1988 Turbo Ranger Build

[DJ19885.0]

I am just now finishing up my ranger build, and I figured I would give you guys a build thread. My plans were to fix the engine as cheaply as possible, get it running well, and then try to return the truck to stock look. It will replace my current DD (1988 ford escort = lame) Needed something less practical to go along with my baby - my 88 'stang!

Enjoy!

As purchased:

1988 Ford Ranger
Bought for $1600
Turbo 2.3L engine with cracked piston
Garrett Turbo
T-5 Trans
BeCool Radiator
Dual Electric Radiator Fans
Boost Control Valve
After-market Fuel Pressure Regulator
Bored .030 over
MSD Ignition
Auto Meter Gauges
Tons of extra parts (~20 new injectiors)
Clean Paint even thought I'm not a huge fan of how it looks
Newer Tires

Here are some pictures of the truck as purchased:


P1030926 by dj19885.0, on Flickr

P1030931 by dj19885.0, on Flickr


P1030933 by dj19885.0, on Flickr


P1030928 by dj19885.0, on Flickr


P1030927 by dj19885.0, on
Flickr

Engine removal: Ohe look, it holds my beer, haha
url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/29718305@N05/5315034268/]

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by dj19885.0, on Flickr


P1040080 by dj19885.0, on Flickr

Found out the pistons were hyper-u-cracked-its, so the cheapest option was to look for a good short block with good compression and use it. Would have swapped in used pistons, but the block was bored 30 over. I got a complete engine and trans with 90K for $600. I know I over paid a little, but these are rare to come by in Detroit for some reason, and I wanted this done NOW, haha.


165090_1665041579846_1051464880_1806206_3497_n by dj19885.0, on Flickr

So many TC parts...

P1040079 by dj19885.0, on Flickr


P1040075 by dj19885.0, on Flickr

My Garrett that I will use on the left and the IHI off the donor engine that I sold already:

P1040081 by dj19885.0, on Flickr

The head off the ranger engine had a couple burned valves:

P1040072 by dj19885.0, on Flickr


P1040110 by dj19885.0, on Flickr

The donor engine head looked good, but the cam had excessive wear:

P1040061 by dj19885.0, on Flickr


P1040111 by dj19885.0, on Flickr

Made my own follower removal tool:

P1040106 by dj19885.0, on Flickr

Got the valves out of the donor engine head, cleaned cleaned them up, and will install this ranger cam from the ranger in the good donor head:

P1040105 by dj19885.0, on Flickr

Donor head all cleaned up:

P1040117 by dj19885.0, on Flickr

HOLY SHIT, NO CRACKS!!!!!!

P1040116 by dj19885.0, on Flickr

Pulled the crank from the donor engine and gave it new bearings and a new oil pump:

P1040123 by dj19885.0, on Flickr


P1040120 by dj19885.0, on Flickr

Go the pistons cleaned up on the donor engine:

P1040129 by dj19885.0, on Flickr

Assembly begins!! O and dont ask why the other dude painted the engine purple :hehe:


P1040133 by dj19885.0, on Flickr


P1040136 by dj19885.0, on Flickr


P1040135 by dj19885.0, on Flickr


P1040137 by dj19885.0, on Flickr


P1040139 by dj19885.0, on Flickr

Well the engine is in and DONE!! I did start it, but the fuel pump is bad and will not run for more than 5 seconds... This is probably why it blew up in the first place. He probably was in boost and the pump went bad. The lean, detonation, and no forged pistons = BOOM!

Ohe well, at least it runs!! I just ordered a walbro 255, so when that comes in, time for some vids!! So pumped!eelout:

I really dedicated myself and got this whole project done from start to finish in 3 weeks! It helps that I am on break in between semesters though.

Here are some final pics: Hopefully I can start getting the truck back to stock look soon!


P1040140 by dj19885.0, on Flickr

Nasty...... Front mount and stock hood soon!

P1040085 by dj19885.0, on Flickr

Now these are just excessive, but I do need a tach and boost gauge, and accurate oil and water temp are nice. They may or may not stay... We will see.

P1040082 by dj19885.0, on Flickr


P1040143 by dj19885.0, on Flickr

My future plans for it are:

Needs a windshield and rear bumper
Bed cap
3" exhaust with a dynomax bullet.
Front mount intercooler
Stock Hood
Mustang Wheels

 

[DJ19885.0]

FIRST DRIVE!!! I love this thing, haha!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CknRBNeBbkg

 

[Davis]

Good deal, should be a fun ride. I agree with the commenter on youtube that said your tach should be the size of the boost gauge, not a basketball.

 

[Wigifries]

Sick truck man!! if you dont me asking? how much do you think you spent on the project total? (minus original truck price) I have an 87 ranger and i want to put a turbo and t5 in, i just kinda am trying to find an estimate as to about much it costs

 

[RollinWOT]

Looks like a pretty good build. I'm diggin' the purple block

 

[CHKNFKR]

jealous!

 

[Insanejughead]

/\ Is jealous!


< Is not, since I have a turbo ranger of my own. Not to mention the Turbo Thunderbird that I also own and drive.


< Just realized this is the wrong thread for such comment formats.


Is this a fail, or a win?


To the OP, GREAT BUILD MAN! Loving the Gen 1!

 

[DJ19885.0]

Sick truck man!! if you dont me asking? how much do you think you spent on the project total? (minus original truck price) I have an 87 ranger and i want to put a turbo and t5 in, i just kinda am trying to find an estimate as to about much it costs

Lucky for me, the harness was aleready re-pinned and it already had the LA3 turbo computer along with the air meter, intercooler, and a couple other little things. But, if it didn't here would be my estimate:

Complete engine and trans: $600
- (not necessary but you should put bearings, oil pump, and seals on the engine while it is out so add $225)

Computer and air meter $90
Intercooler: $40
Boost gauge: $50
Fuel pump: $100
Don't forget about fluids: $100

Also dont forget you can sell your old engine, maybe transmission if you swapped, computer, and air meter, so deduct around $300 depending on condition.

So YOU are looking at around $900 for doing a swap, considering you dont run into unexpected issues and already have all necessary tools.

My TOTAL including purchse price was about $2400, and I still have at least $300 of parts that should soon off of it. Of course the truck was a non-running POS when I got it, haha

 

[bobbywalter]

at first...it looked like an apartment swap job. i immediately thought, this guy has to be form the Detroit - Wayne county area


t.a.s. regulary has turbo cars and even seen some turbo dodge vans in there last fall.

 

[IRKillroy]

at first...it looked like an apartment swap job. i immediately thought, this guy has to be form the Detroit - Wayne county area


t.a.s. regulary has turbo cars and even seen some turbo dodge vans in there last fall.

higgins lake is soooo much better than Wayne county..... WTF am I saying?! Higgins lake sucks.

hahaha Don't mess with Metro Detroit dude.

 

[bmxboy809]

where did you get the A-pillar gauge pod? I have been trying to find one that will fit my 86 but so far no luck. is it a modified one or what?