• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

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


Rick W

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
TRS Event Participant
Joined
May 15, 2020
Messages
2,392
Reaction score
3,886
Points
113
Age
68
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
Ok, I sanded the 87 4wd after 2 coats, for the last time I hope, and I taped off the split to paint the black.

I tried to eyeball the tape. Yeah, between my failing eyesight and shaky hands, it wasn’t pretty! So I made this cheater. On one side I can run it on the inside of the wheel well with a sharpie through the hole, and then I sanded out an angle on the other side to fit in the notch that runs along the bottom of the truck to stitch the low line. Sweet success!

5F1661DA-0685-4527-8A5A-FFBE280EA86F.jpeg
38CD874B-CF93-40EC-94ED-52B4590461CB.jpeg
B7E10B6A-9ACA-4FC3-B60F-7802EE2D2F91.jpeg


After that, running the tape was easier. I used PVC electrical tape for the wheel wells, and some decent cheap chinese auto tape for the long runs,

3D9A52D7-48AA-4B3F-8321-4BE689104295.jpeg


Considering the level of sophistication on this paint job, I didn’t want to just use a tack rag. Instead I used this dustpan broom that has real horse hair, that I made out of a broken pushbroom about 45 years ago. I had to replace the handle once, which is why it has that modern zip tie. My brother still has the one I made from the other half of the broom.

2FEBE9FF-F6C9-485C-9619-B49D242E7D4C.jpeg


On the red vs black on the cab, the votes were for the red, but I forgot to mention that the redhead has 51% of the votes, so the vertical surfaces went black, and I’m doing something custom on the roof before I put the running lights and beacon on it.

I got all the black on it, and I touched up the red a little bit. It was too dark to take a picture. I won’t pull the tape off ‘til I’m sure there are no bare spots, probably tomorrow afternoon. I’ve been working on the lights and wiring a little bit too. That’s for the next chapter.

EDIT: yes, I still have the broom handle too. And, I’m sorry about the vote, but you should see the Redhead’s “👍 LIKE,” whew!
 
Last edited:


lil_Blue_Ford

Well-Known Member
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
V8 Engine Swap
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Messages
8,317
Reaction score
6,129
Points
113
Location
Butler, PA, USSA
Vehicle Year
95
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
4.9L
Transmission
Manual
So I ran up to the combo scrap yard/weld shop this morning to find it was now just a weld shop.:annoyed::shok:

So I went up to another scrap yard and then had to come back to the weld shop to get the oxygen filled. Came home, put the oxygen away and that was the end of the adventure with the Red Ranger today. Starting to think of calling it “lil Red”
 

MikeG

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 15, 2020
Messages
1,353
Reaction score
752
Points
113
Location
central Texas
Vehicle Year
1997
Make / Model
B4000
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Lift
2"
Tire Size
235/75r15
Hauled a log splitter to deal with the aftermath of the Great Texas Ice Age.

Need I mention that a log splitter powered by a gas motor beats the !#@$@#$%$#%@#%@$% out of swinging a maul.... even got a little work out of my son.....
 

2drxploder

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Sep 14, 2020
Messages
486
Reaction score
434
Points
63
Location
usa
Vehicle Year
99
Make / Model
ranger
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
347
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Drop
lower
Tire Size
235 on 15s
@Rick W "lookin good lusceee!"
 

lil_Blue_Ford

Well-Known Member
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
V8 Engine Swap
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Messages
8,317
Reaction score
6,129
Points
113
Location
Butler, PA, USSA
Vehicle Year
95
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
4.9L
Transmission
Manual
Hauled a log splitter to deal with the aftermath of the Great Texas Ice Age.

Need I mention that a log splitter powered by a gas motor beats the !#@$@#$%$#%@#%@$% out of swinging a maul.... even got a little work out of my son.....
Yeah, I split a lot of cords of wood with a 4 lb sledge and a couple splitting wedges. Was always fun when the wedge would bounce out because the wood was too wet or when you buried three or so in a round and it still wasn’t budging. Gas powered beats it hands down. Dad got a 22 ton rated and it’s impressive what even that can do.
 

Rick W

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
TRS Event Participant
Joined
May 15, 2020
Messages
2,392
Reaction score
3,886
Points
113
Age
68
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
I couldn’t resist, so I checked with my Harbor Fright search light. Damn (if that’s allowed), the right rear corner refuses to be painted without a run! It’s usually the left that doesn’t want to play by the rules!

94EC862E-3890-46BA-8872-46E140838CBC.jpeg


Of course, that’s where the sun is in my eyes at sundown (COULDN’T be MY fault!).

