Hello from Phoenixville, PA

Hi everyone, just a quick introduction... My name is Mark, and I am a technician at JNZ Tuning in Hatfield, PA. We specialize mostly in Mitsubishi's (DSM's, Galant VR-4's and Evo's). I've been a mechanic for 11 years.

I bought my 87 Ranger back in March with only 86k miles. Yes, 86k. The paint is badly faded, but there is NO RUST! Apparently it was a southwest vehicle for a majority of its life. The 2.9 runs pretty good, although it has a bumpy idle- no big deal. I've been doing little things to it since i bought it, to make it more comfortable to drive everyday.

It didn't take me long to love this truck. I practically fell in love with it when I first test drove it! I'm seeing almost 22 mpg driving to work everyday (only 20 mpg or so on the highway). There's still a few things I want to do to increase economy, like longer gears and an electric fan.

So far, my mods are mostly interior:
-center console from a Bronco II
-overhead console
-Pioneer CD player
-late style sun visors (that clip into the ceiling)
-larger style rear view mirrors

Other mods include:
-14" alloys from a 2nd gen Ranger
-BF Goodrich Radial T/A 225/60R14
-bumper mounted fog lamps
-MSD blaster coil, NGK plugs, advanced timimg
-radiator from a 94 Explorer (BEST mod I've done so far- I'm well aware of the head issues from overheating!)

Here's right after I brought it home:



You can really see the difference between radiators!



I seem to be collecting blue Fords from the 80's- that's my 88 Escort GT:



My resonator clogged up, killing the power- that was fun!



Here is how it sits currently:

Welcome. I live in south nj but work in Aston pa...not too far from you!

That truck looks amazing. Same year as mine too! My next MD is a 4.0 rad too...

Welcome to the forum. Nice truck.

Welcome from Williamsport, Pa! Nice lookin truck you have there. It's a perfect clean slate.

Welcome... I'd like to see some pics of the Escort GT. I used to have an '87.

Heh, I was just down your way in April.

Thanks guys, but I'm afraid the truck looks way better in the photos than in real life.

snoranger said:

Welcome... I'd like to see some pics of the Escort GT. I used to have an '87.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the interest... wasn't expecting that here! But I'm happy to oblige...









Unfortunately, the motor went, so here's how it looks now...





...but it's in preparation for this...

Get that poor thing out of the weeds before it starts to rust on you!

...too late! But it was already starting to rust a little before I parked it. The head is at the machine shop right now... When I get it back, then it'll come out of the weeds.

Dude, that Escort is so baller. I'd drive the hell out of it.

Awesome 'scort!