- Joined
- Feb 3, 2026
- Messages
- 1
- Points
- 1
- City
- GREAT FALLS
- State - Country
- MT - USA
- Other
- '78 CJ7
- Vehicle Year
- 1991
- Vehicle
- Ford Ranger
- Drive
- 4WD
- Engine
- 2.9 V6
- Transmission
- Manual
Wasn't even in the market for a Ranger but a buddy at work found this on Marketplace last summer, we took a drive across town, and the truck came home with me.
It a 2.9L, 5speed, 4wd, with 36,000 on the odometer (assuming it has 136k, not 236k, due to the very good condition of everything.... Except for the bed). Fresh tires even!
I quickly feel in love with it and fixed a few small things like the cracked windshield, recharged the a/c, and put new shocks all the way around. The only thing wrong with it at this point is the ugly and inconvenient wood bed. I made a plan to replace it with a proper bed this winter.
A couple weeks ago we tore off the old bed and my started designing. Discovered that the frame is bent near the rear axel, but it drives straight and tires aren't wearing funny so we'll live with it. Built the flatbed frame out of 1" and 2" square tube. Used 3/16" where it seemed appropriate, and 1/8" where there was little structural support involved. Still weighed 350ish pounds when we put it on the back of the 5500 to bring it into the powder coat shop. A little heavier than I hoped, but it's VERY stout.
Got it back and promptly installed the lights, fuel filler neck, and deck boards (stained then while we waited for powder coat to be finished).
I learned a bit about welding and cutting, and a lot about patience along the way. While it's not perfect, I'm pretty happy with the way it all turned out. Plan to build small stake pocket bed sides at some point, but for now, we'll put it to work around the shop/field and possibly put a couple dirt bikes and some deer/elk on the fresh flatbed as soon as possible.
It a 2.9L, 5speed, 4wd, with 36,000 on the odometer (assuming it has 136k, not 236k, due to the very good condition of everything.... Except for the bed). Fresh tires even!
I quickly feel in love with it and fixed a few small things like the cracked windshield, recharged the a/c, and put new shocks all the way around. The only thing wrong with it at this point is the ugly and inconvenient wood bed. I made a plan to replace it with a proper bed this winter.
A couple weeks ago we tore off the old bed and my started designing. Discovered that the frame is bent near the rear axel, but it drives straight and tires aren't wearing funny so we'll live with it. Built the flatbed frame out of 1" and 2" square tube. Used 3/16" where it seemed appropriate, and 1/8" where there was little structural support involved. Still weighed 350ish pounds when we put it on the back of the 5500 to bring it into the powder coat shop. A little heavier than I hoped, but it's VERY stout.
Got it back and promptly installed the lights, fuel filler neck, and deck boards (stained then while we waited for powder coat to be finished).
I learned a bit about welding and cutting, and a lot about patience along the way. While it's not perfect, I'm pretty happy with the way it all turned out. Plan to build small stake pocket bed sides at some point, but for now, we'll put it to work around the shop/field and possibly put a couple dirt bikes and some deer/elk on the fresh flatbed as soon as possible.
