'94 XL Sport - Dark Plum

[PoodlePuncher]

This is my 1994 XL Sport, in Dark Plum, with the optional Sport Graphics.
I've only ever seen one other like it, and that was at a dealership back in 1995 (full story in my Introduction post)

Ran a vin report, and found out it only had a Single owner.
only has 156k on the clock.

Today i washed away all the "Farm Grime", to get a better idea of what i'm dealing with

I was suprised at how much shine the old finish still has.
I didn't wax it, but i may need to

 

[PoodlePuncher]

The kid i bought it from, said it had been living it's life hauling firewood, and the drivers side bed tells that story well

The worst of it

PS Bed isn't quite as bad.

I'd normally just replace the bedside, or swap another bed, but i'd really like to save the decal...
That's a problem for future me

Inside the bed is actually really good. it's perfect candidate for a spray in liner.

 

[PoodlePuncher]

Inside was really gross when i first brought it home.
let it air out for a few days with the windows down, and then attacked it with the vaccum today...

The Rodent smell has faded a bit, but is still present.
The seats may be salvageable, but the carpet needs to be completely replaced.

Once i can manage to get the seats out, i'll pull the carpet, and every interior panel i can remove.
will give the cab the deepest clean it's ever had.

 

[dvdswan]

Looks like a good starting platform. Maybe it is the angle of the picture, but the right rear axle looks to be set back an inch or two from the front of the fender opening.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

y is ur name PoodlePuncher tho?

 

[scotts90ranger]

y is ur name PoodlePuncher tho?

Where's Nelson's "nuke the whales" poster when you need it?

And you're the one asking silly questions?

To be more on topic that doesn't really look that bad, some ham fisted body work should get that less bad in no time, my '97 took some "turd polishing" to get straighter then I just give up and attack it again when it bugs me...

 

[PoodlePuncher]

I'm only home a couple days a week, so i finally had some time to get this thing running...

I knew it needed a starter (it was already removed), but when i got under the truck i realized why the kid likely gave up on it...
Every terminal on the starter was broken off, and hanging under the truck.
and to make matters worse, he broke the O2 sensor in the process...

The other end of the battery cable was also in terrible shape, so i opted to replace it rather than try to repair it

The lug on the battery cable is 3/8", which is too big for the terminal on the starter, so i replaced it with one that is 5/16"

If you're going to do something... do it right.
Perfect fit.

I'm out of double wall shrink tubing, but this will be fine until i can get more.

 

[PoodlePuncher]

The O2 sensor was pretty easy, with the starter out. Just hit it with my cordless impact wrench, and it came right out
didn't even have to drag over an air hose.

The starter however, was a PITA. it took several tries, but the bolts were fighting me something fierce...
Since i didn't remove it, i'm not 100% sure these are even the correct bolts...
the threads are m10-1.5, so that checks out...
but one is not like the others...

I ended up chasing the threads both in the holes, and on the bolts themselves

This helped immensely, but the long bolt just seemed too long
no matter which hole i tried, it felt like it was bottoming out.
so i replaced it with a cap head bolt i had on hand (bottom).

 

[PoodlePuncher]

With the starter in, and the wiring repaired, i hooked up the battery...

This is when tragedy struck!

when i connected the negative cable there was MUCH sparking, and a huge plume of magic smoke was released from this area

This is clearly the wrong battery, as the posts are reversed
but i didn't think to check, since it came with the truck, and the cables only reach so far...

Pretty sure i smoked the ECU, as it's one of the few things that gets power with the ignition switch off...

Hooked up a (almost dead) jump pack, and the lights still work, and the starter did engage.
I did not hear the fuel pump, but i could've missed that.

Will get a good battery, and cross my fingers.
but there was a lot of smoke. A LOT!