My backyard build (56K warning)

[dude772]

Another little update, I've been playing with the dash harness and wiring in general. Ive put the electronic 4x4 switch wires in, the power window wires in, the power door lock wires in, and while I was in there I re-wired my remote start and alarm to look alot cleaner.

This truck origonally didn't have any power options, I put in aftermarket power window motors and door lock solenoids. I used wires from my parts explorer to use the factory circuit breaker location for the power windows, And for the 4x4 switch wires.

There was already a 4x4 power wire in the underhood harness and a rear defrost power wire. The defrost power wire will be used for the power door locks.

The remote start/ alarm has got a trunk pop button that I was thinkin about wireing up as a door popper or maybe some kind of remote window control.

EDIT: And a picture to go with my headache

Note the different harnesses on the pool table and floor, unpictured are 2 more hanging from the ceiling.

 

[MUDDING B-3000]

thats a sick build cant wait to see it all finished up

 

[dude772]

Working on the seats today. Not exactly what I had in mind but Its costing me very little.
Im also a little pissed too. I had seats that i saved for the Ranger from my moms 86 cougar(same car i got the origonal 5.0L from) they were really nice grey 60/40 split with a centre consol in the middle instead of a third seat where all my power option controls were going to go. Like my power windows, locks, lumbar, and any extra stuff i installed in the truck. The seats had a removeable headrest so they were looked like a low back seat. That was the biggest reason why i liked them. I had it all planned out perfectly to use these seats. Saved them for over 2 years. I stashed them in a dead tarus car at my buddys house and told EVERYONE that they were in there. I reminded people everytime they went into that car that im saving those seats and to not scrap the car unless the seats get pulled out.

Well last week guess what happens, of course they scrap the car. but they took the seats out at first and thought about why they were being saved in there. Then decided to cut the springs out of the bottom to make electical probs and tossed them back in the car and hauled it away to the scrappers. So even if i did go back to the wreckers to get them back out of the car they are destroyed.

So now I've got to use the seats from my parts explorer. Definitly not my first choice, but they will work.

I stopped by Fabricland and got some Dylon black fabric dye and went to town on the passengers side seat. Took the seat cover off of the frame and laid it out. Mixed the stuff as directed and used a cloth to rub it into the seat, went over it untill i ran out of mix. Then rinsed the cover untill the water staied clear, well mostfully clear. Enough that i would be confortable wearing a white shirt while sitting in the seat.

Hard to tell that its been dyed, but it looks darker that the picture. It is still kind of grey, but all I was looking for was something that would be dark to match the rest of the black interior.

EDIT:

with the dirvers side cover next to it with the light not shining directly on it giving a glare.


Then I remember i saved the lumbar support from my younger brothers 93 crown vic when i scrapped it. So i grabbed the airbag from that and tossed it in there. Theres tabs cut into the frame for it already, all you need to do is trim the bag supports and a small section out of the bag. slide the supports threw the sides of the air bag and bend the tabs around them and route the air hose. The hose goes to the switch and theres another hose that goes to the motor. Finish off with mounting it all and supplying a power and ground. Easy!

If you were to try and install the lumbar in another truck, it could be done without removing the seat. It would probably take about an hour to do both sides.

All the parts needed

Bag installed

Everything hooked up, tried it out with the battery and works perfectly and is VERY comfortable!

 

[Boggin]

Lookin Good Man. Keep It Up

 

[dude772]

I did a full write up on how to do the power lumbar with lots of pictures when i did the drivers side seat.

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17280

 

[PARKINGLOT]

looking good man!

 

[dude772]

Im falling behind on this thing.

Now I've verified that the 4x4 switch works, i hooked up the transfercase to test the switch and the transfercase to make sure they both work. And yesterday I picked up some springs for the front. So soon enough it will be sitting on 4 wheels for the first time in .... i cant remember how long.

The springs I ordered are the classic bronco 5.5" lift springs. Im going to modify my stock spring perches to make them work. The springs are really tall, haha. I didn't get around to taking a pic of them yet. I will get one when I start fabricating something for the suspension. Possibly take a pic of them next to the stock springs to compare.

