1994 Ranger Build

[JayTee]

I'm new to the Ranger Station, but not new to Mini Trucks. I'm (insert aww shucks) all growed up now. 40. I had mini trucks when I first got on the road. S10's, Nissans, Mazda's.

Fast forward 20 years, 2 teenagers. I have this 1994 Ranger 2wd that I have been using for puttering around in, hauling a dirtbike and such. I have not had anything beyond family vehicles while I've been raising kids. No fun basically on 4 wheels. I've built and restored motorcycles, streetbikes, built a custom bobber Yamaha xs650, so I have some basic skills at least.

This Ranger I have drove about 12,000 miles in the 3 year I have owned it. Gets very little use.

It needed a new exhaust, so I had a new magnaflow put on it, and while looking at their job afterwards I noticed what every ford ranger owner does in the end... rotting leaf shackles.

So, thus begins my story of a truck. It's my daily driver, so I am riding a bicycle until I get it back together to drive it, but I'm in the process of refinishing the rear (cab back) of the frame, new leaf mounts front/rear, new leafs, flip kit, shocks and so forth.

I'll post some pics when I get a minute. I'm not sure exactly what style inspiration I will use... and I'm not clear if the 3" DJM beams will be low enough, but I'll toss those in the front as well.

Then I'll get rid of these 14" alloy deerfoots and who knows, maybe some 16" steels with some low pros... we will see. It's gonna be a simple, clean minitruck. End result is, mechanically sound, clean looking. Something cool with a reasonable build budget, some visits to the wrecker... and use of online shopping for best bang/buck.

I've used this site for lots of info already, which is great. Some great online shops as well to find parts for these trucks. I'll run the stock motor until she packs it in, and then go from there. If the base at that point is up to snuff, it may be worthwhile doing some motor stuff down the road.

 

[UrbanRedneckKid]

Sounds neat.

...but all I got out of that was, somewhere out there, there is a 40 year-old man riding a bike to work.

Sent from my HTCONE using Tapatalk 2

 

[JayTee]

It's a 2 mile ride to boot!

 

[JayTee]

Update:

Removed and replaced all new leaf spring mounts, shackle and leafs. DJM flip kit. Rear needs to be lowered some more, I'll put a 1 or 2" block in when I figure out my wheels.

Front is waiting the arrival of my ibeams so I can get the front dropped down.

Found a mint box to replace my damaged one at the wrecker, $150. Found a bucket seat to toss the 60/40. Spent the day tinting my windows. Why, no idea... it's pouring rain here and the cops freak out over that sort of stuff.

I do need some front fenders... so I'll keep on looking, if not LCM it will be. Scored some internal stuff for console.. since my base model hasn't even got a coffee cup holder. Looking for some new door panels that will fit and look half decent.

Installed new coils, plug wires and plugs. Basic tune up stuff. New headlights... painted the grille. Broke the blue oval. What else... oh yeah, new idle air control valve.

Coming along.

Wheels will probably be 17x8's... with 225 45's. I like a lowrider look, but I am too old for scraping crap all over the place. I'll leave that to the kiddies.

Nice little truck... best reason to have one is the fact they are simple to work on.. and there are a pile of them for parts, and so interchangeable. I'll forgive the fact it was styled by someone who had no idea what they were doing.

Need some rear shocks too... will wait until the final height is determined. Exhaust will need some tweaking... there is not much room between the axle and the frame at this point, and it's only got the flip kit. Oh, and did someone say Bronco 2 swaybar? Found one, and I have it. Woot.

POR 15 piant system. Uhm... lets say I wish I'd just hit this thing with tremclad rust paint. That paint system is good, but it doesn't adhere worth shit to shiny surfaces, no matter how much prep is done with their products. You must not go down to smooth bare metal. Overall, 5/10 satisfied. I will not apply it to the rest of the work I have, it will be just rattlebomb.

Truck will be completely black.

 

[ATX]

Brotha there ain't no problem riding a bicycle to work . I Ride a single speed road bike 10miles a day during lunch to get me out the shop (Aamco transmissions ) and clear my mind . You the only one that has post in my last thread about the djm kit # and though I'd check your ride out . Well bought the djm kit. I got the front installed yesterday and I'll tell you that 3" isn't enough I think in the front . .also I'm rolling on 16" steelies and got two used 215/55/16's for the front to test out . I think a 60 series would be better just to fill in the gap. Ranger stuff is pretty cheap I've found compared to my other rides . Hope you have fun with your build . Maybe the boys will help out here and there. I got 2 boys also 11 & 12 and just trying to teach them the basics now