This 1989 Ford Ranger is owned by Chris Maurer of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
It features a front suspension from a Toyota and uses air bags with custom mounts. The factory frame rails were replaced with 2×4-inch tubing and allows the cab to sit 6-inches closer to the ground. The rear suspension is a custom 4-link with Firestone air bags.
The fuel cell and air tanks are tucked under the bed out of sight. Chris shaved the emblems, mirrors, gas door, handles, and the inside of the bed smooth. He also molded the license plate into the tailgate. The cab was treated to a Toyota Corolla dash, custom center console, and Hyundai bucket seats.
The truck is powered by a 350ci V-8 Chevy motor, backed by a TH350 transmission, and rides on 20-inch Centerline wheels.
For specific details, check the list below the following photos:
Specifications:
Tires & Wheels:
- Wheels: 20×9-inch Centerline Sniper (Backspace: 5 inches)
- Tires: 255/35R20 Nitto 555
Engine/Performance:
- Engine: ’85 Chevy 350ci small-block engine
- Transmission: TH350
- Intake: Edelbrock
- Header/exhaust: Stock angle-milled to fit around Toyota front clip
- Ignition: Mallory
- Driveshaft: Custom-made
Suspension / Frame Mods:
- Suspension (Front/Rear): Toyota front suspension and parallel four-link with Panhard bar
- Airbag type and size: (Front): Firestone 2500 (Rear): Firestone 2600
- Shocks: Heim joint race car shocks
- Valves: Eight 1/2-inch GC Extreme
- Airline: 1/2-inch DOT
- Air accessories: Compressed nitrogen cylinder, AVS nine-switch box
- Frame mods: 3/4 frame
- Frame material: 2x4x1/4-inch tubing
- Gas tank: Summit fuel cell
Axle & Brakes:
- Rearend type: Lincoln Towncar, narrowed 12-inches overall
- Brakes: Toyota disc in front and Lincoln Towncar disc out back
Body Modifications & Paint:
- Shaved: Door handles, third brake light, rear cab seams, gas door, stake pockets, tailgate handle, tailgate, and taillights
- Body-dropped: Stock-floor
- Back end: Sir Michael’s roll pan
- Taillights: 4-foot LED
- Exterior bolt-ons: Trendz billet grille
- Paint: Glasurit Ford White, Jolley Ranger Green Pearl, and BMW Silver Strip.
- Inner fenders: Trailer tubs
Interior:
- Seats: Hyundai bucket seats
- Material: Synthetic suede with green piping
- Dash: ’92 Toyota Tercel shaved, smoothed and painted
- Door panels: Stock with black inserts, green piping, and embossed graphics
- Center console: ’92 Toyota Tercel smoothed and painted
- Flooring: Custom-formed black carpet
- Headliner: Black tweed
- Gauges: Auto Meter
- Head unit: Pioneer CD
- Mids and highs: One set Pioneer 5-inch coaxiles
About The Author
Jim Oaks is the founder of The Ranger Station (TRS), one of the longest-running Ford Ranger enthusiast communities on the web. He has spent over three decades owning, modifying, repairing, and driving Ford Rangers on the street, trail, and overlanding routes.
Since launching TheRangerStation.com in 1999, Jim has documented thousands of real-world Ranger builds, technical repairs, drivetrain swaps, suspension modifications, and off-road adventures. TRS has been heavily referenced by enthusiasts, mechanics, and off-road builders looking for practical, experience-based information.
