1992 Ranger 392 Makeover

[JoePA]

Well, I started to remove some of the carpet to see what I was up against. Well, after 16 years of use the carpet came off pretty easy. The glue...Well that's another story!! Any tips for that other than alot of elbow grease?? And beer of course!!

Gauges and windshields will be ordered next pay check and hydro steering will be after that. Hot Foot is in the mail and should be here tomorrow. So alot of things going on and should be fun. Now it's time to go and restock the fridge!! I have some pics but once I make some more progress i'll post them.

On another note...what do you guys think ok getting a thread pinned that has all the tips of redoing carpet? Pull alot of ideas and pics from previous resorations? I know I've done my fair share of searching and it gets crazy!

Thanks
Joe


Modified by JoePA at 9:55 PM 1/12/2008

[Trent_in_BG]

JoePa, can't wait to see the pictures. I find myself checking this page everyday. I am amazed at the talent you guys have.

[HydraSport205]

Joe,
The biggest tip I can give you is to take your time and be thorough. Getting the glue off is a beotch but it will come off with some elbow grease. Your method depends on the glue, if it is somewhat soft and gooey it is obviously harder. I used a good scraper, lots of razor blades and even a wire wheel on a drill. Get it as close to 100% gone as you can especially on the deck areas, that is where the razor blades come into play. Laying the carpet is fun especially as you see it starting to come together. Get lots of sharp carpet blades and a good carpet knife and keep a sharp blade. I bet I went through 30 some blades, a sharp knife is key. Use contact cement on the deck lids and a trowled carpet glue for the decks/floor. Follow the carpet manufacturer recommendation for trowel depth and follow it to a T. If you take your time and do it outside or in a very well ventilated area you will get great results. (contact cement particularly will mess you up bad, dont risk it). You can also use acetone to loosen stubborn glue, just make sure not to get it on anything plastic or painted, it will eat paint off instantly. Also use extreme caution with the acetone, it is very harmful, wear gloves that are made for use with acetone to keep it off your hands and as said before, dont breath the fumes....nasty.

[Legend Chris]

I am currently in the process of doing my carpet. Take your time, be thorough..GLUE SUCKS...drink a beer...
make sure the grain goes the correct direction...

[Rollo331]

the best thing for glue is toulene,BUt it is some very bad stuff..i would only use it as a last resort outside and with the correct protective clothing ......
it will hammer the glue...but its some bad stuff..........

[JoePA]

Finally got to put a few hours in on the Ranger. I ordered up the seats, gauges, windshields and a few more feet of carpet just in case. Went ot Lowes and got the glue, knives and almost everything else I needed. so here we go...


Last night I tore the Hotfoot apart and powder-coated it. Looks much better than bare aluminum.


Here is the front deck and some of the lids with the original carpet.


Once I removed the lids I marked the hinges so I knew where they went and how they went on. Did this so I wouldn't run into hinges not matching up with holes.


Here is the lip that is on the ranger lids. You can see how the carpet gets installed first then they install the inner part of the lid last. still not sure what I'm going to do here.





Here are a few pics of where I'm at now. I have the carpet removed from the front deck and compartment, the two lids and the main floor. I'm going to finish up cleaning the glue off of the floor and work on the area where the hinges attached to the lids. Once the seats come in I'll be working on making the seat box to hold them.

Joe


Modified by JoePA at 11:31 PM 8/2/2008


Modified by JoePA at 11:35 PM 8/2/2008

[SwatDawg]

Good Job

[Fish Loco]

Your about done with the worse part the prep work, it's all down hill from here

[JoePA]

Been a few days and haven't got too far. I was waiting for some parts to come in before I go any further. Well, some goodies came in and let me know what you think.


Here are the orignal windshields




Here are the ones from Legend. They are from an LE-21 I think they look much better. I have to do some minor tweaking to make them work but it's no biggie.


Here's a pic of the new seats. Got these from http://www.boatingseats.com and great quality and price! All Ihave to do now is build the platform they will sit on and then in goes the carpet. The gauges came in too but I will post once I have them installed!! Stay tuned!!!

Joe

[SwatDawg]

Looking Good

[arjone01]

Nice! I wanted to use those very seats but my middle seat is too wide. Do you have storage under them?

[JoePA]

Aaron,
I have NO room at all under the seats. You can see int he one pic that the fuel tanks are right under the seats. I wanted to make somethig but once I just set the seats in there I found out that wasn't going to happen!! I've been checking the progress on your boat...Looks great and wet sandig does wonders!

Joe

[arjone01]

Joe, I remember this post and thought if you hadn't already seen it that it would help. Looks good! http://www.bbcboards.net...33248

[JoePA]

Aaron,
Thank you for the link. Yes, I've been in contact with Joel a few times on the making of the box. This is more fun than purchasing a new one....and cheaper!

[JoePA]

Well I haven't made too much progress. I wanted ot have the carpet in by now but what's the rush...still cold and ice on the lakes so no worries right!?

Here is a pic of the new gauges..compliments of Legend!



I still have to hook up the tach. It's a systems check tach and I have to get the right connectors to hook it up.


Here is the seat box. I used 1/2 plywood because I'm sitting very high with the new seats so I went as thin as possible. I reinforced under all the seats and glassed everything in.


And last but not least I still have three more lids to do. Those rivets do suck! I'm going with hardware whenI do the install!



Once I get my rear in gear I will post more!

Joe

[fastman151]

Joe...like those new windshields and guages...doing a fine rebuild job. Where did you get your new carpet from??

[SwatDawg]

Looking very nice

[dartman]

Joe looking good haven't seen you or the boat in awille.by the way Beltsville not froz. yet

[JoePA]

Vince...now you tell me thiswhen the boat is tore apart!! Well then I want to see that Gambler hauling the mail then with that new engine!!

Ed, I got the carpet through BassCat when it was on sale. Really nice stuff and great quality! I didn't think there was going to be enough room between the lids but it looks liek it will work fine.

I priced some new latches today...WOW! It was something like $175 to do all the lids! Guess that will be on hold. Going t do some more work tomorrow. Maybe once the rest of the lids are stripped I will start the wet sanding!! It never seems to end!

Joe

[sjpg77]

Excellent job. Keep up the good work and always keep us posted. IM sure you will get lots of question for some new comer about projects like this...