'93 2.3 turbo build

[cteunuch]

Hey guys, new to the site and Rangers, I figured a build thread would be a good place to get some input and pointers.

I planned to buy a Ranger, and a friends turbocoupe, then slam them together really hard hoping to end up with a fun, relatively fuel efficient DD. I've been dreaming of building something with a 2.3T for close to ten years now, so I figured why not? While looking for a stocker to ruin I came across this '93, already 2.3T, T5 and expo 8.8 swapped. The kid had bought it from someone who did the swap what looks like a while back, and he let it go for a song at $850. It's rough, but it has potential, and came with a ton of goodies that I was going to have to hunt down anyway. As far as I can tell it's rocking a 3/4 drop, with beams up front and the expo axle over the leaves out back. It ran like shit, the shocks were totally blown, the tie rods looser than most street corner dates and the seats weren't even bolted down, but I smiled the whole ride home. So far a quick tune up cleared up the misfire, so I did some burnouts before I parked it in the garage. So far I have a pile of parts collecting to get it pretty reliable, but I haven't accomplished much else. Enough chit-chat ladies, here's some pictures to keep your attention.





The business. You can see some of the horrendous wiring, it's not going to be fun to figure out/fix.


Some stupid attempt at a front mount. The tag says it's a Garret part from some industrial application.


Anyone have any ideas what beams these are?




Summer rims/tires.

 

[1qaz]

That's a heckava deal at $850. The kid who sold it will likely join a Ranger forum in the future talking about the truck he used to have but had to let go. Although a lot of work still ahead, that truck has tons of potential.

 

[XLTsplash]

Great deal, The truck looks good low and black.

 

[rangerplus]

Wow, nice steal at that price! Can't wait to see it after you do some cleaning and tweaking to make it your own.

 

[ATX]

I'm wondering on the beams also . Pretty old set there


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[cteunuch]

Thanks guys!

I pulled the rear springs to install new bushings, but they were shot, so I ended up buying new leaves, and installing Belletech Street Performance shocks all around. I also got the new tie rods in, and new wheelbearings. Hopefully it will be out of the garage soon so I can get a good picture on the Bullitt wheels.

I'm having trouble with belt routing. The original owner built some hack bracket off of the frame to keep the belt from rubbing on the steering box while he used the factory turbocoupe brackets, but I don't really want to leave it that way. I grabbed some Ranger accessory brackets from the junkyard, but they look like they're going to put the alternator right in the way of the turbo. What do most of you guys end up doing?