Dave Caldwell III from Knoxville, Tennessee, is one lucky teenager. Not yet 16, he shares ownership of this beautiful '95 Ranger, a family project that includes Dave's father (Dave Jr.) and grandfather (Dave Sr.). Dave Sr., involved with custom vehicles most of his life, was looking for his next show vehicle and also a way to connect three generations of men in the family. When he discovered this partially customized Ranger on the Internet, he knew it was the one. The paint scheme and bodywork caught his eye, but there were many other areas that needed lots of tender, loving care.
The Ranger was already body-dropped 3-1/2 inches and the body mods included: shaved everything, a cowl induction hood, a Lexan rear window, and a Street Beat 40-inch ragtop. The stepside fenders, tailgate, and rear pan were welded into a one-piece unit, accented with Maltese Cross-style taillights. The front fenders and cowl also use the one-piece approach. In addition to the body drop, this Ranger hits the deck thanks to its air suspension system, using a belt-driven compressor to air up the Firestone 2500/2600 airbags through 1/2-inch valves and 3/8-inch lines. Twin five-gallon reserve tanks in the bed provide plenty of playtime, and the airbags get a little extra height thanks to the cantilevered mounting on the new four-link rear.
While Dave Sr. and Dave Jr. may not have needed a loud, thumping stereo, Dave III considered it essential. The Alpine in-dash CD/DVD unit with 6-inch screen has its signal amplified by an Alphasonix 360-watt amplifier mounted out of sight. Sound comes from a pair of 10-inch Alphasonix subs in their own enclosure and four 6x9 speakers positioned around the cab. A PlayStation 2 with remote infrared controllers and the six-disc changer in the armrest add to the fun. The stereo was done by Dubbed Out in Knoxville, Tennessee, while Kreative Kustoms, also in Knoxville, did the stitchwork inside, adding a new vinyl headliner, custom carpet, and new purple inserts on the seats and door panels. The bed is carpeted with gray and black carpet, using a pair of chrome five-gallon tanks for the air suspension system, along with a fuel cell mounted under the billet gas filler cap and flamed vinyl panel.
Paint on the Ranger is a combination of Acura Silver with Pearl added and Ford Black Sapphire Metallic Blue separated by House of Kolor Tangelo Pearl. Mad Mods in Hollywood, Florida, handled the paint job, while Bonz Designs airbrushed the Tangelo flames. Future plans include more interior upgrades, detailing under the hood, and a larger set of rims and tires. Dave III is also looking forward to the future when he is finally old enough for a driver's license!
The Lowdown
ROLLING ATTIRE
Wheels: Momo Status rims, 17x8 up front and 18x8 in the rear
Tires: Front - Toyo 215/40ZR18; Rear - 235/40ZR18
CHASSIS MODIFICATIONS
Suspension type: Airbags with engine-driven compressor
Rear suspension: Four-link, Nitro shocks
Bag size: Firestone 2600/2500
Spindles/springs: Belltech 3-1/2-inch dropped I-beams, Nitro shocks
Air accessories: 1/2-inch valves and 3/8-inch lines, twin five-gallon reserve tanks
Frame mods: Four-link rear with cantilevered airbag connection
Frame material: Stock
Gas tank: Bed-mounted 15-gallon fuel cell
Brakes: Stock
Performed by: Owner
City/state: Knoxville, Tennessee
BODY MODIFICATIONS
Shaved: Windshield wipers, squirters, rain gutter, door handles, third light, taillights, license plate, rear bumper, gas filler lid, and all body emblems
Body-dropped: 3-1/2 inches by the Drop Shop in Pikeville, Kentucky
Front end: Fenders and grille shell molded together, cowl induction hood, billet grille
Back end: Fenders, tailgate, and rear pan welded together with SnugTop tonneau cover; rear fenders raised 1-1/2 inches to clear larger tires
Taillights: Maltese Cross-style
Miscellaneous: Street Beat 40-inch canvas sunroof, Lexan rear window with license plate
Performed by: Mad Mods
City/state: Hollywood, Florida
PAINT
Brand and colors: Acura Silver with Pearl and Ford Black Sapphire, separated by House of Kolor Tangelo Pearl; Bonz Designs airbrushed the flames
Style: Two-tone with flame graphics
Performed by: Mad Mods & Bonz Designs
City/state: Hollywood, Florida
INTERIOR
Seats: Stock with purple inserts
Material: Suede
Dash: Stock with additional gauges for the air suspension
Door panels: Purple and gray tweed
Center console: PlayStation 2 forward and six-CD changer between the seats
Flooring: Gray carpeting with diamond-plate floor mats
Headliner: Gray
Misc: Tribal steering wheel, billet shifter, and turn signal knobs
Performed by: Kreative Kustoms
City/state: Knoxville, Tennessee
STEREO
Head unit: Alpine CD/DVD with 6-inch screen
Amplifiers: Alphasonix, 300 watts
Speakers: Two Alphasonix 10-inch subs, four 6x9 mids and highs in doors and rear quarter panels
Additional components: PlayStation 2 and six-CD player in the center console
Performed by: Dubbed Out
City/state: Knoxville, Tennessee
ENGINE/PERFORMANCE
Engine: 4.0L V-6
Fuel delivery: Fuel injection
Intake: Aluminum cold-air intake with cone filter and stainless steel guard
Exhaust: 2-1/2-inch exhaust with Flowmaster muffler
Driveshaft: Stock
Rearend type: 7-1/2-inch Ford
Battery: Optima Yellow Top Location: Under hood
Detail work: Chrome alternator, A/C compressor, fuse box cover, oil breather, and radiator recovery tank; inner fender panels removed for clearance
Performed by: Owner
City/state: Knoxville, Tennessee