What did you do to your Ranger today? (Part Deux!)

[JoshT]

Well, this afternoon I decided that I’m tired of the poor light output with the headlights in the Choptop and since I have an upgrade harness, I figured I’d throw it in with some new bulbs right quick…

Yeah…

The engine bay is pretty tore apart now. Apparently my radiator is leaking and since I pulled the airbox in an effort not to have to pull the battery but just shift it back a little (that didn’t work, the battery is now out too), I figured I’d try to address why I don’t have good airflow through the heat ducts and here we are. Oh, and I don’t have the headlight harness in yet, lol

If you keep going like that you won;t have any of your fleet usable. LOL

I know the feeling. That's why I'm trying to work one task at a time to completion. Currently the old '95 Kawasaki Bayou 300 4x4. Similar situation. Trying to get it to run, eventually does with a shot of ether and getting fresh gas into it. Acts like fuel starvation and not getting fuel to carb. Acquire stuff to check float level adjustment, and definitely not getting fuel to carb. Seems to be float valve pull carb float needle is stuck, clean and fix that, then level is low, carb on and off several times, and figure out needle still keeps sticking. Amazon aftermarket carb installed, find the original that dad fortunately saved sitting on the shelf. Ordered rebuild kit for new seals and float needle, disassembled carb and proceeded to run it in ultrasonic for about a half hour. Works better than expected, and that was with the cheap ultrasonic, I'm sure a good one would do even better.

During that discover that petcock is bad, flow fuel fine, but won't completely shut it off. Removed tank to remove and inspect petcock, lot of stuff rattling around in tank. Inside of tank is clean, but I discovered that the fuel level gauge has fallen apart inside. Yay, I get to take a gas bath while trying to fish gauge parts out of tank, BTDT with a lot worse fuel (JP8 and/or purging fluid), but it still isn't fun. I'll worry about a new gauge after I get the engine sorted, or not at all. Rubber disc inside of petcock has deteriorated can;t be fixed without a new packing, and it's an aftermarket replacement so who knows if factory part will fit. Ordered another new aftermarket petcock, it's close to the same price as the packing disc and needed new fuel strainers anyway.

Today...

Parts arrived, got petcock installed and that is one problem fixed.

Got the carb reassembled with new seals, but reusing the original jets. (I assume, they were the ones in that carb) Set adjustments per repair manual. It'll start and idle from cold without choke now, weather was high 70s at the time. Unfortunately if I apply throttle or choke, it immediately dies. Applying throttle still kind of acted like it was running out of fuel. Used contraption to check fuel level again, still low, but better than before rebuild and new petcock. Harb has to beinstalled to check level, but removed to adjust it. Engine was too warm to go sticking my hands in there to remove it. Also sounds like it could be pilot jet needle, and that unfortunately also requires carburetor come off to access, or at least a cool engine and a very small stubby screwdriver. Looks like I'll be on and off with the carb a few times trying to get it right.

Unfortunately this is a slow process, It's already been over the course of about two weeks, because it isn't at my house and I have to wait for parts to arrive. Pressed pause on getting the F-250 ready to move on because this ATV was one of dad's projects and need to get it running so it is easier to move around, to clear out the shop, and so that someone can actually ride it and keep it running. It's in this condition now because it didn't get ridden nearly enough. Hopefully I can convince my sister and borther-in-law to ake and ride it and dad's newer atv some, cause I can't keep all three of them going by myself. That said, I'll probabvly put it on pause for the rest of this week and focus on the F-250, need to get it moved along before I'm tempted to do more to it.

Doesn't sound like much between the two, but there's more on the backburner. The cam position sensor DTC on the '99 Ranger, and itr really wantss some transmission attention. The '10 Kia needs either brake work or wheel bearing in the front. The '85 Ranger needs everything, I'm really not thinking about it right now. The F-100 hasn't been run but maybe once this year, the weather is getting right for it (no AC), but I just don't have time. Fortunately I've got dad's F-150, the '99 is still drivable with that pesky CEL, and the Kia can be driven with the radio turned up enough to cover the brake/bearing noise.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

For the first time in several months... my Ranger is sleeping in its garage.

 

[Rick W]

If you keep going like that you won;t have any of your fleet usable. LOL

I know the feeling. That's why I'm trying to work one task at a time to completion. Currently the old '95 Kawasaki Bayou 300 4x4. Similar situation. Trying to get it to run, eventually does with a shot of ether and getting fresh gas into it. Acts like fuel starvation and not getting fuel to carb. Acquire stuff to check float level adjustment, and definitely not getting fuel to carb. Seems to be float valve pull carb float needle is stuck, clean and fix that, then level is low, carb on and off several times, and figure out needle still keeps sticking. Amazon aftermarket carb installed, find the original that dad fortunately saved sitting on the shelf. Ordered rebuild kit for new seals and float needle, disassembled carb and proceeded to run it in ultrasonic for about a half hour. Works better than expected, and that was with the cheap ultrasonic, I'm sure a good one would do even better.

