Just Plain Stupied, BlackWidow67's Build Thread

[RangerFabWorks]

Hey everyone. My photobucket account was hacked and deleted. So heres a link to view some of the pictures i had left.

https://goo.gl/photos/LuRAS5nCs1H94aYi9


Ok guys, heres my official build thread so those who are interested can see how my truck came out

heres what i started with, an original low mileage 67,000 mile 2 owner 1984 ranger. she had the original 2.3 and 4 speed when i got it.

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when i originally got it, it was wearing the original silver paint, but it was well worn, and it had its share of dents. so i cleaned up the body, and threw it in a flat black base coat just to knock around town. i then added a tubular style grille, and 14x8 cragar s/s rims

well, being 16 and stupid i opened the little 2.3 up on the freeway and over revved it and blew the number 2 piston into the oil pan.

so, i went back and forth between rebuilding the 2.3, doing a 302, or something else. waaaaa haaaaaaa

well, i just happened to have a 300 horse, 1972 350 chevy, and a rebuilt th700r4 trans laying over from a previous project. so the descision was made to stock a v8 in it.

so, i started the teardown on the truck, first on the list, yank out the (3) banger

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thats more like it. so heres the heartbeat awaiting its new home

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so the first thing i did clean the engine bay up, and paint it

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i knew the heater box would need to be modified so here it is

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now that that was done, time to lay the 350 in

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so after having the engine in and out like 5 more times, i started making the motor mounts. the engine side is 1962 impala 5.3 motor mounts, and the frame side is 3/8 c-channel narrowed and welded on 3/8 plate to extend the mounts foward. trans mount is 3/9 plate welded on the factory crossmember to extend foward. i dont have pics of me making them but here they are welded on the chassis

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ok now that there all done, engine time

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with the engine all done, time to actually paint the bay the right way. done with automotive paint and clear

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now the engine can sit in her new home for the final time

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time for assembly, first the new aluminum radiator from jegs. it measures 28x16.5 and required cutting the core support and making a new lower support for it. but it fits.

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then came the power steering, its a gm saginaw box, fitted to the stock ranger lines with a union. the lines i cut and re welded to shorten them up

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electric fan and b&n shifter next.

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then it was just odds and ends stuff. but she fired up with no leakes and sounded great.

things i didnt get pictures of. exhaust- stock ramhorn style manifolds, 2 1/2 from the collectors, then both pipes run to the pass. side into two flowmaster 40 series mufflers and dump before the rear axle. gauges- sunpro gauges to monitor the oil temp and volts. driveshaft, factory ranger shaft with a chevy yoke, conversion joint, and shortened 1''

all parts came from jegs and consisted of, chrome dress up kit, edelbrock performer intake, edelbrock 600 cfm carb, jegs timing chain set, jegs hei distributor, jegs 8mm wireset, b&m unimatic shifter, jegs universal aluminum radiator, stock 1962 impala 5.3 motor mounts, jegs highflow mechanical fuelpump.

and of course, i cant forget the video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4oqYYpqn9o

now that the swap is done, interior is next, and body and paint. so keep a watch.

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

nice work! i like it

 

[23L88]

Got me droolin' over here

 

[multiranger]

That is such a sweet Ranger... Sweetest Gen I I have seen!

 

[disciplerocks]

More pics please!

 

[RangerFabWorks]

That is such a sweet Ranger... Sweetest Gen I I have seen!

thanks multi, you have my vote As sweetest gen II

More pics please!

what other pics would you like?

 

[disciplerocks]

Lol just more. Keep em coming. Sweet build.

 

[dangerranger83]

Burn out pics!!!!!!!! No, no, burn out vids!!!!!!! No better yet, doughnut vids!!!!!



............Sorry, got excited again.

 

[multiranger]

thanks multi, you have my vote As sweetest gen II QUOTE]

Would be awesome to have em side by side in a pic!!

 

[Chevelle Kid]

I can vouch for the sweetness of the truck, you'd never thunk it wasn't from the factory.

 

[RangerFabWorks]

I can vouch for the sweetness of the truck, you'd never thunk it wasn't from the factory.

thanks ben.


took the ranger for its first test spin, wow, v8 rangers are a load of fun.

300 hp is enough to light em at will very, VERY easily, but you can drive the truck normal without worrying about the rear coming out from underneath you.

the 700r4 has a nice low first gear. and mine shifts nice and firm. and with the 3:45 rear. its great off the line, but its calm when cruising.

and those og 40 series flows dumped under the bed really roar when you mash the loud peddle. def. a sound that brings a smile to the face.

hopefully will get my tags monday and start driving it. i swear it rides better now than with the 4 popper in it.

later

 

[RangerFabWorks]

gave everyone rep here for all the compliments, thanks

 

[bobbywalter]

smoke n fiii-yah

 

[RangerFabWorks]

so, got the back of the hood all painted up, and ready to go on. so thats on the to-do list for tomoro.

things i need to do before taking it on its maden voyage.

make a bracket for the trans dip stick.

change rear end fluid.


grease the front u-joint.

change the oil.

replace some broken bulbs

and button up the interior.

gonna knock most of these things out tomoro. then monday i go and get my tags and drive it.

this is gonna be good

 

[RangerFabWorks]

SO i put a good amount or miles on the ole girl. wow is she a lot of fun to drive.

only had two hiccups when i drove it home. 1 quart low on trans fluid, and the valve cover gaskets leaked on me.

a quart of fluid, and new gaskets with silicone and were all fixed.

next on my list is to get rid of the bench seat. its really starting to hurt my back, and having no arm rest sucks.

but boy does this thing rumble. wakes up the neighbor hood when i leave for work.

but no vibrations, no rattles, runs 150 degrees when cruising, and 160 at an idle. has 30 psi of oil while sitting at a light, and 45 cruising, and yeah, its interesting to drive when its wet out. new tires are on the list.