Ranger newbie

[TheTinMan]

Just poped in here to introduce myself to the fourm. I'm Tim, 56 married man broken back with a 9 yr old daughter who thinks I'm a credit union. My last truck was a 94 f150 4.9l almost 400k in miles ran like a champ till I was t boned a month ago. So I am the proud owner of a 1985 ford ranger xlt 4x4 but the truck has been Frankenstein monster as someone before me removed the 2.3l and installed the 2.9l all numbers point to an 86 motor I'll be looking soon as to weather or not it has original heads or if the upgrade in heads are needed but so far I've had to repair a lot that these hacks have done to this poor truck. Mechanical wise it appears to be sound but if it wasn't for research in these forums I'd have been lost out here well before I first posted. But that's me and my situation and pleased to meet yall.

 

[CamTheHedgehog]

Welcome!
I understand your pain of a Frankenstein vehicle, I’m all for an engine swap as long as it’s done right.
The 2.9 is a good motor. Not very powerful in stock form but is very stout. @RobbieD will sing the praises of it.

 

[TheTinMan]

Welcome!
I understand your pain of a Frankenstein vehicle, I’m all for an engine swap as long as it’s done right.
The 2.9 is a good motor. Not very powerful in stock form but is very stout. @RobbieD will sing the praises of it.

I appreciate it. At my age I want to just build this up I'm not going mudding anymore but if it were my younger years that motor would be pulled and swapped but in my research and in the threads if I take the right steps it's possible to make a solid grocery and project supplies getter. Besides when I get a vehicle I like to clean them up a little and make what it has better. So far I've made incredible strides in cleaning up those hackers issues they sold me. I knew that I was adopting a mess after my insurance payout all I had to be certain about was how solid the drive train was and she's good there so I've got the bedrock to build. They were mostly incompetent in electrical which is going to be fun divining between 85 electrical and 86 I'm praying they at least put in the 86 ecm aas well but I can't find the o2 feed from the ecu pin out charts mostly newer .sorry I ramble that is for a thread I'll ask in tomorrow it's my bed time.

 

[RobbieD]

Welcome!

Looking forward to seeing your truck, and don't hesitate to ask any questions. It sounds like it just needs a little TLC, and that you've got things well in hand.

The 2.9 is a good motor. Not very powerful in stock form but is very stout. @RobbieD will sing the praises of it.

Yes, I do like the 2.9, but I also like the 2.3, the 2.8, and the 4.0. I just haven't had a 2.5 or 3.0 (yet!).

There's others here that are 2.9 fans, too. Nuthin wrong with lovin what you got.

 

[CamTheHedgehog]

There's others here that are 2.9 fans, too. Nuthin wrong with lovin what you got.

Not at all. I love my 4.0, despite its failings. Just figured I’d poke fun at you for your “2.9L mafia” signature.

I just haven't had a 2.5 or 3.0

As someone who used to have a 3.0, they are similar to the 2.9 in characteristics- not much power at all, but pretty darn bulletproof with regular maintenance.

 

[TheTinMan]

Welcome!

Looking forward to seeing your truck, and don't hesitate to ask any questions. It sounds like it just needs a little TLC, and that you've got things well in hand.



Yes, I do like the 2.9, but I also like the 2.3, the 2.8, and the 4.0. I just haven't had a 2.5 or 3.0 (yet!).

There's others here that are 2.9 fans, too. Nuthin wrong with lovin what you got.

Thank you it does sound like I'm in good hands here it's always good to have a group collective on a subject it adds to the wisdom pool hopefully lord and my back willing I'll post pictures later this week. Thanks again.