My 87 Ranger I will be restoring soon I want to keep track of my progress and add information as I find it.

[Terrys87]

We are to get rain all weekend. One of the things I want to get done is front coil springs. I was not wanting to cut the coil spring and remove the nut. Seriously 3 hours later I got the nut off working it slowly on and off.

6 foot long pry bar and it popped in and out. I zipped tied my calipers up to the frame and removed lower shock bolt.

Passenger side I zipped tied my caliper up, removed lower shock bolt, cut the spring with the lower control arm all the way down. I was easily able to get the nut off. 30 minutes in passenger side versus 3 hours on drivers side.

 

[Terrys87]

I would starve being a professional mechanic. Finally got the new hub on as I have a warped rotor on one. Got a start on drivers side. Will work on it tomorrow if weather is bad. I need to change Fuel Pressure Regulator, start getting AC connected. That is the next goals.

 

[Terrys87]

New coil springs and hubs. Truck does seem to ride nicer. May just be in my head. Not sure if it raised the front end up as I eventually want to go to 31 inches tires when these wear out. Definitely stops better. No more warped hubs.

Truck was getting hard to start. I knew it was Fuel Pressure Regulator. Starts much better. Hoping Standard is a good FPR. I replaced it with a new one when I did the fuel system. Speaking of fuel, yea!!! My O ring in fuel tank leaked when I filled it up. Getting good parts is hard to find. I replaced it with a new one when I went to the larger tank.

 

[Terrys87]

I did hit 50k miles on it. I think it had 37k in it when I bought it. It had been on a 450 round trip and a 1000 mile round trip. Still running gremlins out of it but it is getting better each day. AC is on the list for this week. Dusty but interior is cominmg up on the list. Still need to get my carpet and head liner installed

 

[Terrys87]

I got the front end,doors and extended cab wet sandy, rubbing compound and wax done. Still a few small areas that need touched up but paint us a little smoother now.

I can’t find the time of day on the internet to see where orifice tube goes. Haynes Manual was no help. Had to drag the Gactiry Service Manuals out. Handy but tons of information to dig thru. Hoping to have the AC working by the weekend. Nearly all components are new

 

[Terrys87]

When I was priming in preparation for paint, I had some primer to slip thru onto my side glass and rear window. 00 Steel Wool does great in cleaning up a side glass or back glass Do NOT on windshield

i
Before picture. In top left corner and then I remembered I wanted a before and after shot. Before

After. It may sound scary but it does make glass smooth and clear minor imperfections.

 

[Terrys87]

I got my old carpet out in preparation for new carpet going in this weekend. Rain all weekend so will be in the shop. Floorboards are in excellent shape Some minor surface rust I will sand and use rust killer on. Started on bed with wet sanding the clear coat, rubbing compound and then waxing. I got all of my glass shining about as good as I am going to get it but it does look so much better.

 

[Terrys87]

Just got the carpet in and letting it relax. Had it in sun must of the day yesterday.

First cut is scariest. T40 for the transmission bolts and lifts right out. Transfer case is just pressed on. It wants to rotate putting it back together. Will work on a solution for that later. Maybe locktite

I will be dodging rain off and on all weekend. Got truck at least movable and everything will stay dry. Bronco is in shop for now but will probably get evicted for the weekend. If all goes well I will do some small work on it.

 

[Terrys87]

I used a small screwdriver to find the hole. Once I was sure I would put a pin hole with the soldering iron. When I was completely
sure I run the soldering iron as deep/ to the bolt hole and then used the bolts to hold carpet while trimming.

I need some door trim but carpet is done. Still need to get kick panels in.

 

[Terrys87]

I have just gotten used to pulling my inner fenders whenever I am doing transmission or ac work. I do not use my inner fender to fender bolts as it is really solid without them. Do not remove these bolts. They will break. Just pull complete inner fenders whenever

I replaced my evaporator way back when but left covers on tubes to prevent moisture getting into it. It is posted in my thread in previous post. This evaporator had an Orifice tube already installed.

Next with new O-rings that come with dryer I tightened with two 22 mm wrenches.

Next was Dryer. I had a tough time getting clamp around dryer to hold it so used some vice grips to help me get screw installed.
Flushing lines then blew out with air hose.

 

[Terrys87]

New O ring installed from Condenser to Evaporator.

New O ring installed on line. Pictures will be out of order but I did flush the lines.

Here I flushed lines and blew out with air hose.

New Pressure Switch came with O ring. I will put a zip tie or a drop of Super glue to hold broken connector. It is solid and don’t think it will come off.

 

[Terrys87]

A picture I missed showing O rings on pressure sensor.

This dryer came with O rings. I think I got it from Orielly. Seems to be a great kit.

 

[Terrys87]

I will be leaving these caps on until I get it to AC mechanic. I want to keep system as dry as possible.

Same for Compressor. I will add the fittings just before taking it in. I could charge it myself but want them to check for leaks, and add proper amount and maybe some certain kind of oil to compressor.

 

[Terrys87]

Recently I filled the tank and it leaked out O ring. Waiting on son to help lift the bed off. I got a little larger O ring. Hoping this fixes the leak. New parts now a days are not as good as they used to be.

Trying a more square type O ring.

 

[jballard81]

View attachment 128220
New coil springs and hubs. Truck does seem to ride nicer. May just be in my head. Not sure if it raised the front end up as I eventually want to go to 31 inches tires when these wear out. Definitely stops better. No more warped hubs. View attachment 128221
Truck was getting hard to start. I knew it was Fuel Pressure Regulator. Starts much better. Hoping Standard is a good FPR. I replaced it with a new one when I did the fuel system. Speaking of fuel, yea!!! My O ring in fuel tank leaked when I filled it up. Getting good parts is hard to find. I replaced it with a new one when I went to the larger tank.

New part quality is terrible. I've been bitten by this a few times. Good luck!