SenorNoob's '88 Ext Cab "Build"

[SenorNoob]

I see that now. $189.95 for the kit...

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I see that now. $189.95 for the kit...

Ouch… it was cheaper when I got it, but that was back a good few years ago, lol

 

[SenorNoob]

Everything has gone up so much it's silly. Damned inflation. I'm waiting for parts to come in now. The driver side coil bucket was fine. All the rivets are removed.

The solid transmission crossmember is in except for the single bolt on the driver's side. I almost put in backwards. It actually fits surprisingly well that way. 2 of the 3 holes lined up. Probably gonna have to buy some more 7/16 fine thread bolts and locknuts to get everything bolted up.

I brushed some Rustoleum rusty metal primer and flat black on the frame. Should've got the 8oz cans. Quarts of each were WAY too much. Maybe I'll use it eventually.

Brackets all lined up:

The pitting under the passenger coil bucket:

And a couple extra pics of my other project vehicle:

 

[Terrys87]

I was wondering how hard it is to do the buckets. One of my Broncos need the bucket replaced when I get on to that project, hopefully this fall/winter. From what I have seen it looks like they have a rivet that is in the middle of the frame. I am hoping it is easier to replace then what it looks like.

That looks like an older bike. I bought a XL185 new in 1982 and really enjoyed that bike as a kid. I could ride it all day long. Some of those bikes are climbing in value now. I always like the little 50cc bikes from the 70's. One day I would like to restore one.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I was wondering how hard it is to do the buckets. One of my Broncos need the bucket replaced when I get on to that project, hopefully this fall/winter. From what I have seen it looks like they have a rivet that is in the middle of the frame. I am hoping it is easier to replace then what it looks like.

That looks like an older bike. I bought a XL185 new in 1982 and really enjoyed that bike as a kid. I could ride it all day long. Some of those bikes are climbing in value now. I always like the little 50cc bikes from the 70's. One day I would like to restore one.

The worst part of doing the coil buckets was removing the rivets and cleaning up rust. Surprisingly you can get in the frame where you need to for bolting a new one on. I want to say I had to get a couple bolts started and run a drill through a couple holes that weren’t lined up enough for a bolt.

 

[bobbywalter]

this thread is a hell of a time capsule

 

[SenorNoob]

...run a drill through a couple holes that weren’t lined up enough for a bolt.

I had the same experience after putting a jack under one corner to flex the bucket enough to get it halfway lined up. (Harbor freight step bit are awesome.) I had a couple holes on the passenger side that were like that. (One on the bucket and one on the lift bracket.) All of the brackets are on now. Along with the solid transmission crossmember.

I didn't realize how low the drop brackets make the radius arm crossmember. I had it pre-assembled on the table and it looks like a ROPS for a zero turn. LOL

Really need to be working on it now, but it's raining. I noticed yesterday that whatever front brake hoses I already had were the same length as the Chevy 2500 ones in the tech article and have an upper end better suited to the Ranger. Gotta figure out what those are.

 

[SenorNoob]

I was able to find my receipt picture where I bought the hoses in '14. BH380389 & BH380390