Hey everyone,

I figured it was time to start a build thread. Just a quick background on the truck, my late father-in-law left it to his sons (who didn't want it, as you'll soon see). The truck sat behind their barn for about 6 years, and the rust really took its toll on the body and engine. Well I grabbed it. I'm going to restore the body for my wife (sentimental reasons, ya know), and I have a 5.0L V8 lined up to swap in for the 2.0L. I've already started tearing down the body. I'll post progress as I go along.

Here are some pics, first of the truck as it was behind the barn, and then my current progress. Please excuse the crappy pictures, as they were taken with my cell phone. I'll post some clearer pics with my wife's digital soon.

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff85/cwrighta70/Ford%20Ranger%20Project/RangerFront.jpg
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff85/cwrighta70/Ford%20Ranger%20Project/RangerBack.jpg
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff85/cwrighta70/Ford%20Ranger%20Project/RangerLeftBack.jpg
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff85/cwrighta70/Ford%20Ranger%20Project/RangerLeftFront.jpg
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff85/cwrighta70/Ford%20Ranger%20Project/RangerInterior.jpg
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff85/cwrighta70/Ford%20Ranger%20Project/RangerEngine.jpg

And current progress:

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff85/cwrighta70/Ford%20Ranger%20Project/Ranger9-10.jpg
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff85/cwrighta70/Ford%20Ranger%20Project/img116.jpg
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff85/cwrighta70/Ford%20Ranger%20Project/img112.jpg
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff85/cwrighta70/Ford%20Ranger%20Project/img117.jpg
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff85/cwrighta70/Ford%20Ranger%20Project/img113.jpg
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff85/cwrighta70/Ford%20Ranger%20Project/img114.jpg

As I said, better pictures coming soon!

My first V8 ranger was an 85 :)
All the best on your build - If you were closer, I've still got engine mounts, and headers for that sucka.

Maybe I'll convince my wife to move to Canada... :)

Damn, you've got a helluva project on your hands there. Good reasons for doing it though, good luck.

nice project bro,:thumbsup: maybe keep that JESUS plate around he might help u out in your project:angel: haha

oh this project is blessed! there are five other bumper stickers on the back!!

r they all jesus related or what?

yup!

thats cool, the owners before must have needed his hand in help keeping them safe in that ride, or they put them on there when they laid that truck to rest before you got it. haha

My first V8 ranger was an 85 :)
All the best on your build - If you were closer, I've still got engine mounts, and headers for that sucka.



Im closer to yaaa :)

lol

You know, lately, this has really been running around my head: Do you guys think that the 1st and 2nd gen Rangers will ever be worth something in terms as a "classic" vehicle? The major reason this come to my mind is that, at least everywhere I go in Mi, 95% of the Rangers, 1st and 2nd gen, I see are rusted and smashed to crap. When I first got my truck, back in high school (was and still is my first vehicle), I did see a lot of these Rangers around, but mostly as beaten work trucks. As years go by, I see less and less of the 1st and 2nd gens. I see them more and more in junk yards.

What do you think?

You know, lately, this has really been running around my head: Do you guys think that the 1st and 2nd gen Rangers will ever be worth something in terms as a "classic" vehicle? The major reason this come to my mind is that, at least everywhere I go in Mi, 95% of the Rangers, 1st and 2nd gen, I see are rusted and smashed to crap. When I first got my truck, back in high school (was and still is my first vehicle), I did see a lot of these Rangers around, but mostly as beaten work trucks. As years go by, I see less and less of the 1st and 2nd gens. I see them more and more in junk yards.

What do you think?
:thumbsup: you r so right with that i'm from Petoskey and thats all i see is another rusted out piece of sh*t in junk yards, i've had to travel to Detroit to get good parts, theres nothing good around here either, maybe its all the salt we use up here, in the harsh winters, but i'm going to keep mine from becoming another junkyard RAT:wiggle:

Sry to be stealing cwrighta70's thread for a bit here, but just something I eventually wanted to hear what other people thought. I mean, I have always had this thing for MOPARs, mainly 2nd gen Cudas and anything '66-'74 Charger, and was almost thinking of selling the Ranger and getting one to kind of work on... but I couldn't see someone take this thing and beat the **** out of it and ruin it where 1) I put my heart and determination into it and 2) you just cannot find these trucks in good shape much anymore, they are all run right into the ground.

...phasing back into cwrighta70's thread.

