New Member Austin Texas.

[RangerRyan1990]

New member here. I just got a ranger, my first one ever. I picked up a 1997 XLT extended cab with the 2.3 and 5 speed. It's a 2 wheel drive. I live about an hour outside Austin Texas headed into the hill country. I may go with an overland style rig build with this truck but not sure yet, I like having a bed so I can haul my motorcycles and having a dedicated overland rig would make that impossible without a trailer. So I may just go for an off-road/overland style build but where I can keep my bed empty and available for hauling at all times. I am interested in getting a metal off road style roof rack for on the roof of the cab that can hold a jack, a toolbox, a spare rim and tire, and a Jerry can. I am going to put a 2.5" lift on the truck, and slightly larger tires. Nothing extreme. I also would like to get a used 2.3 engine and 5 speed trans from a junkyard or marketplace to put in my shop and spend the next year or so rebuilding each so that they're completely new and fresh. I joined this forum so that I could look up troubleshooting issues I run into and to try and learn anything I can about these trucks especially the specific generation and package I have. I'm very pleased with the truck purchase, the body is very straight and as solid as the day is long. No rust on it (Texas is awesome) and the interior is exceptionally clean. I plan to start with a complete tune up and I'm going to do a full Sea Foam treatment on fuel system, intake, and crankcase. I'm also going to replace the battery terminals with some quick disconnects and throw in a new battery as well In the near future. Looking forward to being a member of this forum and learning many new things. Because this truck is completely rust free, the body is very straight, and the interior is so clean, I am making this truck my forever truck. That's why I plan to do a full engine and transmission build to put in it and replace the current drivetrain, and then I'll do the same to the motor and trans that I pull out of it so I have a spare drivetrain ready to go at all times. I also plan to do a rear end rebuild later this year if I can get around to it.