• 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.

'85 Ranger Restomod


Uncle Gump

Token Old Guy
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Sep 17, 2018
Messages
13,702
Reaction score
13,159
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
I also picked up a dune flag disconnect on the odd chance I ever go to a park that requires one and a CB antenna mount, both of which are the so-slow-is-it-even-moving bumper project.
I actually got my CB and antenna Christmas 2018. All still in the box. I also have one of those bumper projects that hasn't went anywhere in far to long. Seems everything else takes priority... and there is always everything else.

Flag mount... It probably differs depending on where... but the places I've been it has to be mounted on the front 1/3 of a vehicle. Might be worth looking into before you go making it part of the rear bumper project.

I haven't bought a fuse block yet... I think I will take a look at the Blue Sea Systems.
 


85_Ranger4x4

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
32,205
Reaction score
17,520
Points
113
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
Interesting, the place I am thinking of going to next just says it has to have a flag, a google image search of the park shows people running it on both the front and back.

Not really a big deal, I could have more than one mount if needed, I would rather have it on the back though. I just needed to know how big of a hole to have in the tab
 

Uncle Gump

Token Old Guy
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Sep 17, 2018
Messages
13,702
Reaction score
13,159
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
Pretty sure we used a 1/2" hole...

The only place we used them was at Silver Lake Sand Dunes... If I remember it was over a certain wheelbase had to be on the front 1/3. I'm going to add a tab dead center of my bull bar.
 

85_Ranger4x4

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
32,205
Reaction score
17,520
Points
113
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
I am sad. My trucks 35th birthday was Monday and I forgot about it.

:birthday:
 

adsm08

Senior Master Grease Monkey
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
Ford Technician
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Sep 20, 2009
Messages
34,623
Reaction score
3,613
Points
113
Location
Dillsburg PA
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
31X10.50X15

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.

85_Ranger4x4

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
32,205
Reaction score
17,520
Points
113
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
It's OK. The truck will forgive you.

How's the kid?
He is good, getting another cold I think though. Having an infant this time of year isn’t much fun that way.

Pfft. Mine even got a cupcake.

See? Carburetor families man...
Between the electrical system, front sway bar and bumper/spare tire carrier upgrades it better not complain too much
 

85_Ranger4x4

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
32,205
Reaction score
17,520
Points
113
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
Found a second gen 4wd with the spindles and outer shafts already out of it... so I figure I am halfway there I might as well drop the diff and nab the inner PS shaft to complete my set of spare shafts.

After breaking the shock and almost twisting off my torx bit on the driveshaft bolts after two hours later I got it to here:



FYI at least at stock height you cannot get the diff housing out of the truck with the axle beams in place. I am so glad I did the eliminator mod to mine.

My leatherman would just fold up on me, that is a heck of a clip. So we crashed at the inlaws for the night and I went back yesterday with needlenose and popped it off on the third try:



The scene of the crime:



They also had a really nice 31" Duratrac on the rack so I grabbed that for a second spare (it is newer and in better shape than my current spare)



I got the truck out yesterday for the first time in 2 months, somebody is dreaming big:



I also rumbled it to town to pick up hamburger and charcoal (holy flat spotted tires :oops:) My compass mirror also calibrated so both it and the thermometer are working great. Very happy with it, forgot pics though.
 

adsm08

Senior Master Grease Monkey
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
Ford Technician
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Sep 20, 2009
Messages
34,623
Reaction score
3,613
Points
113
Location
Dillsburg PA
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
31X10.50X15


I also rumbled it to town to pick up hamburger and charcoal (holy flat spotted tires :oops:) My compass mirror also calibrated so both it and the thermometer are working great. Very happy with it, forgot pics though.

I have some of those pics too.

What did your compass mirror come out of? I have my stuff all set up for auto-dimmers, but I've been thinking about looking for a compass and temp mirror, just hadn't got to looking at what all I'd need to make it work. Also haven't had any yard time to look for one.
 

85_Ranger4x4

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
32,205
Reaction score
17,520
Points
113
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
I have some of those pics too.

What did your compass mirror come out of? I have my stuff all set up for auto-dimmers, but I've been thinking about looking for a compass and temp mirror, just hadn't got to looking at what all I'd need to make it work. Also haven't had any yard time to look for one.
'97 Tahoe. It isn't the fancy one that shows both compass heading and temp at the same time, I have to toggle back and forth.

Mirror is retained by a torx screw (I think T20).

Ambient air sensor is in the lower center of the grille, goofy looking thing with two wires held by one screw.

Wiring is pretty straightforward, hot, ground, backup (so mirror doesn't dim when you are in reverse) and two wires for the sensor.

I am working on a writeup for it.
 

85_Ranger4x4

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
32,205
Reaction score
17,520
Points
113
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
I have some of those pics too.

What did your compass mirror come out of? I have my stuff all set up for auto-dimmers, but I've been thinking about looking for a compass and temp mirror, just hadn't got to looking at what all I'd need to make it work. Also haven't had any yard time to look for one.
Ambiant temp sensor:



Temp:



Compass:

 

85_Ranger4x4

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
32,205
Reaction score
17,520
Points
113
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
Going out to Ohio I was not happy with how the truck rode. Something in the back... just plain felt wrong. Like it was undersprung and it had a irritating habit of wanting to kick the rear end out to the left on big bumps. I resituated things in the back and got it to feel less undersprung but it still would like to kick the rear out. When I changed the diff cover I noticed the rear springs looked weird, especially the drivers side. It kind of has a "W" shape to it.



So I decided to put the Explorer springs back in and ditch the factory lift blocks to help with spring wrap. It is really weird, I have never loaded the truck much at all with these springs in it. They were out of a 2wd 2009 Supercab. Going back to the Explorer springs was going to be a quickie thing but I see the bushings don't look too hot... so I need to replace those too. I did start the teardown today since it was nice though.



Just playing with things I think the PS spring shackle is seized too... so that isn't helping my cause any either. I am going to go ahead and put the springs in it to see how the ride height works out and if I need to go to Belltechs to get the rear where I want it or if factory replacement shackles will work.
 

1qaz

Active Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2015
Messages
342
Reaction score
48
Points
28
Location
USA
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Engine Size
2.3L
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Isn't owning a first gen Ranger great?!!
 

85_Ranger4x4

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
32,205
Reaction score
17,520
Points
113
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
Isn't owning a first gen Ranger great?!!


How goes your "re"build? I was just wondering about it the other day.

This stuff kinda sucks to work on but I could be doing it on a 10yo truck too, kinda standard issue old truck drama.
 

1qaz

Active Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2015
Messages
342
Reaction score
48
Points
28
Location
USA
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Engine Size
2.3L
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
She's tucked away safely under a cover until winter exits stage left. She runs like a dream. The last Nebraska winter cracker her solenoid and she would stall unexpectedly. Once I found it, I replaced it and now it's just pure awesomeness to drive her. She turned 33 early in the month but I missed it.
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

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