just about done the new front clip . . .

[PetesPonies]

on my '89 Ranger . . yes '89. New fenders, new hood, cut down filler, new grille, etc.

 

[jhammel85]

Could be interesting. What was that front clip from? It looks almost like a strange mix of a 1st gen bronco / late 70's F-Series?

 

[PetesPonies]

First Gen for fenders and hood and the grille is a 1961 F100 with 14" cut out of it.

 

[shane96ranger]

That looks awesome, I really like it. I seem to recall someone doing this with a 1st gen Bronco grille on TRS.

For anyone else trying to picture what the grille for a 61 F100 looks like:

 

[PetesPonies]

I did it to my Bronco II

actually had this grille on my BII when starting the fitting. You can see the welds where it was pieced back together in this pic.

I have so much going on, it took until now to get the time to install the front on the Ranger. Seeing your pic, I wonder if I should look for clear lenses for turn signals?? I got my lights from a 64 or 65 I think. It had the amber lenses.

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

that looks amazing!

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

That looks awesome, I really like it. I seem to recall someone doing this with a 1st gen Bronco grille on TRS.

Copycat did something similar too.

 

[shane96ranger]

All of those look awesome. Nice work Pete!

Sent while I should be doing something else

 

[PetesPonies]

Thanks. I got the headlights installed today. Now I have to build a bumper. It needs to be an 83/88 style bumper ( longer so it wraps the fenders), but it needs to fit the frame rails and bracket of this '89. Doesn't need to be this difficult, but Ford changed the bumper bracketry with the Gen 2 design. I built a rear bumper from a fullsize Ford, taking 12" out of it. But I was looking for something easier on the front. If I use a Gen1 bumper, I can weld up the mounting holes and cut new square holes. So I need to find a good deal on a Gen! bumper with no trim holes ( just more holes to weld up ).

 

[WoodyB2]

That looks awesome man! My question is how does this mount? does it bolt up or do you have to make new mounting locations?

 

[PetesPonies]

I got a bumper now, so I'll have it done in a few days. I'll post a pic. Now does it bolt up?? really?? First of all, you have to split the grille into three pieces and remove 7" from both sides for a total shortening of 14". Then weld it back together and finish and paint. Then I had to strip the front clip from my '89 to use an 83-88 front end. The fenders and hood bolt on, no real problems. You need to move the hood prop and then rewire for the sealed beam lights and different turn signal assemblies. The side marker lights use the same light socket assembly. The filler piece between the bumper and grille from the Gen1 was split in half to fill in the lower portion only, as the grille comes down much farther. Then I welded up a bracket to attach to the radiator support and provide a lower grille mounting point. I have the grille also mounted with 4 screws, two each side. I may add some upper mounts, but as of now, I have not. So bolt on???? But it was something to do, was fun and something I planned in my head about 4 years ago. Too many ideas, not enough time ( and I don't mean Ranger ideas, I have many vehicles to play with) . . still too little time. Thanks for liking it . . let's see someone else do something similar.

 

[WoodyB2]

well i know it wasn't a bolt on...I was wondering how the grille itself was mounted

 

[shane96ranger]

well i know it wasn't a bolt on...I was wondering how the grille itself was mounted

Sometimes you ask what time it is, and you get told how to build the watch.

 

[PetesPonies]

and sometimes . . you get told to Bite Me Shane. . . kids

 

[shane96ranger]

and sometimes . . you get told to Bite Me Shane. . . kids

Simmer down there Pete, just a joke.