87 XLT - Factory Optioned Restoration

[1qaz]

Entered her into her first judged competition.

She took second in her category -- 1973 and newer stock trucks. First place went to a 2015 Chevy Silverado High Country. Third place was a 1999 Dodge Dakota Super Bee. There was close to 200 total cars in the show.

Still have tons of exterior work left to do to include the new (NOS) stripe kit.

And the bed is about to come off so I can get after everything from the cab back...this project is about to hit overdrive.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Congrats on your trucks first show.

 

[deathbypsi]

Congrats!! Truck looks awesome

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

And the bed is about to come off so I can get after everything from the cab back...this project is about to hit overdrive.

4 link 9" or fuel cell for the LS swap?

That is pretty cool, did you get any results about how to improve?

A peeve of mine is how big car shows have the truck classes, my club is the same way 2wd stock pickups go from '76 to present. It is hard to compete with new iron, but they don't get near the entries a comparable car class gets though.

 

[1qaz]

Congrats on your trucks first show.

Thanks! Some really nice cars there from 1920s to today. There's a ton of talent out there.

Congrats!! Truck looks awesome

Thanks! I can't believe I'm babying a Ranger but it sure is fun.

4 link 9" or fuel cell for the LS swap?

Why of course!

That is pretty cool, did you get any results about how to improve?

No score sheet review. But I know where all the imperfections are...and they're getting more difficult to correct.

 

[Angie]

GRATS!!

Car show scoring/entry cats can be a joke. I agree with open to present shouldn't include anything under past 20 years... i see way too many from 5 years ago... no offence but... so what....

2nd beef is a ford body with a chevy engine.... those are my walk bys.... I don't even bother looking as soon as i see the bow tie....

and my 3rd biggest bitch is that there needs to be a complete different class, back yard built and shop built.... any one can take a frame and beat up body to a shop and drop a credit card down and say build me this.... versus a guy who beats his knuckles to a pulp every weekend in his back yard....

Cheers!!! and keep going, your truck is a nice piece of history.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

GRATS!!

Car show scoring/entry cats can be a joke. I agree with open to present shouldn't include anything under past 20 years... i see way too many from 5 years ago... no offence but... so what....

The flipside is they are low traffic classes, our show last weekend had two stock trucks in that 76 to present 2wd class. A bullnose Ford and a square body Chevy. Break it up into two or three classes and I am not sure we would ever get three places deep in all three classes... so it is just a bunch of extra trophies.

4wd's always have a better showing but I think the years are similar (I park the 2wd's)

 

[1qaz]

GRATS!!

Car show scoring/entry cats can be a joke. I agree with open to present shouldn't include anything under past 20 years... i see way too many from 5 years ago... no offence but... so what....

2nd beef is a ford body with a chevy engine.... those are my walk bys.... I don't even bother looking as soon as i see the bow tie....

and my 3rd biggest bitch is that there needs to be a complete different class, back yard built and shop built.... any one can take a frame and beat up body to a shop and drop a credit card down and say build me this.... versus a guy who beats his knuckles to a pulp every weekend in his back yard....

Cheers!!! and keep going, your truck is a nice piece of history.

Thanks Angie! Every car show is subjective...loved your 'rant' and point of view.

==============

Have been on a hunt for the correct front grille emblem and finally found a NOS one (bottom emblem in pic below)!! Ford darkened the shade of blue in 1989 (top emblem).

Part numbers for anyone interested.

Backside view for those wanting to know how it attaches...two 'locking' type nuts...have seen the aftermath of many pry off attempts in the salvage yards.

Seems like a small thing but...back to factory specs!

Total cost: $7

Took her to another car show (pre-emblem replacement) to support a local high school band. About 100 cars and they had a class for stock trucks - all years. She took third behind the 1976 F250 Ranger in the background and a pristine 1994 Chevy 4x4 that looks showroom new. There were 7 trucks in the class to include a near-perfect 1964 Studebaker (in the foreground). Not sure how it did not win. Again, all shows are subjective.

 

[1qaz]

Winter projects have begun.

Driveshaft

Starter

Crossmember

You know where this going....

Transmission

Glad that's out! Off to remanufacture. New clutch, flywheel, and rear main seal up next while it's out. Giddy Up!

 

[Mark_88]

Wow, you've been busy since the last time I checked.

Congratulations on the show placing too...I've never been fussy enough to keep something looking any better than necessary but I appreciate those who do.

And that cross member...lol. Brought back memories of my first truck. It was one of my first actual projects that involved more than a few simple cuss words and head scratchings.

Keep up the good work~

 

[1qaz]

Wow, you've been busy since the last time I checked.
Congratulations on the show placing too.........Keep up the good work~

Thanks Mark!

--------------------------------------------------

Old Parts Out!

Flywheel, clutch pressure plate, clutch disc -- Not too bad for 30 years of use.

Slave cylinder...it's seen better days

NOS Parts Ready to Go In

Clutch Pressure Plate - Remanufactured - $35...will remove the surface rust and fingerprints

Clutch Disc - $55

Slave Cylinder - $155 ... OUCH!

Pilot Bearing (still have to get the old one out) - $10

Wonder if my rear main seal leaks?!!

Got one of those, too! - $19

Total Costs = $274...so far

Still have to resurface the flywheel and add the cost of the transmission (which is still at the shop).

 

[1qaz]

Adding an oil pan gasket change to the task list...leaking like a sieve at the back of the block...cleaned it up and let it sit overnight so the leaks would show themselves...two pretty good steady streams at the bottom.

Toasted!

Might as well add a new catalytic converter, motor mounts, and coolant flush as the engine has to be drained and raised about 2.5" to get the pan out, according to the Ford shop manual. While everything is out of the way, probably should take care of the exhaust manifold, too. Certainly won't be bored for a while.

 

[RangerFabWorks]

Gonna be better than New when you’re done!

 

[McWillies]

Just read through the whole build. Great looking truck!

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[1qaz]

Gonna be better than New when you’re done!

Thanks!! I'm learning a ton...in up to my neck for sure. Chasing parts is taking the most time.

Just read through the whole build. Great looking truck

Thanks!! Lots more to come.

===========================

The teardown continues....

Catalytic Converter....boy am I glad I have a good impact wrench!

Exhaust Manifold and EGR Tube

Radiator Shroud and Fan

I can now get after some of the previously inaccessible parts of the engine and bay.

And top motor mount nuts are off...unsure how to get at the bottom ones at the moment. With everything out of the way it's time to raise the engine and drop the oil pan.