1987 Ranger Project

[Awesom-O]

Well, not much to report. Summer vacation gets in the way as with all the projects around the property. Anyways, interior is going back in finally, wheels and tires arrived. Going to pull the box next week and truck should be onto suspension build mode.
Got the Dana 35 pulled from the donor and it’s all apart getting powder coated and rebuilt.
Gotta start ripping on this thing soon as hunting season is around the corner!

 

[Awesom-O]

Well, finally got a full day to play in the shop today. Got 90% of the interior re-installed. Love how the black looks over that worn out red. Way prefer the black carpet to my old rubber mat too. Couple before and after pics.
Headliner and overhead console turned out decent compared to the disintegrating foam that rained on your head. Hopefully get the rest buttoned up tomorrow and get the box off.

 

[Josh B]

Is that a chrome/aluminum dash trim? Did you swap out the whole dash?

 

[Awesom-O]

The dash was originally the wood grain finish. I have an 88 parts truck that had the aluminum look which I prefer. I used a chrome pen to redo all the highlights including the Ranger emblem. The dash I restored using filler to remove the cracks. Then painted. I cleaned up the gauges and added green LEDs for lighting. I just need a headlight switch knob as neither of my trucks had them. I installed 4” JBL C2s in the dash, and 5x7 JBL C2s in the rear. Head unit, amp and sub still to come.

 

[Josh B]

I like those years man, I had an 87/88 not positive which, before buying my 93

 

[Awesom-O]

I like those years man, I had an 87/88 not positive which, before buying my 93

Looking at a 4.0 engine from a 93 or 94 right now for a potential swap.
I dig those years as well. Loving these old Rangers and Bronco IIs. I’ve always been a car guy and a Superduty guy with regards to trucks, but these Rangers are cool.

 

[Josh B]

Mine was give to me, his only stipulation, he wanted it gone!
I had an 80 Chevy LUV at the time, and it wasn't in great shape at all, but I'd been driving it all over Nashville'
His truck was very rusty but it had a good motor in it, they had bought that part new. It was dead on side the road outside his house and went over there tinkering with it. Cleaned the battery cables, then the ground connection, it fired right up. Drove it home using the gears and planning well ahead.

Put it on stands and spent the next couple months pecking around on it with a chipping hammer and wire brush, and about 50 cans of black spray paint.

The Chevy LUV gave it up and a week of solid chippin and scrubbin later I had it on the road. Used it for a work truck 3 or 4 years, did a lot of gov't auctions, drove it to Huntsville NASA more than anywhere, but once to Montgomery, a two day trip due to bad timing, once up to Indianapolis, twice to Louisville, once to Andersonville Ga, probably my longest trip and did it in one long long long two day one and a half day trip

I sold it fore leaving TN but I had the 93 then

I left out the rusted brake lines, and that someone had patched in a rubber hose. I think he got in a tight spot with wife and baby onboard, why he just wanted it gone.

It was a great little truck but sure rusted all to hell.
Once on the freeway, right down town, busiest stretch in TN I heard this loud CHING!! after hitting another bump. When I got home and looked around under there the hood and fender were sitting low. I dug up a short angle and put it in there, pulled up on the radiator rail and popped it right in there, no welds bolts or nothing, and that's what held it up from that day forward

I figured if the floor had busted I'd be riding down the freeway in my bucket seat

 

[Awesom-O]

Well, I got the seats back in today. Durafit covers are on. Husky Liners in. Found an OEM headlight switch knob on a FB group locally so the interior with the exception of the stereo and hooking up Offroad light switches is pretty much complete. Should be taking the box off tomorrow and finishing up blocking the driver side fender from the patch panel I had to weld in.
Found a donor 91 Ranger (no regi) with a decent running 4.0, 5 speed with the manual transfer case and now I got my 8.8 with all these other goodies to swap in the future.

 

[Awesom-O]

Got the box off today. Went through a couple Torx 55 trying to get the box bolts out. Ended up welding bolts to the box bolts so I could lay into the torque. Glad I pulled the trigger and bought the new box bolt kit from LMC as these were rusted underneath to the point that a couple sheared off. Ready for some frame cleanup and new suspension. Forward momentum!

 

[Awesom-O]

Took advantage of the box being off to diagnose my fuel gauge issue. Thanks to this website I was able to trouble shoot the issue. Ended up being a corroded power wire near the clip. Pulled the wire from the connector, got rid of the corroded section and soldered it back together.
fuel gauge is back in business!
Also got both front fenders off, dings and dents repaired and primed up. Rust patch panel required on the driver side, passenger side was solid. Just waiting for my epoxy primer to arrive and then I’m using it as a sealer, and then I think the whole truck is getting Upol Raptor sprayed. Thinking of tinting it a dark gun metal colour.

Troubleshooting Your Fuel Gauge - The Ranger Station

Original Poster: Daniel Inbinett (gungfudan) Difficulty: 4 out of 10. The time depends on how experienced you are. Disclaimer: The Ranger Station, The Ranger Station Staff, nor the original poster are responsible for you doing this modification to your vehicle. … Continued

www.therangerstation.com

 

[Josh B]

Awesome Awesom-O!

 

[Awesom-O]

Pulled a dent today with the stud welder, filled a couple tiny ones and finally got the whole truck one colour with some etch primer. Going to seal it with epoxy primer and finish the job with Upol Raptor liner for durability. Going to two tone it gunmetal gray and black. Also, my Dana 35 is sandblasted and ready to powder coat and re-assemble. Progress!

 

[Awesom-O]

Well Dana 35 Cut and turn perfection by my buddy Dale.
Then went and did something that I figured would save a bunch of time Friday. Took my 91 donor truck that had all the drivetrain mods I wanted (decent running 4.0, Dana 35, M5OD with manual TC, and the 8.8 rear and stripped it down to the frame. Going to do a cab swap instead of all the drivetrain components one by one. Dale and I had this done in a few hours. It’s filthy in this pic but has since been degreased and pressure washed, getting ready for new gaskets, Lift, bushings, and frame coating. I’ll use the article on this awesome website for adapting the original dash to work with the 4.0 harness.
The things a guy does to preserve the old school looks of the 1st gen stuff.

Then added a 4” Skyjacker lift to the Bronco II project. It was an awesome weekend of twisting wrenches with friends.

 

[Josh B]

Damm Dude, that;s lookin great man

 

[Awesom-O]

Well. Got the frame in Herculiner today. That took longer than stripping the cab and box. Ready for suspension lift goodies and upgrades now.