1986 Polar Ranger Project

[PolarRanger]

Purchased for $475, building along the way to my summer adventure to the Arctic Ocean. It is a 2.9l standard shift, pretty much everything manual extended cab 4x4 1986 Ranger. It was in pretty sad shape and not running when purchased. Found the problem to be the EEC-IV module on the back of the distributor to be the issue. It was decided that instead of going with a 4 inch lift which uses new springs up front and blocks in the back, I would go with the 6 inch lift which has new springs all the way around. I am doing all of the work myself, because I am that way. I also installed longer brake lines, drop pitman arm and steering stabilizer. While under the truck I put in new u-joints, new ball joints, new steering arms and tie rod ends. Along the way it got a full tune up with all fluids and filters changed. The real fun was cutting the fenders and installing Bushwhacker Cut Out Flares. Currently she sits on 33x10.50R15 Buckshot Mudders, from the look of it, I will be going to 35s in the not too distant future, but the wheels and tires on the truck were really affordable. But enough of me chatting on and here are some pics from beginning to present.

As purchased:

After a little underside work,replaced broken grille and cleaned it up.

You can see how bad the paint was at the start.

DIY Bed liner, not great, but since Iwill not be hauling much, it will do for now.

After lift installed, still kinda sad looking.

With flares installed.

Sitting in the drive, before steering stabilizer install.

Will post more later as I get more one.

Still planned are the custom fab bumpers, spare tire carrier, winch, rock sliders......and more.

 

[jhammel85]

This is great. I love seeing people revive these 1st gens. I hope to put 35's on mine as well (thought I do worry about the D28)

What 6" lift did you install?

 

[PolarRanger]

I used the Skyjacker lift kit. I like that it came with rear springs instead of blocks.

 

[jhammel85]

I'll have to keep that in mind. I was thinking of doing it for the same reason you did. My springs are original with about 175k on them.

 

[PolarRanger]

I figured with 27 years on the original springs and god only knows how many miles, I did not want to be like so many others here with the rear all sagging while the front is up high.

 

[PolarRanger]

Newest things completed....ball joints, steering stabilizer, head unit for stereo with bluetooth, roof rack and first set of lights.

 

[PolarRanger]

Just a bit of an update that is overdue. Decided to freshen up the look of the truck a bit. Used Raptor Liner in black for the bed and the Original Red for the body. Soon to come is a solid axle swap and 5.0l swap.

Some pics of the work and finished product for the body.

The Raptor Liner is not as thick and heavy as Rhino but sets up hard instead of soft. Time will tell if it holds up on the trails here.

 

[Primosboy]

Great job man! 1st gens are soo sexy. That rapter liner is roll on right? How many coats is that finished? I used same kind of stuff that sets up hard and it's chipping off after about a year. I think it's because I went right over the factory sticker though and it was only one good coat.

 

[jhammel85]

Such an improvement from the day you brought it home!

 

[PolarRanger]

The Raptor is a spray in liner. I tried the Herculiner before in the bed which was roll in and was not super impressed after a few months. I put two coats on the body and four in the bed. It sets up nice and solid once cured. I should work out well for me. I will post more, I have axles for a SAS and plans for a 5.0 swap that should handle me for the next few years until I get everything for a 4bt swap. I was planning on keeping with the 2.9 until then, but it is slowly dying on me in ways I do not want to spend money on. At least with the 5.o, I can find a use for that later.

 

[PolarRanger]

Well it appears that the old 2.9l is dying fast. So, rather than replace it with another like it, I am gathering things for the good old standby.....5.0l swap. The hardest part right now is finding the right donor truck. It is going to much more cost effective to buy a whole truck for $500-$1000 and have everything than to piece it all together for the little bits that are hard to get sometimes. So, next update will likely include that and possibly a SAS. I a Dana 30 for the front....just need to get with the building.

 

[PolarRanger]

I finally came across a deal I could not pass on for a 302 replacement. $100 for the block, heads, intake manifold, cam, crank, pistons, pushrods, oil pan and valve covers. So the block is heading off to the machine shop with the heads to have them fully checked and freshened up. Then the rest of the parts will be coming in to build it the rest of the way. I may even have a line on a ZF5 with T-case for about $300. So, all that along with some new axles and in the spring I hope to be driving a much upgraded rig. I will post more pics as things start moving forward.

 

[PolarRanger]

The EFI 302 is built and I just picked up a wrecked 93 F150 with manual trans and t case for parts. I should be under v8 power by the end of this month.

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