floatation Package.

[86_cookiemonster]

I have a 1986 2.3 liter Ranger. It came from the factory with a "floatation package". I didn't believe my dad when he told me, but then the columbus sewers backed up and flooded the parking lot where it was parked. Sure enough the little truck was bobbing around ontop of the water. To see my truck floating while all the other trucks in the parking lot sat on the bottom of the lake that was where the parking lot was, made me quite happy. the thought that was running through my mind at the time was "that'll show those f-150 and silverado guys for laughing at my little truck. Who is laughing now".

Does anyone know what the floatation package is, what is diffrent about my truck than a normal ranger. I am in the processes of restoring it, and want to know if I need specile parts or if there is anything i need to becareful of.

 

[rickcdewitt]

pics lots of underbody pics!

how big are your tires? my buddies samurai floats on 33's

 

[86_cookiemonster]

They tires are stock, I will work on getting you the pics, First i have to patch a couple rust holes in the bottom. But yea i will get you those pics.

 

[Dusty_Ranger]

bump

 

[metalmacguyver]

I am assuming that there is extra floatation in the back for an outboard motor to be mounted on the back door...........

 

[97ranger4x4]

I am assuming that there is extra floatation in the back for an outboard motor to be mounted on the back door...........

have you ever watched top gear? Its a british show on BBC America. Its freakin hilarious. Last season they had to get amphibious cars and drive them like 20 + miles to the ramp, and then drive/sail them across this channel that is like 2-3 miles long. One guy has a car that looked like an old school convertable caddy. that was a sail boat. He had a hole in the bottom for the fin to go through.

The other guy had some van that was converted to a boat hull but the stearing was on the back and you couldnt see where you were going.

the last guy had a nissan or toyota pickup with an outboard on the tailgate and had barrels attached to the bed to give it floatation. it was the only one to make it across I think...

 

[86_cookiemonster]

have you ever watched top gear? Its a british show on BBC America. Its freakin hilarious. Last season they had to get amphibious cars and drive them like 20 + miles to the ramp, and then drive/sail them across this channel that is like 2-3 miles long. One guy has a car that looked like an old school convertable caddy. that was a sail boat. He had a hole in the bottom for the fin to go through.

The other guy had some van that was converted to a boat hull but the stearing was on the back and you couldnt see where you were going.

the last guy had a nissan or toyota pickup with an outboard on the tailgate and had barrels attached to the bed to give it floatation. it was the only one to make it across I think...

yea i saw that one. I laughed my ass off. Actualy that is what prompted me to ask the question. I had thought to myself, if he had broken down and bought an American truck, AKA the amazing Ranger. Then he could have just driven off into the channel and been fine.

 

[BlackBII]

How does one make a Ranger float anyway? Styrofoam?

 

[86freebie]

"floatation package"

is that kinda like the jack-a-lope. we have all heard about them, but never seen one. she is floating.....

never heard of it. and what they went through to make that truck float on top gear they are lucky it did not burn down.I DO LOVE THAT SHOW.
i think you just have a well sealed truck.

i have been wrong though

 

[Jspafford]

Columbus, Ohio?

 

[Boggin]

flotation package? pics!!

 

[86_cookiemonster]

I am working on getting you the pics, I have to find my camera, and get the under belly clean and purty, for its online debute. (I am trying to get a couple rust holes fixed too)

 

[Boggin]

ok awesome, and I want would like pics of it floating if it isnt to much trouble, I never heard of this but it sounds awesome!

 

[Mechanickid]

 

[86_cookiemonster]

Columbus, Ohio?

Yes, i am from Columbus Ohio.

I do not know if i have pics of it floating i will have to look for those. The pics will be up by the end of this weekend.

As to why a lot of people haven't heard about it, I would imagen it wasn't a highly ordered option, as most people don't need a truck to float. But for me, a guy who can't swim for shit, the word Floatation is a big selling point :-D