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

[JoshT]

Today, I solidified that I will not be making it to LBL. This weekend was my absolute deadline for having the truck running before the trip. Almost made it, but hit a snag. l'll get to why in a bit, but this weekend...

Y'all may remember that I've been working on getting this rebuild engine in the truck for the last month or two, mostly delayed due to waiting for parts. Well my secondcylinder head finally showed up on Thursday. Dad threw a coat of paint on the heads after they arrived, and I dropped them in place Friday afternoon. Fought with a few header bolts for around 6 hours on Saturday, but finally got those in place and most of the bottom was done. Valve train was reinstalled, primed oil system, installed the lower intake and fuel rail. Just upper intake and acessory drive remaining.

Today, I was going to make a good push and have it finished. From what I had remaining Saturday it was an eassy day's work to have it finished. Set about installing the acessory brakets, swapped all the sensors, hoses, etc over to the new upper intake. Was about to connect the EGR elbow to the plenum... Houston, we have a problem!

When ordering parts for the reassembly I did not consider that the upper intake and EGR elbow had been ported out to 75mm. The stock gaskets were not large enough and I did not order any. No one had the available for pickup/delivery today. Unfortunately the way that the EGR elbow gasket is made (steel composite), it can't just be trimmed to fit. Order was placed today for BBK 75 mm gaskets, but quickest I could find is Tuesday or Wednesday from Summit.

That basically stopped progress, so I won't get the truck back together and to alignment this week (also did a bunch of suspension changes). That means it'll be next week at earliest before I can start driving it. Just not enough time remaining to break in the engine and shake down the truck to a state I'm comfortable with making the 1k mile round trip.

On the bright side, engine will be finished this week!

New radio.

Power Acoustic... What do you think of their product? I'm not familiar with the brand, but looked at their site and see a few that appear to be a good option for dad and his Ranger. Namely CPAA-70D or CPAA-70DM.

Hey. 4 years is nothing. I got my lift brackets Aug 28, 2014. They are still not on the truck. Thinking about starting the project next weekend. Depending on weather of course.

Tell me about it, I bought my original V8 donor in 2010. Finally started the V8 swap this year on a different truck than I originally planned it on (98 4x4 instead of 86 2wd). I seem to be getting better though. That swap was finished in April/May. Now I'm almost done with the second V8 swap...

on the same truck.

This. I did this to it today. View attachment 114599
She was riding about 1” off the bump stops, that is the back completely full of just water weight.

If you haven't already been diagnosed... When you get done with all that, go get your A1C checked and make sure you haven't become a diabetic. Personally I'd recommend finding a dumpster to toss all that soda in and avoiding the diagnosis in the first place. Diabeties ain't fun.

Joking (kinda) aside, I'm assuming you are buying supplies for some big event?

 

[sgtsandman]

Camped in it when it wasn't at the fair grounds for Truck Nationals.

 

[CamTheHedgehog]

If you haven't already been diagnosed... When you get done with all that, go get your A1C checked and make sure you haven't become a diabetic. Personally I'd recommend finding a dumpster to toss all that soda in and avoiding the diagnosis in the first place. Diabeties ain't fun.

Joking (kinda) aside, I'm assuming you are buying supplies for some big event?

Sort of. It’s for the canteen at the camp I work for, one of the big few summer restock runs.

The irony increases when you learn that almost half of that run was Gatorade… and I don’t even like Gatorade. Too much sugar for the amount of water and electrolytes you get. I usually use propel or liquid IV if I have money.

Ok, ADHD tangent over.

 

[CamTheHedgehog]

New radio.

This radio has caught my interest.. let me know how you like it.
Single DIN (no dremeling), wireless CarPlay, and most interesting to me is the custom boot screen… trying to find a decent radio that does that is hard.

 

[Rick W]

This. I did this to it today. View attachment 114599
She was riding about 1” off the bump stops, that is the back completely full of just water weight.

Just from opening the door?

 

[Rick W]

Camped in it when it wasn't at the fair grounds for Truck Nationals.

that trailer is fantastic! When you first told me about it, I was thinking, what are you doing with this harbor, freight kind of thing. The level of detail, workmanship, etc., All makes me jealous.

(I saw the trailer in person at nationals)

 

[Rick W]

As regards the diabetic talk: I went from type two to whatever I have now (but I also have some other blood problems), a couple of years ago. So I shoot up a little slow release insulin every day, and I’m supposed to watch my diet.

When I was getting ready for nationals, I got everything I needed for Lincoln, but I forgot to check my stock. So I ran out of insulin halfway through the last four days. And, I ate some of my diabetic awful tasting food, but I also ate a couple boxes of pop tarts. I love the brown sugar.

