Ranger Raptor in Moab and Hells Revenge

[telenerd]

Fins and Things some say is easy but I found was actually quite difficult when I did it. Might have been the sand on the rocks. Be prepared to use your skid plates and has quite a few ledges. My Bronco got a good beating. I’d also stay clear of Poison Spider until better skids are available.

Did you end up using the stock plastic gas tank skid when in Moab?

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[a77cj7]

Fins and Things some say is easy but I found was actually quite difficult when I did it. Might have been the sand on the rocks. Be prepared to use your skid plates and has quite a few ledges. My Bronco got a good beating. I’d also stay clear of Poison Spider until better skids are available.

Did you end up using the stock plastic gas tank skid when in Moab?

No, I was careful to avoid chassis damage as I’m on all stock skids. Put a minor scratch in the plastic cover over the lower control arm attachment, but it sits far lower than the gas tank skid.

 

[a77cj7]

Did you end up using the stock plastic gas tank skid when in Moab?

I stand corrected. I was under the truck today pulling the running boards, and did a more thorough inspection. There is a scuff on the front of the gas tank skid. No deformation, protected the tank nicely.

 

[a77cj7]

Finally made time to repair my trail damage. I decided that while this is a beautiful, brand new truck, its also my occasional daily driver/snow vehicle/gravel road runner and it will never stay pretty. I decided to go with the cheaper, acceptable repairs vs full replacements or hiring professional body shop.

Two scuffed wheels:
Removed them from truck. Lightly sanded the damage with orbital to smooth and scuff paint, but didn’t take off much paint.
“Masked” the tire with playing cards.

Hit it with four or five light coats of duplicolor magnetic grey.

Back on the truck. Can’t tell till I get it out in the sun, but looks quite acceptable in the shop.

Running board:
I crawled under the truck and noticed that the running board was super easy to unbolt. I removed it to make it easier to work on and avoid overspray issues.
I masked over the damaged area, then cut the bedliner for a straight seam. I was highly disappointed how easily the factory bedliner peeled off the powder-coat underneath, it peeled off in one piece with the masking tape.

I finished masking the board, and scuffed the powdercoat with an orbital sander, cleaned with alcohol. I also pulled the driver side board, as i knew the bottom was scuffed and was scared of the bad adhesion, so wanted to seal it up.

I sprayed both boards with raptor liner 2x at 10 minute intervals. The instructions said 20 min between coats, but i needed to build thickness to match factory liner. The spray can is only good for 60 minutes once activated. I peeled the mask off the driver side board after two coats, and considered it successful.

The passenger side board, I pulled the mask after 4 coats, and was quite surprised to find the new liner thicker than factory. I kinda panicked and attempted to fix with multiple foam brushes and roller covers, but made things worse. I shot the remainder of the can over the top, to see if it would help.

After 15 min, it still looked pretty bad, so
I once again made the wrong choice and messed with it more. Then tried to spray the can and it just spattered big globs.

Plan now is to let it cure, sand it smooth with orbital tomorrow afternoon, buy another $50 can of raptor liner, and spray it again without masking.

Exhaust tip:
I tried tapping out the dent with a hammer and rounded end of a large punch, but the angle and unsupported work piece made it ineffective.
I made a quick press tool by tack welding a scrap of angle iron to a welding clamp.

I worked the clamp around the dent trying to push it out evenly.

I didn’t get it perfectly smooth by any means, but did restore it to its original profile.

I considered sanding and polishing out the scuffs, but noticed the tip had a brushed finish from factory. I chucked up a wire cup in a drill and worked over the scuffs.

I’m not sure if theres a coating on factory, so if it oxidizes, I’ll brush again and spray with high temp clear.

Trail pinstripe:
After some internet research into auto scratch repair, I bought this kit.

Wet sanded by hand with the 3000g foam pad till the scratch was gone.

Performed two applications of the rubbing compound, then two applications of the scratch remover compound on the drill wheels. I noticed after the first pass of rubbing compound that scratch was still barely visible, but didn’t want to sand off more clearcoat.

Applied two applications of lucas wax, and called it fixed.

Overall a very successful day. Only disappointed in the passenger side running board. Hopefully I can save it tomorrow. I have effectively no experience at auto paint or bodywork, so this was all new to me.

 

[a77cj7]

Running board try two:

Sanded the repair area smooth. Used orbital sander with 80g pad. The day-cured raptor liner was much softer than the original of course, so ended up leaving the original a bit proud and punched through the raptor in spots.

Sprayed 4 coats at 20 minute intervals.

Not perfect, but good enough. Plus, I’m tired of buying $50 rattlecans.

I am now calling all repair areas successful, assuming they hold up to time and weather. Total cost: under $200.

 

[Papa D]

Thanks for sharing your adventure. We did the Grand Circle back in 09 but it was all touristy stuff, no off roading. Amazing place.

 

[John E Davies]

What a great thread and pics, thanks for posting. I am headed to Moab in late April 2025 but no way am I going to beat up the truck. FYI the Moab red dust and mud has a high concentration of iron, up to maybe three percent, so it is really important to get it all off the truck chassis and suspension. The dust will infiltrate unsealed PC boards or non waterproof butt splices, and will definitely cause electrical corrosion. Take off the spare tire and use an oscillating sprinkler underneath, let it run as long as you keep seeing red glop coming off. Then, the next time you wash the truck, do it again. I hate that stuff…unless you are lucky in the timing and can drive on really wet highways for a while… the Moab quarter car washes can be a real muddy mess after a storm event.

Regardless of the red dust, I love the area. Overnight camping on the White Rim is spectacular!

Any RR owner who wants to do the moderate trails should just rent a Bronco, it will do way better and any trail damage will be on somebody else’s vehicle. However

“We will Provide a Trail Guide. Due to the difficulty of some trails in the Moab area, anything rated a 3+ will be prohibited. Any Moab Bronco Rental found on prohibited trails will be charged $2,000. Thank you for following the trail recommendations for the safety of everyone including the rental.”

Moab Bronco Rentals

Approved trails for Jeep rentals

John Davies
Spokane WA

 

[Blue Ridge Raptor]

Thanks for the awesome thread and photos! Moab should be on anyone’s bucket list for off-roading adventure or stunning scenery. Photos can’t do it justice. Recommend a drive up to Warner Lake in LaSal mtns outside of town when visiting to escape the heat & noise.
I‘m impressed at the OP’s moxie for putting the truck out there. $200 in repairs is worth the bragging rights IMHO.
i rented a Bronco from Moab Bronco Rentals when they first opened. Owners are super nice folks.
looking forward to RR Assault in October.

 

[embedded rock]

Was curious if anyone had taken a Ranger Raptor through Hell's Revenge, and this thread appeared in the search results.

You did some really nice adventuring in the Moab area and then over to Gateway.

Did you happen to see the "Washer Woman" when you were at the Mesa Arch? She is in your picture, but viewing from the White Rim Trail, she is clearly spotted with a blue sky as a background.

 

[a77cj7]

Was curious if anyone had taken a Ranger Raptor through Hell's Revenge, and this thread appeared in the search results.

You did some really nice adventuring in the Moab area and then over to Gateway.

Did you happen to see the "Washer Woman" when you were at the Mesa Arch? She is in your picture, but viewing from the White Rim Trail, she is clearly spotted with a blue sky as a background.

I had no idea it was called that until I just googled it. But yes, we did notice that and the other tower from the mesa arch. So many awesome features in the area.

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