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DriverSideImpact
Well-Known Member
Hi all, I recently picked up a base model 1996 Ranger singlecab with the 2.3L 4x4 and a 5 speed. Its got 195kmi on it.
I have lots of ideas for it, ultimately ending with a built turbo 2.3 or some other powertrain swap.
I'd also like to repaint it, probably olive green with black bedliner on the bottom.
I'm interested in short throw shifters. Way too sloppy for my liking. Any good places to look?
As for right now, I'd just like to tune it up and make it look nice. It needs tires and has a weird idle problem.
The body isn't really pretty. Dents and scratches abound... and the front bumper mounts are a little bent, and both bumpers are rusting as all painted Ranger bumpers do (front was primered grey by prev-owner).
And the interior could use freshening up, seats are a little worn and headliner sagging, little things here and there. My idea for right now is to find a good, cheap, compatible donor Ranger and pull all the good swappable stuff off and onto my truck, then sell that one off, make back a little.
I'm mainly looking for 93-97 Rangers.
Are 98+ Rangers mostly physically interchangeable (I know that the drivetrain/suspension/steering setups are different), but like the interiors and front and/or rear bumpers and stuff. Could the front end (headlights/hood/grill/bumper/etc) be swapped on? Are any Explorer parts compatible...front ends/bumpers/interior/etc?
I have lots of ideas for it, ultimately ending with a built turbo 2.3 or some other powertrain swap.
I'd also like to repaint it, probably olive green with black bedliner on the bottom.
I'm interested in short throw shifters. Way too sloppy for my liking. Any good places to look?
As for right now, I'd just like to tune it up and make it look nice. It needs tires and has a weird idle problem.
The body isn't really pretty. Dents and scratches abound... and the front bumper mounts are a little bent, and both bumpers are rusting as all painted Ranger bumpers do (front was primered grey by prev-owner).
And the interior could use freshening up, seats are a little worn and headliner sagging, little things here and there. My idea for right now is to find a good, cheap, compatible donor Ranger and pull all the good swappable stuff off and onto my truck, then sell that one off, make back a little.
I'm mainly looking for 93-97 Rangers.
Are 98+ Rangers mostly physically interchangeable (I know that the drivetrain/suspension/steering setups are different), but like the interiors and front and/or rear bumpers and stuff. Could the front end (headlights/hood/grill/bumper/etc) be swapped on? Are any Explorer parts compatible...front ends/bumpers/interior/etc?
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