Restoring the old Eight Nine Stang

[shane96ranger]

Just checked the link out; those seem to be what I'm looking for. If memory serves, that's the same company (Pypes) that made my X-pipe.

Even though it doesn't show in the pic, the aftermarket driving lights are kind of a blue color....but they were cheap at WalMart, and they fit well.

I've got a decent set of AutoMeter gauges for it, just haven't had the time to install them. Not going with a monster tach, though....just a shift light.

I've never owned any products made by Pypes, but they seem like a reputable company. I was pretty close to buying one of their X-pipes, but I'm probably going to get the 3 piece MAC.

My fogs are actual Hella OEM lights. I bought them brand new and put GTS covers on them about a week later. You can kind of see the covers in the pic looking down on my hood (they stick out 1/2" from the glass).

The only gauge I plan to add is a Air/Fuel ratio gauge. I've had it for 3 or 4 years, just need to install it. I have a bunch of stuff going in it or on it this summer.

 

[RatDog8o8]

The only gauge I plan to add is a Air/Fuel ratio gauge. I've had it for 3 or 4 years, just need to install it. I have a bunch of stuff going in it or on it this summer.

I got these waiting to go in: vacuum, air/fuel ratio, trans temp, & fuel pressure. Just got to design/build a housing for them. I don't want to chop into the stock dash if I can avoid it, so plans are to build a housing to attach to the "tray" area of the dash. Figured I'd set the shift light to about 4500-5000.

Got the kit to re-do the hinge pins, and the re-wire kit for the rear defroster. Again, was waiting on time to do it. Had plans to work on it last year, after getting a bunch of stuff done on my CJ-7.....but cancer decided otherwise. So, I lost 6.5 months of my life to that battle. No garage to work in, so have to do stuff in good/warm weather.

(I like seeing the V8 conversions to Rangers. Once upon a time, down in Texas, I had a '74 Datsun pickup with a 302/C4/Maverick axle setup conversion. And a friend had a Ranger he stuffed a 302 in....this was in the mid 80s.)

 

[shane96ranger]

I got these waiting to go in: vacuum, air/fuel ratio, trans temp, & fuel pressure. Just got to design/build a housing for them. I don't want to chop into the stock dash if I can avoid it, so plans are to build a housing to attach to the "tray" area of the dash. Figured I'd set the shift light to about 4500-5000.

Yeah, I'm not going to hack my interior up either. I'm going to use a pillar pod most likely (this might require a small hole so I might not). I've seen some decent looking kits where it has a pod that goes under the stereo. Maybe this is what you mean by tray area though? Or do you mean the ash tray?

Got the kit to re-do the hinge pins, and the re-wire kit for the rear defroster. Again, was waiting on time to do it. Had plans to work on it last year, after getting a bunch of stuff done on my CJ-7.....but cancer decided otherwise. So, I lost 6.5 months of my life to that battle. No garage to work in, so have to do stuff in good/warm weather.

I am very lucky. My cars door hinges are still in tip top shape. Every body shop I took it too opened my doors and asked me if I'd already done the fix because they lined up so straight. My buddy had an 88 LX that sagged so bad that you had to pull up on it to get it to shut.

Cancer sucks man, I really feel for you. It sounds like you're past it though, which is very awesome. I've lost family to the beast, and it's nothing I hope to experience. I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

(I like seeing the V8 conversions to Rangers. Once upon a time, down in Texas, I had a '74 Datsun pickup with a 302/C4/Maverick axle setup conversion. And a friend had a Ranger he stuffed a 302 in....this was in the mid 80s.)

I really like V8 conversions as well. Especially if it's a Ford V8.

 

[RatDog8o8]

Yeah, I'm not going to hack my interior up either. I'm going to use a pillar pod most likely (this might require a small hole so I might not). I've seen some decent looking kits where it has a pod that goes under the stereo. Maybe this is what you mean by tray area though? Or do you mean the ash tray?

