Restoration Build

[iamcams]

I currently have a 92 Ranger 4x4 Custom.
Engine: 2.9L V6
Transmission: FM146
Front Axle: Dana 28
Rear Axle: 7.5-Inch

I am currently in trade school for automotive service and have some autobody experience. I want it mostly as a daily but capable of getting places off road. Already read build guide but felt that it wasn't very detailed. What would be the process in tearing this thing down and basically rebuilding the truck. I want every component to look just as it looked in 92. Any help as to what to replace vs. rebuild?

 

[RobbieD]

That's a really nice looking truck as-is.

I can understand how attractive the thought of a "zero time" vehicle is. That being said, a truck can only be original once. At 32 years old, and still looking that nice, it's really more of a "survivor" than anything else. Granted, one picture doesn't say how well it is mechanically (engine, driveline, suspension and steering) nor how well the interior has held up.

So another approach on the truck, would be a "replace or repair as needed" and keep as much of the originality as you can. A careful, professional repaint and body work where needed, and just replacing the missing, broken or worn parts would make that one an uncommonly outstanding truck, I sincerely believe.

Strictly period correct wheels would be a judgement call; the deer prints are nice wheels, but they came out a year later with the revised '93 models.

 

[iamcams]

Where would be the best place to get those wheels?

 

[MT_PLS]

Junkyard, KSL, eBay (last resort because $$$$).
For other items, LMCtruck is a good source.

 

[RobbieD]

Where would be the best place to get those wheels?

Wherever you can find them. Check often on eBay, google "1992 Ford Ranger wheels for sale", junk yards, swap meets.

Parts in general are getting hard to find for these older trucks; NOS Ford parts can be pricey as hell, when and if you can find them.

 

[scotts90ranger]

Also I would verify some of the specs you listed, in '92 it should have a Dana 35 up front, 10 bolts holding the front diff to the beam is the easy telltale, unless it's the hybrid then it gets more complicated...

'92 being the last year of the 2.9 does leave it a possibility of not having an M5OD but it would probably be worth double checking, door code would be M for M5OD, don't remember what the others are.

 

[iamcams]

My bad, it is a Dana 35. Trans is definitely an FM146. With that being said, what would be reasons for keeping the FM146 and 7.5 axle rather than swapping in an 8.8 and M5OD? Also what are some good lift kit options?

 

[JoeLeFou]

you can also keep the fm146 and only change the diff to 8.8 that is stronger and you"ll be able to find parts easier. not very worth getting a M50D if you're keeping the 2.9, only real advantage of it would be the torque it can take, gearing is pretty much the same very very close to the same.

one thing I would replace for sure would be rubber in steering, body mount, suspension and everything like that. not urgently unless cracked or mushed to hell, most you could def replace when doing a lift kit install.

neat little truck and project/daily, also tought I could daily my 88 but nah shit hit the fan and bought a 97 ranger daily and now tearing down the 88. Hopefully this doesn't happen to you !

 

[SenorNoob]

My 88 has lots of work done, but I daily it, way overload it 2-3 times a year, and mild trail wheel it occasionally.

 

[scotts90ranger]

you can also keep the fm146 and only change the diff to 8.8 that is stronger and you"ll be able to find parts easier. not very worth getting a M50D if you're keeping the 2.9, only real advantage of it would be the torque it can take, gearing is pretty much the same very very close to the same.

one thing I would replace for sure would be rubber in steering, body mount, suspension and everything like that. not urgently unless cracked or mushed to hell, most you could def replace when doing a lift kit install.

neat little truck and project/daily, also tought I could daily my 88 but nah shit hit the fan and bought a 97 ranger daily and now tearing down the 88. Hopefully this doesn't happen to you !

A Ranger 8.8 is very marginally different than the 7.5... same axle shafts, same size cross pin in the diff, gears aren't really a failure point so that's near moot, the only real good reason is the 8.8's usually had 10" drums instead of 9", the better upgrade is the Explorer 8.8 but that takes welding or at least some kind of schenanigans to get shocks to mount (can do it with an F150 flip kit and two of one of the sides of spring plates from explorers on the cheap)

 

[Lefty]

Well, you are in luck. There is a website known as Sarah-n-Tuned. She restored her '94 Ford Ranger to its original, new condition, frame off and everything. There's quite a few episodes. Enjoy.

I currently have a 92 Ranger 4x4 Custom.
Engine: 2.9L V6
Transmission: FM146
Front Axle: Dana 28
Rear Axle: 7.5-Inch

I am currently in trade school for automotive service and have some autobody experience. I want it mostly as a daily but capable of getting places off road. Already read build guide but felt that it wasn't very detailed. What would be the process in tearing this thing down and basically rebuilding the truck. I want every component to look just as it looked in 92. Any help as to what to replace vs. rebuild?

 

[Terrys87]

That is a nice looking truck you have. You would be surprised at what you can do with what I call a "Rolling Retoration" and is what I like doing best. I have done full frame off restores but that takes a lot of space and time. As long as you are staying with it in stock condition, most things can be done on a weekend. Remove the bed and you can get the whole frame, fuel tank, and rear rend. Engine detailing and engine work can happen on a weekend.

 

[Lefty]

Well, for sure, we don't need to take our Rangers all the way apart then put them back together again, but I had a good time watching the series.

If nothing else, the series inspired me to do that "rolling restoration" which you described. I'm glad I did it too. For all intents and purposes, my 21 year old Ranger looks brand new.

It's not hard to keep it that way either, even up north here in the rust belt

 

[Lefty]

I really like old Rangers. Someday (maybe when people don't take them for granted) they will be considered classics. I enjoyed watching Sarah-in-Tune because she treated that little truck exactly that way.

She didn't try to raise it or lower it, didn't make it into a flat bed or a tow truck, a mudder or a rock climber, didn't lower it, or put in a V8, didn't modify it in any special way, except maybe a Hellwig sway bar and Billstein shocks. didn't paint flames on the sides. She respected its original sense of purpose: an all-around good and practical courier or delivery truck , a versatile, economic daily driver which spent most of its time on paved roads, did its job, and did it very well

 

[Terrys87]

I watched Sarah as she was doing her restoration. She can put a lot of guys to shame with her attention to detail.