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1st gen TDI ranger, prerunner style build.


powerstrokekid

Active Member
Joined
Aug 22, 2012
Messages
52
Reaction score
111
Points
33
Location
New London, Ohio
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
ford
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
Solid Axle Swap 4x4
These wheels were off the bronco 2 I grew up in. They were sitting in the weeds at my grandparents. I cleaned them up and put new tires on. Total cost on the truck right now is about $550 including tires!
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powerstrokekid

Active Member
Joined
Aug 22, 2012
Messages
52
Reaction score
111
Points
33
Location
New London, Ohio
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
ford
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
Solid Axle Swap 4x4
After about 15 miles of test drive and the only mechanical work being carburetor adjustment (besides fluid changes) I drove it to work (120 mile round trip) it did fine except for not having the power to use 5th gear. Not bad for sitting 15+ years
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powerstrokekid

Active Member
Joined
Aug 22, 2012
Messages
52
Reaction score
111
Points
33
Location
New London, Ohio
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
ford
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
Solid Axle Swap 4x4
I’m still not sure if this is the ranger I will use for the tdi swap, but I’m giving it the winter to think about it. I plan to drive this through the winter and decide if a single cab is going to be enough room. Right now it it’s not, but I’m going to try thinner seats.
 

dvdswan

Well-Known Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
Joined
Feb 11, 2021
Messages
2,835
Reaction score
2,904
Points
113
Location
Seattle, WA
Vehicle Year
1991
Make / Model
Ranger XLT 2WD
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
My credo
Keep your mind like an umbrella, it only works if its open... Continually learning.
Free stuff is good, as long as it is something you can use.
 

chickenman

Member
Joined
Nov 27, 2023
Messages
45
Reaction score
34
Points
18
Location
Kentucky
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
31
Epic im starting my own tdi swap journey 94 supercab 4x4 5 speed. 2004 TDI.
 

powerstrokekid

Active Member
Joined
Aug 22, 2012
Messages
52
Reaction score
111
Points
33
Location
New London, Ohio
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
ford
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
Solid Axle Swap 4x4
I replaced the dry rotten brake hoses and did front brakes. my buddy helped me with the rear, I’m not good with drum brakes. It stops so good now!
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I straightened out the frame rail, it was tweaked a little from a bent stock bumper.
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started making a bumper with scrap metal I have.
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Blmpkn

Toilet enthusiast
Supporting Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2020
Messages
5,503
Reaction score
6,359
Points
113
Location
Southern maine
Vehicle Year
2023
Make / Model
Ford Bronco
Engine Type
2.3 EcoBoost
Engine Size
2.3
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
2.5"
Tire Size
285/75/18
My credo
Its probably better to be self deprecating than self defecating.

powerstrokekid

Active Member
Joined
Aug 22, 2012
Messages
52
Reaction score
111
Points
33
Location
New London, Ohio
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
ford
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
Solid Axle Swap 4x4
I got thinner seats from my buddy and what a difference! There’s so much more room. I’m comfortable. So on that note, I will likely keep this truck and tdi swap it in the spring. I will drive this truck through the winter, fix little things with it and save up for the final swap parts.
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powerstrokekid

Active Member
Joined
Aug 22, 2012
Messages
52
Reaction score
111
Points
33
Location
New London, Ohio
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
ford
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
Solid Axle Swap 4x4
Painted the bumper and then put silicone In between the stitch welds to prevent rust stains from seeping out hopefully.
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:headbang:
 

ericbphoto

Overlander in development
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Feb 7, 2016
Messages
15,337
Reaction score
16,598
Points
113
Age
59
Location
Wellford, SC
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Engine Size
3.0L
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6"
Tire Size
35"
My credo
In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are different.
That looks real good. I like it.
 

Blmpkn

Toilet enthusiast
Supporting Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2020
Messages
5,503
Reaction score
6,359
Points
113
Location
Southern maine
Vehicle Year
2023
Make / Model
Ford Bronco
Engine Type
2.3 EcoBoost
Engine Size
2.3
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
2.5"
Tire Size
285/75/18
My credo
Its probably better to be self deprecating than self defecating.
Hell yeah, looks good.. nice work.
 

powerstrokekid

Active Member
Joined
Aug 22, 2012
Messages
52
Reaction score
111
Points
33
Location
New London, Ohio
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
ford
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
Solid Axle Swap 4x4
Well my buddys ranger that I was gonna use, he’s gonna do a 5.0 swap. We took the v tread off and put on some old school looking super swampers on! Looks sweet just figured I’d share.
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