Got some $$ to spend, what would you do?

[rangerin]

I'll finally be able to do something nice for my ranger soon. Budget is $500ish...maybe a bit more. It's my DD (only vehicle) and I don't have any means of pulling the engine. Otherwise, I can do just about anything to it (have a welder too). I've focused mainly on function over form in the past. Now that it's running great, a little form is due. I do have plans on picking up a junker and taking the 4WD, 5-speed, and A/C from, but I haven't found one yet. So until that day comes, what suggestions do yall have?


It's pretty stock ('84):

2WD
2.8
Auto
Does have 15" bronco wheels
Durasparked

 

[Mark_88]

I'd pay off my CC and phone bills and maybe buy some new underwear and T-shirts myself...and some new shoes...

It's hard to say what to do with your truck without at least one picture...two if you include the interior...if it's a bench seat then upgrade to some nice buckets...redo the interior in a ghetto mexican style with those dingle balls hanging all around the windshield and one of those hula dancing bobble heads on the dash...and some sex lights in the corners...some of those neon undercarriage lights that change colours...and some nifty bumper stickers that slam everyone and everything or poke fun at people with new vehicles that are afraid to park them anywhere...

Get yourself a nice blonde blow-up doll that has lights in her head and one of those round mouths that you stick things in when you're lonely and prop her up on the passenger side...get the ones with the real looking hair and maybe add some power windows so it can fly around in the breeze as you cruise down the highway...or a fake dog...girls love dogs...a real chick magnet, especially when they don't pee or crap on your seats.

Other than those things...I wouldn't know where to start without a picture of your truck...

 

[Mickey Bitsko]

Well, I guess he won't be back.....

 

[rangerin]

Lol, you guys are crazy.

Anyways, here's a few pics...nothing fancy.






The interior shot is old, it has a radio and proper ignition switch now.

 

[txgocartB3000]

Now with the pics, my vote goes for mark_88 ideas.

Ray

 

[97RangerXLT]

Not a bad looking 1st Gen.

If you are planning to keep it, I would look at fixing some of the rust. Another use would be to upgrade the interior as Mark suggested, (Mexican style dingle berries and blow up doll optional) but a nice set of buckets will be a good addition to it.

Another nice mod would be a bull bar/ upgraded front bumper. good set of fog lights..

If you can, put half of that 500 away somewhere for the "oh crap now look what broke" fund... you do have a 25+ year old truck. My 97 could use that fund itself...

AJ

 

[Lariat]

Give her a good ol tuneup and wait for that a4ld to die... Clean truck for the age!

 

[rangerin]

Thanks for the suggestions fellas.

Funny thing is, I've actually tuned everything up minus rebuilding the engine. All new seals, Holley carb, gas tank, Duraspark, brakes, u-joints, yadda yadda.... That 2.8 just purrs away. Currently, I'm in the process of re-wiring. Tired of the old wires giving me issues.

Wasn't looking to blow the money all in one shot, just looking for ideas because I really haven't done anything to it in regards to making it look better. I've done a TON of work making it run good on the other hand. Guess I'd like to make it start looking as good at it runs. One thing is for sure, I'll be getting new floor pans. PO riveted some sheet metal in there that's nearly gone. Eventual plans are to paint it, but not for now.

 

[black_demon69]

needs wings yes wings so it can fly, and not the wings from wonder woman's invisible jet because my ranger has them

ps don't tell wonder woman where they are at

 

[Hagan]

How about a stereo and some speakers? Looks like both are missing. I'd cut holes in the door for door speakers instead of the dash ones.

 

[rangerin]

How about a stereo and some speakers? Looks like both are missing. I'd cut holes in the door for door speakers instead of the dash ones.

That interior shot is old got speakers/stereo already (in the doors too).

If I got a 2" suspension lift, would the drive shaft be ok? Would the lift still work when I swap in 4WD?

 

[BLOODBANE]

If you have your heart set on converting it ti 4x4, dont waste your money on the 2wd lift. Sock your money away and start looking for a wrecked Ranger (or even better an Explorer) and then get it bought. You are gonna run into little things that will eat thet 500 up pretty quick.
I say go find a wrecked Explorer (mainly for the D35 front and the 8.8 rear) pull the engine (with wire harness), transmission, transfer case, axles, and scrap the rest. Put those parts on your 84 and have a built (or somewhat built) truck.
Spending your money to lift it, just to convert it to 4x4 is a waste of time and money.

 

[Mr. Tarkanian]

I found a complete D35 locally for $100, a 4x4 m5od for $150, and a BW1350 for $45. Craigslist is your friend. If you shop carefully, you'll be surprised how far you can stretch that $500 budget. My vote goes to 4x4 conversion parts, just make sure you get a d35 and not a 28. Good luck!

 

[rangerin]

I found a complete D35 locally for $100, a 4x4 m5od for $150, and a BW1350 for $45. Craigslist is your friend. If you shop carefully, you'll be surprised how far you can stretch that $500 budget. My vote goes to 4x4 conversion parts, just make sure you get a d35 and not a 28. Good luck!

Thanks for the tip. I may decide to hold off for the 4x4 after all.

 

[SenorNoob]

...put all of that 500 away somewhere for the "oh crap now look what broke" fund...
AJ

FTFY... Trust me, it'll come in handy.

Nah, I'm spending much more than that on mine and trying to save for a homestead down-payment at the same time.

Unless you use the middle seat, you might want to look into buckets and a console. (Note: Middle seat is better for the ladies. Specially with a manual and the shift to 2nd or 4th.) Dash cover? I'd suggest a manual conversion. A4LD seems marginal at best in the first gens. Seems to be fine by the newer ones though. I don't understand it. (Fewer miles?) Since you wanna go 4x4, start looking for parts (Or better yet a parts truck really cheap. Like scrap weight prices cheap.)