- Joined
- Oct 30, 2015
- Messages
- 271
- Reaction score
- 13
- Points
- 18
- Location
- St. Louis, MO
- Vehicle Year
- 1983
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Engine Size
- 2.3L
- Transmission
- Manual
- My credo
- Well, that didn't work. Let's try something else!
The farm truck ranger has seen it's last highway, but it's parts shall live on. I was looking for a suitable donor to serve as a parts trunk for the ranger (motor and frame) and picked up an 89 Bronco II instead.
I used to have a Jeep and have always liked the little Bronco II's I'd see running around the trails. So when I found this one on Craigslist while looking for cheap Rangers, I decided to pull the trigger. The previous owner had converted it from 4x4 to 2WD using a ranger transmission, for reasons I can't fathom, and the auto trans was singing it's swan song. So I was able to pick it up cheap.
It's a 2.9L and still has the 4x4 front diff. It's pretty nicely optioned and in really good shape. Someone bedliner-ed the body (sigh) but it's a thin coat and I think it'll come off. For now the 2.9 will stay. I know about their head issues and will cross that bridge if it ever shows up.
I also picked up a parts b-II that was someone's mud toy. It's an 87 2.9 5 speed (FM146) and an Eddie Bauer, no less! It's giving up it's 5 speed, some wiring, tilt column, axles, motor and seats before sending it off to be recycled into a honda.
My 83 Ranger will give up it's manual transfer case, manual hubs, and wheels and tires. I'll also be swapping the first gen front clip and dash over. I've always liked first gens more.
My immediate plans are:
In the near future, I'll be doing the following:
I want to be able to do some trail riding, but nothing big. No rock crawling in my future. I'll probably be doing away with the leaf spring blocks on the back. I don't like the raked look and I think the ride really suffers with them on.
I think that's it for tonight. I'll post more pictures soon.
Edited to fix the pix!
I used to have a Jeep and have always liked the little Bronco II's I'd see running around the trails. So when I found this one on Craigslist while looking for cheap Rangers, I decided to pull the trigger. The previous owner had converted it from 4x4 to 2WD using a ranger transmission, for reasons I can't fathom, and the auto trans was singing it's swan song. So I was able to pick it up cheap.
It's a 2.9L and still has the 4x4 front diff. It's pretty nicely optioned and in really good shape. Someone bedliner-ed the body (sigh) but it's a thin coat and I think it'll come off. For now the 2.9 will stay. I know about their head issues and will cross that bridge if it ever shows up.
I also picked up a parts b-II that was someone's mud toy. It's an 87 2.9 5 speed (FM146) and an Eddie Bauer, no less! It's giving up it's 5 speed, some wiring, tilt column, axles, motor and seats before sending it off to be recycled into a honda.
My 83 Ranger will give up it's manual transfer case, manual hubs, and wheels and tires. I'll also be swapping the first gen front clip and dash over. I've always liked first gens more.
My immediate plans are:
- Manual Trans swap
- Manual Transfer Case swap
- Manual Hubs swap
- Drive it!
In the near future, I'll be doing the following:
- First Gen Front Clip
- First Gen Dash
- Tilt column
- Round headlights
- Different paint!
I want to be able to do some trail riding, but nothing big. No rock crawling in my future. I'll probably be doing away with the leaf spring blocks on the back. I don't like the raked look and I think the ride really suffers with them on.
I think that's it for tonight. I'll post more pictures soon.
Edited to fix the pix!
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