jballard81
Active Member
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2024
- Messages
- 150
- Reaction score
- 151
- Points
- 43
- Location
- North Carolina
- Vehicle Year
- 1994
- Make / Model
- Ford Ranger
- Transmission
- Automatic
Good evening! figured i would capture my trials and tribulations here while i work to get my new to me 1994 Ford ranger restored to a "comfortable" working order. So as stated, its a 1994 super cab 4x4 auto with the 4.0 engine. Previous owner said it sat for the last 4 years, but it runs and drives. i've been keeping an eye out for this combo in a 94-95 for a while now so i jumped on it. In person it's rougher than i had hoped but it was always going to be a project for the $$ i paid.
I've been cleaning as i go, but she's pretty dirty still. the dash is sun-baked and cracked and the dash cover had all the metal tress broken off (luckily in the dash still):
I used 4x4Junkie's trick of using some #8 1/2 inch sheet metal screws to self tap them back in.
Previous owner tore up the headlight dimmer main switch:
after re-housing the wires into a new switch and putting the dash surround back in:
The driver's door was sagging terribly. the bushings in the door pins were completely gone. I replaced those today which was a great improvement:
Door closes relatively cleanly now instead of hitting below the door hook. While doing so, i removed 2 shims from the bottom hinge... if i add them back in, the door is mis-aligned and misses the door hook. If i leave them off, the door closes nicely, but the top of the door is a smidge too far out and the bottom of the door is slightly too far in...
Maybe i need smaller shims now? I just noticed in the picture that the shims are slightly different sizes. maybe i put them in the wrong spot the first time. Anyone have any suggestions?
Other currently known issues:
-bucket seats are trashed, driver's seat back lever is gone. It should pass NC inspection next week and i can take it to some junk yards to look for replacements.
-ignition is sloppy and key is very worn out. key doesn't work in glove box or doors
--ignition replaced! but now need to find key in switch sensor...
-power windows and locks don't work - need to decide if i want to swap power out for manual picked from the junkyard or fix the existing
--driver's side window replaced!
-driver interior door is trashed - will look for a replacement when at the junkyard
-carpet is rough - Planning on taking it out when i pull the seats out. hopefully a good power wash will save it
--done!
-engine runs, but sounds rough. - need to go through and test or clean the usual suspects.
-Need to check through the brakes and suspension
Check out my restoration related threads:
-Headliner Repair & Recover
-A4LD Shift Kit Install
-Center Console repair & install
-Windshield Wiper Motor fail
I'm sure i will find more sins as i work through the list. My current goal is to restore it back to stock working order.
I've been cleaning as i go, but she's pretty dirty still. the dash is sun-baked and cracked and the dash cover had all the metal tress broken off (luckily in the dash still):
I used 4x4Junkie's trick of using some #8 1/2 inch sheet metal screws to self tap them back in.
Previous owner tore up the headlight dimmer main switch:
after re-housing the wires into a new switch and putting the dash surround back in:
The driver's door was sagging terribly. the bushings in the door pins were completely gone. I replaced those today which was a great improvement:
Door closes relatively cleanly now instead of hitting below the door hook. While doing so, i removed 2 shims from the bottom hinge... if i add them back in, the door is mis-aligned and misses the door hook. If i leave them off, the door closes nicely, but the top of the door is a smidge too far out and the bottom of the door is slightly too far in...
Maybe i need smaller shims now? I just noticed in the picture that the shims are slightly different sizes. maybe i put them in the wrong spot the first time. Anyone have any suggestions?
Other currently known issues:
-bucket seats are trashed, driver's seat back lever is gone. It should pass NC inspection next week and i can take it to some junk yards to look for replacements.
-
--ignition replaced! but now need to find key in switch sensor...
--driver's side window replaced!
-driver interior door is trashed - will look for a replacement when at the junkyard
-
--done!
-engine runs, but sounds rough. - need to go through and test or clean the usual suspects.
-Need to check through the brakes and suspension
Check out my restoration related threads:
-Headliner Repair & Recover
-A4LD Shift Kit Install
-Center Console repair & install
-Windshield Wiper Motor fail
I'm sure i will find more sins as i work through the list. My current goal is to restore it back to stock working order.
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