ForOffRoadDriving's 94 Ranger Build

[ForOffRoadDriving]

thanks NMB2, thats a genuine compliment coming from you. im going to go to the tire place after work and pick up the tires, then stop by my house and snatch up the wheels, a bag of sand, my camera, and maybe a few beers and then plop myself infront of the sand blast cabinet until theyre all cleaned. ive decided im going to paint them gloss black with the same high build fleet paint that i used on the bumper, and if i get them all cleaned tonight then ill be able to put a coat of primer on them and let it dry overnight until i come back to work tomorrow, when ill put on the black paint.

 

[NMB2]

now im not sure if you know this, or what your current rims are, but i used to have one of those new rims you got that i used on my spare and it has alot of backspace. I never noticed until i had to use it once.

 

[Andres629]

I think he's just using them for winters anyway though. So a skinny tire shouldnt matter much on it, right?

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

im cleaning them as we speak, and i was under the impression that all aluminum wheels from any RBV was 15x7, but i noticed that these ones are 15x6? i already bought the tires today (215/75/15r) so i guess im just going to get em mounted after i paint the wheels and we'll see what happens. if they dont work on this one theres 3 other RBVs in the family (still trying to get my mom to sell her s-10 blazer and buy an explorer) that could use them.
p.s., ill have some more pics up in a couple of hours, im working on them as we speak.

 

[NMB2]

well not only the width of the rim, but the backspace is high, its going to suck the tires in.

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

well i lied and i didnt update last night cause it was late when i was finally done for the night. they turned out just as i expected, nicer than before but not as nice as powdercoat. we worked like little elves in santas RBV workshop, i was sand blasting them after they had gone through the blaster, ray was grinding off the road rash and blending any gouges with the die grinder and some scotch lok pads, and aaron was wiping them down with wax and grease remover getting them prepped for paint.

now i just have to wait for the paint to dry and then ill get my tires mounted up on monday. i will most likely have to toucch the rims back up after they go on the tire machine, but thats why i didnt use all the paint yet. i plan on putting a clear coat on them once the rubber is on and then applying some wax to the outsides to keep them looking nice.

 

[Andres629]

WEll, I've never been a big fan of those rims, but they turned out pretty good!

 

[TheTopher]

They cleaned up really nice, I wish I had access to a shop like that.

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

yeah, i agree andres, this style wheel never really did anything for me, but its a matching set that im going to run in the salty shit so theyre just going to get shitty again anyways. im hoping i dont have any rub issues, but if i do i guess ill just have to drill and tap my knuckles to install a stop bolt, to restrict my turning radius so i dont fawk these tires up. your right topher, it IS awesome to be able to paint in the dead of winter and not have to slow down progress because theres 6" of snow on the ground and its only 28* in my garage at home. i do still need to get my truck fixed, since it wont turn these new shoes without some suck, squeeze, bang, and blow!
on another note, does anyone know where to get center caps for these wheels or should i just modify some dust caps or something to fit?

 

[Andres629]

i do still need to get my truck fixed, since it wont turn these new shoes without some suck, squeeze, bang, and blow!

Haha, best description of the combustion cycle ever!

On that other note, maybe check the JY for some. I dunno.
Maybe someone on here would have some!

 

[TheTopher]

That actually sounds like he's got a cheap hooker under the hood. That could be part of why it won't turn the tires.

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

when i got home i took some pictures of the new tires in the truck with the bed xtender, then i tossed around the thought of working on the truck but the cold quickly squashed my motivation.

i had the idea of using dust caps from a large truck to cover the center hole on these wheels, but dorman/motormite dont make one thats 2.75" in diameter. then i thought i would try a freeze plug, at least for the rear, but the largest sizes they make are 2 5/8 and 2 7/8. looks like im still searching.....

 

[TheBeast]

Coming from someone that restores cars, mostly 64-70 era mustangs and chevelles, you do great work for what you have. Don't give up on the truck, it's almost to the point now where it will be reliable as a stick and will last you forever. Good job man, I read through all of the thread.

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

thanks beast, its been a long road and i can truly say my skill shave improved 10 fold from the time i started this whole mess. im anxious to get the tires mounted, i just need another $50 to make it happen. im sure i can make it run right again, its just a matter of how long it will run before another incident. it just sucks having a truck that your proud to drive, that you built with your own 2 hands, but cant trust to take you anywhere with out fear of having to walk home.

 

[TheBeast]

I built my 95 GT mustang from the junkyard. It had alot of problems, one of the worst being the dizzy was about frozen. You literally couldn't turn it with your own two hands. A couple sensors here and there, some seals, a water pump and a timing chain later, car's reliable as they come from detroit. My 99 3.0 ranger 4x4 ran like crap and had 200k+ miles on it, but it never left me. You'll learn to trust it again, you'll get it fixed for good, and drive it half expecting to call someone wherever your going, and over time you'll forget all about it and enjoy it. It takes a while though. It did for me.