ice powered low speed crash with a post, will be taking it in to the dealer's body shop to fix that and while there, getting a hood stone deflector, rain deflectors for the side windows and the "cage/taillight guards" installed then, all OEM options I regret not getting in the first place.
After which, some aftermarket goodies are going on, will be buying a Back Rack with toolbox mount and sport light brackets, and the Rear bar.
I also want to get a crossbed toolbox, hence my decision to buy the Back Rack with toolbox mounts, and a front grille guard/brush guard or whatever you like to call it. I want to mount a pair of extra driving lights on the grille guard, and a pair of lights on the back rack hence the "sport light bracket" option I will be buying on that.
Will certainly ask for as much info as I can on the backrack at the shop I buy it from, I've only owned a truck for a year and know next to nothing about all these accessories. I'm sure there are plenty of BITOG members that know this stuff inside and out who can share their experience and knowledge with me.
Not sure if the "sport light brackets" are designed for these lights to face forwards, back or reversible. I would like to have 2 or 3 sets of the high mounted (on the top of the back rack) lights, one-two set(s) forward and one set facing back tied into my reverse lights to come on automatically when I shift into reverse, as the regular reverse lights in the taillight assembly is quite inadequate in dark, completely unlit areas (especially offroad). Nothing excessively bright to blind anyone, just enough to help see what I'm backing up towards. If it turns out I need a separate switch to keep them off in a city environment I will do so. I also want a lot of lighting power forwards for both offroad, city, freeway and rural highway use.
The truck has foglights stock (more like low mount driving lights) and I intend to add an extra pair of such lights to the grille guard. I'd like to use lights that are about the same brightness as my foglights, and tap their relay off of the circuit for my factory fogs so they come on when I turn on my factory foglights, and be able to use them on the roads without blinding anyone with excessive candlepower. And yes, I will have them aimed correctly.
For offroad usage I want to mount 2 or perhaps even 4 large, super bright lights on the top of the backrack, which will definitely have their own switch and absolutely will not be used anywhere there is oncoming traffic.
I'd like some newbie education here, The Back Rack thing I've got figured out. I'd like recommendations on a toolbox, and on a front grille guard, on selection of lighting based on the intended uses I've explained, and any installation advice.
I will DIY the backrack and toolbox install for sure, the grille and lighting maybe or maybe not.
Typically where and how is the grille guard mounted and what's involved in an install?
What kind of weekend can I expect installing and wiring up all these lights, relays and switches?
Would it be smart to leave some or all of that top the professionals?
Makes and Models of toolboxes, front grille guard and lighting to look for, and which ones to avoid?
Please school me on how it's all done, what I've got right in my plan and what I'm dead wrong on or how to improve?
Thanks to all those that read through all of that and a HUGE thanks to anyone who helps educate me on this.
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