- Joined
- Aug 12, 2007
- Messages
- 661
- Reaction score
- 24
- Points
- 0
- Age
- 69
- Location
- Cahokia, Il.
- Vehicle Year
- 1995
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Engine Size
- 5.0 S-Trim 450HP
- Transmission
- Manual
Ok, Happy Father's Day!
Finally found a couple hours to proceed with the upgraded radiator installation.
The Old James Duff copper/brass wasn't doing the job for a supercharged V8 and getting this beast cooled has been as hard as any other upgrade I've attempted and that includes putting the 5.0 in the truck to begin with!
A little background. My Ranger is the original 'Boss Ranger' built with the support of Summit Racing and featured in the now defunct Sport Truck Magazine. Through the years it has undergone various modifications by myself and in my garage using common tools. The truck only has 12,000 miles on it since new.
By far the most difficult to date was the installation of a Vortech Supercharger. I've modified the Vortech brackets in order to fit the Ranger frame as they are of Fox Mustang parentage and the Mustang has a uni-body with a lot more room!
One of my goals has been to retain complete driver comfort and that includes the often deleted air conditioner. This has turned into a major endeavor! The truck just will not stay under 240F!
Fluids have always been Amsoil 20W50 and Evans Waterless Coolant. The best of the best. Still overheats!
Most of my modifications have been trial and error and looking back I should have been satisfied with just the 5.0! But as we all know power is addictive!....and VERY expensive!
So now I'm trying to get an adequate cooling system.
The only thing missing from this shot is the supercharger idler pulley. Had to go to get the radiator out.
The Taurus fan will be where the old radiator was and it just clears the pulleys!
The Griffin Radiator is just a little smaller than the James Duff unit. However the James Duff had the filler neck in the wrong location so it had to go.
Turn me loose with my Makita Sawsall...
Still some trimming to do..
And of course let us not forget the AC condenser..
Looking pretty good!! Have to do some final trimming and grinding. A little flat back paint on the edges, etc. Plans are to use the stock hood latch and it appears at this stage to be possible. The lower radiator hose will be addressed as the position puts the radiator inlet slightly above the old unit and interferes with the serpentine belt, but the upper will fit without modification.
That's all for now. Stay tuned for more progress!
Finally found a couple hours to proceed with the upgraded radiator installation.
The Old James Duff copper/brass wasn't doing the job for a supercharged V8 and getting this beast cooled has been as hard as any other upgrade I've attempted and that includes putting the 5.0 in the truck to begin with!
A little background. My Ranger is the original 'Boss Ranger' built with the support of Summit Racing and featured in the now defunct Sport Truck Magazine. Through the years it has undergone various modifications by myself and in my garage using common tools. The truck only has 12,000 miles on it since new.
By far the most difficult to date was the installation of a Vortech Supercharger. I've modified the Vortech brackets in order to fit the Ranger frame as they are of Fox Mustang parentage and the Mustang has a uni-body with a lot more room!
One of my goals has been to retain complete driver comfort and that includes the often deleted air conditioner. This has turned into a major endeavor! The truck just will not stay under 240F!
Fluids have always been Amsoil 20W50 and Evans Waterless Coolant. The best of the best. Still overheats!
Most of my modifications have been trial and error and looking back I should have been satisfied with just the 5.0! But as we all know power is addictive!....and VERY expensive!
So now I'm trying to get an adequate cooling system.
The only thing missing from this shot is the supercharger idler pulley. Had to go to get the radiator out.
The Taurus fan will be where the old radiator was and it just clears the pulleys!
The Griffin Radiator is just a little smaller than the James Duff unit. However the James Duff had the filler neck in the wrong location so it had to go.
Turn me loose with my Makita Sawsall...
Still some trimming to do..
And of course let us not forget the AC condenser..
Looking pretty good!! Have to do some final trimming and grinding. A little flat back paint on the edges, etc. Plans are to use the stock hood latch and it appears at this stage to be possible. The lower radiator hose will be addressed as the position puts the radiator inlet slightly above the old unit and interferes with the serpentine belt, but the upper will fit without modification.
That's all for now. Stay tuned for more progress!