During that discover that petcock is bad, flow fuel fine, but won't completely shut it off. Removed tank to remove and inspect petcock, lot of stuff rattling around in tank. Inside of tank is clean, but I discovered that the fuel level gauge has fallen apart inside. Yay, I get to take a gas bath while trying to fish gauge parts out of tank, BTDT with a lot worse fuel (JP8 and/or purging fluid), but it still isn't fun. I'll worry about a new gauge after I get the engine sorted, or not at all. Rubber disc inside of petcock has deteriorated can;t be fixed without a new packing, and it's an aftermarket replacement so who knows if factory part will fit. Ordered another new aftermarket petcock, it's close to the same price as the packing disc and needed new fuel strainers anyway.

Today...

Parts arrived, got petcock installed and that is one problem fixed.

Got the carb reassembled with new seals, but reusing the original jets. (I assume, they were the ones in that carb) Set adjustments per repair manual. It'll start and idle from cold without choke now, weather was high 70s at the time. Unfortunately if I apply throttle or choke, it immediately dies. Applying throttle still kind of acted like it was running out of fuel. Used contraption to check fuel level again, still low, but better than before rebuild and new petcock. Harb has to beinstalled to check level, but removed to adjust it. Engine was too warm to go sticking my hands in there to remove it. Also sounds like it could be pilot jet needle, and that unfortunately also requires carburetor come off to access, or at least a cool engine and a very small stubby screwdriver. Looks like I'll be on and off with the carb a few times trying to get it right.

Unfortunately this is a slow process, It's already been over the course of about two weeks, because it isn't at my house and I have to wait for parts to arrive. Pressed pause on getting the F-250 ready to move on because this ATV was one of dad's projects and need to get it running so it is easier to move around, to clear out the shop, and so that someone can actually ride it and keep it running. It's in this condition now because it didn't get ridden nearly enough. Hopefully I can convince my sister and borther-in-law to ake and ride it and dad's newer atv some, cause I can't keep all three of them going by myself. That said, I'll probabvly put it on pause for the rest of this week and focus on the F-250, need to get it moved along before I'm tempted to do more to it.

Doesn't sound like much between the two, but there's more on the backburner. The cam position sensor DTC on the '99 Ranger, and itr really wantss some transmission attention. The '10 Kia needs either brake work or wheel bearing in the front. The '85 Ranger needs everything, I'm really not thinking about it right now. The F-100 hasn't been run but maybe once this year, the weather is getting right for it (no AC), but I just don't have time. Fortunately I've got dad's F-150, the '99 is still drivable with that pesky CEL, and the Kia can be driven with the radio turned up enough to cover the brake/bearing noise.

I know the drill. I’ve got three trucks and three cars right now, and sometimes I wonder if I pulled the right pieces off the right ones and stuck it onto the others if I could make one that works properly! And then there’s the factor that I have probably put less than 5000 miles on all of them altogether in the last few years. I’m at that time in my life where I want to keep all my toys, but I’m not as quick as I used to be when I work on things, and it’s time to purge. So which one of the children do I give away first? That’s the way I feel.

But some “practical” advice for your Kawasaki and the gas gauge. My 88 blue Lincoln town car has the digital dashboard. Absolutely zero parts available, not even used parts at this point. The big one is the gas gauge. The electronic dash had a special level sending unit in the tank, and all of them have been gone for 20 - 30 years. I found a guy up north who does the gas gauges for Harley Davidson motorcycles, the old ones. Scuttle butt.Had it he’d do something else once in a while. Great guy, great wife, the kind of people you love to do business with. Except, there’s an 18 month waiting period, and that’s from the time he receives the old one, I lucked out because I had a couple broken ones on the shelf I acquired over the years, so I had two to send him, and I put one of the junk ones in to seal the tank so I could still drive the car. I’ve been working on that gas gauge off and on for probably 8 years. I got the rebuilt senders about a year ago, but that didn’t solve the problem. I traced it all down, and the problem is the ground is broken that goes to the left side of the digital dashboard. To be clear, I solved the puzzle, but there are circuit boards that click into circuit boards, so I haven’t even come close to finding the break and fixing it yet.To get in there and get that apart, I won’t tell you what I have to go through and remove, which are crumbles when you touch it after 40 something years,but I feel confident I don’t have to remove the left rear tire when I do it. I think everything else in the car has got to get shifted.

So for the better part of seven or eight years, I keep a little pad of Post-it notes in the car. It’ll go about 230 or 240 miles on the tank, so I write down the mileage when I fill, and stick it on the windshield, and I religiously fill it when I hit 150 miles. And when I look back, a couple packs of those Post-it notes was a whole lot less than what I’ve spent on it so far.

Just reflections on life during the holiday….

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

If you keep going like that you won;t have any of your fleet usable. LOL

I know the feeling. That's why I'm trying to work one task at a time to completion. Currently the old '95 Kawasaki Bayou 300 4x4. Similar situation. Trying to get it to run, eventually does with a shot of ether and getting fresh gas into it. Acts like fuel starvation and not getting fuel to carb. Acquire stuff to check float level adjustment, and definitely not getting fuel to carb. Seems to be float valve pull carb float needle is stuck, clean and fix that, then level is low, carb on and off several times, and figure out needle still keeps sticking. Amazon aftermarket carb installed, find the original that dad fortunately saved sitting on the shelf. Ordered rebuild kit for new seals and float needle, disassembled carb and proceeded to run it in ultrasonic for about a half hour. Works better than expected, and that was with the cheap ultrasonic, I'm sure a good one would do even better.

