'85 Ranger Restomod

[85_Ranger4x4]

Been fighting with leaking headers since I pulled the tranny out a few years ago. The engine shifted since I had put it in and when I loosened the exhaust it was under tension and I couldn't get it quite right. Also have had an odd pulsating rattle after hard acceleration post swap. Check wheel bearings, tire balance, driveshaft for slop in the splines. Then I noticed awhile ago the oil pan is rubbing on the crossmember, I suppose it torques over and it takes awhile for it to come back.

(engine is jacked up)

Anyway I knocked it in the head a few weeks ago to try to correct this. Been getting a lot of rain so it has been hit and miss being able to work on it outside.

When I did the head swap in '12 I tried to resituate the engine then by pulling it up and giving the engine mount nuts everything I could and get them tight. It still slid back down the slots.

So this time I shaped a piece of washer to fill in the slot and raise the engine on the PS side, it is a bugger to get to. You have to reach between the axleshaft and the axlebeam which is tight.

I did the same for the DS, I have a thin washer to put on but haven't yet to hold things in place. It is hard because I am about out of threads and it is on a curve. Much easier to get at than the PS though.

I also added washers (the domed one and two flat washers from the RA of my D28 demo) to bring that side of the engine up to match the block I have under the other side. At the time I was trying to roll the engine away from the DS of the crossmember and was overthinking (maybe underthinking, I don't know ) it since it got farther away from the crossmember with the washers. You can also see how many washers I already have between the engine block and mounts as well.

I smeared some JB weld on it to kind of patch it, I couldn't feel or see where it had gone through but it had lost a lot of material in the meantime.

I wish there was more clearance since I think it can still contact, kinda at a loss for what to do. If I go much higher I am going to run into issues with the exhaust and floorpan/firewall.

I just got started going back together, I had the carb off to use the tractor/hoist which didn't work (ended up using a bottleneck jack on tabs on the bellhousing, I got more engine roll and had more control since I was right there) Anyway I got the carb back on and fully hooked up. The PS exhaust is hooked back up as well. I even had a helper for that:

I still have the washer on the DS mount, DS header, front driveshaft and PS inner fender to reinstall before I am done with this endeavor... so then I can reseal the back window in my dd.

I wish I had used the V6 mounts and plates from the start, then I would have had more control in situating the engine side to side. If this doesn't work that is the only real "fix" I can come up with. Even then I run the risk of the exhaust not lining up even worse than it did before I did all this.

 

[dangerranger83]

I'm having the exact same problem as you are with the mounts sliding down in the slots and my oil pan rubbing. But I think mine is maxed out going down so I'm going to try the washer between the mount and engine first. I do wish I to had done the v6 mounts.

Also I'm going efi.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Well I am glad I am not the only one with the problem.

For the record I do remember baddad telling me I should pull the engine back out leaving the mounts and place and drill holes in the mounts to secure them in place. I would still have no side-to-side adjustment though.

It is together and running, the vibration is most gone but faintly still there. I do love the quiet exhaust though.

I got it together and used it to move a wagon endgate, just pulled it in south of the barn, threw the gate off, got back in it to back out and she spun and sunk right away. I would be surprised if the rear tires spun two revolutions. I tore a shed down in that area 3 years ago and had no inclination of digging more than I had to and picking up handfulls of nails so I stopped right away. It walked right out in 4wd.

I have never flipped out one big hunk of mud like that before, the other tire just spun on top of the 2-3' tall brome grass.

Kinda neat consistency though, it would be a lot cooler if it was dry so I could plant corn though...:

Glad to have it back in action, just in time to catch the tail end of the free Memorial Day Sirius promotional thing too.

 

[dangerranger83]

I wish I had been able to plant corn this year but I don't have the space to do it.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I wish I had been able to plant corn this year but I don't have the space to do it.

Oh its a blast. This is me last night trying to cross a waterway.

Got a little over half of it in last night, the rest of the field was too wet... nothing another week of rain won't fix.

If the govt cared about my 6 acres the deadline to have the corn in for federal crop insurance was last Sunday. This has been the first time this year it has been remotely fit to be in my field.

To keep it Ranger themed here is $600 of corn in the back of my Ranger:

They do make it pretty though:

Playing "seed tender" for our big operation:

 

[dangerranger83]

I like corn but not that much

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Corn is up now.

Anyway a new development for the Ranger last night thanks to Lariat:

I looks freaking huge compared to the D28's I have been around.

Mom's old Explorer had the same hubs when I was a kid. Lackluster design but I always liked the logo. I have a set of Warns for this one though.

3.73 geared D35 out of a '96 Ranger. It has the twin piston bolt on calipers which is a nice upgrade on its own.

 

[dangerranger83]

Now you won't have any doubt about your axles.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Now you won't have any doubt about your axles.

After it gets new bushings, crosses, balljoints, seals and whatever the brakes/bearings need... sure.

I still hate beating on stuff though.

 

[Lariat]

Hope it works out for you!

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Hope it works out for you!

I do too, should have new pivot bushings for it tomorrow.

Kind of a fanagle but I got the two halves separated and unloaded.

Dragged them back on the pallet:

Off to the shed:

I need to get a tractor that is in the garage back together for a parade next weekend, I can't wait to get working on this thing.

 

[Lariat]

What all are you doing before the installation? Typical maintenance?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Ball joints because I don't want to get it realigned in a few years. It won't get any easier to change the pivot bushings (I won't mention names but someone melted one with a torch). I was going to do them anyway though. I have new TRE's I haven't put on mine yet. Axle crosses would be nice too. I still would like to put a jeep limited slip carrier in it and at least one of the axle seals has been seeping so new seals too. Mainly stuff like that which is easier to do now than later.

Not a clue what the brakes will need, had it been sitting for awhile or was it driveable when you got it?

 

[Lariat]

It had sat for a few months iirc. I did try getting the whole mount off, but I couldn't get it to pop off the rivits after I cut em out. sorry about the bushing.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

It had sat for a few months iirc. I did try getting the whole mount off, but I couldn't get it to pop off the rivits after I cut em out. sorry about the bushing.

I was just giving you a hard time, I wanted to replace the 20yo bushings while it was laying on the floor anyway.