89/91 Ranger TDI Build

[maddyn]

So Figured it was probably time to start a build thread for my truck. I am a long time lurker on the Ranger Station, mainly for the wealth of knowledge that it is.

I used to own a '92 Extra Cab 4.0 on 35's with a Duff Lift that I wheeled quite a bit, but finally sold back in 2020 because I didn't drive it much. However I found my life just wasn't complete without a Ranger, so last year I started working on a project.

The plan is to take this '89 Regular Cab, Short Box 4x4 frame, and drop a 91' Extra Cab body on it. Swap in a 2.0l TDI motor, and have fun wheeling and daily driving it

I spent the last year stripping down the Regular cab to the frame, and sand blasting the frame

Also spent a little time on the underside of the Extra Cab with some paint and Raptor Liner while I had equipment around to lift things up

Just last weekend finally got around to patching a few spots on the frame before I get some paint on it

Have also been working on building some lift brackets for the front axle. I tried to model them after the STX lift brackets, except with 2" of lift. Need to get a press brake to bend things up still. Plan is to run this, with a cut and turn at the ball joints for the total lift

Hoping to at least be able to get this thing on it's own axles with a cab on the frame this year, but we'll see how things go. I also found an 04' Passat with the BHW 2.0l TDI that I need to pull out and start cleaning up and getting ready for the swap. I will try and keep things updated here, I am horrible about stopping to take pictures of things.

 

[Blmpkn]

Sweet, gonna have another stubby around. You gonna cut the factory bed down or fab up your own?

 

[maddyn]

Planning on fabing up a flat bed for it. The plans are to have something that I can wheel, maybe do some overlanding/camping in and just have fun with

 

[Blmpkn]

Looks good so far! Welcome and good luck and have fun with the rest of it

 

[bobbywalter]

you should just be a good chap and mail me that cab.....


solid.



kewlz to see another diesel in the workz

 

[maddyn]

Hah, yeah I'll have some stuff to get rid of for sure. I do have a short bed from the 91 that is solid, just has a crappy paint job on it from someone painting black over factory red. Short bed from the 89 has some rust in the wheel arches and a few dents.

Weather was nice enough yesterday to get the frame painted. Got one coat of por15 on it. Probably need to get another coat, and then top coat it

Does anyone happen to know the weight of an empty extra cab body? We moved stuff around with the excavator, but I'd like to get this in my carport on a level surface to set the body on, plus I have to fab a rear body mount perch. so it would be nice to have it sitting level to figure things out.