BreadPigeon
Member
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2016
- Messages
- 5
- Reaction score
- 1
- Location
- Southwest Florida
- Vehicle Year
- 2005
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Engine Size
- 3.0
- Transmission
- Automatic
First off: Hopefully not another dream thread!
2005 Ford Ranger XLT 3.0
Automatic - Torsion Bar
Extended Cab
210,000
Mechanical Experiance: Rebuilt 4 stroke dirtbike motors - Moderate to High on cars - Done just about everything but a motor swap.
Tools and workspace - good to go!
Side note - Painting the rims black did improve HP's substantially, 10/10 would recommend.
It has taken me a few years to get to the point of having enough money and time to take on a project such as building a daily driving prerunner style truck. Pretty sure the torque converter is going out on it, been shuddering for a while at mid speeds. So that leads me to thinking I might want to turn it into a project truck. I like the look, but everything else seems wrong to turn into a prerunner. So, I am here for advice.
My concerns:
- It has torsion bar suspension
- Weak 3.0L (V8 conversion after 97 is harder from what I read)
- Not 4WD (Not a huge concern, I don't currently get stuck much in Florida sand and mud)
Should these deter me from starting this project?
For instance there is a 97 2.3L 5 Speed Single Cab for $300 on Craigslist right now. Missing a timing belt, but everything else is solid it seems. I am just not a fan of single cab, I haul tools and such for work. Is a different ranger a better option or screw it and tackle this one????
Anyone an advocate for TTB Rangers? Seems cheap and strong. 4WD. Downside - weird tire wear. Are they able to take a 302 usually?
Honestly I pretty much think I know the answer to this question and it is fix my current ranger and get another pile of junk as a project truck that is better suited for the application.
TL;DR - Wanting to start a project truck, use mine or something else.
2005 Ford Ranger XLT 3.0
Automatic - Torsion Bar
Extended Cab
210,000
Mechanical Experiance: Rebuilt 4 stroke dirtbike motors - Moderate to High on cars - Done just about everything but a motor swap.
Tools and workspace - good to go!

Side note - Painting the rims black did improve HP's substantially, 10/10 would recommend.
It has taken me a few years to get to the point of having enough money and time to take on a project such as building a daily driving prerunner style truck. Pretty sure the torque converter is going out on it, been shuddering for a while at mid speeds. So that leads me to thinking I might want to turn it into a project truck. I like the look, but everything else seems wrong to turn into a prerunner. So, I am here for advice.
My concerns:
- It has torsion bar suspension
- Weak 3.0L (V8 conversion after 97 is harder from what I read)
- Not 4WD (Not a huge concern, I don't currently get stuck much in Florida sand and mud)
Should these deter me from starting this project?
For instance there is a 97 2.3L 5 Speed Single Cab for $300 on Craigslist right now. Missing a timing belt, but everything else is solid it seems. I am just not a fan of single cab, I haul tools and such for work. Is a different ranger a better option or screw it and tackle this one????
Anyone an advocate for TTB Rangers? Seems cheap and strong. 4WD. Downside - weird tire wear. Are they able to take a 302 usually?
Honestly I pretty much think I know the answer to this question and it is fix my current ranger and get another pile of junk as a project truck that is better suited for the application.
TL;DR - Wanting to start a project truck, use mine or something else.