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What did you do to your Ranger today? (Part Deux!)




bobbywalter

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Location
woodhaven mi
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
FORD mostly
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
BIGGER
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
sawzall?
Tire Size
33-44
My credo
it is easier to fix and understand than "her"
??????

Is that rust on that great looking explorer??



the rust is on the ranger. in one of the explorer pics it is in the road upper right side.








i noticed how far out the front fender line was when young bob sent a pic from the track last week..........and he said it was vibing from the cab rubbing the t case.....so i will plate it with resources from my many sheds of filth and miracles but i have to do something soon.....



















the explorer is only a few weeks off the assembly line. so it is new....no rust anywhere... it replaced my powerboost 150....but my wife does not like it....she made a deal to trade it back for a new powerboost to be built.....but i am skeptical about that. i dont trust them not to rob me.



she did not want a slower vehicle.... and that particular model of explorer critter is called a ST. its the only 4 door thing i could get from ford that was not slower then the power boost.


i was only home for a day and it was the first chance to see it.

it is nice to be able to have one i can study closely because this platform has the most bad ass engines for us old school ranger owners to swap into our older rangers.....this thing would allow your ranger to blow the tires off at 60 mph...

just wish i could keep it for a year...
 

Rick W

Lil Big Rig
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Age
69
Location
Atlanta
Vehicle Year
1997 1987
Make / Model
Ranger XLT x2
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0 & 2.9
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
97 stock, 3” on 87
Total Drop
N/A
Tire Size
235/75-15
My credo
Never put off ‘til tomorrow what you can put off indefinitely
the rust is on the ranger. in one of the explorer pics it is in the road upper right side.








i noticed how far out the front fender line was when young bob sent a pic from the track last week..........and he said it was vibing from the cab rubbing the t case.....so i will plate it with resources from my many sheds of filth and miracles but i have to do something soon.....



















the explorer is only a few weeks off the assembly line. so it is new....no rust anywhere... it replaced my powerboost 150....but my wife does not like it....she made a deal to trade it back for a new powerboost to be built.....but i am skeptical about that. i dont trust them not to rob me.



she did not want a slower vehicle.... and that particular model of explorer critter is called a ST. its the only 4 door thing i could get from ford that was not slower then the power boost.


i was only home for a day and it was the first chance to see it.

it is nice to be able to have one i can study closely because this platform has the most bad ass engines for us old school ranger owners to swap into our older rangers.....this thing would allow your ranger to blow the tires off at 60 mph...

just wish i could keep it for a year...
Thanks for the update. I really didn’t think the rust was on that gorgeous explorer. I just got confused.

It happens all too often these days. That’s why I’m not seeking reelection…
 

ericbphoto

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Age
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Location
Wellford, SC
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Engine Size
3.0L
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6"
Tire Size
35"
My credo
In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are different.
And it’s hard as hell for an old guy like me to lie upside down and backwards under the steering column and slip it in from behind the fuse panel
She doesn’t want to hear complaints. She wants results.
 

ericbphoto

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Age
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Location
Wellford, SC
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Engine Size
3.0L
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6"
Tire Size
35"
My credo
In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are different.
well i came home late last night to watch young bob and my son inlaw race today... and drive the new hot rod.....that Kim dont want.....


View attachment 113892View attachment 113893




there are some other issues that needed looked at...

View attachment 113895View attachment 113896

need to go down to Eric Benners hood and get me some lest rusty iron.
Oh, my. When we see that down here, we take extra tetanus shots and kick it back up north. There are trucks down here.
 

lil_Blue_Ford

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5.0l
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Total Drop
4”
Oh, my. When we see that down here, we take extra tetanus shots and kick it back up north. There are trucks down here.
Speaking of…

I need one of y’all that live in less-rusty states to find me an extended cab 4x4 Ranger frame for a reasonable price. I’m gonna have to pull off a secret mission to replace a destroyed frame before dad finds out
 

ericbphoto

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Age
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Location
Wellford, SC
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Engine Size
3.0L
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6"
Tire Size
35"
My credo
In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are different.

bobbywalter

TRS Technical Staff
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Messages
23,999
Reaction score
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Location
woodhaven mi
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
FORD mostly
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
BIGGER
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
sawzall?
Tire Size
33-44
My credo
it is easier to fix and understand than "her"
my truck wasn't that nice when I bought it in 92
 

superj

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Location
corpus christi, texas
Vehicle Year
2004
Make / Model
ranger edge
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Engine Size
183 ci of tire shredding power
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Lift
none
Total Drop
none
Tire Size
235s
My credo
drives a stick shift ranger
those st ford vehicles are super fast. my son has that st focus with the 2.0 and tis a rocket.

that engien is also the same 2.0 that comes in the higher trim on the pre-2020 escapes. the titanium 2018 escape my wife previously drove had the same 2.0 but with an auto trans and it would smoke the tires with ease if you turned off traction control
 

Rick W

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Location
Atlanta
Vehicle Year
1997 1987
Make / Model
Ranger XLT x2
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0 & 2.9
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
97 stock, 3” on 87
Total Drop
N/A
Tire Size
235/75-15
My credo
Never put off ‘til tomorrow what you can put off indefinitely
Speaking of…

