Ranger build thread

[Dan B.]

Pics will be added as progress moves along. So far I've got most of the pieces needed to build another V8 Ranger. This one will be much milder than my 387W truck. It's going to be a basic EFI 5.0/T5 combo with minor bolt ons. Maybe some heads and cam down the road but for now it will be all stock. The victim is a 1984 2wd Ranger, short bed (love my short beds!!), 2.0L, 4 speed, manual steering and manual brakes. Bought it for $300 near Mount Pleasant. From a quick once over when buying it, the chassis is solid, body mounts are good, exterior of the cab is mostly straight but the interior is rough and needs floor pans. I have most of an interior to reinstall and putting in pans is something I actually enjoy.

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The patient giving up its heart is a 1986 Capri that was a 3.8L car but then transformed into a 5.0L/T5. It also had MAF added. It's end came from being parked under a rather large tree during a storm and being crushed when the tree fell on it. Fortunately the front was spared and the driveline was unharmed.

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Last night I pulled the motor and trans from the Capri. I need to take out the required EFI harness and computer then it will head to the scrap yard. Everything came apart easily. The installer did a nice job and used a lot of new parts....most of which still had the stickers still on. So this was a perfect candidate for the swap I'm doing. I've done several of these before (never EFI/T5 though) and getting a complete donor car is the way to go!! Later this week I'm going to get the Ranger in the garage for tear down. Test fit and mock up my motor mounts then I'll pull the cab, final fit the mounts, fix the floor and start getting the other systems lined out (suspension, brakes, etc).

More pics to follow........

[somethingclever]

can't beat that ranger for $300 bills....

subb'd

[Jeff95TA]

I would keep that cap on there for the total sleeper look!

[PaxtonShelby]

Farmageddon!!!!

[Dan B.]

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[KeystoneJohnny]

F n a bro fna


farmageddon!!!!

[Dan B.]

High performance dumped exhaust.

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High performance extra grip tires.

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All required to handle the crazy powerful 2.0!!!

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Disassembly day is today!!

[PaxtonShelby]

Go Dan-o Go!!

[black 94]

I always wanted to build one of these just for fun. Had to different 92 rangers and liked them alot just never got around to a v8 swap. Cool project will deffinantly be a nice sleeper when done.

[wick]

You gotta leave that cap on!!

[gmkillr]

You gotta leave that cap on!!

X2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dan B.]

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This guy had something with green paint and bondo!! He coated the floor with it! I'm going to have some work to do in here.

[Dan B.]

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[Monkeygrits]

Man quick work. I love the fake woodgrain dash in these. I had an 86 Bronco 2.

[Dan B.]

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[PaxtonShelby]

Quit fukkin around Dan. That shit should be in paint by now!!

[Dan B.]

Some images from my phone posted sideways..........so I tried to delete and flip them. Now I have a sideways and upright photo! Argh.

[Dan B.]

Quit fukkin around Dan. That shit should be in paint by now!!

I got hungry....

[PaxtonShelby]

Lol!!!

[jaa55]

So what's the frame width up front??

[Dan B.]

Didn't measure but from memory I'm pretty sure its 30" outside.

[Dan B.]

Headers or manifolds?? I'm having a tough time on this one. Since this truck is going to be a driver (dare I say street car?!) I'm not sure that I want to mess with header leaks, rusting out and generally fitting them in. They can also be a PITA in a Ranger V8 swap. The cost...... I'm looking at $200 for a cheap set I'll have to mod them to fit. The other route is manifolds.........I know, cast iron manifolds....ick. But I can get a junkyard set for under $20 that will work perfect. I could also fab a set for under $200 but that will take a pile of time.

$20 manifolds for ease and durability are tempting.............but choking the motor will suck.

[Dan B.]

Have some parts that need installed and plans that need executed on the truck. But man, not sure I feel like it today! Woke up with a sinus thing going on that's kicking my butt. Maybe I'll build a fire in the garage and just set and look at it today. Going to be too dang cold for anything else!

Maybe I need Dave at Twilight to get me moving. I've heard he's one helluva motivational speaker!

[jaa55]

I have a set of explorer manifolds that would probably work in your setup Dan

[PaxtonShelby]

^^^^ I think he got a set of Tri-Y's for it. Do Rangers and Explorers share front-ends Jim?

[Dan B.]

I did get tri-y's. They fit awesome. Usually about 3/4" of the right side frame rail needs cut so the exhaust will clear. These fit perfect with no frame cutting.

[PaxtonShelby]

So did you shake the flu Dan? Sounds like you are gettin some more work done.

[Dan B.]

Naa. Have a sinus thing but meds are working!! Got motor and trans mounts done. Not much more than that today. Just little stuff left...clutch mod, rad, fuel, etc. it will take some time. And the wiring. Found a ranger 8.8 rear for $100 locally. May look at it this week.

[PaxtonShelby]

What gears are in that 8.8 Dan. Is it a traction-lok?

[Dan B.]

Not sure. May see it tomorrow.

[Dan B.]

Sold Capri exhaust today so I have some walking money.

[Dan B.]

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[Dan B.]

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[PaxtonShelby]

Glad to see Colt is keeping you on task!!

[Dan B.]

Have to do something while the paint dries in the models!

[Dan B.]

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[Dan B.]

Fixed the floors!

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Bought this from a friends junkyard for $250. Floors are clean and had a really nice interior. Going to start a cab swap on Sunday.

[jaa55]

Hell that thing doesn't look bad

[Dan B.]

It's not. I'm not sure why it was in the yard.

[PaxtonShelby]

Nice find Dan. I may start calling you Ranger Dan...

[Dan B.]

Parts car gone.

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Parts truck gone.

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[John4cam]

You scraped those turbines?

[somethingclever]

is that your front loader?

[Dan B.]

I wish that was my loader. That was at the scrap yard.

[Dan B.]

Rear end thoughts........

So I bought a 8.8" from a p71....disc brakes, traction lock, 31 spline. It's WAY too wide for the ranger. So I'm going to narrow it. The question is....how narrow to go? My 387 truck wears s10 springs in the back. This allowed me to run 10" wide wheels and tuck them. I could go up to a 14" wide and still fit. This truck won't be going that wide. So I could narrow it to hang from the stock springs and use stock width. Or go the same route as the other truck, use s10 springs and narrow it to use a 8"/10" wide mustang rear wheel tucked.

thoughts?

[John4cam]

Rear end thoughts........

So I bought a 8.8" from a p71....disc brakes, traction lock, 31 spline. It's WAY too wide for the ranger. So I'm going to narrow it. The question is....how narrow to go? My 387 truck wears s10 springs in the back. This allowed me to run 10" wide wheels and tuck them. I could go up to a 14" wide and still fit. This truck won't be going that wide. So I could narrow it to hang from the stock springs and use stock width. Or go the same route as the other truck, use s10 springs and narrow it to use a 8"/10" wide mustang rear wheel tucked.

thoughts?

Why not set it up the same? Then there is room to grow if your plans alter.

[PaxtonShelby]

^^^^ This. Go big or go home Dan!!

[Dan B.]

^^^^ This. Go big or go home Dan!!

That's what I'm thinking. Then I can also use any S10 rear suspension performance parts......caltrac monoleafs, bars, etc.

[Mark Aubele]

It would be amazing if you could keep the factory parallelish 4 link and watts link. Those cars work surprisingly well from the factory for a land yacht.

[Tom]

What truque are you taking to the traque rental?

I admit, I would like to see a turbo l67 ranger some day

like this blazer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZ1PE0-ZjDU

[Dan B.]

The 387 truque. Don't thinque the other one will be ready.