1988 Ranger Restoration - Keeping a Promise

[Shran]

Good spindles and axle shaft washers are somewhat hard to find for the D35 around here... I have a ton of D28 parts. I bet I have at least four complete sets of shafts and lockouts - I'm never breaking them, though. I think you can get brand new spindles for both but they're very expensive.

 

[racsan]

a few years ago (5-6?) I needed a drivers side beam for the ‘93. All I could find was a hybrid ( 28 parts in a 35 beam) and I thought those were the “rare” ones. was able to use my differential and the “new “ beam. still have the 28 diff somewhere

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Stopped to check my hitch before getting on the highway yesterday. Snapped this.

Hate how much it looks like a Bronco at times. That cap has to go.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Don't be hating on Bronco's...

I got a list for you

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

If you got the visor and full length running boards to go with your WHITE grandpa looking topper it would all really click together and complete the look...

 

[racsan]

hell mine really looks like a “grandpa” truck, white cap AND full hubcaps

 

[Rizzo1130]

Sure put a big smile on my face! Good luck. You'll be a ford man before you know it

 

[Mightyfordranger]

I think I still have an are style tin cap somewhere.can't remember whose house I left it at ha ha

 

[Josh B]

I think it looks good!

 

[ZeroHour]

Hell, it made mah peter flickr, I like it.

 

[skl1cent]

nice build man, cant wait to see how she turns out

 

[Rangerx2]

I think he already is a Ford man, he just won't give us the satisfaction of admitting it!
Truck's lookin' good Junkie! I like the cap I thin it looks good on there. But that's just me. I love the off-road style front bumper you've got on there.

 

[racsan]

that pipe bumper gives it a “bronco” look I think, but its not bad. Better than no bumper thats for sure.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Been a while since I updated, so a brief word on ongoing work, and some other interesting things.

Had the cap off the other day to haul the scrap 4.0 and the D35 I'm swapping in for a front axle, so I snapped a photo.

Next steps are to finish prep work on the new frame and get the new axles hung. Dana 35 from a 1994 Ranger, and 8.8 limited slip off an Explorer. Despite the severe gear reduction the 31" tires gave me, I'm sticking with 3.73 gears for now. I may change them later, but I'm quite happy with how low my RPMs stay on the highway. 2.9 isn't want for power either, and still readily passes at 70-75mph.

I should note, when I bought it with 205/70/15 tires on it, the truck would not exceed 60 mph, even downhill. I think I've done alright.

If the winter goes as planned, I'm hoping to have my frame swap finished by spring, just so I can take it all apart again next winter to do the body work lol

Amazing how far the little guy has come, and I know how much further I have to go. But, for daily driving it, I'm mostly satisfied with the progress.

Don't know if I mentioned this in my build thread, but I found out that my Ranger rolled off the line the day I was born in 1987. I knew we were close in age, but never would have guessed we both rolled off the line the same day. That, to me, was a clear sign that it and I are sticking together till they bury me; I'll never give up on it, no matter what happens.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Its too bad we can't exchange body parts as easily on us as trucks.
#comingsoon