Rev's 87 High Rider 4x4 Project

[Rev]

I've been doing a ton of stuff to this Ranger to try and keep fluids from leaking.

I bought it off a guy who swapped out a B2 motor in order to sell it. It's a good runner but needs some TLC

Here's what I've done so far:

Repaired leaking P/S return line (at steering shaft)
Repaired leaking P/S high pressure hose (at P/S pump)
Replaced broken driver side passenger window button
Replaced blower motor (cleaned out clogged ducting that kept the "max a/c" damper from closing as well)
Repaired air cleaner assembly
Auto trans filter replacement and new gasket installed
Radiator flush
Tune up (plugs, wires, distributor cap, distributor rotator, fuel filter)
Replaced all belts
Replaced driver and passenger lower seat belts
Replaced ash tray mounting bracket
Paint wiper arms and replace with custom blades
Install new battery tray
Replace A/C wiring harness
Replace sun visor mounting rods
Replace passenger and driver outside mirror
Replace rear view mirror

Here's what needs fixing ASAP:
A/C system diagnostic/conversion (R12 system not converted and previous owner dumped in 150+ PSI [low pressure side reading ] of R134...clogged or broke something in the system)
Radiator replacement (small leak)
Replace all hoses

Here's what's on deck:
Brakes
Replace all window weatherstripping
Replace passenger and driver door handles
Replace tailgate handle, latches and cables
Replace front grill
Replace rear tail lights
Install grill guard
Install fog lights
Install baja lights
Replace bed liner
Install custom accelerator and gas pedals
New front bumber
Paint roll bar
Paint entire truck (including minor body work...dents and dings)
Wheels and tires
Shocks/Struts (?)
Stereo
Alarm

Once this motor goes (or whenever I get the major itch) I'll drop in 5.0.

Pics coming soon!

 

[metalmacguyver]

Sounds like your gonna be busy!

 

[lil red]

are you lookin for door handles?, i have 2 sets if u want em 15 bucks

and i have a good flip out sterio(jL audio og jvc, i forget)
or are you goin all new on your handles?
and i have a factory ford logo bed liner if you wnat it
100 bux

 

[philzilla]

sounds good

 

[Rev]

are you lookin for door handles?, i have 2 sets if u want em 15 bucks

and i have a good flip out sterio(jL audio og jvc, i forget)
or are you goin all new on your handles?
and i have a factory ford logo bed liner if you wnat it
100 bux

Thanks bro...I've already ordered all new on the door handles...only $12.50/ea.

Love to check out the factory ford logo bed liner...but shipping it to Cailfornia might be cost prohibitive!

 

[lil red]

o ya
never mind than
im in jersey

good luck with it anyway

 

[kunar]

got any pics???

 

[Rev]

UPDATE 7/3/08

Day before yesterday the heater core went so I had to replace it. I also decided to change out the upper and lower radiator hoses along with a 180 degree thermostat (vs the 196 degree stock version). I didn't need to replace the heater hoses as they are new.

I added some fog and baja lights as well but need to reroute some of the wiring to hide it all after I paint the roll bar.

There was some serious intermittant lurching at idle all of a sudden so I did some research here and decided to buy an OBD2 and 1 tester. The only KOEO code was for the TPS (Throttle Position Sensor). I checked it and the clips that hold the connector in place are broken off. I disconnected, cleaned with contact spray and reconnected...problem fixed.

I got 2 KOER codes...one for HEGO/EGO sensor (o2 sensor) and one for the EGR valve stuck open. I checked the vacuum tubing for leaks so today I'm going to remove and try unsticking the EGR valve. The EGO sensor is gonna be tougher as the guy I bought the truck from replaced the motor and the wiring has been run kinda custom to the o2 sensor...could be the sensor (which he said is new) or could be the wiring.

Other than that, no more leaks!

 

[Rev]

Update 7/21/08

After a TON of prep work, she goes in for paint today! The most time consuming job was removing those damn stickers/decals on the side. I used a heat gun to activate the glue so the stickers would come off easier. The biggest problem was that the stickers are really thin and kept breaking if they weren't heated up enough. Too much heat and they'd melt from the heat gun. Also there is a ton of sticker glue left on the body. I tried Goo Off (waste of time), heat, rubbing alcohol and finally acetone. The acetone worked OK, but the resulting balls of glue that only stuck to the paint was a nightmare. I'll leave this to the paint shop pros to deal with.

I ended up ordering a new front bumper as the cost to repair, prep and paint the existing bumper was going to be almost twice the cost of new.

Here's a list of the prep I did to get ready for paint.

Removal of:

Front/Rear bumpers
Front Grill
Hood Grommets (rubber stoppers and drain plugs)
Front/Side/Rear turn signal lights
Cargo Light
Door panels
Door window guides/seals
Wing windows
Decals
Badging (STX and Ranger)

After everything was off I went in a washed/wiped down all the corners and edges (i.e. under wheel wells, hood, etc.) as these typically don't get much prep attention before being sprayed.

The paint shop I chose is 1Day Paint. They were referred by two other shops that do custom and OEM paint matching. I chose not to go with the referring shops as I was looking at about $4k minimum. 1Day is going to do the body work too as they are doing everything for about $1400. This includes 10 different dents/dings from fist sized (lower left fender) to dime sized (front of hood). The previous owner also had snaps riveted all along the top of the bed for a bed cover. I drilled them all out and they are filling all 56 holes. I chose their 3rd tier paint package as it is guaranteed for 5 years. Their 4th and highest tier paint includes a clear coat-ready paint and a layer of clear coat...but it's $1000 more...no thanks.

I still need to paint the rear bumper and the roll bar and am not sure if I'm going to tackle these myself or get them done by a shop.

I promise to upload pics when the truck comes out of paint.

 

[bobbywalter]

i would keep the 195 t stat.

 

[Rev]

i would keep the 195 t stat.

I've read about the pro's and con's of both. What's your opinion for keeping the 195 t stat?

 

[engdept]

Keep the stock thermostat, you will regret it if you don't.

 

[Rev]

Keep the stock thermostat, you will regret it if you don't.

Care to share how I will regret changing it out to 185?

I can easily replace it with the 195, but why?

 

[Gabe8810]

sounds like quite a bit of work. i bet pictures put it all together

 

[bobbywalter]

the pcm is tuned for 195.

and its old.