New to forum. Need help.

[TexasRanger88]

Hey guys. I'm new to the forum. I recently bought a 1988 ford ranger XLT. I'm going to be driving back and forth from my home town to work. Roughly 280 miles one way and wanted to start fixing the vehicle to handle the drive. I'm new to fixing my own vehicles and was wondering where would be a good place to start? Thanks for all of the tips and help.

 

[txgocartB3000]

My idea of a starting point would be a basic tune-up and fluid change all around.

Next would be brakes because no matter how fast you can go, you will have to make stops.

Ray

 

[TexasRanger88]

Awesome. Thanks. And is changing the rear drum to disc a hard process or an easy bolt on?

 

[RonD]

What engine do you have?

2WD or 4x4?

Automatic or manual?

A few articles on rear disc conversion here: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/index-wheels.shtml

You will need to know what axle you have now, look here: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/axle_codes.shtml

There is a label on the driver door with the AXLE CODE

 

[TexasRanger88]

I have a 2WD 2.9L V6. I'll have to check those out. Would you happen to know about the fuel tanks. My front tank reads empty when I switch to it. By rear on reads fine though. But I know the front one works because I filled it and now it's at half. It just doesn't read

 

[97RangerXLT]

Awesome on the dual tanks. sounds like your front tank sending unit is bad. not sure if you will have to replace the pump with the sending unit or not.. might be worthwhile to do so if you are going to pull the bed or drop the tank to do it anyways.

As a daily driver for a vehicle that old, especially driving it nearly 600 miles in a day I would be looking at a newer vehicle with better gas mileage. However, I totally understand the concept of "with what money, idiot?!" and if that is a part of the reason for driving a 27 year old truck that much as a daily driver, I would entertain getting a backup car for when you do have to put the truck down for maintenence (and it *will* happen...Just a matter of when). an 800 dollar beater will not be that much more to insure and keep running, and gives you a backup plan. (been there, done that, bought the t shirt)

but as the first reply to your original post says, tune up. As for brakes, I wouldn't mess with it. not worth the hassle, and you won't get that much better stopping power compared to the drums anyways. Plus you will very possibly put this truck out for repair/ maintenance for a few days to do all of this work..(see above comment on having an extra vehicle)

I will also add, spend some decent money on new good quality tires. that long of a trip and you are asking for trouble on old mismatched or worn/ cracked tires..

AJ

 

[The_Epsicle]

I wouldn't bother with the disk conversion, too much hassle in my opinion. I would recommend that you inspect your brake system though, I got my 94 in November and on the fourth trip out with it I had both front brake lines rupture as a kid on a bike crossed in front of me, luckily I found out my E-brake works perfectly. Still you don't want to have to invest in new brake hoses and a new pair of pants so I'd recommend an inspection.

 

[txgocartB3000]

My comment on brakes was not for a disk conversion but rather a functional and visual inspection of parts.

As seems to be the norm, my fingers refuse to write what my brain is thinking.

Will have to price replacement fingers.

Ray