Im really excited to get the front suspension all set up!

Hopefully I can get a bunch of it done on my day off this friday. I dont get to work on the truck alot anymore now that im working full time again. But it does give me lots of money to be able to buy things for it.

 

[dude772]

Another update.

No pictures again because I keep foretting my memory card reader at work in my toolbox.

I've got the axle under the truck, I've decided to go with a 3 link system. Ive gotten the brackets for the lower links all cut out with the torch and ready to clean up on the grinder.
Ive made the passengers side link. I accedently made it too long, but I'm going to use it anyway, because its too much hasstle to shorten it. The passengers side is all setup with the spring in the modified stock spring tower and on the bracket for the axle. I used 3/8" plate for the brackets and 1/2" plate for the spring retainers.

I also put some ball joints in the axle and put everthing together with tires to see how it all looks and if the axle is located where it needs to be. Everything is coming together very nicely. As soon as I get my card reader there will be pictures to post.

 

[dude772]

New springs compared to the origonal '77 radius arm

New spring compared to the old ranger springs

My modified spring tower, the "D" shape is the spring retainer, there will also be a piece that clamps it into the tower.

Trial fit of the springs with the '77 radius arm. This ended in me getting a heavy ass spring in the forehead... do not try this!

Shortened axle shaft. This was the biggest bullshit ever! sent it out 4 times because they kept screwing it up! Ended with them pissing me off and taking it to my friend who had a lathe.

Axle under the truck...

The end of the link that I made.

Finally... the axle under the truck with the tires on for a trial fit. The axle stands are not supporting the frame, the front ones are only making sure it doesn't go side to side. The rims are from a 92 F-150 I scrapped, and the tires are 31". They look big on the stock explorer, but tiny on the ranger!

 

[Carlos Murphy]

cool

Keep the pics comin, I just love a fresh, revived block ready to be stuffed with all new and shinny parts...

 

[dude772]

Had a problem with where I mounted the links. They were too far towards the outside of the axle, when I accedently moved the tire i noticed that it hit the link that was just sitting in place. So I cut them off and relocated them.

You can see in the second picture where the wedge used to be. Im more toward the center of the axle compared to that. So I should be good for some 35" tires with enough clearance. I do still need to ad another brace under the spring bracket. I'm not very comfortable with it hanging out so far with no support on the end of it.

The third link tabs and the trac bar tabs need to be made still.

 

[dude772]

Some news for today.

I ordered some headers from james duff today, and i ordered the transmission adapter kit to adapt the AOD to the ranger transfercase. I made arrangements for the transmission guy at work to build it for me and I'm waiting to find out about some front accessory brackets from a 5.0L explorer.

Going to pick-up the headers and adapter on monday. Trans should be ready for the following weekend.

It feels like im getting down to the final stages of the build. I'm Pretty excited.

 

[dude772]

Made up the frame brackets for the links today. 3/8" plate, I think that should be big enough. haha.

Got them cut and welded today. Excpet i was paranoid about melting the bushings in the rod end, and paranoid about the steel plates warping a little bit. I took the rod end out and hoped for the best.... well i failed. The plates warped a little and now i need to bend them slightly to fix them.

 

[dude772]

A truck load of stuff for the ranger today. I went and picked up my transmission adapter that i got from advace adapters, and my headers that came from james duff.

Then when I got back I happened to be at the right place at the right time and picked up some 35x12.5R15 tires and rims to go with them that just happend to have a 5x5.5 bolt pattern to fit on my dana 44 front axle and I will have some way of adapting them to go on the rear axle too.

The rims cost me $100 for all 4, and the tires were going to be thrown away so they were free. the tires are brand new and still have the painted lines i the tread and little noobs on them.

And earlier this week i also picked up the front engine accessory brackets for a 97 5.0L explorer.

 

[dude772]

And my new rims and tires mounted on the front of the truck. Looks much better with 35s now!