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Just some new guy


RustyShackleford94

Just some guy
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Vehicle Year
1996
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Ford Ranger
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2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Howdy all, been checking this place out off and on since high school (2010ish). Ive had my share of rangers and 2 B2s.

My first truck was an 89 ranger ecsb, 2.9, 5sp, 4x4 blue/blue two tone. Second truck was a 95 reg cab with the 7’ bed 2.3 auto, just white.. After that i had a black 89 B2, 2.9, 5sp, 4x4. After graduating i picked up an 87 ranger, ecsb, 2.9, 5sp, 4x4 red/white 2 tone. No pics of those (to long ago) so onto what i have pictures of!

I got this beaut in a trade deal for a boat i had $300 into
E366125A-6842-4C86-83C2-558CC710BA0C.jpeg

It was a 90, 2.9, auto, D35. Nice trail rig but someone offered me enough for it that i was compelled to sell it.

Which brings me to the last couple months, i picked up a 96’ ranger, 2.3, M5OD, 4x4, manual EVERYTHING and it’s actually not a hybrid D35. Picked it up like this for $400
FE4B760F-049C-460B-991E-11B01EDD2E31.jpeg

72464BDD-F92F-454A-ABC9-51F86D291D5E.jpeg

Running (not well), driving, and 4x4 worked. First thing first was an interior deep clean. Gutted it and cleaned everything. Next, It was definitely down on power, being it was all it could do to hit 55mph. Gave it a tune up, changed the oil, threw new coils on it (found the back one was unplugged), fixed a few vacuum leaks, and cleaned the TB. That helped but not much so i dug deeper and found the air filter was seriously plugged. Tossed a new one in and boom, all 112hp feel like they’re there.

So i turned my focus to other issues. Grabbed a header panel, air deflector, grille and the busted marker light at a junkyard for $20. Noticed the passenger side tire was getting ate up on the outside so i dug into that, found both the retaining and preload nut were loose. Bearings looked good so i repacked them, and put it back together the correct way. Threw 4 new shocks on it, changed out the cracked leaf hanger and shackle. And the biggest improvement, I 3D printed a cupholder for it.
B24B90FF-7862-4FC7-B76F-A55DF5233B52.jpeg

This is the most recent photo
4349EF68-B1DF-42A4-877B-62F1E7B54631.jpeg

I picked up a toolbox for it from marketplace for $30 today. Ill get some up to date shots of it tomorrow. Its my daily currently as it gets substantially better fuel milage than my GMC (the nice truck). Still needs a windshield but other than that i just have little plans like some 15x8 D windows with the current 31x10.5s. Build bumpers once the price of steel goes down a bit, fix some interior things like the saggy headliner, and finding some nice clean buckets and console would be cool.

Anyway, thanks for having me and keeping the forum alive all these years! -Definitely not Dale Gribble.
 
Last edited:


ericbphoto

Overlander in development
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dvdswan

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2WD
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Keep your mind like an umbrella, it only works if its open... Continually learning.
Welcome to the site... Finally. I think that is the longest time that I've ever heard of "opportunity knocking". 11 years or so. LOL
 

RustyShackleford94

Just some guy
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Messages
338
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IN
Vehicle Year
1996
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Welcome to TRS. Glad you finally decided to join up...and with pics too!
Yep, pics make the world go around!
Welcome to the site... Finally. I think that is the longest time that I've ever heard of "opportunity knocking". 11 years or so. LOL
Yeah, by the time i figured out the weath of knowledge and that people on forums were actually cool unlike the facebook group people, the forums were mostly dead. When i got this ranger i started checking this place out again and decided to join since its clearly alive and well lol.

Anyway heres an action shot of the ole new girl. The boss had me do an emergency brake job on his Titan this morning since he needed to jet to Indy at noon.
514EFE31-C693-4193-9446-543DE6C1D7CB.jpeg

old girl hauls parts and tools just as good as my GMC for 1/3 the fuel lol.
———————-
Also im a precision machinist by trade but i can pretty much do anything with metal. Im from Indiana, work for a company that makes 3D printers, and even have 3 printers myself. Im 26, been with the same woman since high school, no kids but i do have a Golden Retriever. I think thats about all there is to know about me lol.
 
Last edited:

Robertmangrum.rm

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2020
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2.3 EcoBoost
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4WD
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2.5 level kit with rear add a leaf appox. 1.5
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305/70r17
My credo
Buy it, build it, and drive it like you stole it
Welcome aboard. This forum is full of smart guys and smart asses haha.
 

Robertmangrum.rm

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4WD
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2.5 level kit with rear add a leaf appox. 1.5
Tire Size
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My credo
Buy it, build it, and drive it like you stole it
There's a Ranger Roundup in Indiana this year. Like to see that thing on some trails.
 

RustyShackleford94

Just some guy
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Messages
338
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Location
IN
Vehicle Year
1996
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
There's a Ranger Roundup in Indiana this year. Like to see that thing on some trails.
Where at? I doubt it would do anything good on a trail with the open diffs lol. I could install a Lincoln locker in the 7.5” real quick but its just not that kind of truck to me at this point lol. Shes just my fuel saver for now. I have though about doing a D30HP, 8.8 swap and running 4:88s and 33s if i come across a nicer 2.3 ranger to daily.

Also im only a little over an hour from Bundy Hill. Id probably just take it up there to embarrass myself lol
 

Roert42

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4.0 SOHC
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Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Where at? I doubt it would do anything good on a trail with the open diffs lol. I could install a Lincoln locker in the 7.5” real quick but its just not that kind of truck to me at this point lol. Shes just my fuel saver for now. I have though about doing a D30HP, 8.8 swap and running 4:88s and 33s if i come across a nicer 2.3 ranger to daily.

Attica
 

RustyShackleford94

Just some guy
Joined
Aug 4, 2021
Messages
338
Reaction score
355
Points
63
Location
IN
Vehicle Year
1996
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Ahh Badlands. Seems like everytime i go there i leave with something broken lol. My 4wheelers and collar bone hated me when i was big into 4 wheelers.

Whats the dates? I have a week or so of vacation left this year and Attica is only about an hour from my family in IL. I suppose i could hook up the trailer and take the ranger with me. Embarrassing myself in front of people i dont know is always a good time.
 

Roert42

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2WD / 4WD
2WD
Ahh Badlands. Seems like everytime i go there i leave with something broken lol. My 4wheelers and collar bone hated me when i was big into 4 wheelers.

Whats the dates? I have a week or so of vacation left this year and Attica is only about an hour from my family in IL. I suppose i could hook up the trailer and take the ranger with me. Embarrassing myself in front of people i dont know is always a good time.

 

Robertmangrum.rm

Wannabe Overlander
Supporting Member
RBV's on Boost
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Messages
1,282
Reaction score
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Points
113
Age
48
Location
Tennessee
Vehicle Year
2020
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
2.3 EcoBoost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
2.5 level kit with rear add a leaf appox. 1.5
Tire Size
305/70r17
My credo
Buy it, build it, and drive it like you stole it
Hope to see ya there.
 

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