87 XLT - Factory Optioned Restoration

[black06xlt]

i never would have guessed that theres that many NOS parts out there for a 12st gen ranger. awesome truck

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

A peak under the hood. Not perfect by progressing....

I used your pic for a reference and found a jack handle like yours for my truck (it was in a '84 and identical to yours so it should be right for my '85) The previous owner of that truck had it sitting like yours with the handle sitting on the overflow jug. I have a later model jug in mine and that put the handle on top of the washer fluid cap, it wanted to interfere with the radiator cap and the whole thing just fit very poorly as far as anything lining up with the clips that wasn't bent... so I broke out the owners manual.

If you flip the handle around there is a hole in front of the battery between that and the headlight for the handle to actually go into. The thing fits like a dream, isn't resting on anything and can't move at all.

 

[1qaz]

i never would have guessed that theres that many NOS parts out there for a 12st gen ranger. awesome truck

They are getting harder to find...but I enjoy the search. Thanks for the kind words!

If you flip the handle around there is a hole in front of the battery between that and the headlight for the handle to actually go into. The thing fits like a dream, isn't resting on anything and can't move at all.

I will certainly take a look. Thanks for the tip! Every pic I can find has the same orientation so hopefully this can help several others.

My girl turns 30 this week! The winter has certainly taken a bite out of the garage time but I am stockpiling some parts. I recently got a NOS stripe kit so she's about to have a near new exterior. Happy Birthday!

My Girl at 30!

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

My girl turns 30 this week! The winter has certainly taken a bite out of the garage time but I am stockpiling some parts. I recently got a NOS stripe kit so she's about to have a near new exterior. Happy Birthday!

My Girl at 30!

Looking good, mine turned 32 yesterday.

 

[FirstGenRanger]

The truck looks amazing so far. Great job on keeping it all original

 

[Enemy]

You should be VERY proud of your 30 year old! Absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!
Happy birthday!!

 

[1qaz]

Looking good, mine turned 32 yesterday.

Happy Birthday!

The truck looks amazing so far. Great job on keeping it all original

Thank you!

You should be VERY proud of your 30 year old! Absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!
Happy birthday!!

Thank you!

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I think I've tracked down the majority of the paraphernalia that came from the dealership...all are mint to near mint...the audio tape is still wrapped.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Do you know what is on the tape?

Never knew there was such a thing.

 

[1qaz]

Do you know what is on the tape?

No clue...only lists it as a demonstration tape. My bet is it's mostly 80's cheese.

 

[shorangerbird]

Born on Date: 26 Feb 87 in Louisville, KY

-Your aware that this is not the 'Actual' build date. This is the day it was
"PDI'ed" at the dealership. Some dealers have techs write it on the hood/header panel/fender/etc. That should be the techs #, his initials, and the day he did it.....but still a "birthday' none the less.

 

[1qaz]

-Your aware that this is not the 'Actual' build date. This is the day it was
"PDI'ed" at the dealership. Some dealers have techs write it on the hood/header panel/fender/etc. That should be the techs #, his initials, and the day he did it.....but still a "birthday' none the less.

Great info! Thanks! I ordered a Marti Report a couple weeks back...will post it here when I get it.

Finally installed the front stabilizer bar...definitely reduced the front end roll.

Pre-Install...only able to find one u-bolt bushing but able to recondition one I kept from the salvage yard.



Before:



After:

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Notice a difference in handling?

Kind of surprising they let them sneak out without a front sway bar. It is a clever thing they did with the u-bolts, I am going to put my radius arms with my D35 to keep it.

 

[1qaz]

Notice a difference in handling?

It certainly reduced the 'roll' when cornering. It did introduce a slight drift to the right in my alignment so I'll have to sort that out. Now I need to find one for the rear. Will add that when I tackle the back end here in a few weeks.

 

[1qaz]

Received the Marti Report...updated info is:

Born on Date: 4 Feb 87
Pre-Delivery Inspection Date: 27 Feb 87 (Thanks shorangerbird)
Delivery Date: 28 Mar 87

She comes from a LARGE family!

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

That is pretty cool, I have wondered which dealer mine went to originally. It would be interesting to maybe find out who ordered the special order "fleet green" paint too from the VIN on the door sticker.

Kind of a bummer though, mine varies enough from original I am not sure the report would really be worth much. It has a long and storied history of being mixed and matched even before I got it.

I have thought about faking a window sticker to reflect its current configuration though

Looks like you made photobucket mad at you too...