'85 Ranger Restomod

[Uncle Gump]

I also picked up a dune flag disconnect on the odd chance I ever go to a park that requires one and a CB antenna mount, both of which are the so-slow-is-it-even-moving bumper project.

I actually got my CB and antenna Christmas 2018. All still in the box. I also have one of those bumper projects that hasn't went anywhere in far to long. Seems everything else takes priority... and there is always everything else.

Flag mount... It probably differs depending on where... but the places I've been it has to be mounted on the front 1/3 of a vehicle. Might be worth looking into before you go making it part of the rear bumper project.

I haven't bought a fuse block yet... I think I will take a look at the Blue Sea Systems.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Interesting, the place I am thinking of going to next just says it has to have a flag, a google image search of the park shows people running it on both the front and back.

Not really a big deal, I could have more than one mount if needed, I would rather have it on the back though. I just needed to know how big of a hole to have in the tab

 

[Uncle Gump]

Pretty sure we used a 1/2" hole...

The only place we used them was at Silver Lake Sand Dunes... If I remember it was over a certain wheelbase had to be on the front 1/3. I'm going to add a tab dead center of my bull bar.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I am sad. My trucks 35th birthday was Monday and I forgot about it.

 

[adsm08]

I am sad. My trucks 35th birthday was Monday and I forgot about it.

It's OK. The truck will forgive you.

How's the kid?

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

I am sad. My trucks 35th birthday was Monday and I forgot about it.

Pfft. Mine even got a cupcake.

See? Carburetor families man...

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

It's OK. The truck will forgive you.

How's the kid?

He is good, getting another cold I think though. Having an infant this time of year isn’t much fun that way.

Pfft. Mine even got a cupcake.

See? Carburetor families man...

Between the electrical system, front sway bar and bumper/spare tire carrier upgrades it better not complain too much

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Found a second gen 4wd with the spindles and outer shafts already out of it... so I figure I am halfway there I might as well drop the diff and nab the inner PS shaft to complete my set of spare shafts.

After breaking the shock and almost twisting off my torx bit on the driveshaft bolts after two hours later I got it to here:



FYI at least at stock height you cannot get the diff housing out of the truck with the axle beams in place. I am so glad I did the eliminator mod to mine.

My leatherman would just fold up on me, that is a heck of a clip. So we crashed at the inlaws for the night and I went back yesterday with needlenose and popped it off on the third try:



The scene of the crime:



They also had a really nice 31" Duratrac on the rack so I grabbed that for a second spare (it is newer and in better shape than my current spare)



I got the truck out yesterday for the first time in 2 months, somebody is dreaming big:



I also rumbled it to town to pick up hamburger and charcoal (holy flat spotted tires ) My compass mirror also calibrated so both it and the thermometer are working great. Very happy with it, forgot pics though.

 

[adsm08]

I also rumbled it to town to pick up hamburger and charcoal (holy flat spotted tires ) My compass mirror also calibrated so both it and the thermometer are working great. Very happy with it, forgot pics though.

I have some of those pics too.

What did your compass mirror come out of? I have my stuff all set up for auto-dimmers, but I've been thinking about looking for a compass and temp mirror, just hadn't got to looking at what all I'd need to make it work. Also haven't had any yard time to look for one.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I have some of those pics too.

What did your compass mirror come out of? I have my stuff all set up for auto-dimmers, but I've been thinking about looking for a compass and temp mirror, just hadn't got to looking at what all I'd need to make it work. Also haven't had any yard time to look for one.

'97 Tahoe. It isn't the fancy one that shows both compass heading and temp at the same time, I have to toggle back and forth.

Mirror is retained by a torx screw (I think T20).

Ambient air sensor is in the lower center of the grille, goofy looking thing with two wires held by one screw.

Wiring is pretty straightforward, hot, ground, backup (so mirror doesn't dim when you are in reverse) and two wires for the sensor.

I am working on a writeup for it.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I have some of those pics too.

What did your compass mirror come out of? I have my stuff all set up for auto-dimmers, but I've been thinking about looking for a compass and temp mirror, just hadn't got to looking at what all I'd need to make it work. Also haven't had any yard time to look for one.

Ambiant temp sensor:



Temp:



Compass:

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Going out to Ohio I was not happy with how the truck rode. Something in the back... just plain felt wrong. Like it was undersprung and it had a irritating habit of wanting to kick the rear end out to the left on big bumps. I resituated things in the back and got it to feel less undersprung but it still would like to kick the rear out. When I changed the diff cover I noticed the rear springs looked weird, especially the drivers side. It kind of has a "W" shape to it.



So I decided to put the Explorer springs back in and ditch the factory lift blocks to help with spring wrap. It is really weird, I have never loaded the truck much at all with these springs in it. They were out of a 2wd 2009 Supercab. Going back to the Explorer springs was going to be a quickie thing but I see the bushings don't look too hot... so I need to replace those too. I did start the teardown today since it was nice though.



Just playing with things I think the PS spring shackle is seized too... so that isn't helping my cause any either. I am going to go ahead and put the springs in it to see how the ride height works out and if I need to go to Belltechs to get the rear where I want it or if factory replacement shackles will work.

 

[1qaz]

Isn't owning a first gen Ranger great?!!

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Isn't owning a first gen Ranger great?!!

How goes your "re"build? I was just wondering about it the other day.

This stuff kinda sucks to work on but I could be doing it on a 10yo truck too, kinda standard issue old truck drama.

 

[1qaz]

She's tucked away safely under a cover until winter exits stage left. She runs like a dream. The last Nebraska winter cracker her solenoid and she would stall unexpectedly. Once I found it, I replaced it and now it's just pure awesomeness to drive her. She turned 33 early in the month but I missed it.