A la Scarlet, I’ll worry about that tomorrow...
 

scotts90ranger

Well-Known Member
RBV's on Boost
Joined
Feb 28, 2001
Messages
8,026
Reaction score
4,365
Points
113
Location
Dayton Oregon
Vehicle Year
1990, 1997
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Engine Size
2.3 Turbo
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6
Tire Size
35"
Changed the oil in the '97 for the first time in too many thousand miles (I honestly don't know...), I know the last change was before the new tires, my chest no longer fits under the steering crossmember thing to change the oil filter without going in all funky... that 1" tire height makes that easier... Hopefully the next change will be on my 2 post lift so there's that...
 

Rick W

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
TRS Event Participant
Joined
May 15, 2020
Messages
2,392
Reaction score
3,886
Points
113
Age
68
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

Rick W

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
TRS Event Participant
Joined
May 15, 2020
Messages
2,392
Reaction score
3,886
Points
113
Age
68
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

scotts90ranger

Well-Known Member
RBV's on Boost
Joined
Feb 28, 2001
Messages
8,026
Reaction score
4,365
Points
113
Location
Dayton Oregon
Vehicle Year
1990, 1997
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Engine Size
2.3 Turbo
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6
Tire Size
35"
lol, I resemble that too but I couldn't get past my ribcage... on cardboard... I'm not used to this 2 wheel drive thing... wasn't in the mood to get the ramps out as it was dark when I pulled into the driveway...

In a week I can seal my concrete, then I can get the 2 post lift off the trailer and start setting it up then things will change...
 

Rick W

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
TRS Event Participant
Joined
May 15, 2020
Messages
2,392
Reaction score
3,886
Points
113
Age
68
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
More baby steps.

I pulled all the tape, and then I ran around with two little tiny artist brushes and touched up all the rough edges and blemishes. It took a while.

6F7C000C-89B8-4E1F-94AE-C9332182E979.jpeg
A40F3990-0ED6-432E-9012-EC75068F86BC.jpeg


On my custom roof graphics it looked like I threw the stars out of a second-story window attached to a sponge full of paint. I used a mylar stencil, and then I used a foam brush, dabbing almost all the paint off it before I dabbed it over the stars. Crap result, still too much paint, it ran everywhere. Next time I’m going to dust them on with spray paint for that one item. It was too late to take them off and I wasn’t going to do them again, so I took about 30 minutes and outlined each star with a tiny painters brush. I’m going to have to do it a second time on about 6-8, but from 15 feet away it looks perfect.

98B0B57D-294B-4DF4-8A1F-FB90B89C3075.jpeg


Can’t really see it anyway unless you’re 7’ tall.

Next steps are customizing the grill and tailgate and getting them back on, new lights, and the mirrors and such just so I can drive it. With the rustoleum, I can’t stick the graphics on for about a week or 10 days. Probably swap the seat and do some electrical in there too. But day job and more suing the town tomorrow…

EDIT: I also painted the bezels of my cab over lights black. I bought them in about 1990 to put on my 84 Chevy dually, procrastinated and then the truck got crushed in the 98 tornado. I’m glad they’re finally going to get some use....

2nd EDIT: Duh, I just realized I should have painted the star field black first, and then messed up red stars, and then fix them with black 😁🤪🤣
 
Last edited:

Uncle Gump

Token Old Guy
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Sep 17, 2018
Messages
13,964
Reaction score
13,454
Points
113
Location
Ottawa IL
Vehicle Year
2006/1986
Make / Model
Ranger/BroncoII
Engine Size
4.0L SOHC/2.9L
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
Lead follow or get out of my way
I did a round trip of 175 miles to deliver 690 lbs of cheese.
 

Fire

Member
Joined
Feb 22, 2021
Messages
26
Reaction score
27
Points
13
Location
Arizona
Vehicle Year
2002
Make / Model
Ford Sport Trac
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
maybe 4"
Tire Size
35x12.5x17
My credo
But did you die
cheesehead!
 

2drxploder

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Sep 14, 2020
Messages
486
Reaction score
434
Points
63
Location
usa
Vehicle Year
99
Make / Model
ranger
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
347
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Drop
lower
Tire Size
235 on 15s
Shopped for a t5, after figuring out the used 1 i bought only has 4th gear
Looking at moderndriveline syperduty t5z, anyone running one? Thoughts?
 

85_Ranger4x4

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
32,329
Reaction score
17,808
Points
113
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
Felt out of place in the drive-thru...

 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Truck of The Month


Shran
April Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top