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87 XLT - Factory Optioned Restoration


1qaz

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Where did you find the insulation? Mine was falling down when I was in high school 15+ years ago so I just finished it off and pitched it.
I got mine from Class-Tech-Cars. Here's a link: Ford Ranger '83-'92 Hood Insulation

They're also on eBay.

If I ever find a Ford manufactured or branded one I'll get it.

And the Ford part number for the clips is: N803613S
 


85_Ranger4x4

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Not a bad price either.
 

1qaz

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Attended 85_Ranger4x4's car club hosted car show today in rural Iowa. Very nice show in a great location. The country needs more town centers like it.





85_Ranger4x4 found his way to my Ranger.



And set up a Rangers 101 class. Everyone immediately associated him with Ford Rangers...he knows his stuff.



Mrs 85_Ranger4x4 was the trophy girl. Both good people. It was a good day.
 
Last edited:

85_Ranger4x4

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Glad you had a good time. :icon_thumby:

BTW most of the people that I was talking to are customers, talked about a lot of things from a '56 Ford pickup to sump pumps.

It was very fun going over such a beautiful truck:















So that is what the correct grille screws look like:



I had suspicions but the connector with two green wires is for the underhood light. I need to snag one sometime, does it time out or is it on full time? That could get me in trouble, my hood is almost up more than it is shut...







[url=https://flic.kr/p/LusAUV]


Nice new hood insulation:



The best first gen battery tray I have ever seen.



Super bummed I couldn't get mine there :not_i:
 

1qaz

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I had suspicions but the connector with two green wires is for the underhood light. I need to snag one sometime, does it time out or is it on full time? That could get me in trouble, my hood is almost up more than it is shut...
It stays on full time...hence, the negative battery terminal disconnected in pic above...thanks for sharing.

Looking forward to seeing your Ranger Custom at some point.,,if you need an extra set of hands I'd be happy to pitch in.
 

1qaz

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Finishing up some front end projects before I start after the back half in a couple weeks. Removed the front bumper and spoiler to clean them up and finish up the front part of the frame.

Surface rust and plenty of dirt.





Ready for paint. What you don't see is the 1/2 inch of Tuscon I removed in the bottom of the frame rail.





Cleaned and restored.









And back together.

 

1qaz

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Winter projects have begun. First out were the six T55 bed bolts...they're so clean it was effortless.



Then the bed came off.



The southwest was good to this truck...merely surface rust.









Front of the bed as clean.



With factory markings.



Differential and rear axle.



Fuel tank.




Hope the fall weather lasts a bit longer.
 

Bird76Mojo

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That is one super clean first gen.... She's a beaut Clark! Excellent work on the clean-up/resto. Also, HI from a fellow Lincoln-Land-er. :icon_thumby:

Since you're a fellow Illinoisan, if you come across any 1st/2nd gen doors with wing windows and flag style mirrors, let me know. I'm looking to buy a pair. Preferably manual windows. If you're looking for anything specific, then let me know also. I may have it or know where it's at. I have access to a private stockpile with several 1st gen Rangers.



GB :)
 

85_Ranger4x4

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Winter projects have begun. First out were the six T55 bed bolts...they're so clean it was effortless.

That is just not fair, I broke 1/3 of my cab bolts and they were new in 2006 :annoyed:

Hope the fall weather lasts a bit longer.
I hope so too but I fear I am going to run out of fall before I run out of harvest. They are talking snow again this weekend... :temper:

I need things to slow down at work so I can get my floor finished.
 

Bird76Mojo

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That is just not fair, I broke 1/3 of my cab bolts and they were new in 2006 :annoyed:



I hope so too but I fear I am going to run out of fall before I run out of harvest. They are talking snow again this weekend... :temper:

I need things to slow down at work so I can get my floor finished.

SLATHER those bolts, and I mean NASTY GOOPY COVER THEM with anti-seize and you should never have another problem. I've never had a problem. On all of my Rangers that have been driven in every midwestern winter all season long.. If you can ram-jam some anti-seize in the flanged/captured nuts under the truck, even better.



GB :)
 

1qaz

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That is one super clean first gen.... She's a beaut Clark! Excellent work on the clean-up/resto. Also, HI from a fellow Lincoln-Land-er. :icon_thumby:

Since you're a fellow Illinoisan, if you come across any 1st/2nd gen doors with wing windows and flag style mirrors, let me know. I'm looking to buy a pair. Preferably manual windows. If you're looking for anything specific, then let me know also. I may have it or know where it's at. I have access to a private stockpile with several 1st gen Rangers.
Thank you! I'll keep an eye out for those doors and mirrors. The one part I've been looking for with no luck is a good, clean, red dash pad. The sun eats those things.

That is just not fair, I broke 1/3 of my cab bolts and they were new in 2006 :annoyed:

I hope so too but I fear I am going to run out of fall before I run out of harvest. They are talking snow again this weekend... :temper:

I need things to slow down at work so I can get my floor finished.
Hope you get to your floor pan soon...been tracking your engine work in your thread.

======================================

Finally got some time in the garage over the Thanksgiving break...with three days of mid-50s weather!

Deconstruction...springs, bumper, fuel tank.



Found another Inspector 12 marking on the bumper.



Fuel tank solid but filthy.



Sending unit functional but will be replaced...NOS one on the way.



Bushings removed from driver side spring and shackle....that was fun.



Frame cleaned, stripped, and Corroseal'd.



Driver side spring ready for install.



With polyurethane bushings. Debated on NOS but went with the poly for multiple reasons.



Fresh paint always looks nice.









Passenger side spring shown for comparison...didn't quite finish but got a lot done.



Winter showed back up today...the high reached the mid-20s. Will complete the springs and fuel tank and hope for another warm day.
 

Jim Oaks

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Looking good.
 

1qaz

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Looking good.
Thanks!

========================

I closed out 2018 cleaning up and restoring the gas tank.

Before.



Bottom side...more Tucson tar.



Old sending unit.



NOS sending unit.



Inside of tank clean.



Outside of tank filthy but in good condition.



Tank cleaned, prepped.



Restored.







Factory markings preserved.



Ready to go back in place.

 

85_Ranger4x4

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Looks good, nice that your straps survived.
 

Bird76Mojo

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Looks like undercoating on that fuel tank. Same as my truck. Real tar-like stuff. Really sticky, hard to remove, generally just a nightmare to deal with.



GB :)
 

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