Ranger Rollover Resurrection

[bobert]

I have been looking at this site for years mainly looking at v8 swaps. I didn't want to do much to my ranger though since it was my most reliable vehicle.

But, now I rolled it upside down in a ditch after sliding on an icy bridge. It held up pretty well, It wasn't going too fast. Airbags didn't deploy. The only damage I am worried about is the front visor area of the roof. Doors open and close like normal.

I need to decide what I want to do pretty soon, fix it or let it go to the junkyard. If you watched King of the hill at all, The episode where Hank realizes his ranger is dying pretty much sums up how I feel about this truck.

Questions:

I Looked at past treads about cab replacement but couldn't find one as new as this one. How difficult would it be to replace the cab without a forklift? junkyards are plenty around here. Is it an unplug and unbolt job or more involved?

Or, do you think the roof is repairable? The back or the cab is still square, just the front is bent.

I feel like this truck deserves a second chance.

If you guys could share your knowledge that would be great.

Thanks,
Robert

2001 Ranger
2.5L
Manual transmission
No power windows or anything fancy

 

[adsm08]

I'd go for a new cab. They aren't terrible to replace. It's basically unplug and plug back in. It will be a bit more involved than that, but not too bad. I could probably do it in a long weekend.

The worst part of the whole thing might be if you have A/C.

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

i think its fixable. i did a body lift a while ago, and we lifted the cab with some jacks and wood blocks. its not that hard/heavy

gettin a complete cab would be the best way, since u would unplug and plug back the stuff from the new one.

since ur taking that one out u could cut it to make it easier.

i think that a good sized engine lift could help to lift the cab

 

[TheTopher]

With a lot of patience and elbow grease I think that roof is repairable. If the doors open/close alright it should just be a simple matter of pounding out the dent.

I'd suggest you talk to gwaii, he's the master of homebrew body work around here.

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

yeah u could fix the dent or cut the roof and replace it with a non dented one

 

[adsm08]

It'd be easier to cut-n-paste it than pound the dent out. Roof material is thin. That makes it hard to get straight again.

I'm not a body man, but I'd say full cab swap would be the easiest.

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

ive seen some people cutting roofs and welding back new ones, it requires time and focus, but it can be done

 

[TheTopher]

Just make sure to switch the vin tags over if you go the cab-swap route!

 

[adsm08]

Just make sure to switch the vin tags over if you go the cab-swap route!

Make sure to check on your local laws about this first. In many places that is illegal without prior DOT approval.

 

[TheTopher]

Make sure to check on your local laws about this first. In many places that is illegal without prior DOT approval.

True enough, but isn't swapping the new cab/vin just as much of a headache as putting the old vin in the new cab?


Seems to me one way you've got mismatched vins and the other way you have a falsified vin.


Either way the book is getting lined the f@^# up to be thrown at you.

 

[baddis]

swapping vin plates are against federal law. check with your dmv. here they give you a new vin plate.

 

[gwaii]

swapping vin plates are against federal law. check with your dmv. here they give you a new vin plate.

same deal here.i'd swap the cab,two guys can lift it off easilly,i've done it many times by myself with a bit of thought and blocking.

check your dmv first.here you'd need to have an inspection done,and a new vin issued.

 

[MountainMike]

Or, build a chop top out of the roof of another cab. Another alternative for you. Here are a couple episodes of muscle I found are helpful with roofs.

Re-skinning a roof:
http://www.spike.com/full-episode/edelbrock-mustang/35437

Replacing a roof at the pillars:
http://www.spike.com/full-episode/blue-collar-buick/36421

 

[country0001]

Cab swap would be the quickest,easiest and safest choice. The vin shouldn't be that hard.

 

[bobert]

Thanks for all the responses, It took almost an entire month for the insurance company to deal with it.

Its now at home and I got it running today. Changed oil, took the spark plugs out and blew oil all over the garage, new plugs and wires and it runs good as new. Just a bit smoky at first.

We are looking at having a body shop chop and paste a new roof on it. I know a guy that did that with his truck but I don't think I have the skill to do a good job of it.

I think the bottom part of the cab is still square but we will see.

I will be surfing around the site and posting updates in the near future.

Thanks

Here are some more pictures for your enjoyment.