'85 Ranger Restomod

[Curious Hound]

, I need to fit a bushing to the pivot because after 3-4 times it has the bolt backed way off

Bushing is a great idea. But it might still want to turn the bolt. Take a piece of 18 or 20 gauge sheet metal. Drill a hole in it and but it under the head if your bolt. Make the piece long enough that you can bend it down over the corner of that top part of your pivot. Then, after tightening the bolt, bend a tab up next to a flat on the bolt. That will lock the je bolt from turning.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Bushing is a great idea. But it might still want to turn the bolt. Take a piece of 18 or 20 gauge sheet metal. Drill a hole in it and but it under the head if your bolt. Make the piece long enough that you can bend it down over the corner of that top part of your pivot. Then, after tightening the bolt, bend a tab up next to a flat on the bolt. That will lock the je bolt from turning.

My plan is to leave the bushing a hair long, so I can locktite the bolt and torque it against the bushing so the lever can just rotate on the bushing.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Found some bushing type material:



Made it fit the lever:





So I am going to count that as completed.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Brace is in:

 

[Uncle Gump]

I sure hope it's that simple for you...

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I sure hope it's that simple for you...

Without it on the truck I can't get the bumper to flex by pushing down on the gate. Before I added it the top plate flexed enough to allow the gate to easily touch the bumper. In my head for that plate to still move now like 3 other plates have to flex too.

Now it is just the hinge itself flexing when pushed down when the bumper is almost closed. Testing when open is problematic with the thing flopping around on the bench...

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Did some more looking into my jerry can, it is from 1943 and of course is from the US so it has the less desirable screw in lid. Pretty cool though, I wonder where all it has been before my grandfather got it. For some reason I thought the bottom was rusted out of it but this one looks pretty good. I think I will try to restore it sometime. The middle line: 20L, 5.35 gal, 1943



Anyway, threw some paint yesterday:





Some assembly required today:









Really happy with the RH tail light visibility for a following vehicle.



I had to adjust the alignment, it was leaning back too far for my liking.



Bumper is pretty much done... and maybe ready for a trip?!

 

[sgtsandman]

Good luck finding a nozzle at a reasonable price for that can. They are out there but people want way more money for them than they are worth. It might be better to restore can for nostalgia and find a more modern NATO can. The size is the same but the opening is different as is the nozzle. Much easier and cheaper to find too.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Good luck finding a nozzle at a reasonable price for that can. They are out there but people want way more money for them than they are worth. It might be better to restore can for nostalgia and find a more modern NATO can. The size is the same but the opening is different as is the nozzle. Much easier and cheaper to find too.

Actually the main point of the Jerry can mount was for water. I don’t think I will ever actually need a fuel can for my truck for what I do with it.

So yeah, I need a new can anyway.

 

[sgtsandman]

Actually the main point of the Jerry can mount was for water. I don’t think I will ever actually need a fuel cab for my truck for what I do with it.

So yeah, I need a new can anyway.

What's a little gasoline tainted water among friends?

 

[Dirtman]

So lets say your sleeping in the bed, if the tire carrier swings closed while you're in there wont you be trapped for all eternity?

 

[Grumpaw]

So lets say your sleeping in the bed, if the tire carrier swings closed while you're in there wont you be trapped for all eternity?

Like your basement...if your down there and the door closes, your trapped forever n ever.

 

[Curious Hound]

Really happy with the RH tail light visibility for a following vehicle.

You will definitely want me to see that tail light on Friday.

Love the sunset picture. Nice job.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

So lets say your sleeping in the bed, if the tire carrier swings closed while you're in there wont you be trapped for all eternity?

It is a two handed affair to latch the swing gate. The lever has a catch pin that either locks the lever open or closed, so it can’t just blow shut and latch itself. It also locks open.

I don't sleep in the topper but if I did the topper hatch would open enough before it hit the tire to reach the latch.

Somebody being funny and latching it is a concern with my camper. The camper door opens the wrong way and I would totally be screwed. I could padlock the latch so it won’t close... the camper does have an escape hatch for emergencies too, the zipper above the front bed opens and then you can jump out on the truck hood. Less than ideal but it is there. I also have a little kid in training I could send thru the little front window into the truck cab and out too.



I am going to have a countertop on the swing gate too so it will probably less inclined to be messed with than I fear too if it is all set up.

 

[Curious Hound]

Somebody being funny and latching it is a concern with my camper

You're talking about us. Aren't you?