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'85 Ranger Restomod




85_Ranger4x4

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1985
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My dad put the intermittent wiper switch on mine years ago, plug and play, but it has always had a dead spot right where you want them to run. Couldn't find the same style turn signal switch that operates my horn on my truck so I have one that has cruise control that I can't use. However its a longer lever switch which is nice. I just use my finger and engine as a horn instead.
If it is any consolation the later ones like mine with a horn in the middle use a contact switch that rides on a ring. The tiny springs like to break in them and nobody makes them aftermarket... so I am in the same boat for a horn.
 

SenorNoob

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Middle Tennessee
Vehicle Year
1988
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Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
1.5" Front + 4" Rear
Tire Size
245-70-R16
If it is any consolation the later ones like mine with a horn in the middle use a contact switch that rides on a ring. The tiny springs like to break in them and nobody makes them aftermarket... so I am in the same boat for a horn.
I had that problem, then I just started looking in the junkyard for anything with the same style contacts and changed the springs/contacts in my plastic housing.. The housing is held together with 2 little aluminum rivets that aren't hard to remove. It is a PITA to re-assemble though.
 

85_Ranger4x4

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I had that problem, then I just started looking in the junkyard for anything with the same style contacts and changed the springs/contacts in my plastic housing.. The housing is held together with 2 little aluminum rivets that aren't hard to remove. It is a PITA to re-assemble though.
It is low enough on my to-do list I just haven't gotten to it yet.
 

85_Ranger4x4

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Its been 15 years already since this little guy followed me home.

 

dangerranger83

5.0 HO under the hood!!!
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1983
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5.0 HO carbed with an np435 and np208
Transmission
Manual
Now that I think about it it was in 2000 that my dad brought what is now my truck home. $500 off the side of the road.
 

85_Ranger4x4

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Now that I think about it it was in 2000 that my dad brought what is now my truck home. $500 off the side of the road.
Cool

Anyway I got some more done to my axle. Starting with the passenger side since it is simpler and easier to wrangle around.

Hauled it to work last Saturday so I could introduce it to smokey the blue flame wrench. :icon_welder:

This ugly bugger.





Once it cooled off



The other side played nice.



Ready to operate at home.





That had to make a neat noise.



Basically have it stripped down to this, the block for the ABS sensor is off. The harness made me mad because it was always in the way so it got cut off the sensor. The spindle has yet to come off the knuckle though.

 
Last edited:

dangerranger83

5.0 HO under the hood!!!
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Engine Size
5.0 HO carbed with an np435 and np208
Transmission
Manual
Nice on what it takes to make things that are old to do what you want.
 

85_Ranger4x4

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dangerranger83

5.0 HO under the hood!!!
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Transmission
Manual

85_Ranger4x4

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Knuckle is off. :yahoo:

Had dad look at it and he used his bearing punch (old flattened chisel) and a hammer and walked the spindle out of the knuckle.

From there I could get to the lower ball joint and rattle the nut off. My harbor freight ball joint press worked great to punch out the two ball joints. Lower was loose and needed replaced, upper didn't move at all so it is good I am replacing them. The axle cross has a little slop in it too (although nowhere nearly as loose as what is in the truck)







Now to wire wheel and paint so I can start going back together. :D
 

85_Ranger4x4

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Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
Kinda glad I decided to splurge and put crosses in the front... I lost no rollers out of the caps either.

 
Last edited:

BlackBII

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Total Lift
5
Tire Size
33
Man. This looks like what I just went through on my Dana 35. I did balljoints, bushings, etc.

Love your truck! Looks great man.
 

dangerranger83

5.0 HO under the hood!!!
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Engine Size
5.0 HO carbed with an np435 and np208
Transmission
Manual
That would have caused problems quickly.
 

85_Ranger4x4

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Location
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Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
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Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual

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