1988 Ranger Restoration - Keeping a Promise

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Here's something up your alley..

Definitely thought about it after seeing the article in the tech section. Decided to try the Volvo route first to cut down on time.

Posted this to my thread in the forced induction forums. It's the baseplate for a Mercedes Benz M62 supercharger. Blower bolts directly to the flat area. Tensioner and idler are integrated. Way too perfect of a fit.

Only problem that isn't a small matter of fabrication to solve is the pulleys. Options are to use a twin v belt on the blower, a twin v belt to serpentine jackshaft setup, or as @adsm08 suggested, finding a serpentine crank pulley off a '86 Aerostar 2.8.

Have been trying to get a hold of this guy to see what the pulley on his crank is, but no luck to date.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Put the prothane body bushings in a few days ago. Definitely need to dig up a body mount support for the cab side of driver rear. It's toast.

Truck looks more square though. Need to realign the bed when I put the hitch on. Rides a hell of a lot better. Header collector is now rubbing on the cab seam on driver side. Probably the collapsed support. Meh.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Completely cold startup.

The difference between now and when I started is night and day.

Need to get some stuff cleaned up under there for aesthetic's sake.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Obligatory stupid cone filter intake and Flowmaster exhaust noise video.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

This felt way too good to do.

Every now and then you just have to set your truck on fire to remind it how it would feel if it were a Chevy.

 

[Bird76Mojo]

Looks like that old truck is definitely on her last leg as far as frame rust. I watched my old 89 take the same route... It gets them all eventually.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Probably the case with mine. Been hunting for a frame down south on Craigslist, etc.

I could plate and reinforce this one... But, I figure if I look for one now, I can get it prepped with a independent rear suspension 8.8 out of a thunderchicken or muskrat and a Dana 35. Then just wait on this one to give up and move everything over.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Truth be told though, I've seen and driven worse.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

With the exception of an eventual upgrade to monotubes, or an independent rear, I'm going to call the suspension system "done for now."

Ya'll were rigjt about the bumpers looking better once the suspension was repaired. I gained 3-4 inches of height out of it.

Moog variable rare heavy duty springs in the front (really wishing I would have gotten the constant rate in retrospect), husky 4+1 1750lb rear leaf springs.

Rides SO MUCH BETTER and looks awesome.

With the weather turning warm and my rockers mostly MIA, I guess it's time to start the body work...

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Why would you prefer the constant rate springs?

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Why would you prefer the constant rate springs?

Cornering and handling mostly. The variable rates "squish" a little too quickly for me.

Granted, my sway bar bushings on the one behind the axle are completely blown out, and the one on the front is tied back and disconnected. I cannot find the links for the one in front of the axle, or a bushing kit for the one behind the front axle.

 

[Bird76Mojo]

The ones mounted in front of the axle, you can still get the plastic links, or there are aftermarket steel versions on Ebay in different lengths.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

The ones mounted in front of the axle, you can still get the plastic links, or there are aftermarket steel versions on Ebay in different lengths.

Any luck with the plastic ones? I have a feeling they would break under strain.

Edit: finally found a part number on them. E6TZ-5K483-B

Edit edit: may try this

 

[Bird76Mojo]

Seems like they made it through loads of miles on people's trucks over the years.

When I pulled the 97 beams for my swap, one plastic link was still attached and I was missing the right size tools. I had to twist and break it, but it was very tough to do. I suspect it's made from some nylon impregnated plastic or polymer.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

So I did a little off roading the other day. Thought I broke my seat track.

FAK.

Guess I have stuff to do tomorrow.