plans for my 86 ranger

i am only doing this because someone told me to when i first joined....
(i got the truck for 800 because the guy thought it needed a new engine)
my plans:
rebuild engine(this is just to make it road ready)(this is job #1 because its loosing oil)
3" or 4" inch lift (with some re-enforced ra. and drop down brackets ( iv been told i can be really abusive with vehicles, so this is just some precautionary stuff)
dual tank it(got any info on how, click here!!!)
30~3's tire (just cuz)(re-gear to 4.11 as well)
swap in m5od when this tranny goes bad (PO. replaced it in 08 with a tranny out of a 95)(or when i get tired of it shifting right as i enter that spot in the gear were you achieve most fuel economy)
because i haven't had any trouble with the auto hubs i am gonna leave 'em alone
i think i am gonna swap in a manual t-case ( once again just cuz)
the last thing or some time in-between major projects i will remove the green film and install blue leds to match the rest of the truck....

this is when i first got it home
i guessed there was 2 or 3 quarts in the engine(it was the blackest oil in an engine that was some how still running i have ever seen(it sounded like a diesel when idling)
conclusion drain and refill with new oil

the rebuild is going to happen while im on vacation so i will just ask my trusted mechanic (neighbor) to snap a few pictures while its apart

the ignition switch needs to be replaced(i can start it with out the keys)

i dont think thats stock.....(this is for a different thread i started and said it had a trans that would go in a 95 (id'd by pit in the pan) i finally found the micro chip) its ground wire should be re-done(half bare)

this build thread will go really slow until i get a job(or 2)

about the truck
found it on cl. for $1000 offered 800 because it was running rough and the guy spent allot of money on body and stereo work, and 1,200 on paint....

looks like a good starting point.good luck ith it

Looks very good for 800 bucks. It's very clean. Why the rebuild for a leaky motor though?

because the PO. said he ran the truck like that (low oil) for 10 months (mostly summer) and because i need it road ready and to tow (the engine is tired) for when we move.

ok so today my neighbor (mechanic) said the the noise was just lifter(s) and its not loosing compression (or at least not allot) so all im gonna do for the engine is replaces the head, valve and oil pan gaskets and give the engine a good cleaning..... does any one know what grease goes in the zerg fittings?

this user name may change said:

... does any one know what grease goes in the zerg fittings?

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I'd like to know this too. I have just been using a greenish-blue marine-grade grease that we got in a 5 gallon bucket about 8 years ago. Just wondering...

TastySloth said:

I'd like to know this too. I have just been using a greenish-blue marine-grade grease that we got in a 5 gallon bucket about 8 years ago. Just wondering...

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when we were at the store to get a grease gun i just bought the one that said chassis on, the steering got a hell of allot better when i tested it after the grease job.....

(i know its alittle blurry)(this is at the transmission crossmember)
any idea whats now number 2 on the list of things to do?

Not bad for 800. I will say if wanting to run 30~3 tires, upgrade the front to a D35. 99% bolt in, good write up in the tech library on it.

looks like a great truck for $800!!!

ok so today is my last day of vacation and i'v just been silently wandering around trs picking up info here and there, i know i said i would wait for the transmission to go bad, but its leaking so....(and i dont like it) i picked out a transmission to look for (m5od(-r1 or hd), but i cant decide what engine to get..... i have a 2.9 that is tired according to dad, according to my neighbor it still can get the tires to "break loose" so its not tired, but every morning the smoke is blue(burning oil) and after that it turns white(burning coolant), and once its done smoking it wont smoke for the rest of the day....

so my questions are, what is the best engine to swap in, in place of the 2.9?
and what parts are needed to swap a manual trans. in place of a auto trans.?

here how many miles are on it

add a 1 to the begining.....

4.0 and m5od, perfect solution

ok so tomarrow i get to look for a job..... and parts........ for some reason my truck doesnt have a c.e.l., i mean it has the slot for it but no pin in the connector.... if its not to much of a problem, can someone help keep an eye out for the parts?

chrwilkins30 said:

4.0 and m5od, perfect solution

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this could not be more factually correct!
and then use the 8.8 and d35 from an explorer also! w/ 4.10's and you'll be set to go

4.0B2 said:

this could not be more factually correct!
and then use the 8.8 and SAS! w/ 4.10's and you'll be set to go

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Thats just me speaking but for a bolt in thing, the D35 is the way to go.