• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

'85 Ranger Restomod


Shran

Junk Collector
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
Solid Axle Swap
Truck of Month
Joined
Mar 4, 2008
Messages
8,698
Reaction score
4,797
Points
113
Location
Rapid City SD
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
What application was the master cylinder supposed to be for? 80's F series it looks like? Hate those lids, the fawkers always leak. SOP for me is to wrap two big hose clamps around them.

I also think it's funny how the adapter you got has a mis-spelling on the package... "break line adapter" :ROFLMAO:

Truck's looking great as always, will be interested to see how a real alignment affects things.
 


85_Ranger4x4

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
32,336
Reaction score
17,821
Points
113
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
Cast iron master is for a ‘85 F Series. Plastic tank one was for a ‘86. I would have rather had the plastic one but that stupid valve doubled the price of it. Oh well, the cast iron one is more “correct” for my truck I guess.

I am strongly considering shelving the Ranger for Ohio in favor of my F-150. The cost of cheap rims, mounting tires twice and a topper would go a long ways towards rebuilding the front end and new tailpipes for the ‘150. Which also has nicer seats, A/C, extended cab for stowage, and cruise.

The Ranger is so close mechanically though (I think) it is a tough, painful call.

Ranger needs younger tires under it, aligned, PTO cover resealed, a topper for secure gear stowage and the cruise is wonky yet.

It’s not done yet but I need to decide pretty quick.
 

85_Ranger4x4

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
32,336
Reaction score
17,821
Points
113
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
I get all pouty faced about taking the Ranger and then I find a set of 16's for sale across the street from my inlaws. FIL's birthday is Sunday so we will be up. Hopefully they still have them (26 day old ad on CL) and they cut me a deal.

And they are gone. Seriously I have never had this much trouble finding stuff before...
 
Last edited:

85_Ranger4x4

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
32,336
Reaction score
17,821
Points
113
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
Well I decided to go with a "build it and they will come" theory. If I keep going on the Ranger maybe things will fall into place. If things don't I will just take the wife's car. I found a topper yesterday in Omaha but of course we had the car so I drove the truck back up tonight and snagged it:





2 guys can can easily carry it, it has a light in it, side windows open with screens all the glass is there and lift shocks even work. Latch works but lock does not... for $40. Wash out the inside and a little sealer around where the butyl has given up and I think it will be great for the trip.
 

PetroleumJunkie412

Official TRS EV Taunter
Supporting Member
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Oct 31, 2018
Messages
7,826
Reaction score
6,565
Points
113
Location
Dirtman's Basement
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ranger
Engine Size
2.9l Trinity
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
Give 'yer balls a tug. Fight me.
Well I decided to go with a "build it and they will come" theory. If I keep going on the Ranger maybe things will fall into place. If things don't I will just take the wife's car. I found a topper yesterday in Omaha but of course we had the car so I drove the truck back up tonight and snagged it:





2 guys can can easily carry it, it has a light in it, side windows open with screens all the glass is there and lift shocks even work. Latch works but lock does not... for $40. Wash out the inside and a little sealer around where the butyl has given up and I think it will be great for the trip.
They're... Frustrating to get used to. I'm still up in the air with mine. You saw the mention of my brick wall incident lol.
 

85_Ranger4x4

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
32,336
Reaction score
17,821
Points
113
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
They're... Frustrating to get used to. I'm still up in the air with mine. You saw the mention of my brick wall incident lol.
It will not be a long term thing. I have a pickup box trailer it will be going on after the roundup until I need it again, in my limited experiance I really do not care for them. At least when it was in my F-150 on the way home I had the big power tow mirrors lol.
 

PetroleumJunkie412

Official TRS EV Taunter
Supporting Member
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Oct 31, 2018
Messages
7,826
Reaction score
6,565
Points
113
Location
Dirtman's Basement
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ranger
Engine Size
2.9l Trinity
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
Give 'yer balls a tug. Fight me.
It will not be a long term thing. I have a pickup box trailer it will be going on after the roundup until I need it again, in my limited experiance I really do not care for them. At least when it was in my F-150 on the way home I had the big power tow mirrors lol.
Saw a landrover discovery set up for overland this weekend that had a second one cut into a trailer behind it. Thought about doing that to my old frame, axle, and spare bed and cap at some point. Absolutely gorgeous set-up on that thing.
 

85_Ranger4x4

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
32,336
Reaction score
17,821
Points
113
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
I could get a PTO hydraulic pump and put a hydraulic motor on the trailer differential to assist...

There was an Edsel of all things that used to come to our car show, they made a trailer out of another one or had one made like an Edsel. It was really neat how they did it.
 

PetroleumJunkie412

Official TRS EV Taunter
Supporting Member
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Oct 31, 2018
Messages
7,826
Reaction score
6,565
Points
113
Location
Dirtman's Basement
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ranger
Engine Size
2.9l Trinity
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
Give 'yer balls a tug. Fight me.
I could get a PTO hydraulic pump and put a hydraulic motor on the trailer differential to assist...
Volvo power steering pump. 1700 psi, can't remember volume. Still need to hook that damn thing up.
 

85_Ranger4x4

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
32,336
Reaction score
17,821
Points
113
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
Volvo power steering pump. 1700 psi, can't remember volume. Still need to hook that damn thing up.
I have a PTO output on my transfer case... electric would be easier but I would like an air compressor.
 

PetroleumJunkie412

Official TRS EV Taunter
Supporting Member
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Oct 31, 2018
Messages
7,826
Reaction score
6,565
Points
113
Location
Dirtman's Basement
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ranger
Engine Size
2.9l Trinity
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
Give 'yer balls a tug. Fight me.
I have a PTO output on my transfer case... electric would be easier but I would like an air compressor.
How rhe heck dis yiu get that?? I need one now....
 

85_Ranger4x4

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
32,336
Reaction score
17,821
Points
113
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
You take the black cover off the the t-case:



And bolt on stuff like this:


Hydraulics would be fun too, it is on my watch for list. Hydrailics or air of some sort would be nice for different things.
 

PetroleumJunkie412

Official TRS EV Taunter
Supporting Member
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Oct 31, 2018
Messages
7,826
Reaction score
6,565
Points
113
Location
Dirtman's Basement
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ranger
Engine Size
2.9l Trinity
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
Give 'yer balls a tug. Fight me.
You take the black cover off the the t-case:



And bolt on stuff like this:


Hydraulics would be fun too, it is on my watch for list. Hydrailics or air of some sort would be nice for different things.
Damnit. More stuff to do...
 

racsan

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 17, 2007
Messages
4,968
Reaction score
4,441
Points
113
Location
central ohio
Vehicle Year
2009
Make / Model
ford/escape
Engine Type
2.5 (4 Cylinder)
Engine Size
2.5/151 I-4
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Tire Size
235/70/16
My credo
the grey-t escape
a cap is a pain at times, Ive found it helps the handling on mine, not sure if it’s because it adds weight or if its the change in aerodynamics, maybe both? it is nice to have a dry cargo area esp if you need to sleep back there, but then when you really need to haul something it seems like its in the way. forget about seeing out through the back in bad weather, I too have backed up too far because of a cap. I just try to not get in those situations and use pull-through parking spots whenever possible.
 

85_Ranger4x4

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
32,336
Reaction score
17,821
Points
113
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
I did notice on the way home last night the ol '150 got better than average mileage with its odd fastback design...
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Members online

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Truck of The Month


Shran
April Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top