TIP from a newbie ( if that is even possible!)

[Shran]

So these overhead console were used for automatic transfer case controls. Were they ever in vehicles with manual cases?
I’d like to see one.

Yep! This was an '84 Ranger. The "Touch Drive" overhead 4x4 console was used up to '88, although I'm not sure when electronic 4x4 became available - I have never seen an '83 or '84 that had it...all manual shift... just my little view of the world, may have been an option in those years.

 

[tw205]

Yeah, 85 was the last year for those, kind of a less common option. 86-88 was touch drive or nothing on the ceiling.

I think the touch drive console could easily be adapted into a switch panel or the like though. I was tempted but found the clock/maplight and have been happy.

View attachment 68128

View attachment 68129

Thanks for the pic. Tell me about your roof liner. Painted steel sheet?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Thanks for the pic. Tell me about your roof liner. Painted steel sheet?

Just your standard issue base model echochamber.

Super old pic:

 

[tw205]

Just your standard issue base model echochamber.

Super old pic:

View attachment 68183

My mistake. I thought it was a BII. The other pic didn’t show the rear glass on the Ranger.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

My mistake. I thought it was a BII. The other pic didn’t show the rear glass on the Ranger.

If it is any consolation the assembly is out of a BII...

 

[tw205]

If it is any consolation the assembly is out of a BII...

My thought was wow that’s a lot of work. Running a sheet of steel the size of a BII roof liner threw whatever they call that machine that adds forms to the steel to give it strength. Some of the stuff I’ve seen here on TRC are way awesome but that would have been epic.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

My thought was wow that’s a lot of work. Running a sheet of steel the size of a BII roof liner threw whatever they call that machine that adds forms to the steel to give it strength. Some of the stuff I’ve seen here on TRC are way awesome but that would have been epic.

I eagerly await seeing you do it!

 

[ecgreen]

Yep! This was an '84 Ranger. The "Touch Drive" overhead 4x4 console was used up to '88, although I'm not sure when electronic 4x4 became available - I have never seen an '83 or '84 that had it...all manual shift... just my little view of the world, may have been an option in those years.

WOW does that light bring back memories!

 

[wildbill23c]

Yep! This was an '84 Ranger. The "Touch Drive" overhead 4x4 console was used up to '88, although I'm not sure when electronic 4x4 became available - I have never seen an '83 or '84 that had it...all manual shift... just my little view of the world, may have been an option in those years.

"Touch Drive" came out in the 86 model year along with the 2.9L Fuel Injected V6...those were the highlights of the 86 model year Ranger and Bronco 2....could you imagine now if a "New Generation" vehicle came out with a couple of cheesy updates like that LOL. Hey here's your 2023 Ranger, brand new edition, comes with a new invention, manual crank windows HAHA!!! Oh man I could just see that one LOL....

Anyways, the Touch Drive controls would have been where the clock is if I recall, I've only seen a couple of push button Rangers and Bronco 2's from back then...the ones I see most of the time are the late 80's early to mid 90's when they put the push button controls in the dash in the place of one of the instrument cluster vents.

I guess that's why there's extra meat up there in the headliner area in my Bronco 2 was the cab roofs were all the same regardless if they got the Touch Drive or manual shift T-Case....

Also, I believe 86 was the year that a 2WD Bronco 2 option became available...and like a Jeep, why would you buy a 2WD Bronco 2 LOL. I have never seen a 2WD Bronco 2, tons of 2WD Rangers of course, but never a 2WD Bronco 2 they've all been 4x4's...I'm sure there are 4x2's out there somewhere but why LOL.

Something else I ran across, my 87 Ranger Custom doesn't have a headliner, and by the looks of it never did...so I assume that was an optional item back then as well?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I guess that's why there's extra meat up there in the headliner area in my Bronco 2 was the cab roofs were all the same regardless if they got the Touch Drive or manual shift T-Case....

BII's always had more "meat" up there, it was to add headroom for the second row.

I don't know about the touch drive but the clock console had a subframe that mounted above the headliner to support the console, it went from the windshield back to around the dome light.

Something else I ran across, my 87 Ranger Custom doesn't have a headliner, and by the looks of it never did...so I assume that was an optional item back then as well?

Yeah, headliner was optional on lower trim Rangers the same as fullsizes.

 

[SenorNoob]

My touch drive was held in with two screws through it and a lip into the headliner trim strip. I replaced it with a piece of paneling and roof mounted rear view mirror.