The $600 1988 Ranger project... a twin turbo big block build.

[Jim Oaks]

Well, thank ya. It's been a fun project for sure! Really a culmination of all the stuff I have thought about doing for years. It's fun to see it come to reality. Crazy to think I started on it about 1 year ago.

Just remember, Rome wasn't built in a day and some of that quality construction still stands today. Patience, time, and detail have its rewards.

 

[BBR]

Worked a little on it today. I've been in a holding pattern waiting on parts to arrive, and the steering wheel stuff finally showed up.

Normally I try not to spend a lot of I don't have to, but the Motion Raceworks removable steering wheel kit is worth the money. It's a nice setup that bolts directly to a Grant 3 bolt adapter.

Everything went together pretty well. The hole in my inexpensive steering wheel was a skosh too small for the Motion horn delete button. I easily fixed that by opening the hole up with a drum sander.

 

[BBR]

Mounted the Terminator X and started routing the harness through the firewall.

It going to be interesting seeing how this generic "Ford" harness fits this truck. Preliminary lookys show it's going to be tight reaching everything.

I struggled drilling holes in a block off plate that I forgot I had not permanently mounted yet. Haha. Popped it out and it was much easier to deal with. Imagine that.

 

[BBR]

Trimmed the dash to get it to fit back in. Seems to be working pretty good. This dash pad is super crunchy. Haha.

Not bad for just eyeballing everything.

 

[BBR]

Mapping out all the electronics can be somewhat of a pain in the butt. Trying to find places to mount stuff that isn't in the way, but is not completely hidden and keeps the wiring lengths sane is a challenge.

I think I am getting my head wrapped around it though.

This truck will get an Accel 300+ ignition just like the 83GT has. I am trying to keep the majority of the "engine operation" electrical stuff on the passenger side of the engine bay.

I welded the outermost dash pieces back together. The plan is to attach them to the speaker grills so they can be installed and removed easily.