• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

1988 Mildly sort of rare Shotgun Custom

Rare aftermarket custom??


  • Total voters
    4
  • Poll closed .

Franken5liter

Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Dec 10, 2018
Messages
62
Reaction score
24
Points
8
Age
45
Location
Bloomington Indiana
Vehicle Year
1999
Make / Model
Ranger
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
0
Total Drop
0
Tire Size
31”
Hey All, been awhile since my last login and longer for a post. But skipping the emotional and into the juicy bits. I recently scored what could be a 1 of 1 supposedly done by Kenny Brown sometime back in the late 80’s. My research has turned up zero on him ever building a ranger and haven’t reached out to his current shop in Indy yet as I wanted to get some feedback from the crowd here first. I was on a hunt for a 1st gen 4x4 for about 6 months to do a resto-mod of sorts and could not find anything not rotted to hell or beat to death for under $3500 and of course thousands of miles away. Anyways I found this gem on OfferUp out in GA for essentially a $ong. Drove 9 hours out there with a buddy to tow it back as it was listed as non-running. We about flipped when we saw it. Practically zero rust, super straight body with a nice GA patina over the original YY paint and a weird “Shotgun Customs” plaque in the dash cubbie/pocket. The owner let it sit for a few years and finally wanted it gone being he was not a car buff as he ended up with it after original owner passed. Anyways tell me what you guys think it is. 1988 touch drive 4x4 std cab SB 4.10 LS axle code I believe it has the high-rider option. The pin striping is super cool love the rims!!! Hoping to hear more info about it if theres any out there. Thanks folks
0FC1411C-4023-4937-83FF-99DD9AFFF153.jpeg
D12A2B12-E791-41D2-8B84-EACB4E61D091.jpeg
B6744D6C-C745-40BA-99EB-F4348FFFC7EB.jpeg

6DF9E87A-4521-417B-974E-AF4299C77BD7.jpeg
image.jpg
 

Attachments



sgtsandman

Aircraft Fuel Tank Diver
TRS Forum Moderator
U.S. Military - Active
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Ham Radio Operator
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Mar 11, 2017
Messages
12,695
Reaction score
12,390
Points
113
Location
Aliquippa, PA
Vehicle Year
2011/2019
Make / Model
Ranger XLT/FX4
Engine Size
4.0 SOHC/2.3 Ecoboost
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
Pre-2008 lift/Stock
Tire Size
31X10.5R15/265/65R17
I don’t know enough about the builder to comment one way or another but the truck looks to be in great shape. I think it’s a good find.
 

Ramcharger90

Well-Known Member
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Feb 11, 2019
Messages
2,953
Reaction score
1,708
Points
113
Location
N/A na
Vehicle Year
1990
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
306, Bcam,
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
agreed.... never heard of him. But its still a unique truck for today. Clean it up and run it
 

snoranger

Professional money waster
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
RBV's on Boost
ASE Certified Tech
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Nov 25, 2007
Messages
13,055
Reaction score
13,530
Points
113
Location
Jackson, NJ
Vehicle Year
'79,'94,'02,'23
Make / Model
All Fords
Engine Type
2.3 EcoBoost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
I didn't ask for your life story, just answer the question!
Who??

I agree... It looks like it’s in great shape.
 

Ramcharger90

Well-Known Member
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Feb 11, 2019
Messages
2,953
Reaction score
1,708
Points
113
Location
N/A na
Vehicle Year
1990
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
306, Bcam,
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
I can ask my friend who use to work for George Barris and with Chip Foose. But thats all I can really offer.
 

sheep herder

Well-Known Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
Joined
Nov 7, 2019
Messages
1,403
Reaction score
1,024
Points
113
Location
sheep pen
Vehicle Year
2011
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
My credo
If it ain't broke, break it.
I'm not really seeing anything "custom" about it. :dunno: Has anything been done to the interior?
 

Franken5liter

Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Dec 10, 2018
Messages
62
Reaction score
24
Points
8
Age
45
Location
Bloomington Indiana
Vehicle Year
1999
Make / Model
Ranger
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
0
Total Drop
0
Tire Size
31”

Franken5liter

Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Dec 10, 2018
Messages
62
Reaction score
24
Points
8
Age
45
Location
Bloomington Indiana
Vehicle Year
1999
Make / Model
Ranger
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
0
Total Drop
0
Tire Size
31”
I'm not really seeing anything "custom" about it. :dunno: Has anything been done to the interior?
Yeah nothin looks “custom” other than the graphics and the plaque but the engine has color matched accents and some cool stamped steel heat shields over the exhaust manifolds. Might be able to make ‘em out in the photo.
 

