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'84 Little blue Ranger in Oregon - Mild off-road project


DrewNukesEm

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 5, 2012
Messages
91
City
Independence, Oregon
Vehicle Year
1984
Transmission
Manual
Okay so I decided to post up the progression of my Ranger here on the forum.

For those that don’t know about it, I just recently picked up a 1984 Ford Ranger, 2.3L, 5-speed, 4x4 for a mild off-road project.

It was originally an old man's that bought it brand new in '83.

I was told that he blew the head gasket and replaced the head, timing belt and a few other parts, then got sick and unfortunately ended up being put in a home due to his age and health, however since getting into the engine, I’m not so sure he did anything besides a new timing belt possibly.

After lots of research and discussion with some great members here on TRS, I have plan going from the stock Ranger “O” port, “O” port intake manifold, and Carter 1 bbl carb to an oval port 2.3 head with roller cam along with a intake manifold to match, and 2100 Autolite carb. I also have a ’96 ranger stock tubular header I plan on installing as well. The main reason I wanted to do all this besides the engine condition, was to remove all the emission stuff as it was all hacked into, and a major mess when I picked it up. I have a box of parts I’ve bought that I plan on refreshing with.

Box of new parts include:
-Distributor
-Ignition control module
-Distributor cap and rotor
-Spark plugs
-Spark plug wires
-Serpentine belt
-Timing belt kit
-Thermostat
-Thermostat housing, and gasket
-Radiator cap
-Water pump
-Upper radiator hose
-Lower radiator hose
-Heater hose
-Fuel filter
-Air filter
-Oil drain plug
-Wipers

I also plan on getting a few other little things as well.

As for suspension and tires, I’m planning on a 2” lift, and either 30X9.50, or 31X9.50 tires.

Front – 2” aluminum coil spacers with adjustable camber/caster bushings
Rear – Belltech 6400 2” lift shackles (or similar)

I’ll keep updated, thanks!


Here are some pictures before I bought it with some sweet hubcaps... :haha:

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The side, it's all super straight...

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The interior with the box of parts...

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The engine before I bought it...

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OEM ignition control module – Duraspark...?

002-2.jpg


Getting started…

005-1.jpg


Coolant mixed with oil, one of many clues that the head had not been touched!

00.jpg


Showing the “O” port Ranger head after intake manifold removal…

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Showing the matching “O” port intake manifold…

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The OEM carb…

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Top shot of the head…

002.jpg


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After timing belt removal…

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After cylinder head removal…

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Front to back…

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Clarifying it is a 2.3, and not a 2.0…

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Shot of the valves and gasket on cylinder head…

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More to come! :icon_thumby:
 
Wow clean truck! There's a lot u can do to the mighty 2.3. I had a 91 4x4 2.3 lifted 7in on 33s. Was so much fun!
 
great pics..

we'll be watchin ur progress, good to see that 2.3L bore

nice looking original ecm..is it motor-craft? if so..keep it for a spare
 
Thats funny that truck has been posted on craigslist for quite some time now! Good luck and keep us posted!
 
Wow clean truck! There's a lot u can do to the mighty 2.3. I had a 91 4x4 2.3 lifted 7in on 33s. Was so much fun!

Haha, thanks man!

I wasn’t familiar with these 2.3’s when I bought it, I kind of winged it. I’m very happy to find out the good reputation, and following this engine has, along with all the possibilities like you stated.

I plan on having lots of fun in it for sure :icon_thumby:

Is the rig in your avatar the Ranger you were talking about? Looks pretty gnarly…

we'll be watchin ur progress, good to see that 2.3L bore

nice looking original ecm..is it motor-craft? if so..keep it for a spare

I know I was pumped to see the 2.3 bore specs for sure…

Yes, the igniter box is Motorcraft and I definitely plan on keeping it as a spare. It may be work fine I don’t know, but I have a new Wells one that I was planning on putting in anyways.

I’ll be starting on everything here soon, just need to get the head, and a few other parts, and the work begins!

I’m super eager to get it running again. :D
 
Thats funny that truck has been posted on craigslist for quite some time now! Good luck and keep us posted!

Ha, really? I bought it a few months ago now, I wonder if he hasn’t taken the listing down yet…? :dntknw:

I actually found it through a friend, but the guy told me he had it on CL as well. I got a pretty good deal on it.

Thank you, I will keep updated for sure!
 
Well and we are pretty much next door

Yeah no kidding! Once I get my Ranger running, maybe we could meet up or something.

Looks really really nice!

Nice and Clean ol ranger.

Thank you very much, I appreciate it guys! I will be cleaning it up more, and have some good plans for it. I am very pleased to have a nice truck to start with.

It should make for years of fun…:icon_thumby:
 
looks like fun. looking at the pics of the motor reminded me that i learned how to rebuild a motor with a 2.3L. good luck with the build.
 

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