1986 Ranger 2.9L 4x4 advice on how to make it look sweet for cheap?

[Daven]

I am buying a 1986 ford ranger 2.9L 4x4 (standard) and, as a student in high school, i want it to look cool and tough. It is a dark navy blue kinda colour (looks black) with some kinda real dark grey coloured tape lining the bottom(im guessing its tape, but it looks cool either way). The trim has been all painted black. right now it just has the normal smaller tires on it. Theres a small lift on the back i think.

Anyways, i am looking to spend some cash, but not a whole lot, on making this thing stand out and look like a tough offroadin beast. I want to put on some 31" tires and probably a 4" lift. What i was wondering is what i can do for somewhat cheap to make it look cool. Maybe something like fog lights or bars or something.

Also, if i do decide to paint it, what colour should i do? Any cheaper ways to do a graphic of some sort?

Any ideas are greatly aprieciated. I am only 16 so i dont know very much about this kind of stuff. I would want it professionally installed or something because i'm not willing to risk having my friends or me mess it up lol. Thanks

 

[Daven]

Also, if u guys have any other ideas that i didnt have posted, please share them. And if there could be graphics posted or websites where i could buy them, that would be awesome.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Is this your daily driver? If so, I would put in a body lift; cheapest and quickest lift. If your gearing is not going to get changed I would stay with 29" [and no lift unless absolutely needed for tire clearance] tires[235/75R15], you can get tsl's in that size. I have a b-II with a 4.0l that had 3.45 gears and 31" Baja Claws [no lift and some fender trimming, looks cool imo] made it a chore to drive [but I do have clutch issues, needs to be bled properly], changed to 4.10 and it's much better [cost C$200.00 for front and rear axles, C$160.00 in parts and oil and a long weekend to change].
Maybe talk to your shop teacher [you are taking auto, aren't you?] and see if you can do something in class for marks
Keep us informed and do it safely!
Good luck,
Richard

 

[Daven]

Is this your daily driver? If so, I would put in a body lift; cheapest and quickest lift. If your gearing is not going to get changed I would stay with 29" [and no lift unless absolutely needed for tire clearance] tires[235/75R15], you can get tsl's in that size. I have a b-II with a 4.0l that had 3.45 gears and 31" Baja Claws [no lift and some fender trimming, looks cool imo] made it a chore to drive [but I do have clutch issues, needs to be bled properly], changed to 4.10 and it's much better [cost C$200.00 for front and rear axles, C$160.00 in parts and oil and a long weekend to change].
Maybe talk to your shop teacher [you are taking auto, aren't you?] and see if you can do something in class for marks
Keep us informed and do it safely!
Good luck,
Richard

This is going to be my everyday driver. So put on a 3 or 4 inch lift, and i shouldnt do the intended 31"s? I was told that i would need a lift or i would have rubbing. And will lifting/putting on bigger tires really decrease my power alot? or will i just not have as much low end power or something like that? Also, whats this ur saying about cutting fenders? U mean cut the wheel wells bigger or something? Thanks

 

[snomaker321]

start reading around in the tech library. fender cutting and everythings in there. Bigger tires take more power to turn and weigh more. It'll hurt your low end and acceleration which might be fine if all you care about is looks.

http://www.therangerstation.com/Magazine/summer2008/fendercutting101.htm

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Like snomaker321 say's, check the tech library, good info in there. Personally; I dislike lifts till I need one, and I'd rather chop the fenders, it's less work, imo. As far as the lift goes; how much are you willing to spend and tell us what you want out of your truck, it'll help us give you better info. Like; show or go or both, do you care about gas mileage more or ? You mention graphics so maybe your into the looks more?
As a side note, the back is normally a little higher in back, to accommodate loads you might haul, it is a truck. Some people put in leveling springs in front to make it level.

Richard

 

[Daven]

Like snomaker321 say's, check the tech library, good info in there. Personally; I dislike lifts till I need one, and I'd rather chop the fenders, it's less work, imo. As far as the lift goes; how much are you willing to spend and tell us what you want out of your truck, it'll help us give you better info. Like; show or go or both, do you care about gas mileage more or ? You mention graphics so maybe your into the looks more?
As a side note, the back is normally a little higher in back, to accommodate loads you might haul, it is a truck. Some people put in leveling springs in front to make it level.

