What did you do to your Ranger today? (Part Deux!)

[Rick W]

Town Car smog pump came in overnight and the belt got here today with various other early Christmas trinkets. Getting Ole Blue on the road is a priority even though sweet pea doesn’t like it (until we arrive at the Christmas parties and she sees the reaction).

View attachment 102826

I got those marker lights for the Road Ranger grill, but I’m already not liking them. I think I’m just going to use some of the 3/4” high/low bright marker lights, and maybe tie the bright into the turn signals or brake lights. 4th style I don’t like.

I put enough miles on the Missing Linc to feel good about the tie rod end and drag link, so I’m going to check the alignment with the Deluxe Double Stick & Bungee method one more time tomorrow. If anyone is foolish enough to copy my method, remember the tires’ traction on the ground is always going to hold it a hair off when you do the adjustment, so you need to drive it a little bit and then check it one more time. If it’s off, repeat, repeat, repeat. It actually only takes about five or 10 minutes to check it and adjust after you get it kind of zeroed in.

In addition to that and Ole Blue, I’m hoping to sand down the factory pinstripes off the Missing Linc trailer, and get some primer down, and maybe a little Bondo in the 5-6 little dings.

I’m really glad the 4WD Missing Linc is roadworthy again. Not only because it’s Lincoln‘s favorite to ride in, but the early forecast is calling for as much as 20 to 25 snowflakes this winter, and I hate to put the 4WD F250 Big Red at risk….

Oh, and I just ordered 70-80 marker lights and tail lights for current and future projects, $137 which includes a $45 custom over cab light set for Big Red.

 

[Rick W]

Stumbled on this on Hemmings Auctions Daily on a BII, did a little research on the web & pulled the trigger on 1 for my Ranger.
I didn't know they exsisted ! Pretty neat & useful addition I think. Good price too. Ebay has an OBB listing for $19.99.
Pretty cheap ! They come in 4 different colors (Silver, Blue, Red & Black) with the letter(s) stating the color @ the end of the part #.
I got the 2470B, the blue 1. I think they come in 16psi too.

View attachment 102722View attachment 102723View attachment 102724
Mr. Gasket 2470B Domestic Thermocap 13 Psi-Blue | eBay

Hey, it’s not a performance item, just slap it on the radiator, and don’t overthink it with the crew. I love those kind of gizmos. Besides, the best part of it is you know what’s going on in the radiator before you take it off so you don’t boil your hand and right nipple like a lobster (left nipple if you’re lefty).

 

[SCOTTY]

Hey, it’s not a performance item, just slap it on the radiator, and don’t overthink it with the crew. I love those kind of gizmos. Besides, the best part of it is you know watch’s going on in the radiator before you take it off so you don’t boil your hand and right nipple like a lobster (left nipple if you’re lefty).

Hey Rick,
You are correct & I'm with you. It's a neat simple add-on. When I 1st saw it I said "I WANT THAT !!".

Using it like you stated is what I had in mind. Peeking @ it after driving if I want to will read accurate enough for me.
I didn't get it to see the EXACT engine temp anyway.

Cheers !!

 

[Rick W]

Hey Rick,
You are correct & I'm with you. It's a neat simple add-on. When I 1st saw it I said "I WANT THAT !!".View attachment 102841 Using it like you stated is what I had in mind. Peeking @ it after driving if I want to will read accurate enough for me.
I didn't get it to see the EXACT engine temp anyway.

Cheers !! View attachment 102842

you do realize that agreeing with me could put you in a very dark corner of the TRS…

 

[SCOTTY]

you do realize that agreeing with me could put you in a very dark corner of the TRS…

Oh well

 

[tw205]

I pulled the trigger on reviving the ranger I bought for parts instead of disassembling it. First and foremost was a new windshield. Almost as much as I paid for the truck. Ordered the new taillights and turn signal light and new shackle Kit. Should be here by Wednesday. Temp installed some very nice T111 over the hole in the rear of the cab that use to be a window. Not gonna lie. It’s sexy. I’ve got a used rear glass but I’ve never installed one. Ordering the seal and we’ll give er a go. Build a cat delete as the cat was stolen prior to my purchase. Should be driving her by next weekend. At least more than around the block.
That’s how a $600 truck becomes a $1200 truck.

 

[SCOTTY]

you do realize that agreeing with me could put you in a very dark corner of the TRS…

Join me by gettin 1 !

