Frame off rebuild

[creamerj]

Hello everyone, I've regularly frequented the site but until now haven't been a member. I recently purchased a 1998 4x4 ext cab Ranger and am beginning a frame off rebuild. This is my second Ranger and my second vehicle rebuild (first was a '73 F100). Should be an quite entertaining for you all as I struggle. Feel free to follow, I'm sure I'll have plenty of questions along the way as this is my first 4x4 rebuild.

 

[creamerj]

Pretty straight truck. Bought it cheap since it had a blown transmission. A few little other things here and there.

 

[creamerj]

Where I'm at so far. Motor and transmission out of the truck. In the process of ordering parts to rebuild the transmission.

 

[Mark_88]

Welcome to TRS~!

Seems you have a bit of experience with this sort of thing so it will be interesting to watch. Is the unit pictured a 4x4 or is it just a 2wd currently? I always thought the transfer case and front drive shaft was a bit more obvious...

Anyway...I've done a few frame off rebuilds over the years and Rangers are usually pretty easy to do...and years ago I swapped a 2.9 out for a hefty 2.3 and regretted it only when I wanted to go faster...or after replacing the heads several times...but...it was fun!

Enjoy...you might find this moved to the build section...I think it's down there somewhere as RBV modifications or something like that...it will stay near the top longer and people will more likely have a look that way...this section tends to have many posts so keeping a thread near the top can be a bit challenging...

 

[97RangerXLT]

yes, what Mark said, welcome to TRS! I did move you to the build forum.

keep posting pics and progress, that is a nice looking truck.

glad you rescued it

AJ

 

[simonbrld]

Pretty straight truck. Bought it cheap since it had a blown transmission. A few little other things here and there.

Your 4x4 rig looks good. Looking forward to your updates!

 

[creamerj]

Thanks for the welcome and moving the thread where it should be. I guess I just looked over this heading. First question: should i mess with the motor at all? It ran great before I pulled it but it does have 120,000 mi on it. Really don't want to do a complete rebuild on the motor. I will be replacing all the gaskets, plugs, etc. Anything else I should probably go ahead and do?

 

[creamerj]

Welcome to TRS~!

Seems you have a bit of experience with this sort of thing so it will be interesting to watch. Is the unit pictured a 4x4 or is it just a 2wd currently? I always thought the transfer case and front drive shaft was a bit more obvious...

Anyway...I've done a few frame off rebuilds over the years and Rangers are usually pretty easy to do...and years ago I swapped a 2.9 out for a hefty 2.3 and regretted it only when I wanted to go faster...or after replacing the heads several times...but...it was fun!

Enjoy...you might find this moved to the build section...I think it's down there somewhere as RBV modifications or something like that...it will stay near the top longer and people will more likely have a look that way...this section tends to have many posts so keeping a thread near the top can be a bit challenging...

It's a 4x4. First thing I did was pull the driveshafts and transfer case to set aside.

 

[creamerj]

Transmission tear down.

Decided to go ahead and tear down the transmission while I waited on the rebuild kit to get here. I knew I was gonna see some issues since it didn't have first gear to begin with but I wasn't expecting some of what I found

 

[creamerj]

How serious is the 2nd picture? There was a factory made hole there but something other than Ford made it a little bigger. Also in the 3rd picture, rear servo will not come out. I'm still waiting on my 5r55e manual to come in so anybody else have any idea how to get this thing out. I'm stuck until I do.