New to me 1994 ranger extended cab

[cardana24]

I painted my flares and put the new fender on.


put my "new" junkyard chrome bumper on


Put my "new" junkyard header panel on and installed new aftermarket headlights.


Pulled the screwed on dash trim off. I had to swap the center vents over and then cut a hole for the fog light switch on the "new" junkyard trip piece because it came from a truck without foglights and it was not 4x4.


also have a line on a good set of used tires I should be able to get in about a week.

 

[Shran]

Prothane makes new body bushings. I just replaced them all on my '86 a couple weeks ago, and they didn't look nearly as bad as yours. You can get the kit on Amazon for about $50.

Just be prepared, the old ones are very difficult to remove. I went through several sawzall blades and it took me about 4 hours. It helps if you get a wood sawzall blade and cut all of the rubber off the bushing, then cut the metal sleeve inside it in half. You should also plan on buying some large washers and new bolts... I was able to reuse my bolts but the washers and everything else were gone.

 

[cardana24]

Prothane makes new body bushings. I just replaced them all on my '86 a couple weeks ago, and they didn't look nearly as bad as yours. You can get the kit on Amazon for about $50.

Just be prepared, the old ones are very difficult to remove. I went through several sawzall blades and it took me about 4 hours. It helps if you get a wood sawzall blade and cut all of the rubber off the bushing, then cut the metal sleeve inside it in half. You should also plan on buying some large washers and new bolts... I was able to reuse my bolts but the washers and everything else were gone.

I actually already bought the prothane kit. I think I got it from either summit or jegs though.

I have read that the old stuff is hard to remove. I was wondering about needing new hardware too. Did you just get washers that were wide enough to cover the tops and bottoms of the bushings? Also, as for the metal sleeve that everyone talks about do we need to do anything with that? I see the prothane kit has some sort of metal insert in the middle of at least half of the bushings. Finally, do you know what size bolts you bought to replace the originals?

 

[Shran]

I actually already bought the prothane kit. I think I got it from either summit or jegs though.

I have read that the old stuff is hard to remove. I was wondering about needing new hardware too. Did you just get washers that were wide enough to cover the tops and bottoms of the bushings? Also, as for the metal sleeve that everyone talks about do we need to do anything with that? I see the prothane kit has some sort of metal insert in the middle of at least half of the bushings. Finally, do you know what size bolts you bought to replace the originals?

Washers: I used big, thick fender washers that cover the bushing. They were probably supposed to be used with 3/4" or so bolts.

Sleeves/bolts: I reused my factory bolts and the very bottom part of the sleeve (basically just the nut and lower washer.) The rest of the sleeve was cut off and thrown away. The only two I didn't reuse were the fronts under the core support - those just got long 1/2" bolts and nyloc nuts.

 

[cardana24]

Washers: I used big, thick fender washers that cover the bushing. They were probably supposed to be used with 3/4" or so bolts.

Sleeves/bolts: I reused my factory bolts and the very bottom part of the sleeve (basically just the nut and lower washer.) The rest of the sleeve was cut off and thrown away. The only two I didn't reuse were the fronts under the core support - those just got long 1/2" bolts and nyloc nuts.

Okay, so you are saying we don't need any kind of metal insert (like stock) to be used in addition to the prothane bushings?

 

[cardana24]

Got the grill and corner lights in last night. I'm waiting to put the bumper on until I do the cab/body mounts. Currently the truck is jacked up waiting for me to replace the front brake hoses and tie rod ends...then it should be close to ready for inspection after I get my tires.

 

[Shran]

Okay, so you are saying we don't need any kind of metal insert (like stock) to be used in addition to the prothane bushings?

I really don't see any point in using additional metal inserts. The only purpose they would serve that I can see is keeping the factory bushings stationary when the truck is being assembled.

 

[cardana24]

I replaced the brake hoses yesterday, they were in great shape...






The clips that were holding the brake hoses onto the back of the shock mount tower were a royal pain for me. I ended up ripping them off. I went to Napa and got standard brake lock fittings, they work great and I am sure I can get them off easy if I ever need to. Here is the part number for those if anyone needs it.


Then I went to bleed the brakes, just to find out that someone had broken off the bleeder screw on the left front. So I tried twisting what was left with some vise grips, that did not work so I tried an easy out...that did not work so I ended up with a new caliper.



I worked some the interior too, but I did not take any pics of that. And replaced the outer tie rod ends. Hopefully I will make it though inspection soon.

 

[projectRanger93]

Searched around and found this thread. Would be interested in how the truck came out, but I guess the owner hasn't been online in over a year. Shame though, i would have suggested for him not to throw out the 4x4 grille since those are hard to find. I'm 3 years too late. :/