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1988 Ranger Restoration - Keeping a Promise


85_Ranger4x4

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2.9>4.0>5.0... 4.0 would be a decent balance of bang for your buck. I would be leery about sinking a lot of money in a 2.9 build.

For budget/longevity I would leave forced induction off the table.
 


adsm08

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I agree, 4.0.

It will pep that sucker up and won't cost an arm and a leg.
 

Bird76Mojo

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You couldn't GIVE ME $5000 to mess with another 2.9

Utter pieces of crap, and I've earned the right to say that about them.




GB :)
 

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Doing anything other than a v8 swap is just ridiculous in my mind. It is NOT any harder or expensive than the other two options.

I have done 2.9 to 2.3t swaps, 2.3 to 5.0 swaps and 2.9 to 5.0 swaps more times than I cant count anymore and I never understood why anyone would go thru the trouble to pull out one v6 to swap in another thats barely any better or stronger.....that still are bolted to a garbage transmission.
 

85_Ranger4x4

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Doing anything other than a v8 swap is just ridiculous in my mind. It is NOT any harder or expensive than the other two options.

I have done 2.9 to 2.3t swaps, 2.3 to 5.0 swaps and 2.9 to 5.0 swaps more times than I cant count anymore and I never understood why anyone would go thru the trouble to pull out one v6 to swap in another thats barely any better or stronger.....that still are bolted to a garbage transmission.
No engine mounts, exhaust or driveshafts to fuss over. Depending on original trans an M5R1 is a drop in. Cooling is not a concern. I can see several perks to staying V6.

I have only done one V8 swap though. :dntknw:
 

Shran

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A 4.0 swap is by far the best choice for a lot of people... especially since you don't have to build drivelines, source trans/t-case/shifters/radiator/etc! And I sure wouldn't call them junk, 4.0 can easily be a 3-400k mile engine with regular maintenance.

As far as a V8 swap cost - that is highly dependent on your ability to source parts. You can have everything you need to do a 4.0 swap just by picking up a junker $100 Explorer, can you do that with a V8? Maybe? Will your V8 donor have all the ideal parts included? Probably not? My V8 swap cost me at least a grand and I am REALLY good at sourcing parts. My engine/trans/t-case were all essentially free, it was all the other little piddly stuff that added up.
 

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A 4.0 swap is by far the best choice for a lot of people... especially since you don't have to build drivelines, source trans/t-case/shifters/radiator/etc! And I sure wouldn't call them junk, 4.0 can easily be a 3-400k mile engine with regular maintenance.

As far as a V8 swap cost - that is highly dependent on your ability to source parts. You can have everything you need to do a 4.0 swap just by picking up a junker $100 Explorer, can you do that with a V8? Maybe? Will your V8 donor have all the ideal parts included? Probably not? My V8 swap cost me at least a grand and I am REALLY good at sourcing parts. My engine/trans/t-case were all essentially free, it was all the other little piddly stuff that added up.
Any leads on a $100 exploder? The UPAP yard wants an arm and a leg for an engine, and the only CL exploders in Pittsburgh are crazy expensive for what you're getting.

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PetroleumJunkie412

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Side note, found this while pressure washing the truck.

Any recommendations on how to strip this off without hurting the still good paint underneath??
 

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PetroleumJunkie412

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Like watching the rebirth of a Phoenix. DSC_2198.jpeg

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85_Ranger4x4

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I guess I never really noticed how many different two-tone paint schemes and pinstripes Ford had.
 

PetroleumJunkie412

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I guess I never really noticed how many different two-tone paint schemes and pinstripes Ford had.
Me either. But I freaking love this grey.

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Ranger850

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PetroleumJunkie412

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https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181129/ab871c000112b2e31b2ef0d183506d4b.jpg



What a difference.

https://www.therangerstation.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=25033&d=1549302052



If it was spray paint, something like Goof Off or Grafitti Remover may work on getting what the pressure washer left behind.
So whatever it was, turns out its Achilles is boiling water.

Set my hot water heater to max, and let er rip.

More to go, but I agree. Different truck. Very excited to get the new fenders put on and the bumpers on.

Also very happy I didn't give up on it. Since losing my job in September (Renegade Wireline bought out the company I worked for, Clutch Energy Services, and fired everyone), dealing with damn near going to prison because I tried to start a business while on unemployment (illegal in PA, section 402h of PA code), and watching my startup crash and burn as a result, this little truck has been therapy for me.

Not trying to over-share.

The way I see it, it bailed out the daughter of the first owner and allowed her to graduate college, got me through the last time I was laid off and had no vehicle, and now has got me through the living hell the last few months have been. No wonder we get so attached to them.



Well, I got off topic.


More pressure washing tomorrow. DSC_2199.jpegDSC_2200.jpegDSC_2201.jpeg

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Last edited:

ericbphoto

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What a mess. Glad it's coming off ok.

This message composed solely of recycled electrons. Go green!
 

PetroleumJunkie412

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So, had a thought now that the old garbage paint is nearly off.

I know I still need to get to the bad spots on the bed and rockers. Front fenders are in 2k primer at a buddy's place. And I still have a new hood from the 'bama truck that needs no work.

I know the "right" way to do this is to strip, sand, blah blah blah... It's also a damn shame to strip the Alabama parts because they're flawless, even though I hate the color.

https://youtu.be/LZLq0eLynyI

Anyone out there try this?

I don't off road much, and when I do, it's in open farm fields chasing Angus (and my father) around, so no brush bash to worry about.

My normal obstacles are basic white b*tches texting while driving, mini vans, and shopping carts. Oh, and those people that see an old truck, and assume said truck is slower than other traffic. You know the ones I'm speaking of. The ones that slam on the accelerator, pass you, realize that you're doing 70 in a 65, and that they're now going 85, then lock their brakes up and are now going 55 while updating their instagram.

Side note: driving a manual transmission prevents phone use while driving. Can someone get a note out to Detroit on this one? Jim, you know those people, right?

It would let me worry about the more pressing stuff like my transmission that sounds like it's quite tired of life, and getting the frame stripped and re-coated in the stuff Rust Repair Inc. uses (barge coating; way cheaper than POR 15, etc).

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