94 SFA Ranger

[jcaugmented]

a steering stabilizer will help with the DW, especially since your using the factory gear box.

[RatRod68]

going Hydro assist, that's why it doesn't have one already

[84SierraClassic]

Those tires look Ba on there, very nice

[jcaugmented]

Originally Posted by ratrod68

going hydro assist, that's why it doesn't have one already

(chit) 10-4 (chit)

[RatRod68]

Thanks 84!

[BlueJeep]

Originally Posted by RatRod68

going Hydro assist, that's why it doesn't have one already

That fixed it for me. When I put the d60 in the front of my Jeep back in 2003 it had death wobble very bad, hydraulic ram keeps it in check so it's streetable.

Cool Ranger!

[RatRod68]

Thanks bud! Looks like Hydro is going on the back burner for a bit.... installing a doubler.

I have to have a new rear driveshaft made anyway, i have to move the tank when i do the L-Series swap, and my trans crossmember in the truck now is bent. Now I'm on the hunt for the D&D kit....

Cutting down the T-Case this weekend.

[jcaugmented]

Originally Posted by RatRod68

Thanks bud! Looks like Hydro is going on the back burner for a bit.... installing a doubler.

I have to have a new rear driveshaft made anyway, i have to move the tank when i do the L-Series swap, and my trans crossmember in the truck now is bent. Now I'm on the hunt for the D&D kit....

Cutting down the T-Case this weekend.

wow man! This thing is approaching rig status more than DD. Gunna be pretty rad when ya get it back together!

[RatRod68]

na, gotta keep it driveable. I love driving this thing.

[RatRod68]

Well, got the tank ordered today. Alpha Automotive in Wisconsin has Factory Ford replacement auxilary Ranger tanks for like 85 bucks shipped. A brand new 13 gallon tank that fits right between the frame rails and doesn't hang anywhere near as low as the B2 tank. He is shipping it Fedex today. Since i am a Former Marine and the guy's son is active Army, he hooked me up. 50 bucks for a new tank shipped to my front door. Be here by Monday!!

[RatRod68]

guess who i got ahold of today

Ordered my Doubler for DD Machine, will be shipped tomorrow, and should be here middle of next week. Looks like the fuel system will be this weekend, and building the doubler will be next. Getting me ready for the fab work by the first of the month.

[RatRod68]

well, gotta little update. I worked on getting some things done to the truck. One of the things i needed to fix ASAP was the little bit of DW that it still had. Fixed that with a complete re-balance of the wheels. This time with weights instead of BB's.

also noticed a while back that my track bar mount had cracked the frame, so a buddy let me borrow his welder and i went to work. Made a couple of pieces that connect to the bracket and to the engine crossmember. MUCH stiffer now. Only problem is the pump isn't liking the extra work, so Hydro assist setup is next on the chopping block. I'll have it in before Rubicon.

Also replaced the A/C stuff. My hose that ran to the compressor had a hole in it, and the accumulator was shot, so I replaced both of those. Going to get a remanned compressor off ebay. They have them for like 70 bucks.

Picked up the fuel lines and the barbed fittings to extend the gas tank lines as well. Just waiting on the tank to get here first.

Took a couple pics of the truck and the "gussets"

[84SierraClassic]

Those beads don't look half bad, nice job.

[RatRod68]

gas tank and coil over springs showed up yesterday. Looks like she is getting torn apart next week. I have class this weekend so gotta wait until the break to get crackin on it.

[jcaugmented]

Glad to see ya got it rolling again safely till the next crackin session

[RatRod68]

oh man, it drives better than it has in a LONG time. We did an alignment on it, the toe was out 2" negative. Add badly balanced tires to the mix and it was a disaster. Now it is like a whole new truck. Ordering my new A/C compressor today. Might be making a trip to IMS for some metal too.

[RatRod68]

Looks like i will have to get the Ranger finished a little bit sooner.... D has been invited to the Collector Car Appreciation Day event at K&N Filters' Headquarters in Riverside, CA on July 9th!!! What an honor to be one of the only 125 vehicles that were chosen!

[jcaugmented]

Originally Posted by RatRod68

Looks like i will have to get the Ranger finished a little bit sooner.... D has been invited to the Collector Car Appreciation Day event at K&N Filters' Headquarters in Riverside, CA on July 9th!!! What an honor to be one of the only 125 vehicles that were chosen!

Thats awesome man!

[RatRod68]

well, worked on the truck yesterday. Got the bed off, then drove it home from the base to get the gas tank mounted.



I took a crossmember from a buddy's F350 that still had the tank straps attached, and cut it down to the size i wanted. Then i set the crossmember in and tacked it in place while i checked to see if i liked the tank position. Looked good to me, so i burned it in place. formed the straps to my tank, then drilled two holes, welded on 2 studs, and bolted the straps down, securing the new tank. I am taking it back to the base today to run the fuel lines and put it back together.



