hey there

[jas0n]

im from Salem, Oregon and I bought an 89 around a week ago, its been lowered the cheap way i'm guessing(one leaf spring). it looks kind rough, but for what i payed for her.... im happy.

heres my album

http://picasaweb.google.com/110344644486167228341/MyFordRanger?authkey=Gv1sRgCPHPtoDO9u_H9gE#
(note the maltese cross has been crudely removed)

pending modifications:

60/40 to bucket conversion
center console

new headunit
sub install
"big 3" upgrade
rip out the 6x9's from my M30 and install them into the boxes that are behind my seats

 

[chrwilkins30]

looks like you bought it straight from mexico.

 

[jas0n]

pretty much, it came with a homemade greatest hits CD too... I just wanted something cheap to drive around.. I only paid 300 for it, I couldn't be very much happier.

 

[ranger_mclaren]

Welcome, it's not a bad little truck I'd hit it. I see it also had the bigger mirrors at on time too, although I don't like those little ones they would be better for a lowerd truck. I like the F series too one of my favorite body styles.

 

[jas0n]

yea, I don't care for them either, I think the ones on my f150 or my moms escort would be better suited for it... She definitely needs some tlc, but the body is straight and no major dents. The least they could have done is plugged the holes, but whatever..

Ill put some bigger tires on it when I need to replace. Ill go with some that are maybe 2-4 inches bigger in diameter in the back, and maybe replace the fronts with 1-2 inch bigger in diameter in the front. The truck looks pretty ghetto right now


And yes, I like 9th gen f-series the most too... I loved my truck... until my parents borrowed it one day and brought it home on a flatbed, with the bed ****ed up like that. Apparently they was rolling up to a stop sign and the rear wheel just fell off.. oh well.

I gotta figure out how to combat the gearing... crusing down the freeway at 3k isnt relaxing.. 3:45 rear end with 214/45-17 tires doesn't help the situation any... I like the idea of it being lowered, so if anything id swap in a different gearset in the back along with putting a little bit bigger tires when I need to replace them. The tires would be down the road tho since the current ones actually have a decent amount of tread left.

any recommendations?

 

[ranger_mclaren]

Heres the tire and gear guide from the tech library, you are currently running 24.5 inch tire so the best gear ratio even after the larger tire size 3.27 for best performance and daily drivablity. You have a 7.5 rearend in case you didn't know.

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/gearandtirechart.html

 

[jas0n]

Heres the tire and gear guide from the tech library, you are currently running 24.5 inch tire so the best gear ratio even after the larger tire size 3.27 for best performance and daily drivablity. You have a 7.5 rearend in case you didn't know.

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/gearandtirechart.html

thanks for the reply,

i found a page describing the axle codes, so I knew I had a 7.5, but thanks for pointing that out. On that chart, I only see a 3.21, either way... Thanks for the recommendation. I know people like to throw the larger rear end in, but I can get away with my 7.5 right?...


also I should prolly ask, how hard is it to swap the gearsets out?

 

[ranger_mclaren]

oh yea 7.5 is a good rear end the next best thing would be to upgrade to the8.8 from a exlporer or a newer ranger. But on 2wd 7.5 is fine most people only go to the 8.8 on the 4x4s for strength.

 

[ranger_mclaren]

I've never swaped out any gear sets but i've seen several write ups it seems pretty straight forward. In fact a member is in the process of doing it right now on a 7.5 he's taking step by step photos and descriptions... be right back i'll get the link.

 

[ranger_mclaren]

Here ya go enjoy. Good ol' friend doorgunner real cool guy have any questions just ask him.

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30561&page=190

 

[ranger_mclaren]

oh I figured since your fairly new to the RBV world. I'll let ya know if you ever need any interior, exterior pieces emblems or what ever check out lmctruck.com they sell almost everything down to every nut and bolt. Some good after market goodies too, at great prices.

 

[jas0n]

hey, thanks for the links... I really appreciate your help so far.

that's pretty thorough.. I would commit to it, but he missed a few pics and I've never done a gear swap. Maybe I can find another tutorial, or maybe I could just find a rear end to swap in... idk. I dont wanna get into something and not be able to complete it... He also doesnt mention about removing the axles, and whats involved... Im not a complete retard, but I still like to have it all there, haha

 

[jas0n]

tirerack lists the OEM tire size as 195/70-14, which produces a radius not much taller than my current tire.... are these trucks really designed to cruise down the freeway at 3k rpms?

 

[ranger_mclaren]

hey, thanks for the links... I really appreciate your help so far.

that's pretty thorough.. I would commit to it, but he missed a few pics and I've never done a gear swap. Maybe I can find another tutorial, or maybe I could just find a rear end to swap in... idk. I dont wanna get into something and not be able to complete it... He also doesnt mention about removing the axles, and whats involved... Im not a complete retard, but I still like to have it all there, haha

I thought he did mention the axles I know it requires help the axle are the c-clip style so you'll need someone to push it on them so you can pull the c-clip out then the axles can be removed. If you need to ask him any questions just run you mouse icon over the persons user name and it'll give you a couple options, send him a Private message he'll get back to ya.

 

[jas0n]

I thought he did mention the axles I know it requires help the axle are the c-clip style so you'll need someone to push it on them so you can pull the c-clip out then the axles can be removed. If you need to ask him any questions just run you mouse icon over the persons user name and it'll give you a couple options, send him a Private message he'll get back to ya.

thanks, ima knock out in a few minutes, but i might PM him when I wake up.

lol, And I know how to send someone a PM, I run a few forums myself Computers are definitely my strong point... haha

jk jk jk.... thanks again.