1983 2.8 Ranger Resurrection

[drsvox]

thanks! picked up an original cigarette lighter too...perfect condition, and it still works (I know...silly to get excited over that, but for me it really is about the details).

The 85 even had the heat shroud which bolts to the driver's exhaust, where the pre-heater hose connects...it looked pretty rusted, but I'm sure it could have cleaned up...wondering now if I should have grabbed that too...

 

[drsvox]

For the record: in my opinion, body work sucks! I am so close to crossing the line between almost perfect and good enough.

With any luck I'll be priming, blocking, and painting in a few weeks.

Also, major props and a shout out to user komoto123...sent me an OEM knock sensor, which arrived yesterday. Many Thanks!

 

[drsvox]

adding some more photos for perspective and to keep me motivated to finish this project...

most of this work was completed weeks/months ago...flooring is a composite of new floor pan, POR15, cheapo version of sound dampener, padding, molded carpet...hood is the same sound dampener + generic fiberglass insulator...new tank with refurbished sending unit...and a few engine bay shots w/ close-ups.

thanks!

 

[XLTsplash]

Looking good, You have most of the hard work done, now you just have the fun finish work to do.

 

[drsvox]

a multitude of excuses...

Have not been able to do any body work or painting because:

- Alabama august was way too hot and humid
- my 16-year old son came to visit from England
- work has been kicking my ass
- school has been kicking my ass
- daughter had a baby august 28th and he (baby) had open heart surgery 10 days later and has been in the hospital (my wife and daughter too) since and I've been driving back and forth daily
- I hate body work and will find any excuse not to do it
- all of the above

However, I have been able to squeeze in a few things:
- ditched the monofilaments for LEDs in the dash
- picked up an NOS speedometer on ebay for $20 to replace my wonky one...I like the fact that there are only six tenths of a mile on it (for my sake, let's go ahead and pretend someone didn't wind it to all 0's), and I still can't believe I got it for only $20 (yes, works just fine and isn't wonky)
- finally wired in the DEH-6700MP stereo and put 4.5" kickers in the front, and wired up a Rockville 10" slim powered sub...ok, I'm admittedly not thumping down the street, but the sub has got some serious kick which rounds out the sound...I like.

And last, used my high tech tool to pull KOEO codes and got:
flash-flash...flash-flash-flash...pause...flash-flash

Not sure yet what to do about the TPS. I've got an aftermarket a-la autozone one in there now. may just go ahead and replace with OEM.

some pics:

 

[XLTsplash]

The gauges look nice, bright and easy to read.

 

[Angie]

hi chris, nice looking job you are doing..... i was reading in your thread that you are having probs finding 2.8 stuff...... let me know if i can help you.... mine was 2.8 with 5 speed.... still have all the engine things, haven't chucked any yet. was a running truck when i pulled it out. also built a 2.8 in my pinto couple years back if that can help in any way.

cheers casey

 

[drsvox]

Thank you Casey, and thanks for taking some time to look thru the thread!

At this point I believe I've got a complete, working, engine set up but no doubt I'll sooner or later be asking "have you got this or that, by chance?" Especially since it's not road-worthy yet so I haven't had the opportunity to see what's really going on with her. I appreciate you keeping me in mind!

 

[Angie]

no prob chris, i will stuff all the bits and lines and parts into a box and set it all aside for later. i have 2 complete spare 2.8's sitting on the floor.

cheers

 

[Angie]

1 other thing i wanted to ask, nice new under hood protection, where did you buy that silver coating and the tough looking felt under lay. or what is it exactly?

thanks

 

[drsvox]

thanks again for hanging on to the 2.8 stuff

the silver coating is, funny enough, thin attic insulation I bought from Home Depot...hopefully did my homework well and it should withstand underhood temps no prob (I hope). It also holds some sound-deadening properties which is why I lined the cabin floor with it. Maybe not as effective as the pro stuff, but certainly a much, much cheaper alternative.

The other insulation is fiberglass and not at all as sturdy or tough as it may look. I bought it from LMCtruck, along with enough plastic "pins" to hold it on. It was inexpensive (so I suppose I knew it wouldn't be too tough), but I wanted it and I like it. You have to cut to fit (I made a cardboard template first), and the sheet you get was big enough for two cuts.

 

[Angie]

thanks for the info, was looking at that stuff and thought wow it looks good.

 

[drsvox]

hood graphics

finally got around to conceptualizing the hood graphics so I thought I'd throw up a preview of how i'm hoping my idea will pan out.

pics in order are:
- original drawing (w/ reference)
- stencil template (which was modified slightly from original drawing)
- template double-checked for size on hood
- completed stencil (negative)
- basic web concept

I've got a few things to do for surface prepping, and am hoping to paint in a week or two...

Thanks for watching!

-Chris

 

[1qaz]

Impressive restoration! The engine bay work is really sweet. I'm betting you've done some good stuff since your last update in Sep 14.

 

[drsvox]

Thanks much! I have done very little since last September...too much going on right now, but I'll be back at it once I get the train back on the tracks.

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