redneck ranger

  • Thread starter DRIFT GOD
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DRIFT GOD

DRIFT GOD

2,611
DRIFTGOD187





i bought this truck last year for $400.00 just to drive to work, it has a 3.0 V6 and push button 4WD. the 4WD has never worked because the previous owner removed the actuator motor from the transfer case and cut all the wires, he also lost the mounting bolts. the auto locking hubs were stripped out and it had 4 different tires on it.


the tires i put on it last year are 235/70/R15 WINTER FORCE and i payed around $350.00 for all 4 tires.



i bought a used actuator motor for $81.00 and got the bolts i nedded for free.

here is a pic of the actuator motor:



after installing the actuator motor it was time to fix the auto locking hubs, i decided to swap them with manual locking hubs. i bought the manual locking hubs and a conversion kit for $250.00.

here are the hubs i bought:



here is the auto locking hub next to the manual locking hub:





after converting the front end from auto locking hubs to manual locking hubs it was time to test it.

this snowpile is about 4 feet high, i drove up and down it a few times, and also drove through the front yard that had about a foot of snow on it with no problem.







and to give you an idea as to how small my garage is, here are some pics:






the truck is now in the garage again, but this time i have it over to one side so i can work on the exhaust.

edit: i changed my speedometer cable and speed sensor, changed my heater core and i replaced the exhaust, flushed the coolant system, changed the oil, and got the truck inspected.








i took the ranger out in the mud for the first time today, the pics arnt very good (lighting) hopefully the rain we are getting wont wash it so i can get beter pics in the sun :D









no sun today, but it looks beter with the mud dry :tu:













 
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Ah...the ever popular TTB axle, great fun if you ever plan to lift it! I couldn't stand having manual hubs, lucky I have auto hubs on my Wrangler! Of course I also have a manual transfer case, which I prefer over push button.
 
i do plan to lift it and get another set of wheels/tires so i dont where out my snow tires.

the original auto hubs were stripped out, and i bought a used set and they didnt work either. so i converted it to manual hubs and it works great, just need to lock the hubs before i hit the button on the dash and its ready to go.
 
Make sure when you lift it you get the correct taller brackets for the TTB arms, otherwise you'll have some funky alignment problems.
 
thats what i was told by a friend that lifted his. i basicly just drive this truck to work, but im also looking for another truck with a good body on it possably a 2001 because i like the way the front end looks, if i end up changing all the body parts exept the cab i might put a 3 inch body lift in it.

this is the front end i like, if i can find one wrecked in the rear or with a blown motor i might be able to get it cheap. the only problem with converting it would be if the radiator core support is different.



eventually i would like my truck to look something like this, different front end of course.

 
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Before I got my Jeep, I was hoping to get a 1989 Ford Ranger STX from my mom's friend, but one of my cousins decided to buy it before I could. Course then my cousin offered me his Wrangler, so I snatched it up!
 
buickgnx88
Before I got my Jeep, I was hoping to get a 1989 Ford Ranger STX from my mom's friend, but one of my cousins decided to buy it before I could. Course then my cousin offered me his Wrangler, so I snatched it up!
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i have always had chevy trucks until my brother-in-law had this ranger and wasnt using it so i bought it from him, he bought the truck and never did anything with it.



CDailey
I notice you also have a 300M. Nice choice! :D

see "YouTubeVideos" and CarDomain link in my sig
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the 300 m is a 2002 and it is a really nice car, its fully loaded and i have no complaints 👍

wmnormal0730081917aeditvw5.jpg
 
Ugh I can't wait until summer so I can get some new tires. I'm stuck with POS generic passenger car tires! Gonna get me some 30" General Grabber AT2's and an add-a-leaf kit.
 
are you SURE you're not gonna regret later converting back to Manual hubs? I would, because I don't just use my 4wd to go muddin', I use mine steadily just to get around, around here, in the winter. at 5 in the morning, the plow-boys haven't even gotten outta bed yet, and your dealing with drifts, ice, critters, and unplowed driveways.
 
