My 87 Ranger I will be restoring soon I want to keep track of my progress and add information as I find it.

[Terrys87]

Hello RobbieD, That is a nice, mine is not as nice as yours. It is in need of some work. Your truck looks great. I am starting a build thread on it. I like the running boards but I worry about rust. If you want these, you can have them. The passenger side is broke but probably with fiberglass work, they can look good. On the bottom picture, this is biggest dent and it damaged the running board I will get a better picture soon

 

[RobbieD]

Hello RobbieD, That is a nice, mine is not as nice as yours. It is in need of some work. Your truck looks great. I am starting a build thread on it. I like the running boards but I worry about rust. If you want these, you can have them. The passenger side is broke but probably with fiberglass work, they can look good. On the bottom picture, this is biggest dent and it damaged the running board I will get a better picture soon View attachment 126378View attachment 126379

Thanks, but that pic of mine was taken in 2009, and the top surfaces of the silver has weathered through in spots. I'll have to evaluate it, but I think I can get by with just repainting the silver to get it presentable. I've got to get some wrench time on it this summer; it needs an oil pump and I have a fresh rebuilt trans for it (Mitsu 5 speed, 2WD).

I will be following your build with much interest. And thank you for the offer, but the shipping would probably be too big of a nut for me or else I'd work something out you on the flairs and running boards. You may want to consider putting the set up for sale on some wide-reaching venue. They are tough to find these days, and even with the damage (glass work isn't that hard) you might could sell them for some good change.

Yes, you do need to assess if any rust is involved with those. The norm when we installed glass parts on trucks back then was to set 'em in place and then use screw guns to run 3/8" drill-point screws through the glass and into the fender lips. Same routine for the braces under the board part. I'd try to brush or blow the metal chips off before running things home, but most installers didn't care. So you may find localized rust around the mounting points, especially from metal chips.

Tell you what, once you get those flairs and boards off, if they break down into pieces, and it thus reduces the shipping package size, holler at me and maybe I'll feel like making you an offer for the set, shipping, and your trouble.

Again, I'll keep looking in on your thread for this guy's rehabilitation. I can't quite see the front hubs, but I'm assuming it's a 4WD; manual or auto?

And since it had the (aftermarket) flairs and grab bars, there may be still be, or evidence of, interior add-on goodies that were also popular back then. Oak trim was popular, as were overhead consoles.

I really like that B2; you made a great score with it and I'm looking forward to your going through it.

 

[Terrys87]

Hello RobbieD... This truck is automatic with the auto hubs on it. Previous owner says the motor wont engage the transfer case. I have not ever worked on an truck of this generation with the automatic system. It is something I am looking forward too. In general I like the manual locking hubs. If I can get it them to work with the console on the roof, I would like to but seems like it is prone to issues. I will get it figured out but the manaul tcase and hubs is so much more dependable in any make or model in my opinion. The interior is in great shape. Rear seats look new. Front seats are faded but look to be in great shape. I am hoping fabric dye will help with that or if I find a set nicer somewhere, I would swap them out. Driver door panel has me a little concerned, as trying to find a panel could be difficult.

This truck has been setting for a while. It does run but have front brakes locked up. I will work on it this weekend and get those fixed. It has the rare/hard to find cover in the back that stretches over the bed of it. Overall a nice truck. I am motivated to get it done quick. Not sure how far you live from Biloxi, but they have Cruizin the coast. https://cruisinthecoast.com/ so might could meet up with you for the running boards. I had plan on taking my pickup but I really want to take the bronco just as it has cruise. I will take which one is looking the best and running the best. The truck will make it, just no cruise control and the bronco is rarer so really want to take it. I am going to try and get cruise on the truck but still wourld rather the bronco.

I did see one bronco in '90 that had the full treatment of running boards and the would grain. I did not realize that was popular add on back then. Two parts are already going to get recycled from the truck. Front bumper and grill as this one has some damage on those two pieces.

 

[RobbieD]

Don't feel bad about not working on the auto hubs yet; I've owned and driven really nothing but Rangers, B2s and Explorers since 1985, and I've never even had one with 4WD. A truck is just transportation to me, so I never felt the need. I look at it as, what ain't there, can't break.