During that discover that petcock is bad, flow fuel fine, but won't completely shut it off. Removed tank to remove and inspect petcock, lot of stuff rattling around in tank. Inside of tank is clean, but I discovered that the fuel level gauge has fallen apart inside. Yay, I get to take a gas bath while trying to fish gauge parts out of tank, BTDT with a lot worse fuel (JP8 and/or purging fluid), but it still isn't fun. I'll worry about a new gauge after I get the engine sorted, or not at all. Rubber disc inside of petcock has deteriorated can;t be fixed without a new packing, and it's an aftermarket replacement so who knows if factory part will fit. Ordered another new aftermarket petcock, it's close to the same price as the packing disc and needed new fuel strainers anyway.

Today...

Parts arrived, got petcock installed and that is one problem fixed.

Got the carb reassembled with new seals, but reusing the original jets. (I assume, they were the ones in that carb) Set adjustments per repair manual. It'll start and idle from cold without choke now, weather was high 70s at the time. Unfortunately if I apply throttle or choke, it immediately dies. Applying throttle still kind of acted like it was running out of fuel. Used contraption to check fuel level again, still low, but better than before rebuild and new petcock. Harb has to beinstalled to check level, but removed to adjust it. Engine was too warm to go sticking my hands in there to remove it. Also sounds like it could be pilot jet needle, and that unfortunately also requires carburetor come off to access, or at least a cool engine and a very small stubby screwdriver. Looks like I'll be on and off with the carb a few times trying to get it right.

Unfortunately this is a slow process, It's already been over the course of about two weeks, because it isn't at my house and I have to wait for parts to arrive. Pressed pause on getting the F-250 ready to move on because this ATV was one of dad's projects and need to get it running so it is easier to move around, to clear out the shop, and so that someone can actually ride it and keep it running. It's in this condition now because it didn't get ridden nearly enough. Hopefully I can convince my sister and borther-in-law to ake and ride it and dad's newer atv some, cause I can't keep all three of them going by myself. That said, I'll probabvly put it on pause for the rest of this week and focus on the F-250, need to get it moved along before I'm tempted to do more to it.

Doesn't sound like much between the two, but there's more on the backburner. The cam position sensor DTC on the '99 Ranger, and itr really wantss some transmission attention. The '10 Kia needs either brake work or wheel bearing in the front. The '85 Ranger needs everything, I'm really not thinking about it right now. The F-100 hasn't been run but maybe once this year, the weather is getting right for it (no AC), but I just don't have time. Fortunately I've got dad's F-150, the '99 is still drivable with that pesky CEL, and the Kia can be driven with the radio turned up enough to cover the brake/bearing noise.

Most of my fleet is currently unusable… currently the only thing I can jump in and go somewhere in is my F-150, and that’s on the injured reserve/emergency only roster. It’s not worth the time and money to patch back up, it needs a complete rebuild. The dump truck was supposed to take over it’s duties a year ago to free me up to rebuild it, but things happened and the dump truck is still in pieces.

I’ve been trying to focus on fixing the green Ranger. The big problem with that is getting repeatedly pulled away to deal with other things and lack of funds isn’t far behind. Now I’m into the point in the year where even if I had the money and could spend every day working on it… if I’m being honest with myself and the pace I can currently move at, I’m looking at a month of solid work. When you factor in weather and holidays… that puts me well into snow weather. The tires I have to put on when it is back together are summer tires, so I would need some better tires for winter use. More money.

I’ve thrown a bunch of work and money at the Choptop because it’s become my DD and the issues that were tolerable when it was used infrequently have become rapidly less tolerable. I can justify spending a day or three here or there to work out some of those things. If I can resolve these current issues and replace the front axle pivot brackets, I can have working 4x4 in it and it does have good tires. Heading into bad weather, as much as I’d like to work on other things, the smart move would be to get the Choptop functional. All of the rest of the things it has going on can wait.

 

[JoshT]

But some “practical” advice for your Kawasaki and the gas gauge. My 88 blue Lincoln town car has the digital dashboard. Absolutely zero parts available, not even used parts at this point. The big one is the gas gauge.

Its a 95 Kawasaki ATV. There is no dash, digital or otherwise. The fuel gauge is a purely mechanical contraption located wholely inside the tank, with a pointer needle at the top. Held in place by a rubber grommet and metal ring at top. For now I fished the components out of the tank, and stuck the top part back in place to fill the hole. They are readily available new and easy to swap out, but no point in replacing it until get it running right. Even then might not be much point. You can easily remove the cap and judge fuel level. When riding, if you need to switch over to reserve, it's time to fill up.

 

[pacstud]

Found a beautiful (no rust) looking 1992 4.0 Ext Cab with about 106k miles, guy's asking 3k obo. Looks in really good shape.

Wife says (emphatically), "no!"