PlumCrazy's 1999 Ranger Build

[PlumCrazy]

I have had this truck for a while now, so I might as well start a thread for it.

Bought the truck under the expression that the auto trans was shot.

I hualed it home since the trans was in the bed.

I put the trans back in to see how bad it was. The guy I bought it from didn't really seem to know what he was talking about when he described what was wrong with it.

Turns out the trans wasn't total junk, but I found out the motor was locked up.

So the tear down began. Found the oil pump drive was shot and the mains and rods locked up.

I bought a Taraus engine and put the Ranger pan and manifolds, and truck head gaskets. I threw a new oil pump, pump drive, and gaskets in it too.

I replaced all the brake lines while the engine was out.

I replaced the rotted rear hangers

The other side was worse, but as usual the frame was still solid as a rock.

Put the Taraus engine in and it fired right up. Only to find that the trans shifted like poop into 3rd.

So replaced the notorious separator plate gasket.

It still shifteded like poop.

So I put together a 3.0 2wd M5OD with all my spare trans parts.

And just got all this.

-PlumCrazy

 

[PlumCrazy]

I replaced the windshield in the Green Bean since it was cracked when I bought it.

So I threw a TRS banner on it.

-PlumCrazy

 

[ZMan]

you made a trans from extra parts? jeez oh man.

 

[PlumCrazy]

you made a trans from extra parts? jeez oh man.

I twisted the output off in my 4x4 4.0HD trans, and I picked up a 4x4 3.0 trans for cheap since I couldn't find anything else quick. I used the 3.0 4x4 output and tail housing on my 4.0, so I had a 3.0 case and gears left over. I picked up a 2.5 2wd trans forever ago and used the gears for my 4.0HD/2.5 hybrid trans, so I had a 2wd output and housing left over. I also still had an extra set of low mileage synchros left from the when I rebuilt the hybrid trans.

To add to the confusion, I got a 4x4 output shaft from Nathan so I can now build another 4x4 4.0/2.5 Hybrid or standard 4.0/2.9 trans with the parts still have on the shelf.lol

 

[doorgunner]

I........uhhhhhhhh.......YEP......that's how I would have done it ( )

Good job!

 

[PlumCrazy]

All I need is driveshaft, anyone know where I might find a 2wd 5 speed super cab shaft? I want to get this time bomb auto out of this thing before it blows.lol

-PlumCrazy

 

[ZMan]

Creston auto recycling usually has good prices on them, thats where i got mine.

 

[PlumCrazy]

Creston auto recycling usually has good prices on them, thats where i got mine.

I forgot about them. Most yards pick up the truck with forks and bend the damn shaft.lol

-PlumCrazy

 

[ZMan]

Ya, particularly pull a part, ive always had luck with creston, LKQ as well.

 

[PlumCrazy]

I normally have luck with small local yards. There is one in Wooster that I deal with for 90% of my salvage parts including the motor in the Green Bean, but they don't have any super cab 2wds. Most of there stock is older stuff though.

-PlumCrazy

 

[036speed]

I need to check out some of these local junk yards.

I want the 40/20/40 seats for the new crew cab...

 

[PlumCrazy]

I need to check out some of these local junk yards.

I want the 40/20/40 seats for the new crew cab...

I think I know where you might be able to get Full size Bronco buckets and center console. What color interior?

-PlumCrazy

 

[036speed]

I think I know where you might be able to get Full size Bronco buckets and center console. What color interior?

-PlumCrazy

I got grey. I know regular cab and crew cab seats will bolt it. I also know ext cab truck seats will NOT bolt in. Not sure about Bronco ones. I could probably make it work. I dont want to drill into my cab. But I have no problem modifying brakets. I have not even looked at the bench seat brackets yet lol

 

[PlumCrazy]

Picked up a driveshaft today. Its a one piece aluminum one, I kinda wanted to find a two piece and cross member that way I dont have to worry about it later if I decide to go stupid low.lol


Plan is to get the swap done over Christmas shutdown, but i would also like to get my hydro assist steering done on the blue truck during that time too......decisions decisions.lol

I may try and squeeze the swap into a weekend before then.

-PlumCrazy

 

[PlumCrazy]

Swapped the 5 speed in this past weekend. Feels great to have a real transmission again.lol. This truck was my first automatic, and we all see how long that lasted.lol

Everything was bolt in and go. I didn't have the manual floor plate with the precut hole, but I was able to pull the boot off of my brothers 03 and measure out where it needed to be cut.

I lucked out on the manual ECU. Turns out it is a non PATS model, so no reprogramming was necessary. I pulled the column and stripped off all the auto shifter junk and installed the manual column cover and cluster block off plate.

Looped the neutral safety and spliced in the reverse switch pigtails. Starts runs and drives like a factory 5 speed. Only two things I still need to address the the theft light blinks for a minute ir two after startup and 98+ auto trucks dont have the plug with a jumper to easily plug in the clutch safety.

-PlumCrazy