Project truck for my son

[Lucky 13]

OK, here's the story. I'm looking for some solid direction for a build. My Dad just gave me two of his rangers so my son and I can build his first truck. We will do everything in-house. I just need to know some of the easy upgrades that are out there for these. I've never even looked into the ranger platform, so I'm clueless when it comes to these trucks. I'm assuming that there are a lot of factory swaps out there to help this truck out.

The first truck is an 84 2wd. Rumor has it that the motor is a 2.3 out of an early LTD? No clue. It runs. all running gear is stock. 4sp tranny. This is the chassis we're using to build on. Truck has no bed.

The other is a 86 2wd with a 2.3 out of a mustang with a 5sp tranny. We are using the bed from this truck (and what ever we need to finish the 84).

We might have a 96 mustang 2.4 FI motor to throw in there also. Don't know if that is a easy swap or not.

Would like to keep a 4 cyl in there (being his first truck). Might want to upgrage rear brakes, seats, newer body trim etc...

Just need to know what's worth my time & what works best. Looking to have a safe, solid 2wd for my boy.

Any help would be wonderful! Help me Obi-wan!

 

[03ranger30]

Disk brake swap all around, and drop a turbo 4 banger in there.

 

[Earl43P]

I suggest using the 2.3 with FI rather than a carb. You will probably have to graft its fuel delivery lines and tank to the 84, maybe even the dash cluster/wiring. You want a newer tank because they are plastic and the fuel pump / sender are readily available, the 84's are not.

Use the 5 speed trans because of its better hydraulic clutch system, especially if it is an MO5D (seal its shift rail plugs and replace the rear seal).

Use whichever rear axle has higher numerical gear ratio (I think 4.10s are ideal for these trucks). You can retrofit the 10" drum brake system to any of the 8.8" or (more than likely what you've got = >) 7.5" axles. I see no need to put discs on the rear.

Add a rear sway bar from ANY year Ranger.

Put a small body lift on it (1-2") to make future transmission replacements easier (gives more clearance for the top bolts).

Spend some time reading the Tech Library and Magazine Articles (You'll find those tabs at the top of every page). Also spend some time researching parts availability on RockAuto.com. I mention this because the older trucks like an 84 have some parts that just aren't readily available any more (like the fuel gage sender).

What a good Dad you are! Good luck with your project together.

Welcome to The Ranger Station!

 

[Lucky 13]

Thanks Earl,
If I do go the FI direction, can I throw a turbo on it, or am I better off looking for a factory turbo motor?

Anyone ever put a later model dash in a 84? Is that a tall order? (the dash is the ford dark red & my son is less then excited about that color.

JV

 

[Rose2300]

Don't throw a turbo on it without adding forged internals or you will have some issues. If you can find a complete engine w/ harness from a similar year thunderbird turbo coupe it would swap in pretty easily.

 

[Captain Ledd]

OK, here's the story. I'm looking for some solid direction for a build. My Dad just gave me two of his rangers so my son and I can build his first truck. We will do everything in-house. I just need to know some of the easy upgrades that are out there for these. I've never even looked into the ranger platform, so I'm clueless when it comes to these trucks. I'm assuming that there are a lot of factory swaps out there to help this truck out.

The first truck is an 84 2wd. Rumor has it that the motor is a 2.3 out of an early LTD? No clue. It runs. all running gear is stock. 4sp tranny. This is the chassis we're using to build on. Truck has no bed.

The other is a 86 2wd with a 2.3 out of a mustang with a 5sp tranny. We are using the bed from this truck (and what ever we need to finish the 84).

We might have a 96 mustang 2.4 FI motor to throw in there also. Don't know if that is a easy swap or not.

Would like to keep a 4 cyl in there (being his first truck). Might want to upgrage rear brakes, seats, newer body trim etc...

Just need to know what's worth my time & what works best. Looking to have a safe, solid 2wd for my boy.

Any help would be wonderful! Help me Obi-wan!

84 - Ditch the 4 speed.

86 - is the transmission out of a mustang as well? If so it should be fine, just don't do a lot of towing with it. Otherwise the M5OD out of another 2.3L ranger will do nicely (M5OD transmissions feature an integral bellhousing, each transmission is unique to it's accompanying engine).

96 - Are you sure it's a 2.4L? or is it a 2.3L with a rebore?

