'85 Ranger Restomod

[85_Ranger4x4]

Well the old balljoint redeemed itself and earned a spot in my BJ press case. That is the way to do it.

The new shell is in.

Her birthday present was a day late but she seemed to like it.

Finally got around to putting in the rear speakers so hopefully I can hear the radio over the wind, tires and exhaust motating down the highway.

I was impressed they dimpled the cab where the brackets go.

Then things start going downhill...

The seating situation with buckets have been a constant thorn in my side since I put them in 5 years ago. I am too close to the wheel, my legs cramp, it is borderline claustraphobic to drive... just not happy with it.

Since I have a wiring problem under the dash that has been bugging me that would be easier to get at without the seats and I want to put the bench back in...

I had to remove the parking brake pedal assembly to get at it, and this is why my dome light keeps blowing the fuse. I could see the spark behind the fuse panel before the fuse popped. Kind of the funniest type of wire chase I can think of, the problem is right in front of your face when you put the fuse in the block.

The little turd didn't leave me much to work with.

How it more or less sits now.

I have a new carpet kit for it but I am waiting until I get a 5 speed in it before I install it so I only cut one set of holes in it. In the meantime with the holes in the floor more or less open with one window down I suck tons of engine heat in through in the floor which then goes past my face and out the window. This has been another thorn in my side. So my temporary solution probably isn't the greatest but I think it will work. I went and got me the tannest rug I could find which after putting it in my truck it doesn't look so tan. Oh well.

My GF found it and had it in the kitchen, I am wondering how long it will take her to notice it is gone.

I am going to tweak some other wiring stuff and then go back together with the bench.

 

[dangerranger83]

Seeing as I may not do much offroading in mine anymore, I may get some durable carpet and put in mine to help with noise and air from under getting in from the engine bay. Also gives it a creature comfort.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I would have went back with rubber but all you can get now is black.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Went junkin' yesterday. I didn't really find anything I was really wanting (a 5 speed or D35 splash shields)

My gf was kind enough to tag a long to the first yard. It was fun having a helper, I have always been a one man band in the JY.

I did find some carpet inspiration for danger.

Found a pair of 5.0 Explorers...

Yup, typical.

Yup, typical. If the engine bay isn't gutted the engine is decapitated.

Unusual they left the FEAD laying around (why could nobody do that 4 years ago? )

Well what do we have here...

I was kind of miffed on this, I didn't know how much they would stick it to me for as big as it was so I showed them this picture and asked the lady how much everything in this picture would be. She said $38 for the top and $38 for the bottom. I asked if that included all the other parts and she thought it did (she may have been looking for a "loaded" intake on her list and not seeing one didn't think they charged extra for it, I dunno) so I was like ok, good score. So I put my mostly small trivial stuff in the truck with my tools go back and get it. By the time I got back (and remembered to grab door switch pigtails which was one of the main reasons I went junking in the first place) she was sweeping and a guy who has been there several yearssaid it is $36 for the TB, $6 an injector and $12 a fuel rail (both were rusty, bent and cut off) I tried to debate that I was told the other but didn't really get anywhere. If I hadn't just carried the kriffing thing across the lot twice I might have said forget it. He was nice about it though, said I could take off what I didn't want there. So back out to the truck for the socket set, vice grips and a prybar. Popped the fuel rail off, ripped the injectors out and went on my way for an extra $122. Not sure how it really made a difference to them if they threw them away or I kept them but whatever. Also of note is the pigtails for my door switch. I could only find them with two wires, not three like mine. We will see how they work I guess.

I also found this, thought it was cool. I don't remember seeing one like it before.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Went to the JY again today looking for the trivial little connector for the domelight, went to a different one (have hit all three in the past week now) for a change of scenery.

Found a engine plate for my intake that is a little more nondescript from a Mountaineer. Found a second one in almost as good of shape, figured it would make cool decor with the Explorer one and the one that was on my Ranger's original intake. Just need a HO one off a Mustang now and I think I have the whole set.

Good day of pillaging. Found a set of horns, manual shift floorplate (I think), a nice looking duraspark harness not soaked in oil and my dome light pigtail. Not sure about the floor plate, it has an '88 engineering number and I am not positive it is the same shape as the hole in my floor. And a dome light out of an XL F-150 with a black bezel rather than the normal rusty plastic chrome one. The black one is so shiny it is almost like black chrome, I like it. There was also a second gen there that had a big click together tube thing to hold the wire loom up against the firewall going over the engine which I liked. All for $10.

The fancy connector in my roof. It drove me nuts a few nights ago because I pulled a chrome one last week and couldn't remember unhooking any wires and didn't think anything of it until I went to hook it up.

I got the parking brake pedal assembly back in and got a good start on setting up the improved wiring I have cooked up.

 

[dangerranger83]

I need to rip my parking brake pedal out, never worked since my dad got the truck back in 2000.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Mine is mostly decorative at the moment. I haven't had it hooked to anything since I put the Explorer axle in and I never used it before that.

Someday I will get the cables figured out. Doubt I will ever use it but I like the idea of having a plan B if a line blows.

 

[dangerranger83]

Mine catches onto my jeans, shoe laces, etc... once in awhile when I get out of my truck....makes for a nice fall to the ground.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I don't think I have ever had it snag anything. I can see how it would happen but I cant remember it happening to me.

 

[dangerranger83]

I'm a klutz is why.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I did break the key release button off between my kneecap and knee getting out once... that was a special moment.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

The wiring project is wrapping up nicely.

What a mess...

It is looking better.

I called it a night there, it runs and everything works that should so I am happy there. Thrilled to be rid of wire taps and inline fuses everywhere.

Now to update my schematic with wire colors...

 

[dangerranger83]

I hate messy wires and half ass jobs done routing them.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Me too, it was in a loom and routed nice before (it looked nice much like it does now) but in this project I added two fuse panels to the passenger side inner fender. One has constant battery power and one is hot with the key via a relay.

And I have the schematic drawn up in draftsight for future reference.

 

[dangerranger83]

I need to add anther fuse panel.