THERAPY TRUCK:1997 4.0 5SPD XLT EXT CAB 2WD

[judgejohnmd]

Acquired in Oct 22; redid entire undercarriage-1 1/8 sway bar; all new steering/stabilizer components; performance rotors/brakes with all SS lines; trans/cross member/driveshaft mounts; rear spring hangars & bushings(NEVER do that again!! 3/4” air impact for nearly a day; about did this 82 year old in!!):
Just out of paint shop; H & H Auto Body in Havre de Grace MD; 2023 Toyota Lunar Rock.
Original wheels; Kuhmo tires.
Need to replace inst panel(AGAIN!!); installed one with tach; now odometer stopped working!!! Recovered headliner from a salvage with extra padding.
Modified driver seat to eliminate stupid extra part; cheapo covers & carpet for now.
Originally acquired for a 302 swap, but after all the mechanical work decided to see if she would even run: after plugs/wires/most of sensors; thing runs like a sewing machine!!
Judgejohnmd
Thoughts/comments/ suggestions appreciated!

 

[Curious Hound]

I like that color. Truck looks great!

 

[judgejohnmd]

Thank You!!

 

[Josh B]

Since you got a 3/4" impact I was hoping you might do a few others

Great looking truck man, good luck with it

One thing I've noticed a lot of lately, if you hadn't already seen it or done it is the 02 Sensors, seems they wear out by the clock

 

[judgejohnmd]

Thanks!
Actually replaced all 3 just before going to paint shop!!

 

[JoshT]

I'm not normally a fan of the flat grat, but it came out great.

82 and buying with the intent to tackle a V8 swap. Awesome! Now if I could just get my dad (almost 70) back into good enough shape to feel like tackling projects like that. He used to enjoy working on stuff like that.

Sounds like you've done a good job so far, keep up the good work.

Judge and 302 swap make Sammy pop in mind. "I can't drive 55"

 

[Josh B]

Thanks!
Actually replaced all 3 just before going to paint shop!!

Please keep in touch with this Mr John, we'd love to hear all about it

 

[judgejohnmd]

Decided to bite the bullet and get A/C checked out: (MD SUMMERS ARE UGLY!!”: system had been converted, but, again, this thing has sat for at least 6-7 years: my mechanic loaded system with dye/oil/refrigerant: ran for 2 hours putting out 38 degrees!! Next day I fired it up and realized very quickly it wasn’t putting out cold: checked all the lines, condenser, etc and not green dye: my grandson was there just picking up something-he sez “Grandpa! What’s the green stuff under the compressor!!”
Was actually leaking around the middle of the case!
Got that replaced; and, of course, leaks showed up elsewhere. GRRR!!
Condenser now on order.
Judgejohnmd

 

[Josh B]

Dang , that's expensive stuff. Good luck with it Judge
I knew an Aberdeen in South Dakota

 

[judgejohnmd]

There’s an Aberdeen in a bunch of states: railroad builder from Aberdeen Scotland named places he stayed from time to time after his home.
Judgejohnmd

 

[Rick W]

I feel your pain. If you think Maryland summers are tough, try Hotlanta!

My 97 “Road Ranger Semi“ project also has no air. Since it’s an occasional use toy for me, I haven’t worried about it. I’m joining TRS at the Carlisle Truck Nationals on August 4-6, and swinging through New Jersey, Delaware, and North Carolina visiting friends on the way home. I’m wondering if I’m nuts to ride up there with the windows open! I think it’s 800 or 900 miles one way!

I’m going to look for advice from these guys/you guys when I go. OMG, is it okay to call you guys?!?!?

All the pieces seem to be in place under my hood, and the truck is in very good condition from a one owner, but there’s some kind of JB Weld type goop on top of one of the lines. When I got it, I was told if I put Freon in it, it would blow cold, but the Freon leaks out.

There are 100 other things I want to do before I bring it to the nationals, and I don’t think I’m going to have time to look at the AC before I go.

Little Lincoln, my dog, is not going to be happy after 12 hours, but he does like hanging out the open windows…

And food for thought for you TRS guys/people/them, apparently my truck also has factory cruise control. I’ve never had that on a standard shift. I’ll be looking for some guidance on how to check that out and get it working.

 

[Curious Hound]

I'll be traveling to Carlisle with no A/C also. It's not that bad.

 

[judgejohnmd]

I’ve never had a manual with cruise, so no idea at all on that!!
I’m down to, hopefully!!, one last item to seal up the A/C: line that goes from compressor to evaporator coil is so corroded at compressor side it just doesn’t seal: part back ordered, but hopefully here next Monday, so fingers crossed!!!
Hopefully all who are traveling to Carlisle will have a safe, relatively cool experience!!
Judgejohnmd

 

[sgtsandman]

The only Ranger I’ve ever had with cruise control is the 2019, which is a totally different animal. So, I have no insight to give you.

 

[Blue_Marge]

Congrats! I have this rig too.