Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and brian_4o
Member
- Joined
- Apr 11, 2009
- Messages
- 16
- Transmission
- Automatic
I wasn't sure where to put this, but I wanted somewhere to keep track of whats going on with this truck. Kind of like a long, rambling progress list and to-do list.
I cant believe I dont have a better picture, but this is what we're starting with:
It's a 1996 model ext. cab, step side bed with the 2.3l and m50d trans.
That was when I first got the truck. After that pic was taken I installed the 14" wheels off my 98 ranger:
I will get some current pics tonight, but thats really all Ive done as far as the appearance, Im not really going for looks with this one. It will only be driven on closed courses in Mexico.
Once I got it running I completely gutted it. I used the seat foam and seat back cover from the passenger seat on the drivers seat frame to make a bucket seat with no armrest and no center section. I figure this saves 10 or 15 lbs. The only thing left in the cab right now is the dash, drivers seat and seat belt. I kept a cd player and speakers in the cab as well.
I removed the a/c compressor and everything associaited with the a/c system, the power steering pump went with it, along with that large piece of aluminum that they bolted on to. Right now im running the power steering box with the lines looped, will buy a manual box for it later on.
There are 2 large braces on either side of the bumper that can be removed once the bumper is off, I guess I probably lost 30 lbs there.
When I relocated the battery to the bed I cut out the battery box and the sheet metal under it. That was probably another 15 lbs.
The evap canister was deleted and the purge lines looped back into eachother for the time being.
The cat was already deleted from the truck when I got it. I will buy some stainless tube and make a side exit exhaust for it, the cat wont be reinstalled but I need to fine a high flowing muffler that is nearly as quiet as the stock one.
The speedway stainless header will be used, not sure on which cam. I want to keep the truck naturally aspirated.
I have an aluminum driveshaft for it but Im not sure if its the correct flanges for it. I will check that out later on.
Last night I installed the ported MAF from my old 96 model. I removed the snorkel in the fender at the same time and the air muffler had already been gutted.
I am runnin no cooling fan whatsoever, and the coolant expansion tank was also deleted (along with the washer fluid tank, they are molded together.)
The inner fenders are gone, the spare tire carrier was cut out.
I think I am going to run the 16x7" crown vic mesh wheels. Did you guys know BBS and Speedline both made those wheels for Ford? I didnt. Seems like a decent, good looking wheel for cheap.
Not sure on what tire just yet, probably going to run Toyo Proxes.
Tonight I plan on flipping the rear shackles and cutting one turn out of the front coils. After the weight reduction the truck has gained a couple inches of lift. I am thinking about removing the rear frame crossmemeber that sits right against the rear bumper.
Thanks for letting my keep my long, unorganized collection of thoughts here.
I cant believe I dont have a better picture, but this is what we're starting with:
It's a 1996 model ext. cab, step side bed with the 2.3l and m50d trans.
That was when I first got the truck. After that pic was taken I installed the 14" wheels off my 98 ranger:
I will get some current pics tonight, but thats really all Ive done as far as the appearance, Im not really going for looks with this one. It will only be driven on closed courses in Mexico.
Once I got it running I completely gutted it. I used the seat foam and seat back cover from the passenger seat on the drivers seat frame to make a bucket seat with no armrest and no center section. I figure this saves 10 or 15 lbs. The only thing left in the cab right now is the dash, drivers seat and seat belt. I kept a cd player and speakers in the cab as well.
I removed the a/c compressor and everything associaited with the a/c system, the power steering pump went with it, along with that large piece of aluminum that they bolted on to. Right now im running the power steering box with the lines looped, will buy a manual box for it later on.
There are 2 large braces on either side of the bumper that can be removed once the bumper is off, I guess I probably lost 30 lbs there.
When I relocated the battery to the bed I cut out the battery box and the sheet metal under it. That was probably another 15 lbs.
The evap canister was deleted and the purge lines looped back into eachother for the time being.
The cat was already deleted from the truck when I got it. I will buy some stainless tube and make a side exit exhaust for it, the cat wont be reinstalled but I need to fine a high flowing muffler that is nearly as quiet as the stock one.
The speedway stainless header will be used, not sure on which cam. I want to keep the truck naturally aspirated.
I have an aluminum driveshaft for it but Im not sure if its the correct flanges for it. I will check that out later on.
Last night I installed the ported MAF from my old 96 model. I removed the snorkel in the fender at the same time and the air muffler had already been gutted.
I am runnin no cooling fan whatsoever, and the coolant expansion tank was also deleted (along with the washer fluid tank, they are molded together.)
The inner fenders are gone, the spare tire carrier was cut out.
I think I am going to run the 16x7" crown vic mesh wheels. Did you guys know BBS and Speedline both made those wheels for Ford? I didnt. Seems like a decent, good looking wheel for cheap.
Not sure on what tire just yet, probably going to run Toyo Proxes.
Tonight I plan on flipping the rear shackles and cutting one turn out of the front coils. After the weight reduction the truck has gained a couple inches of lift. I am thinking about removing the rear frame crossmemeber that sits right against the rear bumper.
Thanks for letting my keep my long, unorganized collection of thoughts here.
