Escambia county, Alabama

David88 · Mar 24, 2011

I have a '88 Ranger that I got for free. I've been doing work on it as a hobby, but now I need to drive it. Having to pull the Tranny again because of the pressure plate.

It's a 2.9L with a Mitsubishi Tran. 3in body lift with 265/75/16 AT on 16x8 Pacers.
New parts: Starter, hub bearings, Transmission, exhaust manifold, Alternator, fuel pump, clutch master cylinder, clutch, pressure platex2, throw out bearing, clutch neutral switch, wiper motor, brake calipers, and wheel cylinders.

I think I've drove it a total of 120 miles since I've had it. Doing body work to remove a dent, emblems, and those huge metal mirrors. Was a project for my hunting truck, but now I have to use it for a daily driver. Any suggestions?

ranger_mclaren · Mar 25, 2011

David88 said:
I have a '88 Ranger that I got for free. I've been doing work on it as a hobby, but now I need to drive it. Having to pull the Tranny again because of the pressure plate.

It's a 2.9L with a Mitsubishi Tran. 3in body lift with 265/75/16 AT on 16x8 Pacers.
New parts: Starter, hub bearings, Transmission, exhaust manifold, Alternator, fuel pump, clutch master cylinder, clutch, pressure platex2, throw out bearing, clutch neutral switch, wiper motor, brake calipers, and wheel cylinders.

I think I've drove it a total of 120 miles since I've had it. Doing body work to remove a dent, emblems, and those huge metal mirrors. Was a project for my hunting truck, but now I have to use it for a daily driver. Any suggestions?

Welcome to the forums! Looks like your on the right track with your build already. If you continue to have tranny problems you outta look into a M50D swap from a 4.0, They have the same bell housing and is a direct bolt up from a FM-146. M50D is a stronger tranny and will do wounders behind a 2.9.

As for the mirrors what did you put in place of the big metal ones. I myself like the bigger ones over the small plastic ones avalible from the factory the smaller ones tend to brake much easier too. Do you have any pics of your rig? Keep us informed of you build, We like build threads!

Steeda04SVT · Mar 25, 2011

Good ol Escambia County. Welcome. I lived in Navarre, Santa Rosa County for 6 years before coming out here. Def miss that panhandle. Welcome to TRS.

David88 · Mar 25, 2011

ranger_mclaren said:
Welcome to the forums! Looks like your on the right track with your build already. If you continue to have tranny problems you outta look into a M50D swap from a 4.0, They have the same bell housing and is a direct bolt up from a FM-146. M50D is a stronger tranny and will do wounders behind a 2.9.

As for the mirrors what did you put in place of the big metal ones. I myself like the bigger ones over the small plastic ones avalible from the factory the smaller ones tend to brake much easier too. Do you have any pics of your rig? Keep us informed of you build, We like build threads!

The ones I found to replace the big ones are some small mirrors made for a sports car like a Celica or something. Low profile and they use a ball and socket design, much more adjustable than the big rectangle ones it had.

I had a friend that ripped his outer door skin off because he clipped a tree with his old metal mirrors while backing up.

I have been thinking of swapping in a HO 302 from a 92 T-bird. I want to keep the a/c though and maybe get an auto trans for it. Also planning to add a roll bar made from 3inch schedule 80 steel water pipe. I can order t-joints, elbows, and base plates so I don't need to do any bending. I tested a section of it and it supported the front of a JD 624J front-end loader's weight placed on the blade without giving. Thinking of making a matching brush guard from 1inch pipe.

ranger_mclaren · Mar 26, 2011

302 swap would be bad ass a 3 inch body lift will help it fit much easier you have to modify your A/C box to the the 302 to fit as well. You half to cut a box out of it and custom fit a metal box in its place. There is lots of 302 swaps done on here plonty of into to see. Again welcome. :icon_thumby:

Escambia county, Alabama

David88

10+ Year Member

ranger_mclaren

15+ Year Member

Steeda04SVT

10+ Year Member

David88

10+ Year Member

ranger_mclaren

15+ Year Member

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