New here and need some info

[Cole]

Hello everyone, I am new on here and have some questions, I have a 1991 ranger 2WD 3.0 Auto supercab that has always been my baby, last year I restored it, paint, interior, engine, transmission, you name it. I just got off of the interstate and some idiot decides that it looks like nobody is coming and he blows the red light, i guess he thinks a red light means proceed with caution? so here I am, 55 mph on the highway and BAM! luckily i had no injuries, but the truck is in alot of pain, I have been looking on craigslist for a donor to swap parts like the hood, bumper, fenders, etc. I know that a 89-92 ranger will swap, I'm pretty sure my frame is toast, but the damage is in front of the engine mounts so maybe a torch and some elbow grease can fix it??? what other vehicles can i get a frame from bronco II, explorer? you may be asking why does this idiot not go junk this truck and buy a new one, It was my fathers truck that he bought in 2003 for $800. all of my mechanical abilities where from this truck, you know what you get with $800. I have replaced it for now with a 2000 silverado and I regret the day i signed the check. After going into the truck as far as i did, It was so sad to see all of my work gone. So look at the pics and let me know what you think and what other frames will work, BTW, I hit a Hyundai Accent, you could guess what that little tinker toy looked like. Can you believe the truck still runs great, trans clutches didn't explode either, BUILT FORD TOUGH! I would probably drive it if the radiator wasn't smashed.

 

[swynx]

Far as I know anything rbv should work. Not to sure on the b2. But almost all rbv parts are interchange able. Explorer should defiantly work. B2 should only be different in the engine.

 

[RonD]

Since you are in no hurry I would call and get estimates on frame straightening.
Hourly prices vary alot, also check local "tech" schools, they need the practice, and prices are good.

Minimum is usually 3 hours, 2 hours setup and 1 hour of pounding and pulling
It costs a lot less if you have all the bolt on parts already removed, and they need to come off anyway.

Did the insurance "total" the VIN, so it's listed as savage now?
That can be an issue on getting it back on the road

 

[swynx]

Nvm my post explorer frames are different seems that ranger frames are the same up till the ifs years..http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48184

 

[swynx]

Also that is a really clean truck. Congrats to you for restoring it. Hell of a lot better than scrapping it. Cuz then theres 1 less ranger out there.

 

[Cole]

Thanks guys, I will have no problem stripping the frame. I will see if I can find a shop around here that can give me a quote. That's exactly why I didn't want to get rid of it, the older rangers are rare here in Florida because they rust out. So swynx, any ranger ex cab frame from 1989-1997 will work.

 

[97RangerXLT]

I died a little when I saw that.

You might even be able to get a whole truck with a junk motor and swap in the parts you need, including the frame if you can't get it straightened out.

That looked like it was a sweet truck before it got hit. I have found out that nice vehicles are dipshit magnets...

Good luck on getting it restored again, and post pictures

AJ

 

[adsm08]

You can snag a frame section from 83 to 97. You can snag a whole frame from 86 to 97.

If you find a nice roll-over unit in a 95 to 97 you can get some nicer brakes. Throw your cab and bed on it, get some new front end sheet metal, maybe a new door, she will live.

 

[bmerr98]

That hurt me to see...I had a 1991 3.0 supercab 5 speed 2wd that I drove for 15 years. Yours is in much better shape than mine was, but I really enjoyed my first Ranger. Just under 320k miles on the odometer (never rebuilt, started every time i turned the key, and didn't even smoke) when I drowned it in some high backwater just off the Cumberland River. It was like losing a family member. I can relate to seeing all the time and work over the years in your truck. I truly hope you can find the parts you need to get the old girl back on the road again.

 

[Cole]

Yep bmerr98, right now the truck has 300,000 that I put on it alone, I forget what it had on it when we got it. Don't worry 97rangerxlt I will definetly have a rebuild thread up with lots of pics. So now all I have to do is find a donor, cant wait!!! I will have to find the pictures of when it was all done and put them on here.

 

[Cole]

Here it is when i got it, the wheel arches where completely rusted before I restored it.