Sniffs
are you SURE you're not gonna regret later converting back to Manual hubs? I would, because I don't just use my 4wd to go muddin', I use mine steadily just to get around, around here, in the winter. at 5 in the morning, the plow-boys haven't even gotten outta bed yet, and your dealing with drifts, ice, critters, and unplowed driveways.
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here in upstate ny the winter is the same, i drove all winter in 2wd so i guess next year i will leave the fronts locked. i only drive the truck to work, thats about 26 miles a day.
 
JCE
That's a pretty good buy for $400. Can't wait to see the finished project. :D
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thank you, i will keep this tread updated.

lol i just noticed i never posted any engine pics, not that its anything to brag about (runs really good though) ;)



 
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Here is a Noob question for ya. I am just wondering what the hell Automatic/ manuel Hubs do. Do they lock the wheels up like an LSD or something.

I know nothing about Amout these big american trucks.
 
Basically, if you unlock the hubs in 2WD mode, the front axle and driveshaft won't spin which helps decrease the amount of wear and increase fuel mileage. If they stay unlocked when in 4WD, the power won't be transmitted to the front wheels.

As far as manual vs. auto, it boils down to automatic locking or you getting out of the vehicle and locking them yourself.

I believe auto locking hubs use either engine vacuum to operate (as in my Jeep) or they use torque from the engagement of 4WD. There are also some that don't bother with unlocking/locking hubs and just allow the front parts to spin freely until the transfer case is engaged.
 
Jim Prower
That's a workhorse! a proper engine!
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lol its a 3.0 v6, i think they have around 140 hp ;)


i went to change the thermostat and the head of one of the bolts snapped off :nervous:

i was lucky and got the bolt out with vice-grips 👍







now i just have to wait until monday to get a bolt from the local junk yard ;)
 
i ended up taking the good bolt to the local central tractor and found a metric nut to fit it, then bought 2 new bolts that size.



here is another pic i forgot to add before.

 
Nice pick up for $400.00 Is the rest of the truck primered or gray? If it was primered I'd take shot at practicing some body work with those red panels.
 
what i plan on doing is bying a newer body style ranger and swapping body panels. if i keep the cab a 94 i can have a newer looking truck without worrying about emissions 👍
 
dude, you've got an intact 93 bod, there. that is probably the best looking of the whole set. the only suggestion I'd have is try and find a Ford Truck grill from the current style that'd fit in there. the grill is about the only thing ford did right with the last Ranger.
 
the ranger is in the garage again undergoing some minor surgery :D

















painted the box & cab flat black:




got my parts truck tuesday, sofar nothin but good news on the parts i need for mine :tu:





while the tow dolly was there we pulled my truck out to get my lawnmower out of the bed.





i swapped rear windows, now mine has a slider.





i stripped down the front of the parts truck and part of the engine, also swapped seats.







the parts truck now has my front end on it :D





here is a pic of the engine on the parts truck. i removed one of the heads because mine has 2 cracks in it, just that head is worth the $250.00 i payed for this truck ;)

 
Dude, fan-bloody-tastic! I love it, great job on the finds and the rear window replacement. Now you have TWO trucks! Keep them both, make the "parts" one an offroader! What color are you going to paint the '94? Forest green would look killer on that badboy. That and a rhino bullbar with foglights. :D

And what year/mileage/price is the parts truck? I wish I had the money to do something like that. Can't wait to see more progress! Between you and king's T-bird projects I've got lots of good reading to do. :lol:
 
painted the valve covers ford blue just for the hell of it lol.



here is a pic of it with the front end from the parts truck, bumper needs adjusting but i think it looks good.



here are the 2 trucks next to eachother.









i swapped rear bumpers and aligned my front bumper. i also picked up a bedliner for free.







 

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