dangerranger1983 build

[dangerranger83]

Nope, haven't touched the broken axle at all, although I started it yesterday and she fired right up. My other hobbies have really taken over but also the past couple of months it has rained so much its made it to humid to want to do anything outside. But now this week the humidity has gone down enough I am starting to get things done outside. If anything at least get the axle fixed and efi swap next year. Last few years I haven't driven it on the winter, last year because I needed to fix my track bar and I did that already. Right now work is working is 6 days a week because they bit off more then they can chew and yes they will have to eat it all, but as the plant manager said today, this week be their most productive year building trailers and the best year they will ever have...he was told that by somebody and doesn't deny that either, they wanted to much and the amount of workers we have isn't enough, they signed to have drained the population of contact help because they can't compete with other factories wages they offer. To break down what I said, last year we made 25 thousand semi trailers, year before that 20 thousand. This year so far we have made 32 thousand semi trailers and still have 5 months left in the year. They realize that they are working everybody to death and those that can leave to get better jobs while they can (temp/contract help) they have done just that. Hard to want to start at $10 an hour when other places are starting at over $13 and give more to the contract workers.

 

[dangerranger83]

I did what I said I wouldn't do but couldn't pass up the deal. Bought a 2000 Chevy s10 for $750. Has 135k, 2.2 engine, auto trans, working a/c and heat. Mechanically it is sound and good, not using or dripping any fluids however it will need shocks and if I so like body work. The Grant only had surface rust but all the body mounts are solid and the floorboards and whatnot are great. The bed had even been rhino lined. The inside isn't trashed. Over all just needs a bit of TLC.

How I decided to get and keep it. A coworker wanted a truck but had to sell his car off first so I said I would buy it and give him a week to pay me back, $800 to be exact, but soon after I bought it another coworker he lives with told me that the cat he is buying off him isn't even paid for yet. Also the guy I bought this for can easy go through 3 vehicles a year because he drives them till they need something and doesn't want to put money into them. He runs himself into the ground and never gets ahead on anything. I couldn't stand the right of this truck having the same faith and it had what I wanted, a truck with a/c and fuel efficient. Plus it has 60k less miles then my tbird that is about to roll over to 200k miles.



Don't worry I will always have the ranger, I just need something more fuel efficiency to DD then my tbird that gets 10mpg.

 

[036speed]

Nice score!

 

[dangerranger83]

Thank you. So far she drives nice, just need to get tires and shocks on her all the way around.

Sold the tbird the other day for 500 to a tbird enthusiast and so far he fixed the door hinge, have it a new exhaust and is getting new struts for it along with doing body with this weekend.

This truck has costed me 250 to buy in total.

 

[dangerranger83]

Update.

I did order and revive my replacement u joint however when I got it, it only had 3 of the 4 c clips to hold the caps in. Messaged the seller on eBay about it with pictures and he is sending me the missing clip.

So what have I been doing all spring and summer....working. My work over booked so I have been working Saturdays. Also started to buy and bring snow blowers and tillers back to life from my local JY and selling them. So far I'm on tiller number 5. In ordered I have saved a 1974 Sears Roto spader, 70s atals, 1959 Springfield, 70s Montgomery Ward and currently working on an 80s Gilson brothers rear tine. Snow blowers include a couple toros and an international harvester.

 

[bobbywalter]

your killing me

 

[dangerranger83]

Got the clips in yesturday. Also went to start the truck, cranked over just to stop. Battery checks out fine but I need to check and clean the connections on the cables. Took my cb out and don't think I got the power cable to the solenoid on good enough. Can't wait to go efi, need to quit being lazy and get the rest of the stuff for that.

 

[dangerranger83]

Update.

Battery just needed fluid added. But now no ignition spark so the module has gone out. Going to be selling one of my nitro rc vehicles to help find the efi swap only because it's too big fir me to race and nowhere to race it or much time for it. Somebody ifs going to get a good deal.

Also got a spicer ujoint in my axle shaft that I have had for 4 years now. Hopefully have the l them and the new brakes and rotors in soon.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Rebuilding front axles is tedious. Balljoints, crosses, wheelbearings, umpteen million seals. Then it hits you, haven't even touched the brakes yet.

 

[dangerranger83]

I use to be willing to spend money on my truck at a moment's notice to improve and fix it and now as you can see, not so much anymore. Guess because I also had access to all the tools to fix it at one time too, now I have buy them. It also use to be my only vehicle too.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Yeah, the guy that spend who knows how much putting a V8 in his Ranger is now reduced to squirreling away a part a month.

But I have my own fully lit garage now that blows away the mud floor lean-to with a flashlight at my parents place.

 

[dangerranger83]

I have a full garage to work in now vs not having tio do everything out in the weather. But having a child, fiancee I'm marrying this coming February, more bills, etc...vs when I didn't have any of that when I built my truck made a huge difference.

The efi swap is coming this next spring. Want to be able to jump in, start my truck and drive and hopefully get better mpgs too. Also get a better exhaust system on her and the 8.8 under too.

But because firearm season for deer starts this Saturday, not much going to be done on the truck the rest of the year.

I am active on Facebook helping others with their rangers and ones who want to do a v8 swap in the group "v8 ranger swap group" that I'm admin of.

 

[RangerFabWorks]

ive been gone since 2011 and this thing still isnt done?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

 

[dangerranger83]

Welcome back!

I've had a child, moved into my own place, job change, etc...the past few years. Next year I will have this truck "done".

 

[RangerFabWorks]

I hear that man. Congrats on the kid! I got married. Moved into a new place. And bought 2 more Rangers. Crazy man