Project Little Green Turd

[wizkid00104]

i like those tires, perhaps i'll throw some on my explorer

I got blemished ones (I am kinda cheap). They were $170 a corner on my F250 w/ mt., balance, and recycle fee. The roll really smooth and quiet and they did great in the rain here today. Haven't seen mud or snow yet though. They did get very good reviews and I think the look pretty good

 

[wizkid00104]

Shocking...

They look great and the adjustable compression is great. I have one of the rears the doesn't want to decompress all that well. I'm gonna call Rancho tomorrow. Has anyone had that problem with new shocks?

 

[wizkid00104]

I got home to finally work on the Ranger again. I arrive home to a nice surprise:

Joey's dad was on vacation and got bored... so he decided to swap my radiator core support and replace the other support bracket on the frame. He also got the quarter panel off that I couldn't get the bolt out of. It took in 3 hours... It would have taken me a week. I am so grateful!

Old support and frame bracket:

I picked up some Chassis Saver for some major undercoating. I am going home one night this week to test fit the new parts and drill the new holes. I got the other factory coil bucket and transmission crossmember bracket off too. Once I get the new holes drilled, I will have to degrease the frame and begin painting and then I am finally ready for reassembly!!!

I will be ordering brake lines and hard lines for the frame soon as well. I also need to get the replacement frame crossmember from 1badexplorer.

Also on the todo list is paint the front axle and replace the axle pivot bushings. I need some oddball hardware for a few things (including bed bolts) and to replace the clutch.

On another note, I still need to put the new shocks on my F250. I have to send one shock back because it was not sealed properly and has very little pressure in it (according to Rancho). I'll get to those later. I also picked up some 05 headlights for my F250 this weekend. That work will come later on. I have so much to do and so little time to work on it, but I guess I set myself up for it.

 

[brinker88]

Bout darn time we see some updates on this pig!

 

[wizkid00104]

I wish I had more time to work on it. Having to travel an hour one way just to do work is inconvenient... but it was the only way. So I have to make it work. Traveling to Detroit for work was making it challenging too...

 

[wizkid00104]

Got all but one bracket fitted last night!

Driver's Side

Passenger's Side

There are 6 new holes to drill and two rivet stubs I missed. Next trip (I think on Saturday) I have to remove all the brackets, clean up the frame, and begin painting. Also have to pick up some parts on 1badexplorer.

I also got a comparison shot of shocks. This is a 2.5" Lift Rancho 9000XL shock for my F250, Duff 70/30 3" Lift Shock for the Rear of the Ranger, and a 12oz Coors Light wide mouth can

The Rancho's are definitely for a heavy truck with their resistance on the softest setting. I have to give it JD though, their shocks have a better quality of build and feel. They are also super soft. I really look forward to getting to try them.

Cheers

 

[wizkid00104]

I got back to the garage for a full day of work. I got the rest of the suspension loosely assembled, minus front axle and one drop bracket. Everything fits good and snug.

Started cleaning up the front axle for paint too. Seemed the only way to get the old bushings out of the axles was to take a beer break...

Next trip I will pull the parts back off and wire wheel the frame. Probably do the clutch after the first coat of paint is drying.

Cheers!

 

[Kingoverace]

lmfao!

I've got leaf springs that could use that "beer break" theory! genius~

 

[wizkid00104]

lmfao!

I've got leaf springs that could use that "beer break" theory! genius~

I did the same with mine. It's a task I'm really beginning to enjoy


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[Rowdy Fitzgerald]

Damn dude i hope you bought Joey's Dad a case of beer for all that work! That was pretty cool of him too! The truck looks like its comin along real good. You've made a decent amout of progress. Hurry up and finish it so we can see some action pics lol

 

[wizkid00104]

Damn dude i hope you bought Joey's Dad a case of beer for all that work! That was pretty cool of him too! The truck looks like its comin along real good. You've made a decent amout of progress. Hurry up and finish it so we can see some action pics lol

His dad is a great guy and a wealth of info. He's already got 3 or so through the course of the project. Plus I help solve his electrical problems since that's more of my strong point.

I can't wait to have it done, but work has me out of town for almost the whole month. I'm not sure how much progress will be made lol.


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[brinker88]

You might want to check out ORTOTM nominations....

 

[wizkid00104]

You might want to check out ORTOTM nominations....

Thanks dude! Is this your way of trying to get this done faster? Lol


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[brinker88]

Might be. I want to see this beast done!

 

[wizkid00104]

I'm trying. It's a busy month though. I'm in Detroit at the moment. Next week is looking like Blytheville, Arkansas and for the two weeks after that is Salt Lake City.

So how happy are you to have yours done?


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