Modrenizing a First Gen while still keeping the classic look/feel

[mn_smokeater]

so as the title says:

Discuss.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

so as the title says:

Discuss.

Put decent sized tires on it and install and gear D35/8.8 appropriatly. Ford has always loved putting stupid tiny tires on their trucks with obsenely high gearing. 3.5L or 3.7L V6 with a transmission that is 4wd capable.

Otherwise, you can't dabble with a whole lot without killing look/feel of it. Nobody will miss the anemic powertrain (provided it is equally durable) with flakey at best axles. Personally I love the exterior/interior looks of the truck.

 

[The Jester Race]

Full width SAS.......Wait, shit, I went the wrong way. 87' to 79'. Retro, Yeah Baby!

-Jester

 

[mn_smokeater]

heres a few of my thoughts:

new EFI V6 or Fuel Efficient small V8
Stronger axles with 4 wheel Disc ABS and Traction Control options ie: L/S diffs or Lockers

new lighting pakage

 

[DHEM]

Maybe you could try to find a new 3.7 v6 out of a wrecked 2011 F150. But thats unlikely...

 

[stegomon]

i would think a new ecoboost 4 banger. more horses but better fuel efficiency. or a turbo diesel from across the bond. and new axles would be great

 

[stegomon]

and DHEM. i love your pic!!!!

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Dana 35 front with abs, 8.8 rear with disk and abs.

Traction control setup out of a new Ranger (2010 or 2011 - 2011 had disk rear brakes)

Diesel motor swap from a newish Ranger (only available outside of the states) - I'd strip the interior and just swap wiring harnesses.

If you can't get the diesel, get the newest drivetrain you can out of an RBV and swap the wiring harness.

Alcoa alloy rims with 235/75/15 all terrains

Seat swap with something newer

Swap the sealed beam front headlights for something with interchangable bulbs

3rd brake light (if equipped) to LEDs

tail lights to LED or a new style transparent lens

Bright metallic paint job

 

[97fordrunner]

Like the idea and really like the idea of an ecoboost but thats big $$$. I'll be watching for a build in the near future

 

[mn_smokeater]

it really does seem quite easy to do don't it?

 

[doorgunner]

(I'm all set for pics....)

 

[t120r]

Why not stick with the stock engine... Rebuild it to better than stock specs and use an aftermarket EFI system... Depending on the engine/ECU, you could possibly use a Moates quarterhorse. I'm thinking of going that way on my '66 bronco with a 170 I6. I'll use a 3.0L ECU as the base fuel should be close... Just change the firing order and custom headers to reflect the O2 sensors. I'm figuring MPG should be pretty good and I'll pick up a few ponies. Any engine can be made better than factory. No need to rip it out.

 

[straycat]

My old 83 4x4 with 33x12.5 tires and the 2.8 L motor. I added lights inside the grill, on the bumper and I added the roof light bar. I got a lot of nice hand waves from a lot of off road people every where I went with it. For performance, I added a stage II cam shaft, better rocker arms and push rods and I port and polished the heads and added a set of headers, and then added upgraded the gears. The performance was really nice and powerful and the motor work added a bunch more torque as well. I do miss that Ranger. I had it for a very long time and it never gave me any trouble. I drove it back and forth from Florida to California a few times. It got wheeled a bunch of times.

 

[rockin86ranger]

you wouldnt happen to have a better sideview of that truck do you? looks a lot like what i was considering doing to mine

 

[Funnyman141]

It really depends on what motor you have, and if its 2wd or 4x4.
if its the 2.3L I would convert to a MAF system, M5OD (my preference), if you find one modify and put the volvo head on it (turbo or non turbo ), A disc brake 8.8 axle. For the front brakes I would upgrade to the twin piston brake, no ABS (again my preference)

for the 2.8 I would.... well I don't know I dont have one