The Ford Ranger Restoration and Off-Road Build Thread

[Cut 'n' Fab Restorations]

Hello everybody! New to the forums, I decided to register as a way to keep track of my build and allow others to see what I'm doing.

I bought the truck about 18 months ago with around 170k and in fairly decent condition all around. She's got a 2.3, with a 2wd manual transmission. A lot has happened since I bought the truck, it's been moved around the yard a few times and driven around the block twice in the last year. The truck runs amazing but it's got some rust/rot and body damage from all the good times outdoors

When I first got her, after I ditched the wheels the truck came with:


Here's my progress so far;

Pretty common problem on these trucks:




Rough cut, not sure how much material I'm taking out yet:


Both rear shackle mounts and one rear shock mount were replaced at some point, however one was not and I need to drill out 2 remaining rivets:


Overall the bed is in good shape:


The old crossmember was fairly rotted so I welded this in place of it:


Awaiting warmer weather for some POR-15:


Took the fender off to do some body work, it's not in bad shape for having flipped on the driver's side


Living in luxury:


I have all the parts that came with the truck and a bunch more that I've acquired over the last year and a half. I hope you all enjoy my thread, a lot more to come!

 

[Cut 'n' Fab Restorations]

There's only enough room in this thread for me it seems. Been busy with school and whatnot but there has been some progress.



The only 3 brackets/mounts I plan on reusing:


Fender is doing pretty good, almost ready to be primed and painted:


Picked up some things for the build/restoration:


More to come!

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Welcome to the site.
Would have been good to seen a before on the fender. But it looks like its going to be a much better truck once your done.
Good luck,

Richard

 

[Cut 'n' Fab Restorations]

When I first started taking the Ranger apart I wasn't thinking about posting online, so I didn't get a lot of pictures. I will definitely do before and after now though! Another update today, got a few things done yesterday and got something in the mail today.

Took off the door so I could work on it indoors:




Got the final shipment of parts I've been waiting for:


Also picked up a few things for scratch start TIG:




The truck will be getting put back together as soon as it is consistently warm enough for me to por-15 the frame outside. I haven't decided on a lift for the front yet. I'm thinking I might just get a 4" rough country suspension lift kit and stay 2wd for 6 months to a year because my girlfriend has been wanting to learn to drive a stick and I don't have the funds for a SAS, 8.8 rear and 4wd conversion at the moment. Any comments, suggestions or input is greatly appreciated!