Still no doubler.... I have called Duffy about a bajillion times, and talked to him once. Yesterday. Haven't heard anything since.... This is starting to annoy me...

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Good looking ranger I remember when my toyota was that clean... Btw do the hydro assist it kicks ass..

[RatRod68]

Thanks French! Yea, that is next on the list. I have already talked to Matt at West Texas Offroad. he is going to build me a kit for the truck.

Update:

Yesterday, I got the skid plate and old tank out, pulled the pump, then realized something.... It doesn't fit. Its about 3 3/8 inches too tall. Next i decided to go ahead and extend the lines with the stuff i got at the junkyard. They were too short. The evap line was too small for the nylon barbs. The ol lady put padding on the tank straps, afterwards, the tank was a BEAR to get on, but we finally did. We then went to Napa, where they didn't have nylon fuel line, or barbs that would fit the evap line. So they ordered the line from LA, and we put a vacuum barb and 1/4" fuel hose for the evap.

Today, i cut the pump down, put some fuel injection clamps and submursable 5/16" fuel line and put it back together and did a test fit. Fit great. We then got all the parts, and cut the nylon fuel line down to size, and inserted it between the factory line sections i cut. Cut the wires to the pump and sending unit and extended them. Once we got it lined up, time for a test. Fired right up. Let it run for a bit, looking for leaks, everything was good. Checked the fuel gauge, and it was stuck on "F". Something is wrong... Even though, I still put the bed back on and drove the truck back to the house. I still need to cut the bed and install the Jeep filler neck thingy, but i will do that tomorrow.

We found out Pick your Part and Ecology were having their half off sale, so we headed out. After going through 4 yards, there were 3 gen3 rangers. I did find a couple parts though. I got a 130 amp alternator, a relay box for the E-Fans, a working driver seat, and my jeep fillerneck thingy. All for 55 bucks.

[RatRod68]

'Nother update!

Finished what i started today. First, I laid out some blue tape where i wanted the hole.


Then i cut a hole in the good side of the bed


The bed and the filler neck were not getting along, so i cut a chunk out of the bed that i will fill in later. (sometime this week)


Then i drilled my holes, and mounted the new-to-me Jeep Thingy


Once i got all the filler neck crap done, I installed my new-to-me driver seat. Next on the list was to install my new coils. I took the old 450 coils off, and put on a set of 200 coils on top, and moved the 300 coils to the bottom. I'm not too happy with the change, as it doesn't seem to flex out any better than before. Maybe it is due to running 2 14" springs? Still not sure, but i am glad it lowered the front end down. A LOT.

Took some loading dock poser shots to see if she flexed any better. Not really any different.





And my favorite shot...

[RatRod68]

well, nothing showed up from Duffy yet, hopefully got to the house today. I did get my order from DIY4X, which by the way, kicks ass. They specialize in box body C/k10's and K5's, but they make a lot of fab parts too. I got 16 cross member tabs, 8 bushings, 8 bolts, 8 zurks, and 10 misc. gussets all for 140 bucks shipped. Was cheaper by like 8 bucks a piece on the crossmember kits than Ruff Stuff and even more from Ballistic. DIYBeadlocks.com are also cutting out gussets and tabs for a buck a piece.


finished the bed patch, and went to the carshow. On the way back, the passenger side window regulator crapped out, and the fuel pump quit working. Took the bed off to find i nicked one of the wires when i was cutting down the sending unit. So i ordered a new one.

Here are some pics



Bed Patch

Beginning


Big ass hole starting to get repaired


All filled up and burned in


Ground down enough for my likings


Shot coat of Krylon Yellow


Right after i finished, i drove to the show, and dirt got all in the paint, so now it really matches the rest of the bed. lol

[RatRod68]

Been a long time since an update on this ol gal....

here is the short and sweet.

I moved back to KY, and had this shipped. I also picked up a new wheeling rig on the way home, which is a 1991 Ford Explorer that was pretty much ready to wheel out of the box



When i did, i was broke, so i sold my rims and tires, and used some that were given to me



Then i bought a 2001 2wd 4 door that was totalled....



Then i merged the two, which required MULTIPLE frame modifications



Then i robbed the front axle to trade for a new one for the Explorer.

[RatRod68]

I bought my old axle back for this truck. The guy is delivering it on the 15th. Going to really get crackin on this thing this winter. I'd like to get it ready for the engine/trans by January. That's going to take A LOT of motivation.

Current picture?



Yea it looks pretty bad.

The Explorer is in the garage right now, going to put a set of bumpers, sliders, and doors on it, then send it to my dad's to bring the Ranger home.