I'm calling it "Low-C"

[ForgedCrank]

Hi guys, some of you probably already read my intro thread of the bargain basement Ranger Splash that I picked up. I thought I'd start a thread over here for the general shenanigans as I go through the process of resurrecting this thing... mainly as to not make a mess in the introductions sub.
1994 Ranger "Splash", 87K miles on the clock. 2.3L
Initial purchase price was 400 bucks and included dreams of the only problem being the blown heater hose. As of now, it's morphed into a head that got so hot that it busted a seam in between some of the valves.

Right now I'm talking with a well established and trusted machine shop that is local who *might* have a head for it. Total for the overhauled head will be 800 bucks. I can do slightly cheaper online, but having the culprit local is worth a little money to me in the case something goes south later... plus, I despise ebay and avoid it unless I've absolutely no other choices. Plan-B is one of the three junkyard units I've located, and doing a complete rebuild on one of those heads (and maybe the block if needed). At this point, it is unclear if my block is any good since compression tests with a head this jacked are unreliable at best. I'm starting work this week on stripping it in place so I can get a good look at the cylinders and everything. It *might* be ok due to the low mileage. If the bores are straight and in decent shape,, it's just going to get a dingle-ball hone and re-ring the thing and drop in new bearings while I'm in there. I just started disassembly, haven't gone far yet but I'm committed now so here we go....

So wish me luck as I go full-on stupid and spend way more on this truck than it's worth!

 

[RobbieD]

That's a pretty damn clean truck.

The dash pad doesn't looked cracked; invest in a cheap sun shade to help keep it looking that nice.

I think that this one's well worth reviving. Good luck!

 

[ericbphoto]

That truck looks beautiful. I hope your repairs go well.

 

[ForgedCrank]

That's a pretty damn clean truck.

The dash pad doesn't looked cracked; invest in a cheap sun shade to help keep it looking that nice.

I think that this one's well worth reviving. Good luck!

Yea it's just a base truck, so this isn't "investment" material. Just seems like it's one worth saving due to it's condition (which is astounding for an Indiana truck). It's been neglected, as in only being driven a few times a year for the past 15-20 years. Guy I work with used it as his "junking truck" when he needed to haul something to the dump or if bought a TV that wouldn't fit in one of his expensive cars. I drove it home and it rolled and handled impressively well (outside of the insufferably loud rattling from the door panels). I have a decent plan I recon, the only part I'm still iffy on is how to save the AC system. The clutch was kicking in and out so it's obviously leaked out all the freon after all these years and I'm sure every seal in it is dried out and shot. Certainly not a show-stopper, but I want it working when I'm done if at all possible. That'll be finishing touches though... after I get it back on the road and the small body repairs done (small dent in the bed and a rusty cab corner).

 

[RobbieD]

Yea it's just a base truck, so this isn't "investment" material.

Not really. It's an XLT, which an upper trim. Besides the AC, I'm seeing cloth seats, carpet, factory cassette player and cruise control. It looks like a long box, and it's still got the original deer print aluminum wheels. So, plus, plus, plus, plus, plus, and plus. You probably also have delay wipes.

I'm 50/50 on windows; power is nicer and not too bad to maintain, but manual is more robust and dependable.

On the AC, look at the sticker on the evaporator housing and see if you've got R12 or R134a; 94's can have either (later builds are more likely 134a). If it's R134a, and if the AC tries to run but kicks off because it's low, odds are it won't take too much to fix it. Honestly, I'd first get a good brand of a R134a DIY add-a-charge with UV dye (good brand = get can with a gauge), add what the gauge tells you, and see how it does. If it doesn't last, at least you have the dye in the system to help locating the leak.

Finally, in my humble, biased opinion, a 1994 model in 2WD with the 2.3 and 5 speed was probably the best, most refined, and dependable version of the OBD1 Rangers. I have a the same thing, except with a SuperCab and short box, which gave me 367,000 miles, with sadly, very poor maintenance on my part.

So wish me luck as I go full-on stupid and spend way more on this truck than it's worth!

She's not ugly; show her some more love!

Good Luck!

 

[pjtoledo]

"So wish me luck as I go full-on stupid and spend way more on this truck than it's worth! "


that sounds vaguely familiar,,

 

[ForgedCrank]

On the AC, look at the sticker on the evaporator housing and see if you've got R12 or R134a; 94's can have either (later builds are more likely 134a). If it's R134a, and if the AC tries to run but kicks off because it's low, odds are it won't take too much to fix it. Honestly, I'd first get a good brand of a R134a DIY add-a-charge with UV dye (good brand = get can with a gauge), add what the gauge tells you, and see how it does. If it doesn't last, at least you have the dye in the system to help locating the leak.

Finally, in my humble, biased opinion, a 1994 model in 2WD with the 2.3 and 5 speed was probably the best, most refined, and dependable version of the OBD1 Rangers. I have a the same thing, except with a SuperCab and short box, which gave me 367,000 miles, with sadly, very poor maintenance on my part.

I went and took a peek, the compressor has an r134 sticker on it... I never thought about that til you mentioned it. At least I don't have to trade my eldest son for a can of R12 now. Mine is a Jan '94 build sticker. the evap canister is covered with some sort of insulation, I don't see a sticker on it.

 

[RobbieD]

I went and took a peek, the compressor has an r134 sticker on it... I never thought about that til you mentioned it. At least I don't have to trade my eldest son for a can of R12 now. Mine is a Jan '94 build sticker. the evap canister is covered with some sort of insulation, I don't see a sticker on it.

If I was going to trade my eldest son for R12, I'd try to get at least 3 cans for him.


Usually here:

The insulation helps, being that R134a is less efficient, so patch it if needed, and don't ditch it.

R134a AC is another one of those small details, on why I like the '94 models.

 

[superj]

man, i would love to have that ranger

 

[Ranger850]

Anybody wanna tell OP that it's not a "Splash". or should I do it?

Side Note, A guy I follow on TikTok ( Splash2Blue) has converted his Blue '95 Ranger to Splash by adding the Blue interior and a "splash" bed.
That combo makes it a pretty rare one, Since no 95 Splash's came with Blue interior.
He says THIS site has helped him tremendously.

 

[ForgedCrank]

Anybody wanna tell OP that it's not a "Splash". or should I do it?

When I run the VIN it says that's what it is.

 

[Ranger850]

When I run the VIN it says that's what it is.

Hmmm, looks like a Single cab LWB truck. ( Could just be the angle though )
Splash models were either Single Cab SWB or Extra cab with a regular length bed. ALL Splash models have the stepside "Splash" bed, color matched bumpers and grills, basically no chrome on a "Splash"
like this

 

[ericbphoto]

They generally had a multicolor accent stripe down the sides with the word Splash in it, also.

 

[RobbieD]

When I run the VIN it says that's what it is.

It's not uncommon for vehicle "models" to be inaccurate in data bases from registrations, ect,

No, it's not a "Ford Ranger Splash"; it's a Ford Ranger XLT, regular cab, long bed, 2WD 2.3L 5 speed manual.

It wouldn't hurt to check the dash VIN plate against the compliance sticker on the driver door, against the VIN that you looked up.

It is a desirable truck, in pretty decent condition (it's 30 freakin years old, after all); it's very much well worth it to get a decent motor in it. Revive it, and you could literally drive it the rest of your life without much trouble or expense.

 

[ericbphoto]

Yeah. Fix it, drive it, enjoy it.