Sry to be stealing cwrighta70's thread for a bit here, but just something I eventually wanted to hear what other people thought. I mean, I have always had this thing for MOPARs, mainly 2nd gen Cudas and anything '66-'74 Charger, and was almost thinking of selling the Ranger and getting one to kind of work on... but I couldn't see someone take this thing and beat the **** out of it and ruin it where 1) I put my heart and determination into it and 2) you just cannot find these trucks in good shape much anymore, they are all run right into the ground.

...phasing back into cwrighta70's thread.
i here ya bro, i've been working on mine for about a 1 1/2 now and i'm almost done hopefully by the end of this month then i'll post some pics, but i know i'll hold on to it for a long time:hail:

Not really, because there are so many rangers on the west too. And I usually don't see very many really rusty or beat up, but occasionally I do. That is why I plan on keeping my 5.0 (when I build it) forever.

I've never seen a decent 1st or 2nd gen Ranger around here. It's hard to find any truck in that range of years that hasn't been worked to death in my area. I'll be excited when people can see this truck and say "Wow".

Are there any particular sites you guys go to get OEM parts? Kinda hard to find reasonable places around here.

Also, from what little I've looked, the bed (including rear quarter panels) is all one piece...correct?

I am not sure, I think they are in sections, sort of, but they are welded, or spot welded of some sorts. check out http://lmctruck.com/ Great site!!!

:welcome: cwrighta70.It also to bad that you were not any closer.I have a bunch of new and mint parts for that truck..eg new oem tailgate,hood,door sill plates,door seals etc etc.

^^ well as you can see, i definitely need a new tailgate!!

As far as replacement parts go, besides LMC Truck, I have not seen any other company that makes OE replacement for Rangers. There is plenty for all Broncos, maybe not BII's, and almost all F series trucks.

I've never seen a decent 1st or 2nd gen Ranger around here. It's hard to find any truck in that range of years that hasn't been worked to death in my area. I'll be excited when people can see this truck and say "Wow".

Are there any particular sites you guys go to get OEM parts? Kinda hard to find reasonable places around here.

Also, from what little I've looked, the bed (including rear quarter panels) is all one piece...correct?


The bed side ( quater panel) is one piece and you can order this as one piece however the only ones Ive found have the dual gas tank holes. If the floor is in bad shape it might be time get a new bed. It is much easier to buy a whole bedside and put it in than to puti n a fender well patch. IMO. The front end sheet metal is interchangeable with a bronco II of the same year range. DO NOT USE BONDO AS A WHOLE FILLER OR KITTY HAIR OR FIBERGLASS ETC. BAD IDEA! When I got my replacement parts I got them from a loca supplier so as where to get them I've got no Idea. But to anser you question technicaly the bed is one pice however its different sections welded together that can be removed. Hope this helps.

-Mario

^^ well as you can see, i definitely need a new tailgate!!
Amen.:angel:

Thanks, Mario. Actually, the bed is in really good condition. It's the sheet metal around the wheel wells that is rusted and needs fixed. I was hoping I could take the sides off to do this, but if they're welded together, that's going to be difficult.

There will be virtually NO bondo on this truck. Most of the body work will be done with sheet metal welded in.

And LMCtrucks.com is a great site! Thanks!

I've never seen a decent 1st or 2nd gen Ranger around here. It's hard to find any truck in that range of years that hasn't been worked to death in my area.

I was pretty lucky, my Ranger has some rust, but it's not swiss-cheesed. My dad bought it with 53K, gave it to me 6 years ago with 72K, engine blew 3 years ago at 98K (cracked head/rebuilt $$), and now it has 116K.

I am thinking about V8 swap next summer, but nothing in concrete. I'd like to get my student loans finally paid off before proceeding. My avatar says it all, I have too many hobbies and not enough money!

Pete

Thanks, Mario. Actually, the bed is in really good condition. It's the sheet metal around the wheel wells that is rusted and needs fixed. I was hoping I could take the sides off to do this, but if they're welded together, that's going to be difficult.

There will be virtually NO bondo on this truck. Most of the body work will be done with sheet metal welded in.

And LMCtrucks.com is a great site! Thanks!

There not that hard to take off compared to just replacing the rusted area and getting it right. There atached mostly along the inner edge of the bed rail. Ask one of the guys who have put fiberglass bedsides on a regular bed they should be able to give you more indepth info. Its been a couple of years since I did this to a ranger so I can't remember where all it mounts. If I remember I'll pm you with them.

-Mario