1987 Ranger Project

[Awesom-O]

Great job so far. Thats gonna look awesome when it's all done. You keeping it matte black?

Thanks. I’m painting it in Upol Raptor. Thinking two tone in classic style like this? Black and tinted gunmetal grey.

 

[maddyn]

oooo, I'm liking that monochrome color choice. Planning on doing the same thing with the raptorliner and trying to match the stock two tone paint scheme. I have the deep emerald green and tan. I did the underside of the cab in a forest green tinted raptor, but it looks more olive drab to me, needs a little more blue in it or something. When the time comes I am going to try and do a little color matching and get it closer

 

[Awesom-O]

Yeah I’m kind of murdering this truck out a bit, but not 100%. I wanted to keep a few shiny parts like the grill and the tail panel, box rails, etc and still thinking about the mirrors.
Almost going to have the Iron Man “War Machine” variant colour scheme. Might have to call this truck “Rhodey”.

 

[Awesom-O]

Chassis is finally done. A few shots before we lay the cab down on her.

 

[Awesom-O]

Got the cab mounted. Now working on the OEM battery tray from the donor vehicle.
time to plug in the harness and connect all the mechanical stuff.
Loving how this truck sits. Even with the wee roller turbines. Lol.

 

[Awesom-O]

Well let’s see if this fixes the gas gauge issue? Swapped the 87 sending unit onto the 91 pump. Just figuring out the last of the wires and what they are, and hopefully will be able to turn the key shortly. Swapped a few other parts from parts trucks. One thing with the 87 cab swap, you also have to swap part of the steering shaft near the steering box as they are slightly different. Working on a custom shifter plate that should accommodate some cup holders too.

 

[Awesom-O]

Made a custom box mount for my rocker switches with some sheet metal I had laying around. Painted to match the dash. Think I’ll run my front light bars, rear lights, and maybe a compressor with them.

 

[RobbieD]

Nice work on the switches.

 

[Awesom-O]

Nice work on the switches.

Thanks. It was dual purpose install, as the previous owner had drilled holes under that mount for cheap light switches that were pretty ugly. So I have hid those nicely with this.

 

[Terrys87]

Enjoyed going thru your build. You have been doing a great job and look forward to your progress.

 

[Awesom-O]

Well, not a lot of update, but the Ranger is finally fully swapped and running!! Just going to clean up the harness, loom everything, and add my extras like lights, gauges, a night switch, stereo etc. Going to take advantage of that distribution box for some electrical extras for sure. This wiring was a chore with a cab swap, no question and needless to say I’m glad I’m past that in the build. Lots of 2 steps forward one step back stuff. Dash in and out multiple times, added a check engine light as my dash had a blank in there, fuel sender pulled, tweaked and re-installed, working great now. That kinda shit.
Ordered everything I need to Raptor this and my BII.
Sandblasted, epoxy primed, painted and cleared with 2K my winter wheels and set them up with some brand new studded rubber. Used a 3 inch hole saw to carve out the centre caps for the manual hubs.

 

[Awesom-O]

Haven’t had much time in the last few weeks to work on the Ranger, but I did spend a tiny bit of time working on wiring up gauges, and interior courtesy lights and map lights to the door pins etc. Snuck a quick vacation in there to Barrett Jackson too. . No Rangers there but old Ford Broncos and F series trucks are going crazy $$.
Also got a sneak peek at the floor plate I had made. It’s far from done, but I will be adding cup holders of some kind and powder coating it. Also plan on making a version with the shifter hole only, for those trucks with electric 4x4, as well a version for the FM145/146 like in my Bronco.

 

[Awesom-O]

Got some time in the shop today. Finished the gauge and interior light wiring. Map lights work with the door switch and independently. Made a cover plate for the AC bracket since I don’t have AC.
Now it’s on to stereo install, and design the cup holders for the shifter plate. At least the dash is back together again. Let’s hope it is together for the last time. Feels like I’ve installed and removed it a half dozen times. lol.

 

[RobbieD]

Looks good. I like black interiors in old Rangers.

 

[Awesom-O]

Well, I noticed the driver door wasn’t nearly as straight as I first thought. Blocked it down and added skim coats of bog. Blocked and ready for sealing now. Also ordered a single din 10”
screen stereo. It’s huge and will take some serious getting used to, or may just go into one of my many other projects like my 50 Buick custom console? Haven’t decided yet.