Rooster the 1992 Ford Ranger XLT 2.9L 4X4

[Rooster26]

This is my first vehicle. I introduced myself on another thread but thought I would start another one to document Rooster and the things I would like to do to him eventually.

I got him last year when I was 15. He is originally from Colorado so did not really have any rust. Well compared to anything here in Ohio at least. My dad and I have mostly cleaned things up and done minor repairs. I started driving him in June. He is the oldest car in the parking lot at school, lol.

Rooster is a 4x4 1992 Ranger XLT Long Bed. Oxford White with a blue velour interior. It had a thin dark blue and light blue pinstripe when I got it that was in bad shape so we buffed it off. It has a 2.9L engine that looks to be all original. The transmission is a 5 speed manual which the previous owner had rebuilt shortly before he sold it. The front axle is a Dana 35 TTB. The rear axle is a Ford 8.8. They are geared at 3.55. At some point a 4 inch lift was installed though we are not exactly sure about that. Not sure what brand it is or what we measure to figure out how high it is. I think it is a suspension lift and not a body lift. My dad thinks maybe it is not a lift for serious off roading (strength wise) but good enough for me for now. The stereo is stock. It has a small stock amplifier behind the seat.

When I got it home we looked it over and wrote down things we had noticed needed some attention. The dash bezel was broken and I got lucky and found a new one on eBay. Also ordered new plastic threshold plates. My dad and I went to Pick A Part and got some window cranks, a dash vent, side view mirror, sun visor and chrome windshield trim. The original black trim was in bad shape and siliconed on. Also got some tinted windows for the bed cap and side view mirror braces that go inside the door. I want to put on the bigger mirrors on at some point. Not sure how hard that will be since it did not have them originally. I think we just need to drill some holes.

This past summer we replaced the radiator, thermostat, fan and fan clutch. The radiator was really bad even after flushing it like 6 times. It had started overheating, we think because the fan clutch went bad. The fan blade was cracking near the base so we got a new OEM one. My dad said it was expensive but better than having it come apart and ruin the new radiator. No more overheating. Also the A/C was not working. We recharged it and so far so good. I had a flickering alternator light that would go out when I got going over 35mph. Never had any problems starting or the lights being weak. We replaced the alternator and it solved the problem. My dad was relieved it was not a complicated wiring issue.

Rooster had lost the clear coat on the cab roof and hood. There was some minor accident damage to the front fenders. Not from me! My parents split the cost with me and had the roof, hood and fenders repainted. The right front fender needed to be replaced.

Originally it had Federal R/T 31x10.5 r15LT tires on it. They are still good but weren’t great on the street especially in the rain. Today I used my Christmas money towards a new set of Goodyear Wrangler Authority A/T 31x10.5x r15 LT. It drives much smoother on the road now. I’ll keep you posted on how they do on our winter roads.

I put a black grille on it today. The original one had broken clips. I”m going for a partial blacked out look.

Photos are from the day I got my license.

 

[franklin2]

The bumpers look normal with no gaps. That's usually what happens with a body lift.

3.55 gear with those big tires. How does it do in overdrive?

 

[Rooster26]

The bumpers look normal with no gaps. That's usually what happens with a body lift.

I took pictures of underneath. See below.


3.55 gear with those big tires. How does it do in overdrive?

It is not the best. Does not have much power in 5th, but I don’t drive on the freeway much. I asked in another post about gear ratios and would like to switch to 4.10.

 

[Rooster26]

New tires today!

 

[Rooster26]

Installed a new grille today also. The clips on the other one were broken and it was loose At the bottom. Also just some all around photos.

 

[Rooster26]

Engine and undercarriage photos.

 

[Rooster26]

To do list when it gets warmer.

Fuel filler neck. Plan on taking the bed off, looks like the easiest way.

Battery hold down. Right now it is two rubber straps. Might upgrade to a ratchet strap like on Roadkill.

Replace the automatic locking hubs with manual ones. They don’t always engage. May also just try and clean them, I’ve read that can help. A lot of others just say replace.

Fix the inside passenger door handle. It broke, I have a new one but am afraid to take the door panel off while it is cold because the plastic may be more brittle.

Replace the headlights. Also have those, was going to do it today but it started raining.

Install tinted windows in the bed cap. The plastic tracks in the current one are broken So they don’t slide very well. Got some from the junk yard the same brand and size. Also wire up a dome light. Got that from the junk yard too.

Install larger side view mirrors. Will check that out when we take the door apart to fix the handle.

 

[Rooster26]

Have an oil leak too. It is not terrible. I have to add some every 3 weeks or so. It seems to be in the oil pan gasket. I read you have to take motor out to do that so that will have to wait a bit. Also read on the forum that I could try tightening the bolts, only 5ftlbs, and see if that helps. Will try that first. Need to clean it off good before I do that. Engine has about 127,000 on it.

 

[RobbieD]

Welcome to TRS. That is a nice truck.

 

[Rooster26]

Thanks. I’m glad I found this site. A lot of good information.

 

[Rooster26]

Went to the pull and pay junkyard today with my. They had a 92 listed. Looked like a 4 cyl 2wd. Badges were missing but I think it was an XLT. Unfortunately it was in the middle of a big puddle. Got a rear view mirror, door speaker, owners manual & document holder, bed mat, window crank handle and shift boot. Also took apart the door to see how to fix my passenger inside handle. Going back tomorrow for the front bumper.

 

[scotts90ranger]

It kinda looks like the lift they put on has the drop plate for the passenger side axle beam instead of a separate bracket, be careful with that, they're known to pop holes in the top of the differential...

 

[Rooster26]

My dad said he thought the lift did not look very heavy duty. Is what you are talking about in this picture?

 

[scotts90ranger]

No, that side is fine (not ideal, there's better and there's worse options...), it's the one for the other suspension beam pivot, go to THIS PAGE and look at that, there are ways to help with issues possibly caused with the drop plate which we can help with if needed...

 

[Milkman5687]

That really is a cool truck. I like your style of scavenging parts to use and replace. I enjoy my ranger very much as well.