On the seats, I'm not sure on the first gen buckets, but on the second generations the cloth seat covers are easily removed from the seat assembly. I think that dying is worth a shot, and I'd look at pulling the cloth covers from the seat to do that. That way you could easier wash them, dye them, then wash them again before putting the cloth back on the seats.

From the pic you have the upholstered full interior door panels. These panels actually seem to be pretty common still; it may not be that hard to scare up a good panel, or a good set.

I'm intrigued about Cruizin the Coast. I'm about 375 miles, 5 1/2 hours from there. I'll have to see how things are going, leading up to October.

I honestly think that you've gotten yourself a great example of the breed in that Bronco II. The way that you knocked out all of the work on your truck, I bet that you'll have that B2 ready to roll, and righteous, well before October.

 

[Terrys87]

Thanks RobbieD.. Cruzin the Ciast I gave not been to but a friend has and I going. It’s for 30 years or older if any make. Cruise, car shows and other things as I am told. Even cars in stages if repair.

I got quite a few pictures of the Bronco I will post on that build. It has the wood grain dash but that was common. I will check and see if the cloth is removable. Never really checked in the past. Would make things easier.

 

[Terrys87]

I got my carpet in today. The Bronco is got the shop tied up as brakes are locked up. I will be getting the Bronco “Driveway Movable”. I got coil springs, body bushings, and carpet and headliner. I think I got plenty to keep me busy on the Ranger. I don’t see me getting that far this weekend.

 

[Terrys87]

Finally got my center caps in the mail.
Next time I have tire off I will work on the black factory hub.

Still plenty to do on Ranger. Rain all weekend long so plan on lots of shop time. I got plenty to keep me busy.

 

[Terrys87]

I started on body bushings. Started out great. Bolts came out easy, front bushing went in great. Then got to floor board and rear cab section and bushings don’t want to come out.

New bushings should get cab level with the bed. These are stiffer then factory do not expecting a smoother ride but bed will be level and new parts will be on.

 

[Awesom-O]

Wow! Been a while since I’ve been on. Truck is looking great Terry! Looking forward to the Bronco build too. I’ve gotta finish my Ranger still. 99% done and then it’s on to my Bronco II as well.

 

[MaicoDoug]

Stay in it Terry87, you're doing that Ranger well.

 

[Kbradley1968]

View attachment 126414
I got my carpet in today. The Bronco is got the shop tied up as brakes are locked up. I will be getting the Bronco “Driveway Movable”. I got coil springs, body bushings, and carpet and headliner. I think I got plenty to keep me busy on the Ranger. I don’t see me getting that far this weekend.

What side headliner material did you get.

 

[Terrys87]

Thanks @ Awesome-O, I am ready to get on the Bronco as well. Transmission is giving me issues and I am hoping to get some time in the shop soon to get back on it. Glad to see you back.

Thanks @MaicDoug, It is been slower then I would like but it is coming along. I am starting to get some compiments on it when I have it out in town.

Hello @Kbradley1968 Welcome to the site. I got mine at a local interior shop. They can get the material in any size you want for a reasonable price. They will have it in long rolls and just measure what you need. I am going to dye my panels and headliner all at the same time as it is hard to get the exact match from a shop. A lot cheaper at a mom and pop shop then from a specialty store.

 

[Terrys87]

Last weekend I went to a buddy’s house in Tennessee. 1000 mile round trip. Longest journey for this truck. I mentioned earlier in this build I would paint over the rust until I could have my friend do the patch panels.

Here is driver side done. I will repaint at a later time.

He can do a better job than me. While he did my patch panels, I did mechanical work on a 79 Dodge he is taking on Power Tour. Occasionally we get together to help each other out to get projects done. You can get quite a bit done doing this.

On my way home, first two hours I froze my butt off. Heater leaked. It’s a new heater core. I just by passed it and drive home. Other then heater core issue it ran great. Jason doing drivers side.

 

[Terrys87]

Got a new windshield in. Looking thru it is nearly not having any glass at all. It is clear. It had the factory original in it and had two chips but was just worn.

 

[Terrys87]

When I did my cooling system I did change heater core. This did not fit the best and already started leaking. Froze my butt off for first two hours on my way home drone Tennessee.

The one on the left I got from Rockauto and it fits better. It was originally for the Bronco.

This is the brand I got from Rockauto.