Rosa the Ranger (formerly: I blame y’all)

[85_Ranger4x4]

A factory rear sway bar is well worth the time and effort to install.

I just grabbed one from the JY, made a huge difference in handling on the highway (my truck is a lifted 4wd FWIW)

 

[bhgl]

After a roundtrip to Dallas, I think shocks are worthwhile, along with a rear sway bar (because I have nothing back there) and a handful of bushings, but after that, I think I'm fairly tapped out on suspension upgrades for the time being (famous last words, I know).

@Lefty, I did both of mine recently since my passenger-side bushings were absolutely shot. It looked like the driver's side had been replaced already but they're not expensive so I just did both.

I could have just swapped bushings but they were ~75% of the cost (at least on rock auto) and I don't have a press/ the desire to jerryrig anything to save $20 over buying the whole arms

I also don't have a rear sway bar and I've been on the hunt, unfortunately short of buying total brand new kit from Hellwig, most of the junkyard options are effectively rusted through, or in order to remove would require cutting/flames which isn't permitted by my local junkyard.

Yeah, the upper control arms are next on the list for me, but only if I can find someone to my alignment PROPERLY. Given how the truck is now lowered getting the alignment is actually really REALLY difficult, to the point most of the long-timer mechanics I've brought the truck to don't even want to attempt it.

I eventually had to bring the truck mid-road trip to a chain tire/wheel shop because I had completely chewed through my tires on the outside edges after doing my best home alignment some 5000KMs prior. They tasked some poor new guy to attempt it and his words: "That sucked." I gave him 20$ extra for the effort though.

 

[Lefty]

After a roundtrip to Dallas, I think shocks are worthwhile, along with a rear sway bar (because I have nothing back there) and a handful of bushings, but after that, I think I'm fairly tapped out on suspension upgrades for the time being (famous last words, I know).

@Lefty, I did both of mine recently since my passenger-side bushings were absolutely shot. It looked like the driver's side had been replaced already but they're not expensive so I just did both.

I could have just swapped bushings but they were ~75% of the cost (at least on rock auto) and I don't have a press/ the desire to jerryrig anything to save $20 over buying the whole arms

Thanks for the clarification. I bet you appreciate that sway bar upgrade.

 

[Lefty]

I also don't have a rear sway bar and I've been on the hunt, unfortunately short of buying total brand new kit from Hellwig, most of the junkyard options are effectively rusted through, or in order to remove would require cutting/flames which isn't permitted by my local junkyard.

Yeah, the upper control arms are next on the list for me, but only if I can find someone to my alignment PROPERLY. Given how the truck is now lowered getting the alignment is actually really REALLY difficult, to the point most of the long-timer mechanics I've brought the truck to don't even want to attempt it.

I eventually had to bring the truck mid-road trip to a chain tire/wheel shop because I had completely chewed through my tires on the outside edges after doing my best home alignment some 5000KMs prior. They tasked some poor new guy to attempt it and his words: "That sucked." I gave him 20$ extra for the effort though.

You may want to try a pair of leaf spring clamps on the back end. They will reduce sway, and only for $17.00. If you like the change, you can always add a second pair. Clamp that pair onto the leaf pack 6" behind the axle. You can leave them on forever, even if you find a bar. You won't need a Hellwig either. Save the money.

 

[bhgl]

You may want to try a pair of leaf spring clamps on the back end. They will reduce sway, and only for $17.00. If you like the change, you can always add a second pair. Clamp that pair onto the leaf pack 6" behind the axle. You can leave them on forever, even if you find a bar. You won't need a Hellwig either. Save the money.

I actually do in fact have a set of rancho spring clips to slap on, 2 for each side!, life's been so busy, and the weather absolutely freezing that I haven't had the round-tuits to do it.

Still, I would like to get a rear swaybar in conjunction with the spring clips.

 

[Texan209]

Update time!
Thanks to everyone for the advice and input. She's still (and always be) a work in progress but I finally fixed the paint. I went against all of the (very sound) advice here and bedlined it.

