Super Mild '90 Ranger

[superds]

I figure at least every three years I should post an update...

The Ranger will be under the knife again. It's done good as an occasional driver and lately I started commuting with it again. The other morning when it was about -20F I left for work and it was froze to the ground. I killed the engine several times trying to free it from the ground until I finally revved the engine up, popped the clutch and subsequently popped something in the t-case or transmission. Loud noise, no movement. Now it grinds when I try to drive it, I'm thinking it's in the t-case since it seems less prevalent when in 2wd.

Now might be the time I start the V8 swap I've been amassing parts for some time for. But it won't be until summer that I can start working on it, with every thing else I have going on keeping me busy enough.

 

[superds]

Well, I think this project has reached its end. The Ranger not only needs a new transmission (or rebuild) but in pulling back the carpet to remove the transmission, I can see daylight through the body seams in the corners. The radiator core support is trashed and about every body panel needs rust repair again. I think it's time to let this one go. It's been good haul with this one, been in my family since new and it has over 200,000 miles on it (original engine) so it doesn't owe anybody anything. Some of the parts will live on in other RBV projects so all is not lost.