1988 Ranger “tribute” restoration

[GrumpyMNMechanic]

Hello, for those who don’t know the back story, please read:

New here for the second time. Restoration tribute to my very first vehicle (1988 Ranger)

Hello gang. I used to frequent the forums here as a young kid with no money and a rusted out Ranger pickup that I loved and wanted to make repairs and improvements to. I'm talking like 2001-ish. Man, has it really been 20 years? Anyway. That was my very first vehicle and I purchased it from...

www.therangerstation.com

Here I will try to avoid asking technical questions and just share some of the progress. Firstly, here is the original truck as it was when I drove it everyday.

 

[GrumpyMNMechanic]

And here’s the nice one I picked up to restore as a tribute to my favorite old blue pickup. It’s getting the original drivetrain from ol’ blue, along with the 4x4 goodies swapped over.

 

[GrumpyMNMechanic]

Disassembly!

 

[GrumpyMNMechanic]

Frame prep…

 

[Elutheros]

Should be nice when it's done. You have more patience than I do--I just want it done so I can drive it.

 

[bobbywalter]

Ahhh...

Very familiar.

 

[GrumpyMNMechanic]

There’s a robin nest on the battery tray. I think this means I’m not moving fast enough

 

[Uncle Gump]

lol... yep I think that's what that means.

 

[Bird76Mojo]

Let em hatch out and fly the coop. I didn't move my truck for quite some time because a Jenny wren had little ones in the bed stake pocket. lol

I later made her a house in my carport next to the stake pocket she chose, and relocated her nest in to it. She came back the following year and nested in the house. This year too.