Hi to all my Ranger Compatriots. I have a 1988 4WD Supercab XLT which I ordered new and am now starting to restore.

[MyOld88]

I ordered the truck new at the time with the goal of having something to Deer hunt, travel back and forth to a farm out of town, and to work. I ordered everything at the time that was available, except shift on the fly 4WD. It was a relatively new thing at the time, and I knew of guys that had problems with it initially so I opted for manual since it was tried and true. I also ordered factory dual tanks and am now dealing with a rear tank in bad shape and want to replace/restore one if I can find/fabricate one or a safe quality work around. And Yes, I have read and found that this is a tough item to locate or find a work around for. If anyone could offer some help, I would be deeply appreciative as the truck is a sentimental item. Lots of great memories. I let my dad keep it a few years and he gave it an Earl Scheib freshen up later so he could give it to my oldest to drive trough high school. I am now attempting to get as close back to when I picked it up when the dealer received it from ford. I am making good progress, but it is definitely a labor of love. I had started this process a few years ago, but life happens and the guy I started it with had COPD from painting without a mask, etc. and passed away, so had to put it on hold. On the positive side I did buy start buying several NOS parts and put up. Some of which I will not need and will offer to my forum mates as that time comes,(Somehow I even acquired a front Bronco II NOS face bar in the ford paper.) I am hoping to get it complete this time as I am not getting any younger myself. I say all that to say this, THANK YOU, in advance. Hope all have a Happy and blessed Thanksgiving and holiday season. Bob

 

[JoshT]

Welcome, good luck, stick with it, and keep us posted.

The aux tank is going to be a difficult one. Those haven't been available in decades and no one offers a reproduction. If you have to have it, your best options are probably to find a company to restore it or to build something custom that installs in the same location. There is a pretty decent chance that the 23 (IIRC) gallon BII tank will install in the same location, but it is a much deeper tank and will hang below the frame and bedsides, being visible underneath the truck. FWIW, I've got one of those dual tank trucks too, and not sure what I'm going to opt for if the aux tank is bad.

 

[RobbieD]

Welcome!

It's really cool that you've hung on this truck all of these years, and will be restoring it.

Best of luck with it!

 

[MyOld88]

Thanks JoshI was just looking at a BII tank a minute ago and was thinking about measuring the old tanks height, and then cut out the difference on a BII tank all the way around , then have a really good welder put the two halves back together and then powder coat outside. That way it would be close to the same as the OEM tank. It LOOKS like it might be possible. Just going to have to do some ciphering…