'85 Ranger Restomod

[85_Ranger4x4]

Ran the wire into the cab for the fan ground, I need a functional electrical system to wire in the light up switch so still stuck on that.

I love my Smittybilt winch but the mounting bracket for the controller is a complete POS. This is how it is when I look down.



The front has come unhooked from the tie rod and the stupid little screws that are supposed to be below the upper rear tie rod are on the top. I remove the license plate and easily pop everything into place by hand with no tools. Pop it out of place and back in again easily.

Picture from the manual if anyone is having any questions what I am talking about.

Tried the modern handyman's secret weapon... zipties. No difference.



So I decided to just make a plate and mount it to the license plate bracket holes in the front bumper behind the winch.

 

[Terrys87]

I wish I had your wiring skills. Looks like you are making progress on getting the wiring back together. I like how well the directions are when adding things on, seems like it should go well and never does. A little at a time and you will get it there. Looking good.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I wish I had your wiring skills. Looks like you are making progress on getting the wiring back together. I like how well the directions are when adding things on, seems like it should go well and never does. A little at a time and you will get it there. Looking good.

"back up three times and punt" seems to be my slogan...

Got a thing this morning they are going to resend the fuse panel and connectors for the efan relays but I have to reorder the connectors for the fuse panel.

EDIT: They are refunding everything so no parts until middle of next week at the earliest now.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

The big harness that runs all the junk I have added, mainly coming off of said fuse panels and spreading throughout the truck like an alien parasite (ignition, radios, rear view mirror, efan switched power, fuel pump etc) has been using a OEM Ford wedgelock connector. I have used them quite a bit and they work ok. Decent to disassemble etc but can be a PITA to disconnect and pins that take wire of decent size can be hard to find. And there is absolutely no sealing to them at all.

So now that is upgraded to a Deutsch connector as wel.



Then I pulled the electrical panel mounting plate because why not and welded a nut on the tab that retains the plastic cover... so no more fighting clip nuts.

 

[scotts90ranger]

We use the heck out of Deutsch connectors at work and they're great but they're only rated for 15 amps (at least the DT like you used, there's a bigger version but it's not as neat and usually in the twist lock big thing that's a pain in the rear to service), just as a heads up if you didn't already know...

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

We use the heck out of Deutsch connectors at work and they're great but they're only rated for 15 amps (at least the DT like you used, there's a bigger version but it's not as neat and usually in the twist lock big thing that's a pain in the rear to service), just as a heads up if you didn't already know...

Yeah, nothing real big in this one. Pretty much radios and connecting switches to relays.

 

[Terrys87]

The new one does look like a better quality connector. On the factory I have had the wires to fall out. Never do they come out easily when I need to de pin one. I hear you 3 steps backwards and 2 forward. Eventually you will get it there.

 

[scotts90ranger]

Yeah, nothing real big in this one. Pretty much radios and connecting switches to relays.

You're the type of guy that likely knew that anyway, you just mentioned E fans so I wanted to make sure

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

You're the type of guy that likely knew that anyway, you just mentioned E fans so I wanted to make sure

Just the switched power for the relay box, main feed for the fans are separate.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Electrical panel is back in



Sat down with the battery, test leads, test light and some vice grips and figured out the light up switches.

Oh no, the efans are turned off!



Ok, they are turned on now! (test light is pretending to be fans or whatever it is I am switching.

 

[scotts90ranger]

ok, now I'm curious on the fuse/relay box you got, is the lid sealed? are there wire seals on the back where they go in? Link? We're having serious issues at work with the quality of the mini 5 pin relays that we've been using since '07, I'm pretty sure they reduced the wire size in the coil and now they overheat on continuous use even no where near the amp limit but the bigger relays like that seem to work? I don't know, I hate the post rona parts world...

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Not sealed, dustcover on the top and open on the bottom. Not that worried about water getting that high above the intakes and the 2.8 emission cover will be the primary splash protection anyway.

Amazon.com

+1 to post covid sentiment. Selling feature was the no name 40a relays should be way bigger than I need to maybe help with longevity. If not I already have relays that have worked for years.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Fuse panel is here and in, pretty close to fully wired in, mainly need to wire the feeds for both panels now.

The chips/dust/small debris hasn't fully settled yet but if you look past the wad of crap that goes to the starter solenoid it looks a lot better already.



Also remembered why I didn't want two of the same relay blocks. Because piggybacking one off the other would overload the constant battery one, you would have all the circuits and relays pulling off one relay plus everything else on the constant battery panel.

I really only need four relays so far... so I just pulled the wires out of the new block so the relays are not pulling power from the same place as the regular circuits. If I end up needing the relays I have pins to add power back from somewhere else. Until then... I have four spare relays right there.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Electrical is basically done under the hood, I just need to install fuses and route the harness that goes across the front of he truck and cinch the radiator and condenser back in..

Then pull the truck out of the garage so I can get some elbow room to redo the underdash switches.

Need a third vehicle for Friday, wifey gets an oil change in her car so the pressure is on lol.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Fan relay block is mounted, wiring is all hooked up, radiator and condenser is bolted back in.

I had hoped to get the battery in it and fire it up, coming off a stomach bug that is about all I could stand to do.