1996 Sapphire Blue XLT build

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Figured id start a build thread for this truck.
Its a 1996 Sapphire Blue/silver XLT 2wd 5speed 3.0l v6. Currently has 160k on it but was told its had a motor/transmission replaced. Paints been beat up and theres dents all over it. Overall for the condition and price its not bad. Im happy with its "character"
The Interior needs a good cleaning, previous owner was a smoker. Needs a headliner which i'll look for a color to match the exterior paint, or just do grey again, not 100% sure. The rug has a hole in in so will go with vinyl because of all the dirt.
I'm excited to have a manual vehicle back in my life. I race atv motocross for fun and I'm trying to keep the miles down on my 2021 Tundra so the ranger will be my commuter truck and track practice day rig and wherever else id like to take it.

Plans for it are going through everything to make it roadworthy and reliable, comfortable to drive, remove the cap, and also undercoating the frame. Then add some extras:

-3/5 drop kit
-bucket seats and a center console
- replace window seal scrapers
-vinyl replacement rug
-window tint
-headlights to replace the faded stockers
-new lowered shocks
-wheels. I have a few different ideas right now. Will be either 14' or 15's though
-Double din with apple car play, im going the cheap ebay route
- new 6x8 speakers
-install my old 12" Alpine Type-R sub and amp
-new cluster with a tach

 

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I picked up bucket seats and a center console on Saturday. Have seat pics but not the console. I have also ordered a new vinyl rug from rock auto. Seats and console will be going in after I remove the old rug and install the replacement.

It had a bad driver lower ball joint and a leaking passenger front brake line. I decided to do all 4 ball joints, tie road ends and do both front brake lines on Sunday.

The one picture i took during the repairs.

I will also be replacing the pads and rotors as the current rotors are quite thin. I noticed the passenger axle seal is leaking, so that will be added to the repair list.

 

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So my lowering Kit, extreme alignment pin kit, and the new vinyl rug just got delivered. Im leaving on a trip tonight, but will definitely post pics and updates when I get back.

Now to pick out some wheels.

 

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The new vinyl rug, went with black.

And Shoutout to @PlumCrazy for getting me a new transmission tunnel cover to replace my hacked up one.

 

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Just a short update. Replaced front pads and rotors and threw the drop springs in while everything was apart. Definitely needs an alignment especially after doing tie rods too. My girlfriend worked on cleaning the interior to prep for seat and rug removal/replacement. Wednesday or Thursday ill be doing the rear drop. Got some KYB shocks on order, they should be delivered today. The stock wheels are growing on me. I just need 2 ford center caps and 2 tires, the rear tires are 2 different sizes.

 

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Build update, but no pictures this time.

KYB shocks came in, will be installed at some point soon.

-Started on the rear axle flip. As i was unbolting the shackle i noticed how paper thin the shackle and mount was, so i cut those off, rust converted and spray painted behind the mounts. While pulling the old shocks off, i noticed the upper shock mounts need to be replaced, so those got ordered Wednesday, they'll be at my house Saturday.

-Thursday after work I got the new mounts and shackles installed but im fighting trying to remove the leaf spring bushings.

-Axle is above the springs and sitting on jack stands.

Will be back at it again Sunday. Hopefully get it back on the ground again so i can measure for wheel fitment. Interior work is next up.

 

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More build updates. Finished lowering it, but definitely going to order the ricks rangerz rear axle flip kit. This ebay one had to be cut up waay too much for my liking. I dont think the pinion angle is correct. Think im keeping the stock wheels, just need some OEM center caps. So if anyone has some for sale let me know. Will need some wheel spacers too.

-Burned out the old oem leaf spring bushings and replaced with new ones.

-Rear brake lines looking a little poopy so those will be getting replaced while im under there too. Found pre-bent ones online for cheap money.

-Didnt replace the upper shock mounts yet, but will get to it soon enough. Rear shocks havent been delivered yet.

We gutted the interior also, did some vacuuming, going to wire wheel the rust and then paint some rust converter over it after. There was easily 2 lbs of sand on the drivers side footwell because of the hole in the rug. It was a little wet so we scooped up what we could vacuumed the rest and letting it dry out more.

Some before and after pics;

 

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Another update;

Did some work last Sunday.
-New upper shock mounts replaced
-New rear brake lines. Having pre-bent ones made the job so much easier.
-Installed front KYB Shocks and the extreme camber adjusters, camber looks much better now, but still needs to be aligned correctly.

Pics Below

Also for anyone planning on lowering their ranger, spend the extra money and get the DJM kit from Ricks Rangerz. The Rear axle flip kit form eBay fits horribly and you have to hack up them up and that can affect pinion angle. So I ended up buying the correct kit from Ricks Rangerz, and the pinion shim kit needed for extended cab Rangers. That came yesterday along with my rear shocks so all of that will be installed next time I work on it.



Another issue came up, From all the rain, I noticed both floor boards had water on them, so I need to find the leak before I put the vinyl replacement rug in.

Leaving for a week Sunday for some motocross training before my race season starts so wont be working on it for a little while. Excited to get this wrapped up so i can start driving it.

 

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Build update! Lifes been busy with the start of my motocross season but I'm still putting in some time to get Ranger hopefully on the road soon. Scooped some new wheels Im not sure what year mustang theyre from but it looks good on the truck.

-Also Installed the RIcks Rangerz rear flip kit, got rid of the old ebay one.
-Installed the KYB rear shocks from a hard body Nissan.
-reaplaced both axles seals, one was leaking bad:

So after new seals were installed I replaced the pads and brake hardware, new wheel cylinders, bled the brakes and adjusted the shoes.

 

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Had planned on going the one piece headlight route from ebay, but decided that those would fade too soon. So i buffed the OEM ones instead.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Very happy with how they came out, but there's corrosion in the drivers side bucket, so im going to replace it with another OEM one.



Also got some 1" spacers to fit the mustang wheels, i like the look for now, but i have another wheel/tire set up in mind but, I'm trying to stay on somewhat of a budget. I want it reliable and on the road first.

 

[RangerNumber3]

The Mustang wheels look great!

 

[Jazzer]

Those wheels DO look great!

 

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Those wheels DO look great!

The Mustang wheels look great!

Thank you! i was a little hesitant at first but after i installed them i was excited on the look.

That picture was before the wheel spacers. Heres one with the spacers and new black lug nuts. The inner spokes are like a a gunmetal grey and the outer spokes are machined, I think it matches really will with the two-toned paint..

 

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Ordered an OEM drivers side headlight to replace the corroded one. Also ordered some clear corner lenses (circa 00's) to get rid of the ambers. Scraped up all the failing sound deadening material and installed new foil backed panels. Rust converted and painted over and spots in the floor. Still haven't had a chance to find the interior leak but that's up next.
-Picked up a double din touch screen with apple car play and everything needed to install it. Also replacing all the OEM speakers.
-On the hunt for some different seats as the ones I bought wont work without extensive modification and i don't want to do that. So need to find some seat covers to use temporarily.

Anyone interested in some really clean single cab seats?!?

 

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Took the shell off, got her registered and took some glamor shots.
-previously I installed the double DIN radio, new speakers, new clear corner lights.
-dropped it off at the alignment shop today
-it needs a good wash, buff and wax and pulling some dents and window tint too; along with finishing the interior. I am appy with the progress