Ranger tough truck racer

My cousin has ran this ugly pile for 5 years at tough truck events around ohio. I have also been running for 5 years but this season (2010) I didnt have a vehicle to run. Last year he built a Jeep and I got this for next to nothing. Was once an 88 Ranger 2wd 2.3 5 speed




After I ran it at 5 events I managed to roll it comming around a corner.
It looked like this


I jacked the corner up enough to make my second, and here it was upon unloading from the trailer







I stripped it down and pulled the "good parts"



I picked this up for $100. 85 2.8 auto 4x4.


I compltely stripped it to the frame, leaving only the axles.











The 2.8 was locked up so Im using the 2.3 and 2wd trans from the rolled ranger with a divorced nissan 720 pickup transfercase. Engine is sitting 4" back









Fuel tank is inside the tool box. Tanks is mounted down with 3 straps going over it and through 1/4" steel plate with six 1/2" bolts.

Toolbox lid is bolted down with four half inch bolts, the factory latches, and a padlock and key.

Currently have four half inch bolts going through the 1/4" plate to the frame, putting 4 more in after I go buy them.

Total wieght with full tank of fuel is about 300 pounds. I also have the ability to ad sand bags inside the toolbox for more wieght if needed. ( to keep it from nose diving on jumps)



Cab is sitting 6" back and the front is cut and bobbed. Doors, fenders and hood are skins only, total combo probably wieghts less than 200 pounds.







Going to order a jegster 12point cage for it and I need to do some finishing touches to the body before paint but here is a really bad attemtp at using windows paint to finish it

ALright, you have my attention!

pretty cool build best of luck in the competition

Sweet looking rig... I wanted to do something like this as well eventually.

Started it up and drove it around the yard today

looks like a good start, ive always wanted to do a tough truck series but i havent found one of those elusive money trees yet

I have $300 invested so far since the beginning of last year. Including the purchase of the ranger I rolled and this one, entry fees and fuel, parts and all that stuff. Unneeded parts and scrap steel from leftovers are what funds this project as well as the winnings from the season. I will have less than $1000 in it when it is completely finished and ready to race. A few top 10 finishes will cancel that out. I have made money every year running.

This is pretty cool. What engine was in it the 1st time? A 2.8? Just guessing by your post about going from it to a 2.3 efi

One I rolled was 2.3. One I'm buildibg had a locked up 2.8

Cool, looks fun

Now I get to wait until after the holidays to finish it. Start looking for updates in january.

Sold a vehicle, so some updates.
This is a prebent cage from jegs so it doesnt fit quite like I wish it would. I'm adding alot to it aswell


Front mount, Im going to be bolting the flat plate to the channel so that I can remove cage and cab.
The channel is set down over top of the factory cab mount.



Rear mounts. There is a solid piece fo 4" 1/4" thick channel that the cage is welded to, the channel will be bolted to these mounts. Thes emounts are 1/2" plate welded tot he stock body mount location with a 1/4" thick gusset welded on.





Rear loop and the halo. Cage is welded to the cab everywhere it come incontact with it.


one of the a pillar supports


Got alot more left to add but I should have it done in the next couple days



Rear channel cross member


rear downward supports


other a pillar support


close up of the front frame mount welded to frame


Bent the door bar JEGS sent so that I have soem elbow room


One of the front bars


Seat mounts


Some more of the interior tubing, still got alot to add

Looks good!

looks good