1st gen daily drivers?

[adsm08]

Well I DD 1st gens, but little of the power train is stock. Both have 4.0/M5OD swaps. The B2 has its original axles.

 

[RobbieD]

Old Blue, still being driven every day.

She's a 1984, still running good with the original born-with 2.8, C3 auto and rear end.

The only real modifications, was converting to Duraspark, and a Tractor Supply DIY paint job years ago. I don't think she's even been washed since painting.

These trucks were meant to be driven and used, but you sure don't see as many these days.

Here's the thread from 10 years ago, when she got painted:
https://therangerstation.com/forums/index.php?threads/the-old-girl-gets-a-cheap-facelift.54998/

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Old Blue, still being driven every day.

View attachment 31619


She's a 1984, still running good with the original born-with 2.8, C3 auto and rear end.

The only real modifications, was converting to Duraspark, and a Tractor Supply DIY paint job years ago. I don't think she's even been washed since painting.

These trucks were meant to be driven and used, but you sure don't see as many these days.

Here's the thread from 10 years ago, when she got painted:
https://therangerstation.com/forums/index.php?threads/the-old-girl-gets-a-cheap-facelift.54998/

I like it!

 

[bobbywalter]

1st brand new 1st gen ranger i got in had a v8 in it......right from the dealer. in 83.


so it was right from day one with that ranger shit ripped out of it. it was a shitty 255 though with a c5.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

1st brand new 1st gen ranger i got in had a v8 in it......right from the dealer. in 83.


so it was right from day one with that ranger shit ripped out of it. it was a shitty 255 though with a c5.

How the hell did you manage that one?

 

[Dirtman]

How the hell did you manage that one?

I gotta imagine it was done by the dealership? Dealerships did whatever they wanted back in the day.

It was my understanding no factory v8 ranger was ever made available to the public.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I gotta imagine it was done by the dealership? Dealerships did whatever they wanted back in the day.

It was my understanding no factory v8 ranger was ever made available to the public.

By the 80s thought most dealerships had kinda quit the wink and nod shit....

Although the 255/C5 combo was used in foxbodys around that time. I could see them having a wrecked one or something that if given enough paper grease they may of swapped it in.

 

[Grumpaw]

Don't think it would have been a "dealer swap" as by 83 Ford was using ecu's and back then don't think there was any way they would have done a conversion. I don't know, but do believe that back then the early ecu's couldn't be swapped out to a different vehicle, or even reprogrammed.
60' and 70's would have been no problem, but I don't think 83 would have been worthwhile for a dealership to mess with such a low price truck like the Ranger.
Just my 2 cent's worth.
Grumpaw

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Don't think it would have been a "dealer swap" as by 83 Ford was using ecu's and back then don't think there was any way they would have done a conversion. I don't know, but do believe that back then the early ecu's couldn't be swapped out to a different vehicle, or even reprogrammed.
60' and 70's would have been no problem, but I don't think 83 would have been worthwhile for a dealership to mess with such a low price truck like the Ranger.
Just my 2 cent's worth.
Grumpaw

If the ranger began life as a 4 cylinder it wouldnt of had an ECM. As i believe only the 2.8L had an ECM for the feedback shit.

The 255 in them years at most had a variable venturi carb. Im 99% sure they wernt feedback either, and i dont think ford had barely even dabbled in actual EFI by then did they? Maybe the CFI injected 3.8.

 

[Dirtman]

We wait in anticipation for answers!!!

 

[Grumpaw]

Still, don't think it would have been worth it for a dealer swap. Back then you could have bought a new 1983 F-150 with a V-8 for only about $500-$600 more than a base Ranger...why go to the trouble ?
Grumpaw

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Manual trans Mustang GT was Duraspark until ‘86.

 

[bobbywalter]

How the hell did you manage that one?

i didnt.....wasnt even old enough to drive...of course i drove it anyway...

.....truck was bought pre pro......sent to a prototyper.......picked up at dealer. uncle had a tool and die shop and it was the new shop cruiser. main client at that time was fomoco. i got to know the actual builders and it began my ability to work on these things....there were many built there for many people all over the place.

I gotta imagine it was done by the dealership? Dealerships did whatever they wanted back in the day.

It was my understanding no factory v8 ranger was ever made available to the public.

was not done at that dealership....it was done at a dealer direct shop iirc, was known as total performance at the time....but via the dealer. shop has changed names and direction....svo/frpp ect...

no factory offering for sure... v8 ranger was promised by a douchebag that i can not recall at this times name..... to never happen. that held true.

Don't think it would have been a "dealer swap" as by 83 Ford was using ecu's and back then don't think there was any way they would have done a conversion. I don't know, but do believe that back then the early ecu's couldn't be swapped out to a different vehicle, or even reprogrammed.
60' and 70's would have been no problem, but I don't think 83 would have been worthwhile for a dealership to mess with such a low price truck like the Ranger.
Just my 2 cent's worth.
Grumpaw

ecu in this context and conversion are not an issue if a dealer actually wanted to do it.........that engine was in fact a brand new off the line ecu cfi plant, that had a carb swap done with basically granada dress. for sure a turd in relatives to power output....... the tk4 truck was funner to drive. there were feedback 255's as well. this was not cheap and required custom title. they just wanted a cool shop truck.

If the ranger began life as a 4 cylinder it wouldnt of had an ECM. As i believe only the 2.8L had an ECM for the feedback shit.

The 255 in them years at most had a variable venturi carb. Im 99% sure they wernt feedback either, and i dont think ford had barely even dabbled in actual EFI by then did they? Maybe the CFI injected 3.8.

close enough.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

i didnt.....wasnt even old enough to drive...of course i drove it anyway...

.....truck was bought pre pro......sent to a prototyper.......picked up at dealer. uncle had a tool and die shop and it was the new shop cruiser. main client at that time was fomoco. i got to know the actual builders and it began my ability to work on these things....there were many built there for many people all over the place.




was not done at that dealership....it was done at a dealer direct shop iirc, was known as total performance at the time....but via the dealer. shop has changed names and direction....svo/frpp ect...

no factory offering for sure... v8 ranger was promised by a douchebag that i can not recall at this times name..... to never happen. that held true.




ecu in this context and conversion are not an issue if a dealer actually wanted to do it.........that engine was in fact a brand new off the line ecu cfi plant, that had a carb swap done with basically granada dress. for sure a turd in relatives to power output....... the tk4 truck was funner to drive. there were feedback 255's as well. this was not cheap and required custom title. they just wanted a cool shop truck.





close enough.

We need to upload your brain into a computer.

 

[Shran]

I daily drive my beater '88. It's on its second body, engine, and trans. All stock. I'll probably drive it another 3-4 years and see if my kid wants it... I have an obscene amount of money into it so I have to keep it on the road.