'85 Ranger Restomod

[85_Ranger4x4]

I made a custom shift knob for a friend many years ago by simply drilling out the hole barely big enough to lightly thread the insert of the correct size in. Lightly epoxied it before screwing into the wood. Still holding and shifting gears over 10yrs later.

I thought about filling the stock np208 knob with jb weld and drilling/tapping it. The hole in it is way too big now. It would be nice if it matched the gearshift though.

I did find a place that will make custom patterns with whatever thread you want for about $40, I haven't emailed them yet to check for sure though.

 

[mavereq]

JB Fab will make knobs for you

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

JB Fab will make knobs for you

Not a bad option either. Nice pricing.

This is what I had found:

http://www.hotrodshiftknob.com/engraved-shift-pattern-shift-knob-various-knobs-allow-3-4-weeks/

I can get them in my goofy thread and the t-case and transmission will match. I kinda like the ball too.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

My brother was over (he is a Sr Master Tech) and I had him give it the what for and he didn't like the slider and ring for fourth.

So my parade got a little bit of rain... not too bad though. It looks worse in real life than the pics show. So I need a input shaft and the slider. Being a +99 I am not going to mess with the $350+ syncros.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Picked up a kinda neat car show accessory.

More or less looks like the old boom boxes I remember in the 80's (not the huge ones mind you) but this one also runs off of usb and SD slots so I can have it run a long playlist and not be limited to a single tape. Kind of a no name but the display model sounded pretty good.

Also converts cassettes to MP3's which will be handy for a few old tapes I have.

 

[Andy D]

Bookmarked after page 3. super work, great write up and pics!

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Bookmarked after page 3. super work, great write up and pics!

Thanks!

Not to spoil it but the tach I got on page 3 didn't make it into the truck until last fall.

(yes, I had to go back and see what was on page 3)

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I fixed a nagging header collector leak and deleted the leaking low oil lever sender with a 20mm drain plug. Thought the exhaust was rubbing on something so I played with that some.

Took out for a drive last night, pretty sure what I thought was an exhaust rattle is actually a u-joint. The more I drive the more it sounds like that. It only does it under power (I can load it up with the brakes and it makes no noise) and keeps getting worse. The cross at the t-case has a tiny bit of play in it.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

And it wasn't the original 32 year old non-greasable OEM Spicer cross that has never been changed, it was the one the driveline shop replaced when they retubed the shaft 6 years ago.

Irritating/annoying but kind of funny the 1985 cross is still fine.

Also noticed my driveshaft isn't assembled correctly, which burns me because the "it won't be too bad" to retube the thing turned into $180+the cross.

 

[Mark_88]

The one I had made needed the end cut off and another end welded on and every squeak or rattle for the next three years or so gave me visions of the whole thing flying apart and digging deeply into the pavement causing the truck to pole vault into a ravine or some other dangerous scenario...

The shaft held up for 12 years but the frame rotted out...

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

The one I had made needed the end cut off and another end welded on and every squeak or rattle for the next three years or so gave me visions of the whole thing flying apart and digging deeply into the pavement causing the truck to pole vault into a ravine or some other dangerous scenario...

Mythbusters tested that, not nearly as dramatic as you think it would be. The problem with mine is the two ends of the driveshaft are not welded aligned with each other. It ran 6 years, hopefully I can get another year out of it until I replace it altogether when I do the 5-speed/D35 swap.

Anyway the truck has been grounded a lot this year. Wedding planning has slowed down repairs so fairly simple things like the battery tray, exhaust, drain plug and u-joint repairs have dragged on for weeks combined with a reluctant to leave winter.

So I had it out for like the 5th time this year, second time with the windows down. Drove it to work and all was right with the world, it was great. I got home, let the dogs out and my fiance was running late and wanted to meet in town for supper. Oooo, second time I get to drive my truck today, sounds great! Go to town, have some spicier than I planned KFC sandwich and then head home.

Apparently my butt cruise control hasn't calibrated yet, going up a hill I see a deputy go by and hit the brakes. Ease up on the throttle and look down, 65mph and falling... in a 55mph zone

Got me at 67mph, apparently my speedo was more accurate than my GPS thingie on my old phone lead on. Got off with a written warning since I haven't been pulled over in 15 years (and got a verbal warning then)

So I gotta redouble my efforts on my cruise. I think all I have left is to rewire my speed sensor harness to connect to my '88 CC harness, run the vacuum stuff and hook up the cable to the carb and see if the servo works. I got a warning now, I won't get another one again for awhile and like this time it only takes one goof.

Cruising in the happy place of it's powerband the 302 will run 70mph effortlessly... I know because I have caught myself doing it before. The difference between 2700rpm and 3000rpm is hard to tell especially with the windows down.

 

[Mark_88]

Got me at 67mph, apparently my speedo was more accurate than my GPS thingie on my old phone lead on. Got off with a written warning since I haven't been pulled over in 15 years (and got a verbal warning then)

So I gotta redouble my efforts on my cruise. I think all I have left is to rewire my speed sensor harness to connect to my '88 CC harness, run the vacuum stuff and hook up the cable to the carb and see if the servo works. I got a warning now, I won't get another one again for awhile and like this time it only takes one goof.

Cruising in the happy place of it's powerband the 302 will run 70mph effortlessly... I know because I have caught myself doing it before. The difference between 2700rpm and 3000rpm is hard to tell especially with the windows down.

Fortunate break there.

I had a similar break not too long ago. I was cruising through a 80 Km/hr zone looking for something and didn't notice the speed reduction sign. Got nabbed doing 75 in a 60 and ticket was issued.

I almost forgot about it because it took so long to process and found the ticket one day. I almost carped my drawers thinking I missed the court date and called the next day to find out when I was due to appear. They clerk said she couldn't find my name in the records and no fines were outstanding...

Now I have cruise control but it doesn't work without input...I can't wait till they can sense road signs and slow down automatically...

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Cruise is 95% intact, I misjudged all the winding the hoses would have to do so I need a bigger hunk to get from the dump valve to the servo.

The hardest part of the install (and actually one of the harder things I have done to the truck) was getting the dump valve bracket installed, it was a bugger. Pull the cluster out and I could just barely touch it with my right pointer finger but my left pointer finger could just barely help stabilize it... while I had it kind of held in by the brake switch wiring (it still fell out three times before I could get a nut on it)

I also converted my VSS harness to the later three wire connector, according to my EVTM only two actually go to the amplifier... so we will see how that works.

 

[Mark_88]

Looks like it's about there. I've had those installs where just about impossible to get at something...like the light pull switch on those older dash setup. I had to change one and the first time I did it I ended up pulling the driver seat out so I could have some room...

The 88 2.0 had cruise control and I remember thinking "why would anyone put cruise on a baffed out motor with a 5 speed"...it made no sense to me even though I was doing about 700 km a week of mostly highway driving. I should have kept all the parts and sold them but at the time I didn't realize the yards were catching on to the DIY crowd...

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I have it all installed, finally have power to the amplifier where it is supposed to be and the servo checks out. It doesn't work yet though... need to check the switches and the amplifier next I guess.