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my official build thread (lots of pics and INFO)


89Ranger5.0

Well-Known Member
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Apr 8, 2009
Messages
210
Age
33
City
Upstate NY
Vehicle Year
1989
Transmission
Manual
WINTER 2012 UPDATES PAGE 2
*****updates at end****

Keep in mind all funded by me 20 year old full time college student.

:icon_hornsup: The start: 1989 Ranger with 72k miles on it from south jersey. Picked it up with a 5.0 and AOD already in it for 2,000 bucks. Truck was solid as ive ever seen anything let alone a ranger. It was driven daily previously by a 40+ year old lady.

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motor was a 92 mustang block with HO cam and e7 heads with headmann shorties and 3 inch exhaust, and a 750 carb, LOTS OF OVER KILL.

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Had it for 2 months before paint work started, yes it came with those ugly rims
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Old exhaust with the 7.5"
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Explorer bucks and console installed
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After just a year of owning it decided more power is needed :icon_thumby:
So after losts of practice on old briggs lawn mower heads, I decided to port the e7s
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then did an E-303 cam ford racing lifters and a 600 cfm holley
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After that summer of shitty performance due to no stall in the aod and heads that didnt flow enough for the cam...... O and the fact that the crank snapped and split block plus two rods :thefinger:
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So it was back to square 1 in winter of 2010 I started by pulling the heads and selling them to a buddy, and sold off intake and distrib next, then out came the AOD for a little t5 action:icon_thumby:
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Install of t5 and removal of the old auto stuff underwent cut hole in the floor for shifter (hurst short throw) and pedal install.
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Then it was search for the new motor. U pull it place by me offered 100 dollar motors from throttle body to oil pan any motor u want as long as u find it prep it and they will lift it out. No im not kidding. they dont keep inventory at all. with 30 warrenty on the parts. :icon_bounceblue:
Found an explorer with 80k on it that was in an accident 96 so it had GT40 heads and intake.
Sold the intake for the price of the whole motor :headbang:
Then ported the gt40s and bought FMS double valve spring to allow for the e-cam to work correctly. I re-barringed the whole motor and honed the cylinders, the thing was CLEAN!!!!!!
Bought a zoom clutch, weiand intake, and pro bilet distrib and new msd box as well.
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Then it was time to say goodbye to the 7.5 for another good deal at that same yard got whole thing for 40 bucks. 8.8 373 and trac loc.
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Then installed it all and got it tuned :icon_welder:

THis is where i am at as of summer of '11
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(explorer console is back in thanks to a bracket on shifter that brings it forward )
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Just ordered these to be installed this winter :icon_hornsup: The old exhaust rotted out headers had been welded and anoying.
So it was time for some tri-ys and new poly stock body bushings to get the body lift out =)
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Also went to track first time ever and went a best of 14.0 at 98
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Now its time for winter and more building/ mods
plans:
-Exhaust including the tri=ys and reduce to 2-1/2 inch
-body drop and new radiator to go with it
-explorer accesories
-HD u-joints to handle hard launches
-Trac-loc rebuild with cobra clutches
-Possible aluminium heads too

Random fun photo: me with a buddy, thats a sonoma with a 6.0 and a t78 turbenetics turbo thru a 4l80e running anywhere from 8-15 pounds depending on how he feels, daily driven and driven hard. truck went 10.83 at 140 something on radials and stock suspension only 11 pounds! he was kindly escorted out for no cage or anything for that matter. TALK ABOUT A SLEEPER!!
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feel free to comment and ask question RANGER STATION FOR LIFE!!!:icon_cheers::icon_cheers:
 
Last edited:
Thanks alot man! Thinking I should take that pin stripe off what do you guys think?
 
Looks good, but please please lower the back like 12 inchs it looks like my 4x4 ranger
 
Looks good, but please please lower the back like 12 inchs it looks like my 4x4 ranger

I know. :-( its got a 3 inch body lift from last owner YUCK! BUT the body mounts are here so it comes down in next couple months
 
Nice rig dude. For some reason I thought you had GT40P heads from another thread.

Looks good though!
 
Nice ride! Love the 5.0 emblems. Good time at the track, too. Great photos, great info. Thanks for sharing!
 
Forgot to comment on those busted parts, the crank and rods... love the shop carnage. I have a "wall of shame" in my shop with thrown rods and all kinds of other cool broken stuff...
 
Nice rig dude. For some reason I thought you had GT40P heads from another thread.

Looks good though!

Thanks man. And no gt40 irons non-p that after porting 4 sets of e7s I ported them myself and had good results.
 
Nice ride! Love the 5.0 emblems. Good time at the track, too. Great photos, great info. Thanks for sharing!

Thanks be more photos on the tri-y install and lowering of truck. I tried getting my track video up so u guys could laugh at my horrible driving literally at a 2.3 60' on radials! Lol
 
Forgot to comment on those busted parts, the crank and rods... love the shop carnage. I have a "wall of shame" in my shop with thrown rods and all kinds of other cool broken stuff...

Lol ya it went boom! U can tell y. There now part of a "redneck windchim" that has my parts a buddies 440 6 pack runner bent push rods and another blown up SBC. As a little reminder of hi revs on tired motor doesn't go well
 

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