'85 Ranger Restomod

[Bird76Mojo]

Too bad me and the wife aren’t still in Peoria IL. maybe one day we’ll return.

Do yourself a favor and NEVER RETURN. This state is going to hell faster than California has. Some of the highest property taxes in the nation. Ever increasing gun laws. Taxes raising all the time on everything. A new gasoline tax may be coming that doubles what we're paying now. It's ridiculous. It's like the state WANTS to drive people and businesses away. Last I heard, 1 person was moving out of Illinois every 4 minutes..

 

[RangerFabWorks]

Do yourself a favor and NEVER RETURN. This state is going to hell faster than California has. Some of the highest property taxes in the nation. Ever increasing gun laws. Taxes raising all the time on everything. A new gasoline tax may be coming that doubles what we're paying now. It's ridiculous. It's like the state WANTS to drive people and businesses away. Last I heard, 1 person was moving out of Illinois every 4 minutes..

You haven’t been to NY then. It’s worse here.

Most likely if we move. We’ll end up in PA or NC

 

[1996xlt]

Come on down, watch out for snakes and skeeters.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Do yourself a favor and NEVER RETURN. This state is going to hell faster than California has. Some of the highest property taxes in the nation. Ever increasing gun laws. Taxes raising all the time on everything. A new gasoline tax may be coming that doubles what we're paying now. It's ridiculous. It's like the state WANTS to drive people and businesses away. Last I heard, 1 person was moving out of Illinois every 4 minutes..

With most of Iowa's population just across the river from all that I am grateful more of that hasn't bled over here.

Anyway, been throwing it together.



Factory paint and phosphate... thank you 2.8.



Sway bar is installed:



Had to take it a part a little to get the pinch bolt in:



Suspension is in:



Knuckle is on:



Knuckle is on, shaft is in:

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Little helper was trying all he could to help by batting at whatever I was working on...



Both shafts are in, both dust shields are on, both spindles are on.



Then I decided to focus more on one side and get it buttoned up.

Sure nice for Bendix to include these bearing race drivers but I only wish they wouldn't put them in the hub....



I had bought bearing sets, seemed kind of wrong to throw away Timkin races for brand X probably Chinese races, sure enough they were brand X Chinese...



Bearings packed and seal installed. On a non related note if you ever feel without a purpose... just think of all the tag along ABS junk on this truck.





hmm, decisions decisions...



I picked out my best two, I set the other one aside for the other side of course.





Line is on loosely, of course the hole in the spring bucket isn't right for the brake line...

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Other side is done. Now I just have to hook up the hydraulics.

EDIT: One side is hooked up.

 

[Bird76Mojo]

Out of curiosity, where did you set your double adjustable alignment bushings at to get it to an alignment shop?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I haven't done anything with them yet, they are just in.

Kinda tempted to try it myself and see how close I can get it.

Front Wheel Alignment (1983-1997 Ford Ranger) - The Ranger Station

Overview: Lifting the front of a TTB (Twin Traction Beam) coil sprung Ford (1983-1997) any more than 2″ requires new coils, lowering its 2-piece axle, and addressing the camber and caster angles. For the mid size Ranger, Bronco II, … Continued

www.therangerstation.com

I can't really do much to it until I get the steering linkage and get the toe set. Otherwise with both knuckles all floppy floppy I can't really tell where anything is really at.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

This thing has been a thorn in my side for years, it looks freaking hideous. The "Full" line broke off years ago the first time I tried to clean it. Kind of a PITA to change purely for cosmetic reasons though. Since the front brakes are dry I figured I might as well open that can of worms.

It didn't want to but it came off the truck. Weird stuff, almost like it is lined. Maybe 30+ years of brake fluid changed the plastic.



It is aftermarket but it looks a lot better. Factory cap fits it.



I probably should have gotten new seals too, I am not sure how well this master will work with the dual piston front calipers and rear disks so I didn't mess with it. Reserviour was a couple bucks at the JY, worth a gamble for that.

 

[1qaz]

Looks way better! I've been looking for NOS reservoir for quite awhile with no luck. Have seen some in salvage yards but only slightly better than what I have. Also, nice work on the front suspension. I'm glad to see you get her back together.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Looks way better! I've been looking for NOS reservoir for quite awhile with no luck. Have seen some in salvage yards but only slightly better than what I have. Also, nice work on the front suspension. I'm glad to see you get her back together.

Apparently they didn't age well, I have yet to find a decent looking one either.

Mrs 85Ranger was a trooper and helped bleed the front brakes tonight, just waiting on steering parts to finish slowly trickling in.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Steering linkage is on, truck is supporting its own weight.



I got one alignment bushing to adjust, stuck an old rim on to have a good measuring reference to rough in the toe. Need to get something figured out on the other side and I will do the same.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

High tech alignment rack, tapes are taped to the rim on the other side and I hold them like horse reins to actually measure.







So my little orange crosseyed shop cat disappeared, wife found the black and white guy for a new head mouser. Then this crazy tiger/orange splatter one just appears. Really nice cat, started fattening up and then yesterday:

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Well, no matter what I do I can't get a good brake pedal on the thing. I can get it feeling decentish with the engine off, as soon as i start it the thing will about go to the floor. Sooo I think I need to upsize the master cylinder... yee haw.

Ford F-350 Master Cylinder Upgrade - The Ranger Station

Some Ford Ranger owners have installed the 1985 Ford F-350 master cylinder (Dorman M39445) on their earlier Ranger’s. The stock Ranger master cylinder is on the left, and the F-350 master cylinder is on the right. The stock master cylinder … Continued

www.therangerstation.com

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I got to thinking, if we do do Ohio with the Ranger I am going to be running out of charging room in the cab with the GPS occupying my only cigarette lighter. After a lot of thinking I came up with a place to put added chargers out of sight but still easily accessible... the cover plate from the ECM harness in the firewall.