I drove home today. It turned out to be about 13 hours, and all I had this morning was diet ginger ale and pop tarts, and I didn’t eat anything else all day. It’s the best I felt in 2 or 3 years. What do you think my doc is going to say about that?

 

[JoshT]

As regards the diabetic talk: I went from type two to whatever I have now, but I also have some other blood problems, a couple of years ago. So I shoot up a little slow release, insulin every day, and I’m supposed to watch my diet.

When I was getting ready for nationals, I got everything I needed for Lincoln, but I forgot to check my stock. So I ran out of insulin halfway through the last four days. And, I ate some of my diabetic awful tasting food, but I also ate a couple boxes of pop tarts. I love the brown sugar.

I drove home today, it turned out to be about 13 hours, and all I had this morning was diet, Gingerale, and pop tarts, and I didn’t eat anything else all day. It’s the best I felt in to her three years. What do you think my doc is going to say about that?

As a "type 2" myself, do we care? To quote Bon Jovi: "I ain't gonna live forever..." Do the best we can, but still got to enjoy life. Damn what the doctors think. Don't listen to me too much though, mine isn't to the point where I need insulin.

Also, I've got no problems going without before I eat a poptart again. I never LIKED them, they were just easy. I really don't miss any of the high sugar treats, it's other bad carb sources that I have trouble giving up. Namely starches like rice, pasta, and potatos.

 

[snoranger]

As regards the diabetic talk: I went from type two to whatever I have now, but I also have some other blood problems, a couple of years ago. So I shoot up a little slow release, insulin every day, and I’m supposed to watch my diet.

When I was getting ready for nationals, I got everything I needed for Lincoln, but I forgot to check my stock. So I ran out of insulin halfway through the last four days. And, I ate some of my diabetic awful tasting food, but I also ate a couple boxes of pop tarts. I love the brown sugar.

I drove home today, it turned out to be about 13 hours, and all I had this morning was diet, Gingerale, and pop tarts, and I didn’t eat anything else all day. It’s the best I felt in to her three years. What do you think my doc is going to say about that?

Simple sugars like pop tarts aren’t that bad for my sugar levels, it a quick spike then it drops quickly. rice seems to be one of the worst things, it spikes my sugar then takes a long time to drop.

 

[ben_2_go]

I installed the new- not reman- a/c compressor on my Ranger. I've driven the truck 8700 miles since I built it and this makes the 3rd compressor. The first one leaked at the front seal and at the seam in the center of the case, the 2nd one leaked at the front seal and the pulley broke in two pieces and was grinding and smoking before I got home. I was disappointed to see "made in China" on the box after installing the compressor, though. My fingers are crossed.

Stand the new comp on its pulley while you're disassembling the system. The oil will run to the front seal and help soften and lubricate it. A lot of compressor companies have a card, or tag, in the box saying to do this.

 

[WutUp Clegg]

Where do people get the higher amp alternators? Can’t seem to find any if I ever need one…

I found mine on Amazon. There are a lot of companies that have these, but Amazon was about $100 cheaper. I was skeptical, but it fit perfectly with no modifications. I just had to upgrade the wire to the battery to take advantage of the extra amperage.

I started the truck up and whether idling or gassing it, it stayed between 14.2 and 14.4 volts. It's only been 2 days, but I'm happy with it.

Amazon.com: LActrical High Output 250 Amp Alternator fits FORD Ranger 92-97 2.3L 98-01 2.5L 92-05 3.0L 92-2000 4.0L HD Generator : Automotive

 

[Corey H]

Swapped out the grey interior with the level II black interior.

 

[WutUp Clegg]

I haven't found one for the SOHC engine. All the ones I've seen are for the older engines. It has been a few years since I last looked. So that could have changed.

Google "Ford Ranger High Output Alternators," and a few sources will pop up.

 

[Dantheman1540]

Fabbed up a little resi mount for them to sit above the spring perch instead of piggybacked to the shock. Oh and slapped some fresh stickers on them for a color pop.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Did some figuring and started some more CAD (Cardboard Aided Design) work on my green Ranger since I miscalculated on my first design and made it a quarter inch too small, so I needed another beer box to cut up to try again. Cheaper than steel doing it this way, just sometimes you have to wait until you finish a case. I’m a little bummed that I forgot why I was saving a big box and got rid of it, I was going to use that for my front bumper design since it’s a lot more complicated. Currently working on stuff in the back and my plan is pretty straightforward so I just need small bits of cardboard for the details.

Really need to get this stuff knocked out and deal with a couple odds and ends right quick so I can get back to dealing with the Choptop. Be even better if I could get to the front bumper on the green Ranger before the get together in September, but there may not be time and probably not the money unless I find a money tree or something.