Why?
1. The sheer number of dents and imperfections would have made it very difficult for me to get paint to look good.
2. I'm not an experienced painter but bed liner was easy to spray & forgiving in its application
3. It's a fun truck. I didn't buy it for resale value or making smart decisions- I bought it to be a fun, rugged work truck so I decided to lean in and go for it

hope yall like it, because I'm thrilled with how it turned out
Imgur link because photos are too big:

https://imgur.com/a/p3bZmOH

 

[ShhhhhDougsHere]

I saw this thread for the first time tonight.
I enjoyed reading it.
I'll be keeping my eye on your thread @Texan209

From want I can tell from your pictures I think your bed liner paint job looks fine.
And the way I see it, it's your truck as long as you like it and are happy with it, who cares what anyone else thinks.

 

[MaicoDoug]

My DIY rear sway bar is in fact an old '83 spare tire hanger. It's already 75% done as built from the factory. Simply cut one end the same length as the other, drill the appropriate holes and attach to the unused leaf spring-axle U bolts on the top. No bushings. Pulls the inside rear wheel spinning & off the ground at 45mph in a turn. Works as any ridgid sway bar would attached to the very top of the axle/leaf spring assy. This was on my old '83 Ranger 2.8 2wd. Good job guyz!

 

[superj]

i have a spare rear sway bar in the garage, next time anyone is in south texas. i pulled it from one of the bronco2s i saw in the junkyard

 

[Lefty]

i have a spare rear sway bar in the garage, next time anyone is in south texas. i pulled it from one of the bronco2s i saw in the junkyard

Those are hard to find.

 

[Texan209]

A little bit of an update, and a little bit of advice-seeking.

As is typical with these trucks, my coolant reservoir sprang a leak. Just replaced it with an aluminum one (one broken intake bolt and hectic gasket search later)
Started her up last night and big mistake, got a big 'ol air bubble stuck in the top coolant line. I have my excuses but it is what it is.
I think the engine ran for about 20 seconds before I realized it. I think the engine is okay but looks like I must have cooked my coolant temp gauge because even this morning it's stuck at almost max temp (there's some movement but something is definitely wrong with it) Although the ECU gauge seems to be reading accurately.

What do yall think? Just keep a scanner tool running my coolant temps for the next little while and just drive her and hope for the best? Pull it back apart to replace a gauge? Either way, I'll keep y'all updated if it's time for that coyote swap I've been joking (serious) about

 

[pjtoledo]

A little bit of an update, and a little bit of advice-seeking.

As is typical with these trucks, my coolant reservoir sprang a leak. Just replaced it with an aluminum one (one broken intake bolt and hectic gasket search later)
Started her up last night and big mistake, got a big 'ol air bubble stuck in the top coolant line. I have my excuses but it is what it is.
I think the engine ran for about 20 seconds before I realized it. I think the engine is okay but looks like I must have cooked my coolant temp gauge because even this morning it's stuck at almost max temp (there's some movement but something is definitely wrong with it) Although the ECU gauge seems to be reading accurately.

What do yall think? Just keep a scanner tool running my coolant temps for the next little while and just drive her and hope for the best? Pull it back apart to replace a gauge? Either way, I'll keep y'all updated if it's time for that coyote swap I've been joking (serious) about

20 seconds won't hurt anything.
3 minutes for other parts maybe, but not the sender.
check the connection at the temp sender. remove/reset the wire several times.

 

[Uncle Gump]

@Texan209

This thread is turning more into a build thread vs an introduction.

I have the ability to move this entire thread into the forum that's dedicated for build threads. I believe you can even edit the title of it if so desired. If you can't... I believe i have that ability to edit the title.

Let me know your thoughts about moving it.

 

[Texan209]

@Texan209

This thread is turning more into a build thread vs an introduction.

I have the ability to move this entire thread into the forum that's dedicated for build threads. I believe you can even edit the title of it if so desired. If you can't... I believe i have that ability to edit the title.

Let me know your thoughts about moving it.

Sounds good to me, I wasn't planning to be here asking for help/documenting the project so much. Thanks.
Updates will continue to be slow, but I have a decent amount of work yet to do.
Next up is "easy" interior bits (i.e. stuff that can't actually break the truck). I already have new speakers and sound deadening, but I think I'll go ahead and pull out the headliner to recover while I have the interior mostly stripped.

 

[Uncle Gump]

@Texan209

You're now moved into the mini truck forum.