hot ranger

[hawgdawg]

back in june my 85 ranger burned to the ground. i know the sheet metal is toast but i was going to try to salvage the wheels. i was wondering if anyone might know how stressed the frame is and if it might be salvaged safely for a frame up build? i bought it new in 85 and i really hate to let it go.

 

[Musick17]

Yikes! Glad you werent inside it!

 

[Mac]

Hate to even say it but scrap it. Don't know what grade of steel was used back then but heat ruins what ever the temper of the metal.
Dave of the Nord

 

[Metallheadd]

I agree with Mac.

 

[straycat]

I asked two of my retired Ford buddies (father and son) and they said it was best not to use it. Heat is a major factor to disaster. If you were just going to use if for a crawler as in just having it trailered to and from the off road areas you want to go...maybe ok for that, but not on the road. Just be careful, Bro!!!

 

[srteach]

Heating steel and (relatively) quick cooling causes crystals to form in iron. The crystallizing of the metal makes it brittle and prone to fracture under stress. If you want flexible steel, you heat it and then cool it over several hours, which is not what happens in a fire.
You want to risk that in a 1000+ lb vehicle? Your choice, but no way would I take a risk like that.

 

[jhammel85]

Sorry to hear it but I agree with everyone here.

Was it an electrical fire? My wiring worries me in my 87....

 

[94 lngbd]

remember 9-11, The twin towers were made of steel & look what happened.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

If it really burnt to the ground, no way.

 

[FFGlen]

We had an 86 burn to the ground here a couple months back - same story, owner bought it brand new and had it all his life.

As a firefighter, I definitely suggest not using it. The heat most likely warped your frame, and if it really burned to the ground, I wouldn't trust the tires for more than bumpers on a boat.

As an emt, please don't use it. Car wrecks are scary enough.

 

[mn_smokeater]

idea??

cut it up and get a sheet of glass and make a Badass coffee table