I got a new tow rig

[cooljman1]

I like it If your making it a tow rig make sure to keep realability into account.

 

[7.5L_STX]

two words....Straight Pipes

 

[Shran]

Thanks for the compliments!

I like it If your making it a tow rig make sure to keep realability into account.

Yup... trying to make it as reliable as something that old could be. So far it has done pretty well.

two words....Straight Pipes

Meh, not really into the loud factor anymore. This one does have dual flowmasters though. My F150 has glass packs and I can set off car alarms with it... good enough for me

 

[Snoranger]

I love that body style. Since you didnt say what year it is, I'll guess.

83-86. Its got the blue oval grille. (not the F-O-R-D letters on the hood. 80-82)

You gonna do something about the mix-matched 87+ bed?

 

[Shran]

I love that body style. Since you didnt say what year it is, I'll guess.

83-86. Its got the blue oval grille. (not the F-O-R-D letters on the hood. 80-82)

You gonna do something about the mix-matched 87+ bed?

Sorry, '85. It is by far my favorite body style too... I would love to fix the bed issue but I can't find one that is not rusted to shit. Some fawktard welded this one onto the frame too. It really bothers me seeing those rear fenders but what do you do... it serves its purpose... maybe I won't notice as much after I paint it.

 

[gwaii]

it's a bit of pissing around,but if you really wanted to,the wheelwell patch panels are only about 50 bucks a side.could cut out the round ones and weld in the old style.the taillights are different,but not so noticable.

 

[Shran]

Thought about doing that too, and I may end up going that way if I feel like cutting into it sometime. I really like the smooth later style taillights and the tailgates on the '87+ are MUCH better too. Door strikers FTW.

 

[gwaii]

ya,that would be an interesting hybrid box-best of both worlds.

probably get some fordies scratching their heads on that one.

another thing i've done with these is swap out the split window for a later model solid one.cleans up the look a bit.since it's a solis piece of glass behind it,you can also cut out the center bar and weld up the top and bottom cuts to make it smooth.the same needs to be done with the interior panel,of course.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I love that body style. Since you didnt say what year it is, I'll guess.

83-86. Its got the blue oval grille. (not the F-O-R-D letters on the hood. 80-82)

You gonna do something about the mix-matched 87+ bed?

So what year is this?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v623/85_Ranger/MISC/000_0006.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v623/85_Ranger/MISC/000_0005.jpg

This is the main reason why I like this bodystyle, ever since I was a little kid if something big needed moved, we went and got "The Ford" It was the first Ford truck in our fleet, and now even with more than a couple more it still goes by the "The Ford"

It is a service truck at my dads shop, a three point arm crept down one night and mangled the original grille, and I found this one on craigslist for $10. There was something about the original signals that didn't work out so it is the ultimate puzzler with the writting on the hood, blue oval and white/clear turn signals. It isn't right but looks a lot better than it did.

If I got one it would have the 83-86 hood and 80-82 grille and signals, I think it would be a really clean look.

 

[Shran]

So what year is this?

Hood letters give it away as an '80-82... I am guessing '82.

Here are a couple more I've had - current '86 and my old '80 stepside. I've also had an '85, an '84, an '85 ex-cab shortbox, an '82 FS Bronco, and one other, I believe. Unfortunately the blue one does not look near this good...rust and replacement body panels have taken their toll. It has a red box at the moment but I will get around to it. Tube grills FTW

gwaii - There's a truck with the '80-86 cab, interior, and grille running around town that also has the '87+ box, AND the 87+ front fenders... I was a little confused the first time I saw it. I will have to get a pic the next time I see it... it is interesting.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

It is a '80.

If you are going to mix parts around it is probably pretty easy to drill four holes and double stick a couple letters on though.

 

[Shran]

Thought I'd update this, I have been pulling my hair out for the past three years to get the bugs worked out of this truck. Seriously want to punch myself in the face, wiring gremlins everywhere!!!!!!!!!!

I did paint it though, and I got a tailgate. My painting skills suck but at least it is mostly one color now. Driver's side box is slightly lighter for some reason.

FWIW I did the paint job outdoors in my driveway with Rustoleum rattle cans...someday I will have a building to work in...sigh

 

[mn_smokeater]

Looks good man!