Family Heirloom: The chronicles of Sarah's Ranger

[Lefty]

Time flies, even with the newer gen II Rangers. They're getting harder to find. Do you think more people are hanging on to them for longer?

I believe so, yes. We know that this is part of a nationwide phenomenon. We are reaching full employment. More and more people are joining the labor force. There is a backlog on new car sales. The demand exceeds the supply. Used cars and trucks sell for a premium these days. And I wouldn't be surprised if people simply love their Rangers and hang on to themfor as long as possible...for both sentimental and practical reasons.

 

[Lefty]

Somewhere Sarah mentioned that she liked to restore common everyday cars and trucks. I'm inclined to agree with her. Ford sold over 2 million Rangers. That's a lot of trucks. There are good reasons why. Design decisions were seldom clever or exotic, but made rather on reliability, practicality, and price.

And yet there is still great cleverness based on what was once cutting edge technology. The Ranger came with a fiberglass hood by gen II. The Edge had fiberglass rear fenders on the flaresides too. They both came with anti sway bars. The Edge had front torsion bars. Five speed transmissions replaced the 4's. Computers and fuel injection replaced the carburetors, etc. They are very reliable. Those motors may not be fancy, but they last for a very long time.

You get a lot of bang-for-the-buck when you buy a truck.

 

[ronclark]

Time flies, even with the newer gen II Rangers. They're getting harder to find. Do you think more people are hanging on to them for longer?

There is something about First Gens I love, even though my 87 4 x 4 looks neglected its still one of the cleanest and straightest first gens in town. I got that truck in the early 2000s. It was an unloved field find with the motor in pieces and most of the drive train in the cab and bed. tires were 17 years old and who knows how long it's been sitting.
My 88 Bronco II 4 x 4 needs some bodywork, transmission, it's still one of the few nicest Bronco II in town.
About 98% of the first and second gens in town are pretty beat up and used.

It sounds silly I keep them out of love, thy have become part of the family per say

 

[Lefty]

Sounds wonderful. Sarah would say, if at all possible, do any body work you can. She may have OCD when it comes to detailing.

I'm never going to take mine apart, clean it, coat it, and put it back together again, but I am going to come close.

 

[Saddle Tramp]

Sarah get's in a clutch in this episode.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Somewhere Sarah mentioned that she liked to restore common everyday cars and trucks. I'm inclined to agree with her. Ford sold over 2 million Rangers. That's a lot of trucks.

Not really a huge milestone.

Ford sold a million Mustangs in less than two years.

 

[Saddle Tramp]

After wandering the desert junkyard Sarah drops some acid in this episode.

 

[Saddle Tramp]

Fred over at U Wrench strips, converts, and sprays the engine bay.

Man it looks good!

 

[Saddle Tramp]

Sarah installs the driveshaft, exhaust, fills the fluids, and gets the cab back.

 

[Saddle Tramp]

Putting the big parts together again.

 

[Saddle Tramp]

My question is, if you waxed the cab and back of the bed, would you rub the excess off or keep it on as added protection since nobody is going to see it?

 

[DILLARD000]

Why not put a heavy coat of POR on those surfaces that cant be easily reached or cleaned, like betwix the cab and bed?

 

[Lefty]

My question is, if you waxed the cab and back of the bed, would you rub the excess off or keep it on as added protection since nobody is going to see it?

She uses those new ceramic "waxes," actually a coating, which hold up indefinitely. They cost about $100.00 for a one ounce bottle. They are just nuts: terrific chemical resistance and some great hydrophobic properties. You apply them one or two drops at a time and carefully spread that little bit across the entire panel. By the time you do, you also have a wonderful shine.

 

[Lefty]

Why not put a heavy coat of POR on those surfaces that cant be easily reached or cleaned, like betwix the cab and bed?

POR 15 (Paint-On-Rust) adheres best to rusty surfaces where it can soak into and bond with rust. It is a brush-on paint which has a tendency to flake or peel if water gets underneath it, especially when applied to smoother painted surfaces.

There is another distinct possibility if you are as OCD as Sarah. No offence, I am too! Buy a rattle can of clear coat and spray it on those areas.

 

[DILLARD000]

No offense taken; defintely OCD here about some things.
Have never used POR, considering that info, think I opt to used BrushOn\Stippled black Rustoleum.