1987 STX supercab build

[kparry1997]

I picked up this truck last month for the low price of a savage axis .308. I knew the transmission was shot when I went to pick it up, but the chassis and important bits were pretty rust free, and the body was pretty straight, and the best part is it was unmolested, with only 70k original miles. The only downside is there's some patches of pretty bad rust on the body.

I'm planing to do a mild off-road build, while maintaining as much highway drivability as possible, and the first step is getting that busted fm145 out, and putting in a low mile m5r1.

I have a clutch, flywheel, starter and hydraulics setup out of a 4.0, and a m5r1 on the way. I decided while the transmission was out I would replace the rear main seal, and take a peek inside the transfercase as well.

I'll get a build plan together, and post it up here for advice and suggestions! In the meantime, enjoy these pictures of my new toy!

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[kparry1997]

I finished pulling the transmission yesterday. All I'm waiting on for the swap is the transmission! I'm hoping that will be here by the end of the week so I can get it installed on my day off.

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[BlackBII]

I'll be watching this one. Looks like a great starting point.

That transmission has certainly seen better days! Quite a bit of rust on the bed sides but that's easily fixable.

 

[kparry1997]

I'll try not to disappoint! I've been following builds on this forum since I was 15, and I'm now in a place financially to be able to do my own! It'll be a learning experience no doubt, but I'm not new to wrenching around by any means. It should be a fun build!

My plans right now are:

M5r1 swap

Ford 8.8 rear, and Dana 35 ttb front axle swap

4-6" suspension lift

Eventual 4.0 swap

Elockers both front and rear

33" All terrain tires

Camper setup in the bed


There's a lot of small things I'm planning to do along the way, such as rebuilding the axles, rebuilding the steering gear box and pump, going through the brake system etc. The plan for the truck is for it to be a reliable road tripper that I can bring on some challenging trails wherever I end up going.

If anyone has advice, or some ideas, I'd love to hear em!

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[Jim Oaks]

Can't wait to see how it turns out.

 

[kparry1997]

I was just reading about your road trip, Jim. That kind if trip was my inspiration for this build. I look forward to hearing your input!

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[85_Ranger4x4]

Quite a bit of rust on the bed sides but that's easily fixable.

Dang shortbeds all but grow on trees though.

Looks like a great starter truck, a solid cab goes a long ways.

 

[Elutheros]

Love the spotlights! Great foundation for a nice truck.

 

[Jim Oaks]

Ya, the spotlights remind me of my '83 (TRS-1). I had a 6-inch spotlights on each side. Great for when you're wheeling at night and need to see of to the side of the trail.

 

[kparry1997]

While I'm waiting on the transmission I decided I would get rid of the aging radiator fan, and upgrade to an electric fan. I picked up a fuse block, thermostat and relay kit, and a 14" 90w fan. From what I read, the fan should move enough air to do the job.

I'm planning on getting that put in this weekend, along with the flywheel, clutch, and rear main seal. The transmission should be here Monday!

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[kparry1997]

I got bored at work yesterday and made this plate to mount my fuse block and relays for aftermarket electronics. It drives me nuts when the stock wiring is "highly modified" so im going to try to keep them as separate as possible. Tomorrow I'll be going through the wiring for the auxiliary lights and running them all through this separate system, and also installing the fan!

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[1991fordranger1]

How thick is that fan?

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[85_Ranger4x4]

I did the same thing, added two panels. One constant battery and one on a relay ran off the keyswitch. Takes a lot of load off the keyswitch/wiring and makes everything nice and in one spot.

 

[kparry1997]

I've been thinking about doing the same thing with the ignition switch panel. Did you loom up all your wiring? And did you use weatherproof connectors, or just hardwire stuff? The diagram looks clean!

I'll have to look at the fan dimensions. I'm thinking 2.5-3" thick. It'll fit in front of the rad for sure!


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[85_Ranger4x4]

Yeah, I got a loom holder from a second gen to hold it on the top seam of the firewall for it to cross the engine bay.

Female spades going onto the panel in case one comes unplugged it would have less chance shorting things out, coverless butt connectors with heatshrink elsewhere.

I enjoyed drawing the diagram, I wanted to be able to go back in 5 years and know what did what so I drew it all up as I went. I keep a copy in the glovebox in case I pop a fuse somewhere on the road I know which one I am looking for.

I don't have all the stuff on the passenger side firewall that you do so the factory cover hides the two fuse panels. This is an early version, I have it routed now so the loom hugs the firewall more in the blower motor area and it looks fairly stock.