Rang-a-stang's son's 86 4wd "build"

[rang-a-stang]

Hey guys! You can't have a Ranger without a "build" thread, right? I did do an introduction in the intro forum:
Intro thread here
Quote from that thread:
Plans: ordered a set of tough country Axle arm pivot drop brackets so we can get the alignment spot on and then get it through smog. It will be my son's daily driver so the list of mods is small. More about fixing the stuff that does not work (Ammeter, radio, and A/C), than anything.

This will not a be a "Build" pre se; more like a wrenching diary. Our intent is really just to make it a fun, reliable, daily driver that we can take off road together. Long term plan (like a couple years from now) we plan to do an M5OD/Ecoboost swap.

All we have done so far is clean and fix little things. I went into the engine harness and pulled all the grounds out and built a bus bar/ground on the radiator support so I never need to worry about "bad grounds". We also removed the tired/faded/oxidized plasti-dip from the rims in prep for actual paint. I am replacing old cracked wires/connectors under the hood, too. I'll post some pictures tomorrow.

 

[Scrambler82]

1st Gen. Ranger look so good; I miss my '88. 4x. 5.0L.

The best thing about the 1st Gen... is the engine harness is separate from the Vehicle harness. Not sure how long that lasted, but it sure made wiring the 5.0L.

 

[rang-a-stang]

He loves the style. He originally wanted a 89-91 (like my old one) but he fell in love with this one. I do like how the wiring is! The Alt is separate, the EFI is separate, the body is separate. SOoooooo nice. One day I will pull the engine harness, put it on my desk, and "restore" it. But not today.
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So here's my ground bus bar. All those wires feed back into the main engine harness (except the one on the far right goes directly to the battery and one under it goes to the body). Once this truck is running/driving well, I will make a subtle little cover for it. BTW, I hate those crimp on connectors but I had some left over from another project and wanted to use them up. I prefer the uninsulated ones, crimpem, solderem in, shrink wrap them.

Here's where one of the engine ground splices was. This is just inward of the passenger side valve cover in the engine loom. There were about 6 grounds coming together here and the cover was all dry rotted and crumbly. I cut the old wires back about 1/2 an inch to get to fresh wire, stripped it, soldered a new wire on, shrink wrapped it, and brought that new wire over to my grounding bus bar. There was another splice like this over by the air filter, too.

 

[Scrambler82]

Removing the engine harness and using an OEM V-8 harness integrated in the engine bay, you will have a great look, makes things easier.
But wait to see if your want another engine and then decide what engine harnessing you will use.

The separate wiring strips is a plus, I usually do the same thing... especially the Ground Buss... that is a big one... grounds alway cause problems.

Nice work.

 

[sgtsandman]

I do love the look of the original Rangers. Finding one in drivable condition is like finding hens teeth unless you search the deep south or south west.

 

[RustyShackleford94]

Ecoboost swap would be awesome. Welcome

 

[rang-a-stang]

Removing the engine harness and using an OEM V-8 harness integrated in the engine bay, you will have a great look, makes things easier.
But wait to see if your want another engine and then decide what engine harnessing you will use.

The separate wiring strips is a plus, I usually do the same thing... especially the Ground Buss... that is a big one... grounds alway cause problems.

Nice work.

That is an option! and I will consider it!

I do love the look of the original Rangers. Finding one in drivable condition is like finding hens teeth unless you search the deep south or south west.

Yeah, I hear you. We looked for about 4 months before we found this one. Not only did we find a running one, but without rust? unheard of!

Ecoboost swap would be awesome. Welcome

Yep. We are looking into it. For now we just want it to run/drive, get through CA smog, and be registered.
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Just got it running. FINALLY. Had self inflicted fuel pump problem. More here:
Fuel pump thread
Now I think it is ready for smog and to get weighed.
Next on the list is the fuel filler neck.
Thread on fill neck here

 

[mrgrtt123]

I like your choice of black wheels for this truck. Would you mind telling me the brand of it?

 

[rang-a-stang]

I like your choice of black wheels for this truck. Would you mind telling me the brand of it?

They were on it when we bought it. They are actually polished Eagle Alloys with plasti-dip. We have stripped the plasti-dip off one side in prep for paint. They will get satin black paint right after smog.

LMC has these same rims, part number 50-4572.

 

[Curious Hound]

I like your choice of black wheels for this truck. Would you mind telling me the brand of it?

It's a Ford

 

[rang-a-stang]

Funny story: had to get a CA Certified weight certificate for our truck. Had to get in line with a bunch of semis. I looked like a little boy amoung men out there! hahahaha!

Also went to the smog check. Failed. Grrrr... smog thread here

Should my master cylinder have a connector on the side of the reservoir?

 

[Bgunner]

yes the wires are for low fluid level warning light.

 

[rang-a-stang]

yes the wires are for low fluid level warning light.

Ok cool. I’ll track them down and gettem fixed. Thanks!