orphan self teaches 85 ranger restoration

[MadOne]

they call me Madison. my parents were teenagers and my mom ODed at a busstop when i was 5, been flying by the seat of my pants ever since. 26 years old, got my first vehicle, the 1985 v4 fuel injected 2wd ranger and BOY ain't he a beaut!

but now i gotta do the dirty work, and teach myself all about mechanics from the ground up. any recommendations where to start?

I'm an ACC at my local Walmart in Podunk, Nowhere but that's all my experience. I got no family or connections to learn from on my own, and school is a ways off. What tools should i focus on getting, and how can i learn to diagnose problems before they become bigger issues

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Best tools to start with...

A decent 3/8 socket set (metric and standard)
Wrench set (metric and standard)
Screwdriver set
Fuel pressure tester (i think yours is fuel injected, if carbed ignore lol)
Vacuum gauge
timing light.

Youtube is a great tool if you have no expereience. These trucks are pretty simple and somewhat easy to piss in the dark on.

As far as telling potential problems....the best thing is is to know your truck...how it sounds, smells, drives, etc etc and any deviation from that could need attention. Not always, 40 year old trucks often have strange quirks, but trust your gut.

Any questions feel free to ask.

Welcome!

 

[Curious Hound]

Welcome to TRS!

One thing Rusty said is most important ans most often overlooked - know your vehicle. Drive it without the radio on enough that you will recognize when something starts to sound odd. Spend time looking it over, top to bottom. Just study it.

I would consider the timing light, fuel pressure tester and vacuum gauge to be optional until you need them. Concentrate on the sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers and things like that.

The camera on your phone is an important tool. Take pictures before and during disassembly of things so you know how parts fit back together when you re-assemble. Too many times, our memory let's us down, especially if a project takes days or weeks longer than expected. Plus, we don't always know what details are important to notice and remember when we disassembled something.

 

[JoshT]

Welcome to the forum!

If you were closer, I'd be happy to help with tools and time. Unfortunately, the best I can do from here is answer questions when I can.

 

[superj]

welcome!!

are those old engine 4 valves per cylinder? i always assumed they were 2v like most other things from that era.

 

[JoshT]

welcome!!

are those old engine 4 valves per cylinder? i always assumed they were 2v like most other things from that era.

2 valve

Pretty sure she meant to say it's a 4 cylinder. Typically an inline 4 would be written as L4. I4 would be more accurate, but looks too much like 14. V4 engines have existed, just not as a stock engine for a Ranger.

Then there is also 4v used to refer to a 4 bbl, or 4 barrel carburetor and/or intake.

Yes, engine terminology can get confusing.

 

[Curious Hound]

@MadOne

I just noticed you’re in South Carolina. Where at? I’m between Greer and Spartanburg in the upstate.