Cutting a BIG hole in my Ranger

[XingEyeballs]

Hey all, looking at upgrading my 2003 Ranger 185VS with new technology. I want to cut a trolling motor tray in for my ultrex. Any advise? Looking at Comfortroll d-lux so I can pick up a cup holder and tool station, any one have this setup?
thanks fellas

[kry29]

I don't think they all fit the ultrex pedal so make sure before you order one

[AndyNegus94]

I installed a recessed foot pedal in my Pantera 2 and just make sure you measure a little small, I had to go back and cut 3 or 4 times til my tray fit right. Also I'm not sure how your boat is but I had a tube running down the keel of my boat and I had to dig all the foam out so I could install a barbed nipple in the drain tube and then had to install the drain tube then fill it back up with expanding foam. I also installed a Cast Designs tool holder/graph mount and its probably one of my favorite things ive put on my boat. Heres a few pics

[rchavis]

Where did you get your tool/ graph mount ? I would like to get just a cup and tool holder like that .

[Danrude]

I installed a tray in my friends 519, it had a conduit channel running down the center of the front deck . It was there to carry the wires for the storage box. If it is there make sure you pull the wires out and have a blade long enough to cut through it.

[AndyNegus94]

Where did you get your tool/ graph mount ? I would like to get just a cup and tool holder like that .

Here’s a link for it
https://castdesigns.com/products/2k7z3fgcg0

[LuistLTZ]

Very simple yet so hard to make that first hole. I just did mine 2 months ago. Measure, measure, measure and measure every angle. Then take a break and come back and measure again. Remove the bow switch panel and take a look in there. Also, some middle compartments have a removable back plate that you can get a better measurement through as well. Good luck

[Deadeye1]

Hey all, looking at upgrading my 2003 Ranger 185VS with new technology. I want to cut a trolling motor tray in for my ultrex. Any advise? Looking at Comfortroll d-lux so I can pick up a cup holder and tool station, any one have this setup?
thanks fellas

I did it in my 2004 185VS with a EZ Troll Pan. No matter what brand you go with, go to the EZ Troll website and watch the video for how to install. Super Good Stuff.

You will find a ton of foam under the deck. You will find a 4 inch PVC tube cut in half long-wise placed under the deck for a wire run. Mine had no wires in it. You will need to cut a portion of the Front Edge of the Storage Box under the deck to allow the Pan to sit flush. Simply take a piece of cardboard and make a template, then mark the box and cut to the line.

There is a Drain Tube that runs all the way to the Bow for you to place the Pan's drain line in. You will probably need to dig away some foam to find it but it is there.

If you follow the advise on the EZ TROLL website cleanup isn't to bad. I used a Jig Saw and a Sawzall to do mine.

Best thing I have done for my back.

[XingEyeballs]

Hey, thanks for the input. Really good videos on EZ troll’s website Deadeye. I’ll post some pics once it’s over.
Wish me luck!

[illinifish]

Have a shop vac running to collect the dust as you cut is all I can add from what has already been mentioned.

[Bassmedic2]

I was too chicken to,do mine and the mechanic I used agreed to do it. I have an 01 Ranger 520 , so the downfall was he had to cut into my front compartment. It runs forward about a third of way under foot pedal. Was worth it, I don't have any issues and the comfort factor is great!

[Dennyg]

I was going to do the same thing on my 1997 Ranger R82. I called Ranger and they recommended not to cut into mine because there is a support beam in that area.
You might want to check with them first.

[Deadeye1]

I did check with Ranger prior to doing mine. They confirmed the 4 inch PVC cut in half and also told me that I would need to cut the front compartment. He was the one that told me the cardboard template trick.

[Deadeye1]

Found the thread where I discussed what I did with my 2004 185VS

http://www.bbcboards.net/showthread....t=Ranger+185VS

[wmitch2]

Not real difficult, but you need to do it right the first time. First, if it didn't come with a template, make one. this way you can see where it will lay. There is a tube of sorts that runs down the middle from your center compartment light to the bow. You'll have to remove the cover to access this. cut the wires and pull them thru to the compartment. Make sure you leave enough tail as you will need to add additional wire to go around the Troll box once it is installed. Use your template to align where you need to cut the hole. Mark the carpet for the hole. BE SURE YOU HAVE IT FACING FORWARD when marking the hole. Some are rounded on one end, so make sure it correct !! I tried various tools to cut,but after breaking various blades, I found the best and quickest was to use a cutting wheel on my die grinder. The decking is tough to cut thru but it worked the best. After your cut the outline, make a X cut from corner to corner. Now take a Claw hammer and break it loose at the X. Using the claw, pry from the X on each section to remove the decking. IT"S TOUGH, so take your time. Once you get the deck up, you should see foam and the wire tube. Use the claw to dig this our. You may have to cut the tube with a saw, but it needs removed as it's in the way of the recess box. Now, you'll need to dig a hole from where the drain tube is in the box all the way down to the keel. Be sure to re run your compartment light wires around the box and hook them up to the connection under the bow cover. I dug a groove in the foam around the side of the hole. Hook up the drain tub and Set the box in and make sure it sets completely flat. Drill holes for the mounting screws just a bit smaller than the screws. IF they are not STAINLESS, get some !! DO NOT TRY TO SCREW INTO A TOO SMALL HOLE !! You WILL break off the screw !! One size smaller drill is sufficient !! Mount the pedal and you're ready to go !!

[larryhyco]

I was going to do the same thing on my 1997 Ranger R82. I called Ranger and they recommended not to cut into mine because there is a support beam in that area.
You might want to check with them first.

I installed a tray in my R91 and it turned out well.

[XingEyeballs]

Best improvement I’ve made to the boat. Took a little planning, then some drinking, then more planning..... been using it a couple months now and wish I did it years ago.

[MikeTTI]

I installed the comfortroll dlux. I like it so far I also have a ultrex.

[FTC]

Here’s a link for it
https://castdesigns.com/products/2k7z3fgcg0

Put one of these in my boat this past winter and the finish on the cuphoiders is fading already. Handy product but looks like crap.

[bassin_man]

Have a shop vac running to collect the dust as you cut is all I can add from what has already been mentioned.

This x 1000. I ran a shop vac and it still made a huge mess. Also as said before I cut a little small at first then trimmed as needed. Many complain about digging out the foam but I didn’t think it was that bad.