1985 Manny Esquerra Bill Stroppe prepared 2.8l Ranger

[Mummert]

There was a good magazine article written in early 1986 about Manny's 2.8 powered ranger. It would be some good reading if one of you guys has his Off Road magazine stash from that era.
I had it as a kid but its long gone now.
Anyone out there read this article before?

 

[franklin2]

Not it, but a link I found.

https://www.blueovaltrucks.com/ford_articles/rough-riders-off-road-racing-team-1991-1995/

 

[franklin2]

Another one.

Ford BFGoodrich Rough Riders - A Legacy in Off-Road Racing - Off Road Xtreme

The Ford BFGoodrich Rough Riders off-road racing team dominated the sport from 1991 through 1995. The overall impact this group had on the sport is unparalleled, and most likely will never be duplicated again.

www.offroadxtreme.com

 

[franklin2]

ORMHOF - Legends Live at the Hall of Fame - Manny Esquerra

The Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame has been established to recognize and honor those individuals whose lifelong contributions to off-road motorsports have se

ormhof.org

 

[Mummert]

Were close, this was probably the most well funded racing effort for a U.S. spec 2.8l Ford that I can think of. Someone around here has to have that article.

 

[Mummert]

This pic was the article

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

This pic was the articleView attachment 127561

That bumper is newer than 86. Maybe 88? Could the article be newer than 86?
Edit; but then it would be a 2.9, not 2.8. Are you sure that pic is from the 86 article?

 

[Mummert]

It has been over 30 years.

 

[JoshT]

That bumper is newer than 86. Maybe 88? Could the article be newer than 86?
Edit; but then it would be a 2.9, not 2.8. Are you sure that pic is from the 86 article?

That's the first gen bumper with the black plastic end caps. They were available from introduction in 1983. Or atleast they were featured in the sales brochures as far back as '83. You can see them in the brochures that Jim has uploaded to the site. I know for sure that they were available in '85 since mine has them. They're probably going away along with the bumper pads and the racetrack trim, but it has them.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

That's the first gen bumper with the black plastic end caps. They were available from introduction in 1983. Or atleast they were featured in the sales brochures as far back as '83. You can see them in the brochures that Jim has uploaded to the site. I know for sure that they were available in '85 since mine has them. They're probably going away along with the bumper pads and the racetrack trim, but it has them.

Ahh, didn't know that. I have an 86 ranger and it doesn't look like that. Good to know!
And all the earlier rangers and b2 I've had never had that either.

 

[Mummert]

Very possible the article was written a couple of years later but very much about the 2800 v6

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Ahh, didn't know that. I have an 86 ranger and it doesn't look like that. Good to know!
And all the earlier rangers and b2 I've had never had that either.

They are not super common.

 

[MaicoDoug]

Manny was the man. I was there on the south rim in Arizona racing ADRA with my 490 Maico, apparently he had a restaurant not far from Payson. The 2.8 has a solid camshaft making crazy high end HP. I would take another one before the 2.9 anyday.

 

[Mummert]

Got the last piece in the mail today

 

[JoshT]

Got the last piece in the mail today

last piece of what