My 87 Ranger Update

[Scotts87]

Haven't been on here much lately. I bought an 87 Ranger back in the spring with lots of nice mods but it still is a resto project. It has a 331 stroker in it with a TCI Streetfighter trans and a 3.90 8.8 rear. anyway I haven't touched it much over the summer. I just got back to it recently. I am converting the interior over to all black. Just finished the dash. Also installed a new cluster with a factory tach. Also did the headliner in a black micro suede. New carb, new distributor, wires, air cleaner, braided throttle cable and few other things. The dash pad and bezel is also the original just not blue anymore.

Dash before

Dash now

Engine before

Engine now but really dusty

Headliner Now.. I did it in Microsuede

Welded up the holes in the fender from the emblem and on the doors from the mirror brakets.

 

[Scotts87]

 

[Scotts87]

Started repairing the driver side cab corner. The passenger side is great. I could see there was some bondo on this side and just had to grind it off. This is the only rust I have found on the entire truck. The cab and bed where removed from the frame. The frame was painted and had all new front end, and cab bushings installed.

Here is what I did this evening. I still have a little more to do but it got to be dinner time and my wife I think was getting tired of hearing the little air angle grinder coming from the garage.

Bent a new piece of sheet metal and tacked it in.

 

[jhammel85]

Looking really good!

How did you do the head liner? Just take it down, remove the old and replace with the new suede?

Also, I'm in the middle of doing the same exact thing to my interior except I might make it black and grey. I like the flat black you used to color the Dash Pad and dash panel.

Good luck!

 

[superdave1984]

Did you replace the dash or paint it?

 

[Scotts87]

Looking really good!

How did you do the head liner? Just take it down, remove the old and replace with the new suede?

Also, I'm in the middle of doing the same exact thing to my interior except I might make it black and grey. I like the flat black you used to color the Dash Pad and dash panel.

Good luck!

Thanx.. The headliner, I pulled the old down and removed the old material. I then removed all the foam backing that was still glued to the cardboard using a wire brush and a red scotch-brite pad. Once I got the backboard completely clean I applied the new material. The material is a Micro-suede I bought from a place near me called Joann's Fabrics basically a fabric/ shewing store. I used the heavy duty 3m spray glue for fabric. Fold the fabric in half and do it a half at a time. Make sure to coat the spray glue on the cardboard backing and the fabric backside. Take your time to work out any wrinkles but work fast it's very tacky. I am very happy with it.

The dash is believe it or not, Rustoleum spray bedliner in a spray can. I remove the dash pad from the truck, removed all trim parts. Clean it good. Scuff it up with a scotch brite red pad. Then wipe it down with mineral spirits. Spray allot of light coats allowing each to dry. Keep applying until it looks good to your liking. The gauge bezel is the same. I used little pieces of tissue to stick down in the turn signal liens (green) to keep the stuff from getting on the green.


Sorry I missed a comment. I painted all main parts of the dash. All plastic and some metal trim was done with Duplicolor plastic dye. Works great and very durable. Just be sure to scuff parts up with scotch brite and clean with mineral spirits before applying.

I have all parts done now. I now have new black seat belts, new black molded carpet, and am have a ranger bench seat that I plan to reupholster black soon. I haven't install much of it because I am working on getting the door jams ready for paint. Once that is done I will finish the interior.

 

[Louisville86]

That black dash looks great. I like the gauges mounted in that useless little cubbyhole on the passenger side, too.

It's funny that Ford considered that nasty brown fake woodgrain dashboard to be more upscale (XL, XLT models) than the faux metal look that was installed on base trucks. The faux metal is tolerable, but if I had the woodgrain I would probably ditch it, too.

 

[Scotts87]

That black dash looks great. I like the gauges mounted in that useless little cubbyhole on the passenger side, too.

It's funny that Ford considered that nasty brown fake woodgrain dashboard to be more upscale (XL, XLT models) than the faux metal look that was installed on base trucks. The faux metal is tolerable, but if I had the woodgrain I would probably ditch it, too.

Thanx. I am happy with it. Will be glad when I get the entire thig back together but I guess you can't rush these things.

 

[straycat]

The dash looks so much better!! A+++++ on that. Now....wider aggressive tires and wheels and that motor will feel like an old friend when you get that on the road.

 

[Scotts87]

The dash looks so much better!! A+++++ on that. Now....wider aggressive tires and wheels and that motor will feel like an old friend when you get that on the road.

LOL... Thanx so much. I do plan to ditch the mustang wheels that are on it now. Any suggestions would be great. I haven't really decide o what to do as wheels go.

Draglites wide and skinny?
Torque Thrust 17's?


I don't know????

 

[Scotts87]

Finished putting tailpipes on my ranger today. The truck had custom exhaust made for it and installed before it had the new rear put in. When the explorer rear was put in which sits on top of the springs the tailpipes had to be cut off at the back of the mufflers. Using the custom bent tailpipes and a few 2.5" exhaust parts I get it all fitted back up and welded it up today. Tailpipes are just how I like them turned down but out of sight for the most part.


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