'85 Ranger Restomod

[85_Ranger4x4]

Nothing really groundbreaking.

Fixed the ignition harness with a factory plug so I can quit violating ignition module warrenties and installed my Motorcraft module. Runs great. Put a factory pigtail on my spare parts store module and threw it under the seat to ward off evil spirits.

Changed the heater core (again) and put a 13mm socket in the inlet hose to reduce the pressure and hopefully quit popping them. Late model and interceptor Mustangs had restrictors for that reason, so they didn't pop heater cores at high RPM's. I searched around and a popular cheap way to do that is with a socket, 13mm goes in the hose nice and its hole is about the same size as the factory reducer at half the price without paying freight. Drove it all over this weekend, hasn't blown the hose off or popped the heater core yet.

I need to clean up the bolts, put the diff back on my axle beam. Then it will be more or less ready to swap but I am not quite ready to knock the Ranger in the head for that...

 

[dangerranger83]

I'll have to keep a sharp eye on my heater core.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I'll have to keep a sharp eye on my heater core.

This is my third since I swapped in the V8, apparently they don't like my cruising RPM.

I remember way back I had one that had a bushing made into one side of core, haven't been able to turn up another (and it was even brass too). I think it was the one that died of old age when I had the V6 yet...

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Motorcraft DS module compared to I think a BWD Select from Oreilly's.

You can tell the MC is made nicer than the other one.

 

[bronco2fan]

Motorcraft usually makes better stuff then the overseas products. I try not to buy the other guys crap if I can. In emergency only lol.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I have been picking at it here and there.

Diff is back in the axle beam:

I was all excited, I found an original battery hold down that bolts in.

Reluctant to give up my 700cca battery for matchy matchy...

I picked up new calipers:

So for the D35 I just need rotors and wheel bearings to really do the swap and then inner TRE's and sleeves to complete it.

And I left the truck outside and it rained one night, I was thinking about it and checked it out for my leak on the drivers side. Sure enough... it kinda leans towards the rear window gasket. The $130 rear window gasket...

 

[dangerranger83]

Good to see progress on it

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Good to see progress on it

Someone else has kinda been hogging the funding...

 

[dangerranger83]

Same here, I have my toy too but still needs a laser pointer. And you can never have enough food for them either.

Only reason I haven't been doing much with my truck is because of the heat/humidity, going to be well over 100 heat index.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Only reason I haven't been doing much with my truck is because of the heat/humidity, going to be well over 100 heat index.

That too, I have been cleaning up wiring on the DS of the engine bay and I have a new connector coming in for the coil... not going to be doing anything with it for a few days until it cools down.

 

[dangerranger83]

I'm about to go outside to change the coil on the white ranger.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I'm about to go outside to change the coil on the white ranger.

Shouldn't be too bad for that

The wires going to my coil are woven in and out of other harnesses so I can straighten that out and I notice some of the insulation has come off so I have about 1/4" of bare wire coming out of the connector.

 

[dangerranger83]

It wasn't a bad job, it just used an old ball 9/32 socket which I had to dig around for. But was safe to say it was the original coil.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

It wasn't a bad job, it just used an old ball 9/32 socket which I had to dig around for. But was safe to say it was the original coil.

Mine takes 7/32, it was hard to turn one up a loose one to keep in the truck.

 

[1qaz]

Looking good! That Dana 35 is going to look great when its in.