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Been a long time since I posted anything here. Kinda got out of the Ranger scene for a number of years, but here I am again. Haha.
Meet Ranger No. 3. Ranger 1 was a 1984, Ranger 2 was a 1986 and now Ranger 3 is a 1988. Each truck has been different. 1, shortbed 2wd, 4cyl. 2, longbed 2wd V6, 3, shortbed, ext cab 2wd V6.
Both 1& 2 had small block swaps and 2 went on to be the original BBR in all it's unrealized potential.
I have always had a soft spot for these trucks. I continually searched Marketplace for a suitable one. It seems people really think a beat up version is worth $2500. I don't get it. This one was priced right though, $600. No it doesn't run, but that doesn't matter. The body is decently straight, it matches my 1991 dually and it's basically rust free.
The 2.9L in it was partially disassembled so the original plan was a turbo SBF swap. I enjoy Drag-n-Drive events like Drag Week and Rocky Mountain Race Week, so this truck is intended to do that sort of stuff. The SBF idea has transformed to a BBF idea, so down the rabbit hole I go again.
Project intro:
I have several project cars so the original plan was to park this thing for a while and work on other stuff. However, AJE contacted me about a full tubular front suspension that they are currently developing for mid-size pickups (Ranger, S-10, Dakota). They wanted to know if I was interested in installing one in my truck. Sure thing, let's do it.
They crazy part is, I actually had been looking at doing a Mustang II front end on this truck to get rack & pinion steering and a more adjustable ride height. I even looked at front frame stub kits, but decided they were a little too expensive for what I was doing. I had just decided to buy some lowering I-beams and go on. In fact, I was just about to order a set when Anthony initially contacted me. So this opportunity came along at just the right time. It is going to bump up my project time frame a little more than I had planned, but that's fine.
Admittedly, this is pushing me a little more to the "racey" side than I had really planned. It's honestly where I have always wanted to go with a Ranger, but never had the combination of time, right truck or the resources to do so. Now I do.
I am currently on Episode 32 on my YouTube channel ( Thirty Minute Mechanic ) and the truck has undergone a significant transformation thus far. Pop over and watch the videos and I will try to keep this thread updated from here on out.
Meet Ranger No. 3. Ranger 1 was a 1984, Ranger 2 was a 1986 and now Ranger 3 is a 1988. Each truck has been different. 1, shortbed 2wd, 4cyl. 2, longbed 2wd V6, 3, shortbed, ext cab 2wd V6.
Both 1& 2 had small block swaps and 2 went on to be the original BBR in all it's unrealized potential.
I have always had a soft spot for these trucks. I continually searched Marketplace for a suitable one. It seems people really think a beat up version is worth $2500. I don't get it. This one was priced right though, $600. No it doesn't run, but that doesn't matter. The body is decently straight, it matches my 1991 dually and it's basically rust free.
The 2.9L in it was partially disassembled so the original plan was a turbo SBF swap. I enjoy Drag-n-Drive events like Drag Week and Rocky Mountain Race Week, so this truck is intended to do that sort of stuff. The SBF idea has transformed to a BBF idea, so down the rabbit hole I go again.
Project intro:
I have several project cars so the original plan was to park this thing for a while and work on other stuff. However, AJE contacted me about a full tubular front suspension that they are currently developing for mid-size pickups (Ranger, S-10, Dakota). They wanted to know if I was interested in installing one in my truck. Sure thing, let's do it.
They crazy part is, I actually had been looking at doing a Mustang II front end on this truck to get rack & pinion steering and a more adjustable ride height. I even looked at front frame stub kits, but decided they were a little too expensive for what I was doing. I had just decided to buy some lowering I-beams and go on. In fact, I was just about to order a set when Anthony initially contacted me. So this opportunity came along at just the right time. It is going to bump up my project time frame a little more than I had planned, but that's fine.
Admittedly, this is pushing me a little more to the "racey" side than I had really planned. It's honestly where I have always wanted to go with a Ranger, but never had the combination of time, right truck or the resources to do so. Now I do.
I am currently on Episode 32 on my YouTube channel ( Thirty Minute Mechanic ) and the truck has undergone a significant transformation thus far. Pop over and watch the videos and I will try to keep this thread updated from here on out.
