New member, virgin Ford owner

[PirateB]

Hey guys and gals, my name is Brandon and I'm reporting to you from the North Georgia mountains. I've owned countless Toyota trucks and Jeeps, but this is my first Ford truck (I did drive a Ford Taurus in high school, but I won't count that one).

I picked up a 96 standard cab Ranger 4x2 2.3L 5spd. I took it on a trade for an 89 Cherokee I had been working on and grown tired of. It needs some minor body work and paint of course, but the motor was rebuilt this past December and honestly it runs like a top, and thank God the A/C works, this GA humidity is KILLING ME! lol

Overall I'm happy and I've already got a couple of shopping carts filled with odds and ends to bring the interior back to its prime and once I've got all the usual tune-up/fluids/wear parts replaced I'll start on the sheet metal.

I really hate the raked look, so I'm hoping next weekend to do a shackle flip on it. Don't plan to lower the front at this point, just trying to level the truck out. Will the shackle flip alone be too much drop to level the truck? I don't want a prerunner look either.

Here are a couple of pictures for your enjoyment. Can't wait to get started on some mods, this forum has been a huge help already figuring out my a/c issues (vacuum line) Cheers

 

[triumphrider-1]

Welcome.

There are no lift blocks in the rear, correct?

 

[PirateB]

Correct, no lift blocks in the rear. The wheel/tire size I feel exaggerates the rake a little bit maybe.

 

[GentleRF]

Welcome aboard! I have an 86 with a 2.3L, 5-speed and 2WD. I call Fred my boomerang truck since he keeps coming back to me. Long story.

Rick in East Bremerton, WA

 

[josuegdl]

Welcome!!!

 

[Schnot]

Love the Walmart shift knob lol. I have the same one in my beater farm truck.


Sent from my iPhone.

 

[PirateB]

Love the Walmart shift knob lol. I have the same one in my beater farm truck.


Sent from my iPhone.

The only thing securing it is that PBR bandanna, otherwise it'll fall off lol!

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD

 

[RollinWOT]

Welcome! Flipping the rear shackles drops about 2" off the rear ride height so it should be just about level if you want to go that route. Be sure to start a build thread and track your progress on the shackle flip with lots of pics. Good luck!

 

[PirateB]

Welcome! Flipping the rear shackles drops about 2" off the rear ride height so it should be just about level if you want to go that route. Be sure to start a build thread and track your progress on the shackle flip with lots of pics. Good luck!

Thanks, will do on the build thread, I hope to do the mod this coming monday, its reversible and I need new shocks anyway so no reason not to do it. Cheers!

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD

 

[Mark_88]

Welcome to TRS~!

Never mind the shackle flip...just put 15" rims and tires on the front and that should level it out...you might even start a new trend of high front end/low rear end...

Looks like my truck right about now...like someone couldn't decide what colour they liked and just mashed a bunch of things together to try to decide...

And, yes, that knob is kinda neat...reminds me of an ex girlfriend...

 

[shane96ranger]

Looks like my truck right about now...like someone couldn't decide what colour they liked and just mashed a bunch of things together to try to decide...

I always thought that was the result of a finger that was tired of pushing the spray nozzle.

 

[PirateB]

The guy before me spray bombed it flat black, looks like hell... with enough time even a spray can job can look decent, but not this. Then he started priming/sanding part of it who knows what he was doing, he primed right over the spray paint lol. I plan to take it all back down to good (factory paint) and going with the stock color which was white.

Its a project for sure but I move fast, look for updates soon. The interior is my main priority seeing as I have to sit in there and more importantly the wife has to sit in there :-D

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD

 

[Mark_88]

I always thought that was the result of a finger that was tired of pushing the spray nozzle.

What I did to most of the lower area was rubber guard over the paint in the outside chance that I could prevent rust and stone chips. I didn't care too much how it looked because the big picture was to have it cleaned down and paint the whole truck one colour...working on that now...

I have very strong fingers with good endurance...those sheep sure build strength and endurance...I might incorporate a new workout for the every day Joe who has access to a sheep pen...