New to the Ranger World

[Anthony Sell]

Hey everyone,

New to the Ranger world, have been doing the Jeep life for a very long time. Haven’t had a project in a couple years and decided to pick up a 1990 Ford Ranger XLT Ext. Cab for my next build (Have always wanted to build one). It will be a fun learning experience for sure but I’m looking forward to the build and getting back on the trails.

As a family we love getting out and exploring what the world has to offer either hiking or off-roading. We enjoy the light/moderate trails along with rock crawling as well. Originally came from Northern California where we did a lot of trail riding and crawling through the Sierra Nevadas. We are now in Middle Tennessee and granted the wheeling is different out here, we still enjoy it.

Below is the new project:

I look forward to diving into build threads and gaining some knowledge on these rigs.

 

[Blmpkn]

Welcome! You joined the right forum.

 

[rumblecloud]

A few Volunteers here already who can certainly give you some tips on where to go
Post more pics as you progress and...
Welcome to TRS

 

[SenorNoob]

Welcome to TRS neighbor. I'm up in Lafayette. We have a members in Hartsville, White House, and Lebanon that I'm aware of.

 

[dvdswan]

Welcome to the site.

 

[Anthony Sell]

It’s a slow project but I removed the damage front bumper, realigned the hood, replaced the door locks, flushed the cooling system and replaced the leaky water pump, replaced the FPR leaky o-ring. Pulled the seats and carpet (Thankfully the floorboard looks great) Really hoping to find a good 60/40 bench to put back in there.

Just trying to get it at least “roadworthy” before diving too deep into it with lift and tires.

 

[SenorNoob]

Can't be any slower than me. I bought the 1st parts of my lift 10 years ago and still don't have it installed...

 

[Jazzer]

Welcome!

Might want to take a look at your cab mounts, too.

 

[ShhhhhDougsHere]

I'm surprised at myself and a lot of others in this forum.
The reasoning being is,
that usually the welcoming party is way bigger.
I just now seen your post for the first time.

Welcome to TheRangerStation.
I wish you much luck and A LOT of fun.

 

[Anthony Sell]

Welcome!

Might want to take a look at your cab mounts, too.

Yeah they are definitely dry rotted so those will get replaced as well.

 

[Anthony Sell]

Putting my 4” lift on, got the rear finished and working on the front slowly but surely when I have time. When I did the rear there was a piece of metal under the driver leaf pack that was about an inch thick and maybe 4-5” long and as wide as the leafs. I said huh, strange… it had a hole in the center for the alignment pin like the rest of the leaf springs. I removed it since the passenger side did not have one and just assumed it was some more handy work from the previous owner that I came across.

Is this a normal piece of the driver side leaf pack on older rangers? It almost seems like it sits a little lower on the driver side in the rear now but can’t be 100% sure until the front is complete and the truck is back on all four tires.

 

[Jazzer]

It could be that the truck had the famous “Ranger lean” and that was a fix by the previous owner.

 

[Anthony Sell]

It could be that the truck had the famous “Ranger lean” and that was a fix by the previous owner.

Ahhh okay, well if that’s the case I’ll slap it back in there after the lift is complete and it’s still leaning

 

[rumblecloud]

Late to the party, but Welcome to TRS.

I'm starting to think I have that Ranger lean as well.

 

[MaicoDoug]

These work well, but not too high. With a stock rear & a 2" front lift, and stock wheels, mine is unstoppable. Welcome Anthony!

Speaking of "road worthy" Your neighbor, Derek Bieri had a ranger, red cab with a blue bed when dirthead Dave was there with that turbo trans am.