1986 Ranger Prerunner in NH

[alwaysFlOoReD]

It takes time to do a quality job.
Did you figure out a way to get the bushings out? I took mine to a spring shop and coulda/shoulda have done the same job with oxy-acet. or maybe propane.

Richard

 

[rngrracing96]

No clue on the bushings. I have heard most just burn them out. I think I will bring it to the spring shop and just have them handle it.
But finally look what I finally found on CL in New England!!!! Picked them up yesterday



6" flare front and back. The guy I bought them off said they are from Mcneil Racing. Only major problem is the front fenders are for 2nd gen rangers. I knew they wouldn't fit but He said I have to buy all 4 corners not just bedsides. I couldn't pass them up since I got them all pretty cheap. And he gave me the 2nd gen headlights and grill for free. I just really really want to keep the 1st gen look.
So the question is... do I convert to a 2nd gen face or try and do some fiberglass work to make them work for the 1st gen? I am not too familiar with fiberglass but it seems all I would have to do is fill in the turn signal corner to match the current fender. Or maybe someone out there want to trade fenders?

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I don't think fiberglass is that hard to do. The front top of the fender has a different profile for the hood. I would try to make it fit myself.
If you google WJP004, he has some good videos on fiberglass work.
Good luck,

Richard

 

[rngrracing96]

Thanks for the you tube channel! I did a mock up and yeah the hood line is just off in the front. I seems like it wouldn't be too hard, but then again nothing on these trucks is ever that easy. Here are some pictures.

 

[rngrracing96]

Finished the floorboards last week and painted the KBS coating on finally!!!! I forgot to take "before" pictures but I highly recomend their proucts. It works wonders. I also layed fiberglass over the patches for added strength. Some of the patches are more flush than others but came out better than I expected.

 

[rngrracing96]

So I haven't been able to get any work done on the truck because of all these ridiculous snowstorms this winter. I also am changing the direction of the build a bit for now. I am going to put the final goal of prerunner on hold until I get some long travel Ibeams that wont cost an arm and a leg. I will be accumulating parts along the way until feel I have everything I need to take on that prerunner build.
So until then the goal is going to be getting the truck to a reliable daily driver condition. I definitely wont drive it everyday but would like the option to use it when ever I want or need. Once the snow starts melting and I can actually get at the truck I am going to install 4in lift leafs in the rear to match the current lift in the front. Then a basic run through of replacing all fluids, spark plugs, filters etc. After that I will get it inspected and hopefully it will be road worthy.
Here are some of the parts I picked up over the past few months.

4inch lift leaf springs, also came with 4in lift coil springs and drop brackets for the front.


1 more American racing wheel to be a full size spare

 

[rngrracing96]

things just got a little more interesting for me...

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

It looks good!

 

[rngrracing96]

just picked it up on sunday! pretty excited to get things going this summer

 

[rngrracing96]

Just an little update and some advice needed.
I am having trouble getting both these trucks to run.
The 86 ran before the winter but now the fuel pump is not getting any power when you turn the key. While fixing the floor boards last fall I unscrewed a ground wire from the passenger side by the computer and forgot to reattach it when I first turned it over this spring. I have reattached since but that didnt fix anything. I have also reset the inertia switch but still nothing. I just hope I didn't fry anything by not having that ground attached. Next I was going to test the relays. when the key was on the brown one was pretty warm. not sure if that is normal or not. it just started raining here so tomorrow I will investigate more.

The red 96 is a 2.3 that turns over and comes to a pretty smooth idle for about 15 seconds but then revs up and down and eventually dies. Im not too familiar with the 2.3 but ive read that cleaning the MAF and IAC is a good place to start.

Ill be searching through the threads but any advice on either problem appreciated as always.

 

[rngrracing96]

Tracked down the problem with the 86! After testing the power to and from relays and pump I finally used a wire to jump the inertia switch and that kicked the pump on!! Now I have to find a new one. Ford dealership wanted $99 for it. Probably just going to make a junkyard run this weekend to find one.

 

[Terry]

Is that the swith under the heater core on the drivers side.

 

[rngrracing96]

its under the passenger side on the bottom of the firewall for the 1986

 

[Terry]

Wow that's a ripoff.

 

[SenorNoob]

FYI, newer switches will still screw to the firewall. Just the connector is different.