Looking for Direction for my '88 Ranger

[rd_rangerman_88]

So now that i have the main things done on my Ranger (it now stops properly, and runs like a champ thanks to the tune up), i'm lost on where to go next.

The only other big thing planned is 4 new M/T tires (30 x 9.5's), in addition to replacing the bed sides and front fenders (both of which are shot).

The pics below are just the two best ones i have.

I know i want to ditch those stock bumpers (the back one is shot through with rust anyway), but i don't know what to put in place of them.

Sound off TRS; give me some suggestions on where to go Keep in mind i do want to make this truck road worthy at some point (probably once i get the rust problems sorted out), but that's the only requirement

 

[strvger]

as it is to be roadworthy eventually, i'd do a body lift and replace all the body and bed bushings at the same time. new bushings will improve the ride for sure. body lift will clear the new tires with ease. it will also make it easier for you to get to things underneath. real handy when starting the body work. and during the install, you'll get a real good idea of just where all the rust is, especially if there is any around the cab and bed mounts. just my $.02

 

[Jim Oaks]

What do you want the truck to function as:

Daily driver, haul firewood, go camping - fishing, work truck, do you want a truck that you can drive on mild trails but still drive every day?

Give us some idea on how you see yourself using the truck, and we'll give you ideas on how to achieve the results you're after.

 

[superds]

If it were mine I would probably cut the fenders to fit larger than 30" tires on it. I have a '90 that I've enlarged the fender openings to fit 32" tires on it.

I would also consider flat black paint or primer for the body, you can do it at home with a rattle can and I've always liked the look of flat black.

I have James Duff prerunner style bumpers, front and rear, on my pickup. Check out their website: www.jamesduff.com

 

[hoosier1104]

I say rat it out.

 

[Epixstar]

Rattle can it black

 

[jimmy3970]

Dude I keep it stock height. Too many problems doing a body lift kit. I know I had lots of trouble doing a lift kit on My Ranger. If you do a lift kit on it plz go to jamesduff.com for all of your Ranger needs or go to LMCTruck.com for all of your Ranger parts too. I would keep it clean looking by taking off your old campershell & putting a clean looking Tonneau
cover painted or not. For Painting the Ranger well thats up to you. I'll would loved to changed the color of Ranger from Charcoal Grey to some kind of dark blue color. Don't do a front visor or a back one. I would loved to take mine off. Hope all info helps you out.

Jimmy3970

 

[02RangerXLT]

OD Green.

 

[rd_rangerman_88]

What do you want the truck to function as:

Daily driver, haul firewood, go camping - fishing, work truck, do you want a truck that you can drive on mild trails but still drive every day?

Give us some idea on how you see yourself using the truck, and we'll give you ideas on how to achieve the results you're after.

I see myself using this truck for light hauling, light towing, a work truck when needed, drive on mild trails, and still be capable of being used as a paintball tank (which is what it's doing right now ).

A body lift wasn't in the cards for me, but i know all the bushings underneath need replaced (they're cracking and dry rotted). From what i can tell the 30's will fit without any cutting or lift, however i do intend to put some leveling coils on the front eventually.

I'm a little worried about frame rot if i'm honest; the whole thing is laminated with rust, and in some spots i've been able to punch a hole through (mainly under the bed), so during the tire change i'm going to try and remove the flakes of rust and treat the whole chassis with rust neutralizer

As for that 'camper' shell, that's actually an old utility cap with the roof rack removed and the tool storage cut out; that's what turns the truck into a paintball tank (four people in the bed pop the side doors open and fire away ). I would like to put a roof rack back on it to be honest; i kinda like the idea of a 'safari' rack like you saw on Camel Trophy Land Rovers on this truck as well.

Color? OD Green all the way ; was planning on doing that after the bed sides and front fenders

Hopefully that helps out a bit, but i'll be ready to answer more questions that will no doutb arise from my answers.

Awaiting with and a

 

[r1hatman]

Herculine it!

 

[Jim Oaks]

I see people use 2-inch leveling coils, spacers etc. It seems to me they're never satisfied. Eventually they go to a 4-inch lift. Don't waste your money on something you may just upgrade earlier.

Also, I've seen several pics here of failed James Duff components. That's why I never recommend them.

A body lift will give you room for 30's or 31's. You may run in to problems with body bushings that are bad and you have to deal with trying to raise the bumpers. A good 4-inch kit for these Rangers aren't all that expensive. I bet you could even find one used. Check craigslist. Here's a 8-inch kit for $250.00:

http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/cto/1647606860.html

If it were me, I'd do a 4-inch suspension lift and add 31's.

Here's pics of my 83:

4-inch suspension lift, 3-inch body lift, 33-inch tires and trimmed fenders. I just posted it for measurement examples. The front bumper is a rear step bumper with a grill guard added. You can be creative without spending a lot of money.

 

[rd_rangerman_88]

I see people use 2-inch leveling coils, spacers etc. It seems to me they're never satisfied. Eventually they go to a 4-inch lift. Don't waste your money on something you may just upgrade earlier.

Also, I've seen several pics here of failed James Duff components. That's why I never recommend them.

A body lift will give you room for 30's or 31's. You may run in to problems with body bushings that are bad and you have to deal with trying to raise the bumpers. A good 4-inch kit for these Rangers aren't all that expensive. I bet you could even find one used. Check craigslist. Here's a 8-inch kit for $250.00:

http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/cto/1647606860.html

If it were me, I'd do a 4-inch suspension lift and add 31's.

Here's pics of my 83:

4-inch suspension lift, 3-inch body lift, 33-inch tires and trimmed fenders. I just posted it for measurement examples. The front bumper is a rear step bumper with a grill guard added. You can be creative without spending a lot of money.

Ah, the poster truck for TRS....love it

Never thought about the step bumper in the front, though that looks quite nice actually. Now if i could just find the flamin' grille guard for an 88 or older i'd be ok

While that's a good deal, i don't think i'd be after 8 inches of lift

A four inch lift might work, but i'd need better working conditions to do it (i.e. not outside on gravel and grass ). Plus, given that i've never worked on a truck until this one, that's a bit daunting to do on my own; doing a suspension lift is pretty involved, right?

 

[bmonee5]

+1 on fender trimming. Looks like you already have some rust issues on the fender wells so you could take care of that easily with a little trimming, plus fit a little bit bigger tires and rattle can that baby and if you ever want some nice paint you already have a primer job.....plus by this point you haven't really put much money into it.

 

[rd_rangerman_88]

+1 on fender trimming. Looks like you already have some rust issues on the fender wells so you could take care of that easily with a little trimming, plus fit a little bit bigger tires and rattle can that baby and if you ever want some nice paint you already have a primer job.....plus by this point you haven't really put much money into it.

Tell me about it....the truck cost 300 bones (still can't believe that ), brake lines and fittings came to about 30 dollars, plugs, wires, cap, and rotor were about 105...so about 435 spent so far, with my goal for this being to make it a decent little truck for under a grand

Sadly if i trimmed these fenders and bed sides there'd be nothing left . They are completely and utterly rotten (at least the bed sides are). Plus, i need something to practice my bodywork and panel beating skills, along with welding, so why not do it on a truck that didn't cost me too much, and isn't going to be some pretty face that never sees offroad use. If it's butt-ugly because of something i did, who cares? It adds to the character

Now assuming i decided to do a 4 inch lift, anybody got any recommendations on a particular kit? And one that won't break the bank/is relatively easy for a novice to install