• 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




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
32,214
Reaction score
17,530
Points
113
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
Last edited:

Shran

Junk Collector
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
Solid Axle Swap
Joined
Mar 4, 2008
Messages
8,637
Reaction score
4,704
Points
113
Location
Rapid City SD
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Stick a screwdriver through between the shaft and pinion yokes and use that to hold the pinion while you undo the bolts. Hope that makes sense. That's how I do them with the driveshaft installed in the truck - easier than unlocking hubs since you can spin the shaft as necessary.
 

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
32,214
Reaction score
17,530
Points
113
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
Stick a screwdriver through between the shaft and pinion yokes and use that to hold the pinion while you undo the bolts. Hope that makes sense. That's how I do them with the driveshaft installed in the truck - easier than unlocking hubs since you can spin the shaft as necessary.
Laying on my back I can reach around and lock/unlock the DS hub without getting up. With the PS hub locked and the t-case in neutral it works great, I wish I could do the same for the rear...

I was going to try something like that. The axle was a badly neglected rustball though, I broke a torx bit trying it the first time around before I decided to just deal with it in the truck so I wasn't wrestling everything around on the bench.
 
Last edited:

pjtoledo

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
Joined
Oct 5, 2007
Messages
5,341
Reaction score
2,914
Points
113
Location
Toledo Ohio
Vehicle Year
20002005199
Make / Model
Fords
Engine Size
3.0 2.3
plan B, with a modifier

use a pipe wrench to hold the yolk. or monster sized channel locks.

modifier: for the bolts that have hex head and torx, simply use both tools at the same time. wrench on the flats, torx in the center and pull both evenly.

another trick is to put considerable pressure on the bolt, not enough to break something, and hold the pressure for a couple of minutes.

still another, hit the straps with a punch or chisel to crack the rust lock.

as always when dealing with rust and stuck bolts, results may vary.
 
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
32,214
Reaction score
17,530
Points
113
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
I was told to do dishes and left unattended... something else sneaked into the pile. :icon_twisted:



It cleaned up pretty good, not so sure it is clear coated anymore. Lettering looks to be painted... eh. Going to need stripped and repolished.

Also ditched the carb spacer, it will clear the firewall now. If I have heat soak problems I will have to revisit it otherwise bang for buck this is the cheapest/easiest way to get it to work.





Drawing a blank so far for the according ductwork. Looked at gutter stuff at Home Depot, looks cheap and I doubt it would last long enough to even justify its $3 price tag in a hot engine bay. Vacuum stuff is too small. Tried to salvage the accordion part out of this:



It fits the snorkel perfectly... but is like 3x too short.

 

sgtsandman

Aircraft Fuel Tank Diver
TRS Forum Moderator
U.S. Military - Active
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Ham Radio Operator
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Mar 11, 2017
Messages
12,695
Reaction score
12,390
Points
113
Location
Aliquippa, PA
Vehicle Year
2011/2019
Make / Model
Ranger XLT/FX4
Engine Size
4.0 SOHC/2.3 Ecoboost
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
Pre-2008 lift/Stock
Tire Size
31X10.5R15/265/65R17
What about some of that aluminum, flexible dryer duct or would that be too wide?
 

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
32,214
Reaction score
17,530
Points
113
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
What about some of that aluminum, flexible dryer duct or would that be too wide?
Wanting to keep the OEM look of black, HD didn't have much of any drier stuff which was surprising. I haven't written it off though, I have a scrap of the silver I want to try before I buy more... gotta remember where I put it first though.
 

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
32,214
Reaction score
17,530
Points
113
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
Not much of an update, I did find some more of that rectangular tubing. Some off of a Maverick and some off of a bullnose Bronco. Although it was used as the cold air kit on 73 Mach 1's (and Torinos) I can not find anyone reproducing it for restorations.

In a Mach1:



Also found what looks like the 80's Mustang dual snorkel air tube but shorter in a Grenada to experiment with.

Been polishing my air filter lid with the dremel once in awhile, it is slow going.

Harvest won't quit for me to bring my truck to work to finish the floor pan.

I found a rear driveshaft at a they pull it JY but they are only open 8-5 Mon-Fri and are an hour away.

I did drop off the .dwg to get my gauge pod burned:



Custom touches are:
1. Provisions for switches and indicator lights
2. Slotted so I don't have to fish the temp sender back into the firewall if I want to remove the gauge from the bracket AND I don't have to monkey with the oil pressure gauge's connection to do the same. Voltmeter (center) is a non issue.
3. I don't like being able to see the back of the switches and gauges.
4. Notched so I can fold it myself and weld the wings to the outer mounting bases

So trying to keep it moving but it is hard when it is cold out and I don't have all the bits I need.
 
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
32,214
Reaction score
17,530
Points
113
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
Dang...

I looked at CJ and Dennis Carpenter and neither had anything...

Any variations of "cold air intake tube/hose" I searched for just returned late model Mustang cold air intake crap.
 

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
32,214
Reaction score
17,530
Points
113
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
Dang...

I looked at CJ and Dennis Carpenter and neither had anything...

Any variations of "cold air intake tube/hose" I searched for just returned late model Mustang cold air intake crap.
 

Bird76Mojo

Well-Known Member
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Jun 28, 2009
Messages
2,633
Reaction score
1,264
Points
113
Location
IL
Engine Type
V8
"classic Mustang (and "Bronco" due to aftermarket support) intake duct" were my search terms

My Google-Fu has always been strong



GB :)
 

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
32,214
Reaction score
17,530
Points
113
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
Got a wild hair tonight, thought I would play in some snow...



Well that didn't work out too good. :annoyed:



Kicked the truck in neutral and I tugged it right out. I was rather impressed, the tractor weighs about the same as the truck. Truck was barely stuck too.



Consider that drift... busted.



Tractor was unimpressed by the trucks wussy efforts and the weak snowdrift as it trundled back to its cave to hibernate.



It was weird conditions too, there was snow, slush and then really gummy mud under the snow (which I didn't know about until after I got stuck) Pretty sure the Ranger would have walked thru it... really missing the Ranger. :bawling:
 

Jim Oaks

Just some guy with a website
Administrator
Founder / Site Owner
Supporting Vendor
Article Contributor
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS Banner 2012-2015
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Aug 2, 2000
Messages
13,416
Reaction score
8,539
Points
113
Location
Nocona, Texas
Vehicle Year
1996 / 2021
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0 / 2.3 Ecoboost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6-inches
Tire Size
33x12.50x15

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Today's birthdays

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


Kirby N.
March 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