Franken5liter

Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Dec 10, 2018
Messages
62
Reaction score
24
Points
8
Age
45
Location
Bloomington Indiana
Vehicle Year
1999
Make / Model
Ranger
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
0
Total Drop
0
Tire Size
31”
agreed.... never heard of him. But its still a unique truck for today. Clean it up and run it
Yeah I have a nice 4r70w 5.0 swap in store for it. Interior is gutted waiting weatherstripping and window seals.
692F0FEA-4035-4368-8B46-ACCE670D80DD.jpeg
 

Franken5liter

Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Dec 10, 2018
Messages
62
Reaction score
24
Points
8
Age
45
Location
Bloomington Indiana
Vehicle Year
1999
Make / Model
Ranger
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
0
Total Drop
0
Tire Size
31”
Who??

I agree... It looks like it’s in great shape.
This is his current ahop but not a whole lot of historical info about him.
 

Franken5liter

Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Dec 10, 2018
Messages
62
Reaction score
24
Points
8
Age
45
Location
Bloomington Indiana
Vehicle Year
1999
Make / Model
Ranger
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
0
Total Drop
0
Tire Size
31”
I don’t know enough about the builder to comment one way or another but the truck looks to be in great shape. I think it’s a good find.
Thanks Sarg, I’ll keep a running build thread on it. Lots of time consuming clean up but all in all definitely in great shape.
 

Franken5liter

Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Dec 10, 2018
Messages
62
Reaction score
24
Points
8
Age
45
Location
Bloomington Indiana
Vehicle Year
1999
Make / Model
Ranger
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
0
Total Drop
0
Tire Size
31”
agreed.... never heard of him. But its still a unique truck for today. Clean it up and run it
Some minor info floating around the mustang forums. Seems like they were mainly appearance packages.
 

RobbieD

2.9l Mafia
Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Messages
3,803
Reaction score
3,315
Points
113
Location
Georgia
Vehicle Year
1984,1990,1994
Make / Model
Ford
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
My credo
Toonces drives a Ranger . . . . just not very well.
Looks like you made a nice score.

What I'm seeing as aftermarket (or as dealer-installed) parts are the cab visor, hood scoop and tailgate trim cap, and the pin stripe side graphics. All of these look likely as being originally installed when the truck was new. There may have been some interior bits, like cup holders or wood trim pieces. Rarely did I see engine parts or engine bay upgrades in conversions at the time.

I worked around conversions in the '80s. I remember the name Shotgun Customs, and remember the plaque and logo, but no other details. There were a lot of converters back then, but only a few of them had any real name recognition.

Your plans for the truck sound really good. Would love to see more of it as you go along, and after you're done.

Nice score, and good luck!
 

PetroleumJunkie412

Official TRS EV Taunter
Supporting Member
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Oct 31, 2018
Messages
7,826
Reaction score
6,565
Points
113
Location
Dirtman's Basement
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ranger
Engine Size
2.9l Trinity
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
Give 'yer balls a tug. Fight me.
Hey All, been awhile since my last login and longer for a post. But skipping the emotional and into the juicy bits. I recently scored what could be a 1 of 1 supposedly done by Kenny Brown sometime back in the late 80’s. My research has turned up zero on him ever building a ranger and haven’t reached out to his current shop in Indy yet as I wanted to get some feedback from the crowd here first. I was on a hunt for a 1st gen 4x4 for about 6 months to do a resto-mod of sorts and could not find anything not rotted to hell or beat to death for under $3500 and of course thousands of miles away. Anyways I found this gem on OfferUp out in GA for essentially a $ong. Drove 9 hours out there with a buddy to tow it back as it was listed as non-running. We about flipped when we saw it. Practically zero rust, super straight body with a nice GA patina over the original YY paint and a weird “Shotgun Customs” plaque in the dash cubbie/pocket. The owner let it sit for a few years and finally wanted it gone being he was not a car buff as he ended up with it after original owner passed. Anyways tell me what you guys think it is. 1988 touch drive 4x4 std cab SB 4.10 LS axle code I believe it has the high-rider option. The pin striping is super cool love the rims!!! Hoping to hear more info about it if theres any out there. Thanks folksView attachment 45065View attachment 45062View attachment 45061
View attachment 45060View attachment 45066
Whats going on with the extra heat sinks on the valve covers, braces on the exhaust manifolds, and extra fuel pressure regulator?

Just for posterity sake, could you post a photo of the codes on the labels on your pcm? They did some work to the engine that almost looks like FI prep...
 

Uncle Gump

Token Old Guy
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Sep 17, 2018
Messages
13,711
Reaction score
13,167
Points
113
Location
Ottawa IL
Vehicle Year
2006/1986
Make / Model
Ranger/BroncoII
Engine Size
4.0L SOHC/2.9L
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
Lead follow or get out of my way
Something smells like it's burning... you OK PJ?

Could those louvered things on the valve covers be some fancy ignition wire looms?
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Today's birthdays

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Truck of The Month


Kirby N.
March Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top