85 ranger unknown what to do

[1976 seabee ranger]

Still trying to figure out this tech stuff so sorry it not right

 

[1976 seabee ranger]

This is the other truck I got.
12" lift missing the tires and rims but I believe I've found a set of school wide Wheels and swampers for it

 

[SenorNoob]

Without pictures I can't be much help. How much wiring is missing?

Like do you have any wires?

 

[Rick W]

I’m coming in late to this thread. A few thoughts all over the board from an old timer who has lost love ones.

Of course you love your brother, it’s obvious from this posting. Keep in mind, that whatever you do with these trucks going forward, he will be with you, at your side, and looking over you.

Having said that, are you really interested in either one of the trucks? It sounds like they’re pretty big projects. Big projects don’t work out unless they’re coming from your heart. Don’t confuse what’s in your heart for your brother with how much you love the trucks. Your brother will never be gone, but the pain will ease over time. If you’re not passionate about the trucks and what you can do with them, my first advice would be to just let them sit a while.

And, if you have your hands in too many projects, none of them will ever get done the way you want them. I have the same question about how bad is the wiring? Are all the parts of the trucks still there, and just some wires have been removed, or are there a bunch of other parts that have been removed? If either one of them would be easy to get on the road, I would do that one first so you can at least enjoy it while you’re working on both of them. On the one you’re not going to be driving, store it properly, put it up on blocks and out of the weather with a tarp at least, a tarp that breathes, so they won’t get any worse.

If it’s just the wiring that’s missing, you can go to the scrapyard and pull the wiring off another truck. Just make sure it’s the same make model year, etc. The wiring harnesses change from year to year. Having said that, you don’t have to remove it down to each and every plug. The wires are color-coded, and if you clip a few off as far as you can reach them, the color code should match whatever’s left in your trucks.

Point of everything so far, is do a serious evaluation if you want them long-term, and do an evaluation on what it will take to just get them moving legally and safely. Don’t worry about customizing them to the Nth degree yet.

So let’s say you like the trucks and you want to keep them, independent of your brother’s memory. I’m sure your brother would love it if you did what you wanted with those trucks. He’ll always be involved and approve because it would be impossible for you to forget about your brother. Having said that, are you going to build them the way you want? Or are you going to build a tribute to what your brother would want? I would think a blend. But at the end of the day, if you’re the one who’s going to be driving them, make sure they suit your needs and desires.

After all that, what’s in your heart for what you want to do? What is your vision, your passion, your ability, and your budget to make the trucks unique to you, with your brother in mind. We all dance to a different drum, and go forward with custom projects because of what’s in our hearts.

For me, it was a little more like the strange voices in my head, funny little squeaky voices. I definitely hear a different drum. Here’s a couple quick pics.

Everybody (I mean, everybody! ) said I was nuts when I was doing them, but when I take them around, all I get is smiles, high fives, beaming smiles and a “did you build this?” What better result, and what a tribute to your brother.

On budget, I was doubly blessed because I did most of these during Covid when you could buy anything for nothing. Unless you’re sitting on a pot of cash, when you start to get your thoughts together, scan Craigslist and marketplace 10 times a day for the items you’re looking for. You can probably find what you want in 10 minutes, but if you scan it 10 times a day, you could probably find what you’re looking for or pretty close for a very cheap price. The only trick to that is when you find it, you have to hop in the truck and go get it asap or somebody else will.

And, speaking of budget, BTW, both of these trucks were painted with a foam roller with rustoleum out of the can. No sprayer, certainly no rattle cans.

And one final thought if you can’t get your thoughts together. Take a few minutes and talk to Him. Never pray for the thing you want. Always explain what’s on your mind, your confusion or your dilemma, the decision you need help with, and ask Him for his wisdom and His blessings over it. And of course, listen to Him, He speaks to us constantly. You can do the same thing with your brother, he’s upstairs and may get the Man’s ear a little quicker.

Just the ramblings of an old man. I hope it helps.