1986 Ranger Prerunner in NH

[rngrracing96]

Ooook so I have had this truck for about 3 years now. Unfortunately between school and work I haven't had much time to get this truck where I wanted it to be by now. So I am beginning a new build thread as motivation to keep me working on this baby.
Here it is from the start to the present

Few pictures of its condition when it was with the previous owner








Once I got it home after a 4 hour haul from Maine

 

[rngrracing96]

I picked it up for $600 as is. Rear axle had been grenaded... probably from too many burnouts as the tires displayed. And as I soon found out pretty rusty floorboards. And yes that is roofing tar paper...











Don't Have pictures but I picked up a 8.8 with 4.10s and installed it. Then upgraded the wheels and tires. Got 4 30x9.5R15 with 75% tread on them and steel wheels off a jeep for $200. Plus new complete drum brake assembly with drums and new pads, rotors and bearings for the front.

 

[rngrracing96]

Next found a steal on craigslist for 2 still in box American racing wheels for $35 a piece. Then order 2 new ones at $70 a piece so 4 brand new kick ass wheels for about $210!!


Found some clear signal lenses front and side on ebay. Love how they look! Not a fan of the headlights though.

IMAG0041_zpsd8fadb60 by Evan Liotta, on Flickr

Picked up lift beams supposed to be 6" but haven't installed yet. Came with drop pitman arm and steering. No clue who makes the beams. The beams look too professional to have been custom built, but who knows lots of talented fabricators out there.


Cleaned up and painted

 

[rngrracing96]

Bought this James Duff prerunner style bumper off a member on here. Wire wheeled and painted it. The chrome grille i picked up somewhere along the way.




And how she sits currently

 

[86MUDRCJ]

Looks like you have a good start. Gotta love those 1st gen rangers.

 

[dhkonrad]

I agree with MUDRCJ, looks like a good start. The beams do look pretty clean to be a homemade sort of deal, but I am surprised that they would use a stock radius arm.

 

[86MUDRCJ]

I noticed that too. It would be that hard to extend the arms

 

[rngrracing96]

Yeah i mean the beams were on craigslist for $300 and i was looking at pricier suspension kits anyways so seemed like a good deal and would give me kinda the prerunner look. I do wish they had extended radius arms too. Hopefully ill find some soon... they get snatched up so fast. My transmission cross member is rotting out so hopefully some skyjacker radius arm kit materializes on here near me.
For now though I am attempting to get rid of the rust in the floor. Also just ordered new body mounts and extended brakelines. So all that first then suspension!!! Also looking for a drivers side seat track from a 1st gen if anyone has one!

 

[86MUDRCJ]

Shoot for 300 I would have bout it and I don't even have a 2wd.lol it definately needs fiberglass at least in the front so those tires don't take revenge on the fenders.

 

[dhkonrad]

Yeah i mean the beams were on craigslist for $300 and i was looking at pricier suspension kits anyways so seemed like a good deal and would give me kinda the prerunner look. I do wish they had extended radius arms too. Hopefully ill find some soon... they get snatched up so fast. My transmission cross member is rotting out so hopefully some skyjacker radius arm kit materializes on here near me.
For now though I am attempting to get rid of the rust in the floor. Also just ordered new body mounts and extended brakelines. So all that first then suspension!!! Also looking for a drivers side seat track from a 1st gen if anyone has one!

Shoot for 300 I would have bout it and I don't even have a 2wd.lol it definately needs fiberglass at least in the front so those tires don't take revenge on the fenders.

No kidding. For that price and with you not being in a rush, it's perfect. Seems like the radius arms are the easy part to make if you needed to anyway.

 

[86MUDRCJ]

No kidding. For that price and with you not being in a rush, it's perfect. Seems like the radius arms are the easy part to make if you needed to anyway.

It seems that all these prerunners are poppin up. Makes me wonder about how a 4x4 would turn out lol

I think radius arms are a great starter project

 

[rngrracing96]

Thinking about ordering these headers. Says they work with 88-90 but don't see why they wouldn't work on my 86. Any one have these?
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/psm-70-1117/overview/

 

[rngrracing96]

Never mind did some research on here found they dont have EGR and the y-pipe flange is different.

 

[86MUDRCJ]

Headers for the 2.9 dont make that much more power if that's what you're looking for. If its sound just put a glasspack on it and call it done.

 

[rngrracing96]

well i need a whole new exhaust so I was thinking of doing headers to tip. I want to use flowmaster super 40 and kick it out before the rear axle. But that projects probably for this winter. I have $ now so I figured I might buy headers or something. Any suggestions on the next purchase??