I need one of y’all that live in less-rusty states to find me an extended cab 4x4 Ranger frame for a reasonable price. I’m gonna have to pull off a secret mission to replace a destroyed frame before dad finds out
i’m not making any promises, but what year and what size engine? And give me anything else I would need to know to find the right one. I’m in craigslist and Facebook & all 10 times a day. But you know the drill, when something pops up, you have to move quick!
 

lil_Blue_Ford

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00
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0l
Transmission
Automatic
Total Drop
4”
i’m not making any promises, but what year and what size engine? And give me anything else I would need to know to find the right one. I’m in craigslist and Facebook & all 10 times a day. But you know the drill, when something pops up, you have to move quick!
So, really I just need a 98+ extended cab 4x4 rolling chassis. Dad wants his V-8 Ranger put back together. The first frame donor we got, a tree fell on it in a storm after we got it. The second frame donor we got I had to move to a family friends place and it jumped the blocks we put down and rolled into a tree. I haven’t told dad about that yet, I’d like to find a way to come up with a good frame. Everything else I should have or be able to come up with, but a front clip would be a bonus.
 

Rick W

Lil Big Rig
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Age
69
Location
Atlanta
Vehicle Year
1997 1987
Make / Model
Ranger XLT x2
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0 & 2.9
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
97 stock, 3” on 87
Total Drop
N/A
Tire Size
235/75-15
My credo
Never put off ‘til tomorrow what you can put off indefinitely
So, really I just need a 98+ extended cab 4x4 rolling chassis. Dad wants his V-8 Ranger put back together. The first frame donor we got, a tree fell on it in a storm after we got it. The second frame donor we got I had to move to a family friends place and it jumped the blocks we put down and rolled into a tree. I haven’t told dad about that yet, I’d like to find a way to come up with a good frame. Everything else I should have or be able to come up with, but a front clip would be a bonus.
I know some of you guys think I’m a wonder man the way I built these two trucks, but I really know very little about the Rangers and the different models. My point is, please be more specific than “98+”

Give me specific years and some specific details. If you give me that I can check what I run up on, but I personally have no idea what 98+ means in the sense that does that mean a 2022 will fit it? Remember there’s no dumb questions, just dumb people.

extended cab, 4x4, standard or automatic? What years? What engines? Etc. I’m not going to find a rolling chassis, I’m going to find a complete truck, probably with body damage or mechanical damage. I don’t know if you guys believe me, but you can find rust free all day long down here, but I know there’s a lot a little differences between this one and that one. Give me a map and I’ll find my way.

again, no promises
 

Rick W

Lil Big Rig
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Age
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Location
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Vehicle Year
1997 1987
Make / Model
Ranger XLT x2
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0 & 2.9
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
97 stock, 3” on 87
Total Drop
N/A
Tire Size
235/75-15
My credo
Never put off ‘til tomorrow what you can put off indefinitely
How’s this for service?

IMG_2471.png

I emailed him to ask about rust and if the frame is straight. It’s about an hour and a half SW of me.
 

lil_Blue_Ford

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Ford
Engine Type
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Engine Size
5.0l
Transmission
Automatic
Total Drop
4”
I know some of you guys think I’m a wonder man the way I built these two trucks, but I really know very little about the Rangers and the different models. My point is, please be more specific than “98+”

Give me specific years and some specific details. If you give me that I can check what I run up on, but I personally have no idea what 98+ means in the sense that does that mean a 2022 will fit it? Remember there’s no dumb questions, just dumb people.

extended cab, 4x4, standard or automatic? What years? What engines? Etc. I’m not going to find a rolling chassis, I’m going to find a complete truck, probably with body damage or mechanical damage. I don’t know if you guys believe me, but you can find rust free all day long down here, but I know there’s a lot a little differences between this one and that one. Give me a map and I’ll find my way.

again, no promises
So, the frames on the 1998-2011 were two piece frames joined at the front leaf spring hanger. There were two rear section options and four front options. The two rear options were short or long bed. The front options were 2wd or 4x4 in regular cab or extended cab. Thus any 4x4 extended cab frame will be the same. I’m not gonna be picky beyond my need for a solid and straight frame.

2019 and up used an entirely different frame and body, so those don’t apply.

Engine and transmission doesn’t really matter, it has no effect on the frame and I have to strip down to the frame and swap all the drivetrain and stuff over anyway.

A complete or mostly complete truck is fine, rolling chassis is not a common thing. I’m just saying that I only care about a good 4x4 extended cab frame. Beyond that, anything is a bonus. That said, I could use a solid bed if I can get it reasonable. Mine bed is still repairable at this point, so again, not needed. Same goes for a front clip. Bonus stuff but not really needed. Same goes for drivetrain stuff. Be nice to have a 4.0 OHV and a 4x4 manual transmission, but again, bonus. Funds are limited and I may not be able to get down there until after the trail ride in September, but I can try to make whatever work. I can always make another trip for other things later, right now I just need a good frame to fix my whoopsie.
 

lil_Blue_Ford

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00
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0l
Transmission
Automatic
Total Drop
4”

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