1989 2.9 ranger: journey to passing inspection

[Oaktree22]

I'm still in highschool and can't get my permit yet, so I decided that I'd have time to work on a truck instead of spending a lot for a newer one.

My dad and I asked a family friend about the old ranger that he had, since it didn't pass inspection. He said $200, so he brought it over and we got the title taken care of.

Afterwards it sat at my house for a while, one of the brake lines blew while we were moving it around, so that's been added to the list of to-do's. Then it sat for a while longer.

One day we decided to start working on it, the first hurdle was a lug nut that had completely rounded off, we ended up drilling out the stud. After taking off the rear tires and brake drums, we sprayed down the bed bolts, and pulled off the bed.

Afterwards we redid the exhaust behind the cats, just a 2 inch pipe with a cherry bomb salute, a little quieter than I'd liked.

That's all we've done to her so far, updates will be out over time.

Before bed removal:

After:

The new exhaust:

 

[franklin2]

I know you guys like noisy exhaust systems, I was young once also. Anything to get the girls to notice. But you don't want it too noisy, it can be a cop caller. I think your inspections in PA can be more strict than down here in Va and while a inspection station down here won't fail you for a straight through glasspack (as long as it doesn't leak) the cop can write you a ticket for it if they feel like it. All exhaust systems must be baffled in Va. Any straight through exhaust is illegal. Don't know what the rules are in Pa.

 

[Oaktree22]

I know you guys like noisy exhaust systems, I was young once also. Anything to get the girls to notice. But you don't want it too noisy, it can be a cop caller. I think your inspections in PA can be more strict than down here in Va and while a inspection station down here won't fail you for a straight through glasspack (as long as it doesn't leak) the cop can write you a ticket for it if they feel like it. All exhaust systems must be baffled in Va. Any straight through exhaust is illegal. Don't know what the rules are in Pa.

I don't think we've got any laws against straight through, my dad has one on his 150. I like the sound it makes, but I'd like it to be just loud enough to hear from the cab, cuz I can't even hear it from inside at 3 grand.

 

[RobbieD]

Good move, learning to work on it before you can even drive it. That will help you a lot, down the road. Keep posting updates, and good luck!

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

2.9 ranger is as good as it gets in my eyes.

Reliable if maintained well, good in stock form, can be built to?? We'll find out this summer with mine at least.

 

[Snoranger]

2.9 ranger is as good as it gets in my eyes.

Then you need glasses!

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Then you need glasses!

Trifocals.

Fight me.

 

[Snoranger]

Trifocals.

Fight me.

I won’t hit a man with glass... and I assume you won’t be able to see me if you take them off.

 

[Oaktree22]

Well we got the parts ranger today, with a pretty good condition bed, a good cap, and a solid frame in case we need to do some patchwork. It must have been crashed early in its life cuz it's very clean, even in the rear leaf spring hangers.

 

[Oaktree22]

The parts truck is slowly being taken apart, we cut off the roof for easier access (it was crushed anyways) and are planning on taking off the cab for easy access to the frame, we tried turning the 4L that's in it but it sounds like stuff is most likely broken inside, the bed came off with very little work tho.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Please tell me you're saving those rims...

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

also, before you junk the 4.0, there's a lot worth hanging on to. Or that I'd buy.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Nice score on that bed!

You don't find nice long beds just anywhere anymore.

 

[cbxer55]

Too bad about inspections in PA. Here, there are none. No inspections, no smog. No front license, window tinting legal. Even the front windshield.

I have those same rims on my 98 SPORT.

 

[Oaktree22]

I can save the rims, but can't use them on mine, they're 14 inch, mine are 15 inch, same style tho, and if I end up pulling out the engine I'll talk about that too