Richard

First, i'm not interested in cutting the fenders, mainly because im not able to do that myself or find someone that can for me. I am leaning more towards looks but still want it to have power obviously. Gas mileage doesnt really matter to me. I'm a student and dont have top worry about cash a whole lot, i'd drive a huge truck untill i needed to start using less gas lol. I know trucks usually come with it lifted a bit in the back, im just saying what the guy im buying it from said. And what are leveling kits anyways? Do they lift and level or just lift front to even out with back? thanks

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I've found a link for you to do some research. This is a guide, you may be able to fit bigger tires if your spring are in real good shape, more likely less with that old of a truck.
Tire size vs body/suspension lift;
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/TireFitment.html
I was able to fit 31" MT Baja Claws with ~ 65% tread on my '85 bronco II with no lift, it rubs slightly on full turns. I cut the rear fenders already because of rust issues and I plan on cutting the front fenders soon and adding fender flares, here's a pic;

As you can tell I don't give a ratsass about looks so my advice may be suspect. That being said, you might look at adding a bush bar in front of the grill, and/or light bar/roll bar combo behind the cab. As far as graphics, why don't you post a pic so we can see what your working with?
Richard

 

[Daven]

Ill see about getting a picture, but that depends if my phone can put them on the computer. its basically a black on black Ranger XLT with stock tires i think. i am thinking of just keeping the current lift and adding bigger tires (mostly because of price of tires). What size tires would u suggest to make it look a little cooler? And wouldnt a roll bar look tacky on that little of a truck? lol

Also, i now have a prepaid credit card so i can buy online if u guys run across a good place to get these parts

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

31" will definitely fill the wheel wells, may rub a little. Price wise, try getting used. The baja claws ride nice on the street and are a capable offroad tire, imo.
Richard

 

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

baseball bat and a bottle of firewater

 

[Daven]

well i took some pictures but i cannot post them on here i dont think. idk why, but heres a link to a website i put them on. Check out the pics on the homepage and go to the "rust" page (left side bar u will find it) to check out the crack i have on the rear driver side panel. Please make any suggestions on what i can do to this truck. After finding that magor crack tho, i really want to find a way to at least make it look new(ish). I dont want people commenting on that and all-of-a-sudden my trucks a pos lol

http://truuuuuuck.wikispaces.com/

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I'd check into fender flares. They would serve two purposes; 1] hide/fix your rust problem, 2] allow bigger tires.
Bushwacker is one company I've heard about.
I'd go for the ones where you cut the fender to fit the flare.
This is only one option.
Richard

 

[The Bandit]

One of the biggest, and cheapest improvements, you can make to any vehicle for $5.

Buy 4 cans or so of gloss black spray paint from Wal-Mart, Dollar General, etc. Do not get flat black, it goes turns gray and looks like shit. Wash your truck really well underneath and inside the wheel wells at the car wash. Drive it home, let it dry.

Spray paint all inside your wheel wells,the outside of your frame, suspension components, bumper brackets, e-brake cables, rear end, tail pipe, etc. The only things I avoid spraying are rubber components, brake lines, and wiring.

Another trick is to paint everything underneath black, then tape up the rear end around the diff-cover and paint it silver/red or some other contrasting color.

It will be glossy at first, but will dry semi-gloss. The paint may be cheap, but it is some tough shit. I usually do this about once a year just to freshen things up, but its really not neccesary.

When your truck was new, all the undercoat was there, and the plastic inside the wheel wells was black. Over the years water, salt, dirt, and sunlight have faded everything out. Your chassis is brown with rust, your wheel wells are grey, and no matter what you do to the outside or the wheels your eyes will be drawn to the crusty chassis.

It's amazing what an improvement this makes to your truck. It makes your wheels and tires look a helluvalot better as well. For $5 and about an hour of your time, plus no masking, you can't beat it.

 

[Daven]

One of the biggest, and cheapest improvements, you can make to any vehicle for $5.

Buy 4 cans or so of gloss black spray paint from Wal-Mart, Dollar General, etc. Do not get flat black, it goes turns gray and looks like shit. Wash your truck really well underneath and inside the wheel wells at the car wash. Drive it home, let it dry.

Spray paint all inside your wheel wells,the outside of your frame, suspension components, bumper brackets, e-brake cables, rear end, tail pipe, etc. The only things I avoid spraying are rubber components, brake lines, and wiring.

Another trick is to paint everything underneath black, then tape up the rear end around the diff-cover and paint it silver/red or some other contrasting color.

It will be glossy at first, but will dry semi-gloss. The paint may be cheap, but it is some tough shit. I usually do this about once a year just to freshen things up, but its really not neccesary.

When your truck was new, all the undercoat was there, and the plastic inside the wheel wells was black. Over the years water, salt, dirt, and sunlight have faded everything out. Your chassis is brown with rust, your wheel wells are grey, and no matter what you do to the outside or the wheels your eyes will be drawn to the crusty chassis.

It's amazing what an improvement this makes to your truck. It makes your wheels and tires look a helluvalot better as well. For $5 and about an hour of your time, plus no masking, you can't beat it.

How do i do this so it looks good? Wont i have to take all the parts off to spray it good? Because wont just spraying from the outside make sections be not painted?