SenorNoob's '88 Ext Cab "Build"

[willy]

Congratulations

 

[Petemoss]

Congrats, that is what my first house looked like.

Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk 2

 

[SenorNoob]

Thanks guys!

I have been having problems lately with my passenger side wiper arm falling off the motor shaft. I bought a clip that I thought was what I need until I got it apart. After getting the original clip off, I realized an exact replacement was $18!!

So, I found an alternative solution. Very simple and seems to quite strong, though I haven't used it yet.

Dorman Products - 13325 E-Clip-Assortment
https://www.dormanproducts.com/p-19539-13325.aspx

The largest clip in this kit just will fit into the groove near the end of the motor shaft. Oh, and to make it easier to install, I tied a piece of fishing line on the clip. That way it can be retrieved from the inevitable falls into the cowl. You can even use it hold the clip almost in position while it's pushed on with a screwdriver (or a tack puller in my case).

Oh, I'm wondering what ya'll think of using a shaft collar as a spacer on the radius arms to make aligning the front axle easier. Would that work or am I CRAZY?

 

[SenorNoob]

I'm still alive. I know it's been awhile.

Haven't done much with the Ranger. The front shocks are installed now. It's hauled lots of stuff. That's about it.. (I thought 980 lbs of scrap in the bed was pretty good for a small truck.)

I've been staying busy with other things lately.

The roof leak is fixed at the trailer. Which is for sale BTW. It's in Fountain Run, KY. Allen county. If anybody sees this and is interested.

I'm changing jobs, leaving the grocery store for full time at a factory. Starting Monday..

There are things that need attention on the Ranger soonish. The rear brakes are not-so-good. The drivers' side valve cover is leaking. (At least I know oil is getting up there.) And the clutch is starting to get squirrelly on occasion. I'm surprised it's lasted this long. What with 2.5K dumps from a 4.0 on the already burnt 2.9 clutch...

 

[SenorNoob]

Can't believe it's been 4 years since I posted here.

I've changed jobs, houses, gotten married, and still driving the Ranger. Not as often now. Got a 97 Altima as my daily. Still need the truck often enough that I can't get into the front lift yet.

Being back has me itching to start it though. Just gotta find the money.

 

[bobbywalter]

nice to see ya post up.....


i would love to have a truck cab this nice...

 

[Locotomb]

@SenorNoob, I like your truck. It reminds me of my black 88', red interior xlt. On another note, How big of a lift where you thinking of going? And have you read, https://www.therangerstation.com/how-to/suspension-and-body-lifts/lifting-on-a-budget/ And if yours is a 4x2, I have some leveling spacers with bolts (17$ a piece at Fastenal) for 20 bucks and shipping. I made some brackets and used some f250 springs. The spacers will work for a 4x4 but not the bolts. Good luck and be careful, it's addicting. Lifting your truck that is.

@bobbywalter, Your truck sounds pretty awesome, I'm about to try and find some pics on here.

 

[bobbywalter]

theres not too many with details...but there are some and a video of my son driving up a garden in the 20th anniversary roundup thread...

 

[SenorNoob]

I finally got my M5OD swap done!!!

A previous owner screwed me over though. They changed the clutch master with something different. (Guessing a 95-97...) It would move the old worn out broken spring 2.9 clutch just fine. After putting in a new slave and 4.0 clutch it wouldn't disengage till I swapped for a new slave.

The M5OD is such an improvement over my FM146 that it's silly. If it weren't for the multitude of exhaust leaks, I wouldn't even know it's running going down the highway. So quiet. Even with the gaping hole in the floorboard.

It's once again out of commission tho as on the second day driving it to work, I hit some ice and spun out.

Damage isn't bad. Just waiting on the light really. Crazy thing shattered the housing but the bulb didn't blow. I do need an inertia switch tho. Will probably replace the fender at some point. Just bend the bumper back out the 1/2" of so it moved and loosen the cab mounts and straighten it back out.

 

[SenorNoob]

So the lights are replaced. Inertia switch ended up working after it sat. Tested it by thumping a few times. Cab is straighter than it's ever been. And I got new tires today. Look for pictures tomorrow.

 

[BlackBII]

Glad to see you're still working on this one!

 

[SenorNoob]

I'll die with this truck. There may not be much left by then. But I'll not sell it. Sentimental value. It's actually my daily driver again.
Pics as promised.

I'm looking into ball joint now. Thinking I'm just gonna go with O'Reilly's store brand. That what I bought 7 years ago and the ones on the passenger side are still good. Driver's side probably would be if it weren't for the wreck.

Edit: The more I look at them, the more I like these tires and wheels. Kenda AT2's in 245/75R16 on stock Ranger wheels.

 

[SenorNoob]

So I went shopping. 2 new ball joints for the driver's side, taillights, body mounts and hardware, and 2 bump stops for the rear.

 

[SenorNoob]

Got the ball joints in. Had to replace the outer tie rod end too. I tore the boot getting it off. Even though was careful to put everything back in the same place I've got really bad alignment. Tape measure says 5/8 toe out. Who knows what else is wrong. It's even more squirrely now than when it had 1/2 of play in the ball joint.

It's tempting to try to get my lift parts in before I take it for an alignment. Still need the drop pitman arm and dunno how all everything will line up.

 

[SenorNoob]

Alignment done:

Pretty good I think.
I got the new taillights in too. Very pretty. The fit was kinda meh, but the ford parts weren't perfect either. There was a 3/6 gap between the bottom and the sheet metal. You can't see it unless you're looking up into the bottom of the taillights tho. TYC clearly used the old Ford molds. Still has the Ford oval in the same place. I just wish they'd trimmed the screw holes after welding the two halves of the housing together. Had to get out the utility knife to clear one screw hole before I could put them on.