The top area, to the right of the stock gauge area of the dash, where it flattens out somewhat.

http://mustangattitude.com/cgi-bin/showcar.cgi?type=&pic=/1989/1989_00015_09

This is kind of what I have in mind:

http://www.hotrod.com/featuredvehicles/33679_1989_ford_5_0_mustang/photo_09.html

Not quite so many gauges, though....

 

[shane96ranger]

That convertible is in great shape. I'm not much for convertibles, but I would own that thing for sure.

I've seen that style of pod before. Those look good when there's only two or three gauges in them. I'm not sure you could even read the gauges on the passenger side. You'd probably need a co-pilot to read them for you, LOL.

 

[RatDog8o8]

I've seen that style of pod before. Those look good when there's only two or three gauges in them. I'm not sure you could even read the gauges on the passenger side. You'd probably need a co-pilot to read them for you, LOL.

Yeah, I'm gonna stick with the 4 gauges and the shift light. I agree, too many to read that far away!

 

[Boggin]

ratdog your mustang looks like what im going for! i just need some headlights and rims lol, mine also needs a new set of rear coils very bad. the rear is sagged a couple of inches at least. then again, it looks kinda cool lol but it dont feel cool when you hear your exhaust scraping on the ground over a small bump lol

and shane,, someone came to look at my ranger yesterday but they were way more interested in the stang lol, he offered me 2500 without the motor,, but nope dont think so!

 

[RatDog8o8]

I had to massage the rear fender lips to keep the tires from scrubbing a bit over bumps with the wheels I'm running. I replaced the coils prior to that. Just bent the seam up into the wheel well, and all is good now. I was only going to ask $2000.00 for mine, if I sold it......leaning towards keeping it now. Just gotta get the time to work on them all. The lottery would be a welcome thing to win!!!

 

[backroad101]

Thank you very much! I like the sounds of your project. Make a thread for it on here when you get it going. I'd like to watch your build. The 4.6 can be a monster for it's size.



I haven't seen an aftermarket tail light that looks good on them yet. The smoked ones look OK to me, but I wouldn't put them on my car. They don't make me want to hurl. There's a particular design that makes me gag every time I see them. It has 3 circles with chrome surrounding it. It is the most hideous thing I've ever seen.

I did stray from factory on the front marker lights though. The factory markers are amber, and I put these clear one in the link below on mine. I had a hard time coming to that decision, but they are relatively cheap if I want to go back.

http://www.latemodelrestoration.com...stang-Economy-Headlight-Kit-Clear-Sidemarkers



Truer words can not be spoken of Mustang lighting.


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Yeah, there seems to be decent support for the front lights but nothing good for the rears.

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[backroad101]

Those are exactly the kind of pics I meant, that looks fan-friggin tastic, mate.


Without that touch of orange, the cops'll pull you over. When i had clears on mine I never got stopped, but I did have to swap them to get through inspection.
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I would think if you have white or clear lenses, as long as the bulbs are orange you would be good.

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[shane96ranger]

Yeah, there seems to be decent support for the front lights but nothing good for the rears.

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There's still some ricer headlight set-ups too. The one piece ones are hideous.

 

[TheTopher]

I would think if you have white or clear lenses, as long as the bulbs are orange you would be good.

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With orange bulbs the cops here won't stop you but my old car did fail inspection with the clear lenses. Had to switch them in the parking lot to pass.

 

[shane96ranger]

and shane,, someone came to look at my ranger yesterday but they were way more interested in the stang lol, he offered me 2500 without the motor,, but nope dont think so!

Yeah, Mustang's are usually show stoppers. Mine is at my friends transmission shop and everyone always spends a minute to look at it he says. I think it's funny because he's anti-Ford, and it bothers him to see people gawk at a Ford.

BTW, I didn't see this post earlier - SORRY =)

 

[shane96ranger]

I NEED to drive this thing. Please go away snow.

 

[shane96ranger]

I have now had her for 16 years. What a hell of a car it's been.