2.3L are fine. Definitely go fuel injected though if you have it available.

Turbo's are not necessary, especially since your looking for a conservative 1st vehicle for a young driver. With gears a 2.3L is plenty fast enough.

Drums are also fine. Either retrofit 10" drums onto the 7.5"-axle, or swap in an 8.8"-axle, which will already have the 10" drums. it's a bolt in swap from a Ranger, Explorers are not bolt in despite having the same axle. The 7.5" will almost exclusively have 9" diameter drums, especially for a 4-banger.

Brakes, the front have some differences as well. 95-97 will have dual piston calipers sliding on pins, instead of those crappy wedge things with a single piston. The wedge style will also actually wear out the knuckle after a while. The knuckles will swap over to the original beams, or if you want the whole beams will swap out. The fronts do most of your stopping anyways.

Supposedly a 95-97 master cylinder is a little better as well. couldn't tell you how/if it'll swap. This one I would research a little more.

What tire size are you planning on running? That does have an impact on what gearing would work best, and is critical for a 4-banger.

Otherwise, fix or replace with OEM (or equivalent)

 

[Lucky 13]

Looks like the 96 is a 2.3. It has a tranny on it also (it's an auto). 60k original miles. Comes with the brain & harness. A friend bought it to put in his sand rail & he never got around to the swap.

Was thinking of staying close to stock on the tire size?? Might be determined by the wheels I find. Looking for something factory & aluminum. Not quite sure yet. Not sure if my boy wants it to sit stock for a 2WD, or if he wants it up a bit. Not a fan of lifting a 2WD but I'm also building it for a 14YO boy.

 

[Captain Ledd]

Looks like the 96 is a 2.3. It has a tranny on it also (it's an auto). 60k original miles. Comes with the brain & harness. A friend bought it to put in his sand rail & he never got around to the swap.

Was thinking of staying close to stock on the tire size?? Might be determined by the wheels I find. Looking for something factory & aluminum. Not quite sure yet. Not sure if my boy wants it to sit stock for a 2WD, or if he wants it up a bit. Not a fan of lifting a 2WD but I'm also building it for a 14YO boy.

A 28-29" tall tire is about all that will fit in the wheel wells (235/75R15 fits this size real well) unless you lift it 4" or more (Without cutting up the fenders). There were a bunch of sizes offered stock. If it's much smaller than a 235/75R15, you could probably do 3.73. Go 3.55 if it's closer to a 195/70R14 (yes, some Rangers had tires around this size)

2.3L are terrible with auto's. If you do put an auto in it, go 4.10 on the gears, no need to fiddle with anything else except for the smallest of tires. Truthfully the Ford auto's have a lot of problems regardless. The manual transmissions in these trucks have MUCH less problems.

As for wheels, this will be a good read:

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/wheel_fitment.html

 

[Lucky 13]

What is that 96 2.3L FI motor worth? 60K on it with harness and ECM. What would be a "fair" price. Motor has been on a hoist since 2008. Comes with an auto tranny.

 

[Lucky 13]

I suggest using the 2.3 with FI rather than a carb. You will probably have to graft its fuel delivery lines and tank to the 84, maybe even the dash cluster/wiring. You want a newer tank because they are plastic and the fuel pump / sender are readily available, the 84's are not.

Use the 5 speed trans because of its better hydraulic clutch system, especially if it is an MO5D (seal its shift rail plugs and replace the rear seal).

Use whichever rear axle has higher numerical gear ratio (I think 4.10s are ideal for these trucks). You can retrofit the 10" drum brake system to any of the 8.8" or (more than likely what you've got = >) 7.5" axles. I see no need to put discs on the rear.

Add a rear sway bar from ANY year Ranger.

Put a small body lift on it (1-2") to make future transmission replacements easier (gives more clearance for the top bolts).

Spend some time reading the Tech Library and Magazine Articles (You'll find those tabs at the top of every page). Also spend some time researching parts availability on RockAuto.com. I mention this because the older trucks like an 84 have some parts that just aren't readily available any more (like the fuel gage sender).

What a good Dad you are! Good luck with your project together.

Welcome to The Ranger Station!

What is that 96 2.3L FI motor worth? 60K on it with harness and ECM. What would be a "fair" price. Motor has been on a hoist since 2008. Comes with an auto tranny.