 

[Rick W]

I pulled the trigger on reviving the ranger I bought for parts instead of disassembling it. First and foremost was a new windshield. Almost as much as I paid for the truck. Ordered the new taillights and turn signal light and new shackle Kit. Should be here by Wednesday. Temp installed some very nice T111 over the hole in the rear of the cab that use to be a window. Not gonna lie. It’s sexy. I’ve got a used rear glass but I’ve never installed one. Ordering the seal and we’ll give er a go. Build a cat delete as the cat was stolen prior to my purchase. Should be driving her by next weekend. At least more than around the block.
That’s how a $600 truck becomes a $1200 truck.
View attachment 102848View attachment 102849View attachment 102850

I love bringing them back to life. It’s about the journey, it’s about the learning and the experience, using hard earned skills and having success (well, usually).

Two thoughts on the back windshield. First, clean all the edges, clean, clean with a razor blade. When you go to install, it put a little vegetable oil on the edge of the windshield and in the seal. It makes it all slide together more easily, with none of the negatives of silicone or petroleum based lubricant, and it will dissipate in a relatively short amount of time.

On the gasket, when you’re going to put it in, fill a 5 gallon bucket with very hot water, and put the gasket in there to soak until it reaches the same temperature. It’ll make it much easier to work with.

My two cents, I hope it helps…

 

[Rick W]

Join me by gettin 1 !

Just as soon as I use up the half dozen scrap yard caps I’ve collected!

 

[tw205]

I love bringing them back to life. It’s about the journey, it’s about the learning and the experience, using hard earned skills and having success (well, usually).

Two thoughts on the back windshield. First, clean all the edges, clean, clean with a razor blade. When you go to install, it put a little vegetable oil on the edge of the windshield and in the seal. It makes it all slide together more easily, with none of the negatives of silicone or petroleum based lubricant, and it will dissipate in a relatively short amount of time.

On the gasket, when you’re going to put it in, fill a 5 gallon bucket with very hot water, and put the gasket in there to soak until it reaches the same temperature. It’ll make it much easier to work with.

My two cents, I hope it helps…

I was thinking of using some butter flavored Pam cooking spray so it smells like popcorn anytime I get in

 

[Rick W]

I was thinking of using some butter flavored Pam cooking spray so it smells like popcorn anytime I get in

That’ll work as long as it’s vegetable-based, and not animal-fat based. I’m not familiar since any true Polish cook would never use PAM….

 

[Rick W]

Ya snooze, ya lose! Like I don’t have enough projects, I was thinking of picking up another bed and making a red trailer to match Big Red. I found this yesterday afternoon on eBay, decided to grab it, contacted the guy about an hour ago, and he laughed and said it went 45 minutes after he listed it. The price was right!

I think the first GEN beds match the ‘96 F250 better, so I’ll keep searching. But even down here, it’s hard to find them that clean and that cheap and with the tailgate.

 

[tw205]

That’ll work as long as it’s vegetable-based, and not animal-fat based. I’m not familiar since any true Polish cook would never use PAM….

Mmmmmm. Golumpki.

 

[scotts90ranger]

I pulled the trigger on reviving the ranger I bought for parts instead of disassembling it. First and foremost was a new windshield. Almost as much as I paid for the truck. Ordered the new taillights and turn signal light and new shackle Kit. Should be here by Wednesday. Temp installed some very nice T111 over the hole in the rear of the cab that use to be a window. Not gonna lie. It’s sexy. I’ve got a used rear glass but I’ve never installed one. Ordering the seal and we’ll give er a go. Build a cat delete as the cat was stolen prior to my purchase. Should be driving her by next weekend. At least more than around the block.
That’s how a $600 truck becomes a $1200 truck.
View attachment 102848View attachment 102849View attachment 102850

Putting those windows in isn't hard but can be frustrating. There's a way with 1/4" rope that I've been meaning to try but haven't... Normally I just put the window in the seal then put one bottom corner in and walk the seal around the seam with a piece of wire or butter knife (salvaged it from a junkyard at one point, it's bent up, perfect tool for many things...) or screwdriver, sometimes you need to go outside and push on the window. Some are easier than others, I've had rear sliders on my '90 for many years but have taken it out a few times, and done the one on my F350 a few times...

 

[powerstrokekid]

I went to southington off-road park in Ohio! First time wheeling a ranger and it was fun.