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christw
Well-Known Member
Build log '94 3.0 5sp 2wd ext cab - New truck, new problems!
Skip to the red * to avoid the long winded version!
Hi guys, I've been lurking this website all week since a "buddy" of mine showed up with a '99 Ranger 3.0 + 4R44E auto ext cab (121k mileage) and asked for help. It's been a great resource for rebuilds, repairs, and general maintenance. Long story short, was in average craigslist condition-I don't care to guess the last time fluids were done (if ever), cab side bed mounts were rusted out, the separator plate was leaking slightly. While neck deep in labor and parts he screwed us on money, so he's SOL now. Despite all this, it was still a really nice truck. I got the bug...
Fast forward to Friday and I see a ranger on CL for $500. 211k miles on the truck with a little surface rust and dents. It was a beer truck in a former life and more recently, a light duty work truck for a master mechanic/shop owner around here. New fluids, gas tank, fuel pump, wheel bearings, brakes, tires, wheels, plugs, r/s leaf spring, and more things I can't even recall. Why so cheap? He cracked the head during his winter tune up (a ratchet angle piece broke on a stuck plug leading him to smack it with the handle) and couldn't manage to replace it due to a bad back. Sounds like BS but the proof is in the truck and it's condition. Everything is really clean. Plus he was a really nice, genuine guy. I have no doubts this is a solid truck that needs very little besides time to get road ready.
The worst part was the two block tow strap ride home behind my father's F-150. He hit it too hard turning into my drive and I was left blocking the road with a dead truck, uphill into an uphill drive, with 10 cars behind me. Thankfully my brother and I got it in the drive before my oblivious father even realized I was unhooked. * The truck was home. It was time for a beer and to order parts.
All in, I've spent $1031 to get it ready as a daily driver and a transport for when I head to Nashville twice this coming year to record on some good friends albums.
Costs breakdown:
Truck - $500
TSC box - $60
Rebuilt Head + valves - $170
Gasket set - $45
Starter - $94
Oil + filters - $58.16 (2 changes worth)
Lock cyl + keys - $34.98
Head bolts - $18.99
CL wheelset - $50
Work done so far:
-Starter install (Sorry, no pics!)
-Remedy the half-rusted out tailgate handle with anything on hand. It's two half assed pieces of aluminum working in tandem to hold the pivot point of the handle in place with some extra and somewhat pointless bends for rigidity. It'll last me 'til the end of winter at least. (3rd pic)
-More to come! I will try to document the tear down. I know it's been done before on here but having extra perspective helps everyone.
Work ahead:
-Replace head (and all the work that goes into that it)
-Flush coolant and any oil in the system
-Flush oil & any potential water in the system
-Replace the busted lock cylinders
-Install snow tires before snow & salt
-Trade the box for a cap ASAP
-Clean & paint underbody before snow & salt
In the farther future:
-Do something more permanent than clothespins to remedy occasional vapor lock
-Add a capacitor in parallel to the car battery (Alleviate stress on the electrical system and battery during instant peaks, be it a subwoofer or starts)
-Budget minded 4.1 stereo install
-Install a year appropriate 8.8 L/S diff
Oh yeah! I'm pretty sure that's a face lifted 2.3 Ranger front end. (It has the 2.3 pulley diagram and different pinstriping.) The rest, besides the body panels, is still stock white with no evidence of damage.
Update- With the box
Skip to the red * to avoid the long winded version!
Hi guys, I've been lurking this website all week since a "buddy" of mine showed up with a '99 Ranger 3.0 + 4R44E auto ext cab (121k mileage) and asked for help. It's been a great resource for rebuilds, repairs, and general maintenance. Long story short, was in average craigslist condition-I don't care to guess the last time fluids were done (if ever), cab side bed mounts were rusted out, the separator plate was leaking slightly. While neck deep in labor and parts he screwed us on money, so he's SOL now. Despite all this, it was still a really nice truck. I got the bug...
Fast forward to Friday and I see a ranger on CL for $500. 211k miles on the truck with a little surface rust and dents. It was a beer truck in a former life and more recently, a light duty work truck for a master mechanic/shop owner around here. New fluids, gas tank, fuel pump, wheel bearings, brakes, tires, wheels, plugs, r/s leaf spring, and more things I can't even recall. Why so cheap? He cracked the head during his winter tune up (a ratchet angle piece broke on a stuck plug leading him to smack it with the handle) and couldn't manage to replace it due to a bad back. Sounds like BS but the proof is in the truck and it's condition. Everything is really clean. Plus he was a really nice, genuine guy. I have no doubts this is a solid truck that needs very little besides time to get road ready.
The worst part was the two block tow strap ride home behind my father's F-150. He hit it too hard turning into my drive and I was left blocking the road with a dead truck, uphill into an uphill drive, with 10 cars behind me. Thankfully my brother and I got it in the drive before my oblivious father even realized I was unhooked. * The truck was home. It was time for a beer and to order parts.
All in, I've spent $1031 to get it ready as a daily driver and a transport for when I head to Nashville twice this coming year to record on some good friends albums.
Costs breakdown:
Truck - $500
TSC box - $60
Rebuilt Head + valves - $170
Gasket set - $45
Starter - $94
Oil + filters - $58.16 (2 changes worth)
Lock cyl + keys - $34.98
Head bolts - $18.99
CL wheelset - $50
Work done so far:
-Starter install (Sorry, no pics!)
-Remedy the half-rusted out tailgate handle with anything on hand. It's two half assed pieces of aluminum working in tandem to hold the pivot point of the handle in place with some extra and somewhat pointless bends for rigidity. It'll last me 'til the end of winter at least. (3rd pic)
-More to come! I will try to document the tear down. I know it's been done before on here but having extra perspective helps everyone.
Work ahead:
-Replace head (and all the work that goes into that it)
-Flush coolant and any oil in the system
-Flush oil & any potential water in the system
-Replace the busted lock cylinders
-Install snow tires before snow & salt
-Trade the box for a cap ASAP
-Clean & paint underbody before snow & salt
In the farther future:
-Do something more permanent than clothespins to remedy occasional vapor lock
-Add a capacitor in parallel to the car battery (Alleviate stress on the electrical system and battery during instant peaks, be it a subwoofer or starts)
-Budget minded 4.1 stereo install
-Install a year appropriate 8.8 L/S diff
Oh yeah! I'm pretty sure that's a face lifted 2.3 Ranger front end. (It has the 2.3 pulley diagram and different pinstriping.) The rest, besides the body panels, is still stock white with no evidence of damage.
Update- With the box
Last edited:
But seriously, I'll throw some pics on here next time it's out of the garage and not covered in motorcycle, Ranger, and RX7 parts. We've still got to put the new battery in and load timing maps.
