There she is, a relitively decent shape 84(don't let the shiney paint fool you, she's got some cancer, not so great floors, a radius arm support that sounds like an old boxspring under constant heavy use and a whole lot of other this and thats)

Might have seen me post elsewhere, but i guess the lack of response is just cause it wasn't in the right place Anywho, here's the short list of what's going to happen(hopefully)

I just ordered the drop kit, though i don't think i'm entirely happy with what i'll get. I think it's a bit much, 3" front, 5" rear, problem? The fenders. It drops the truck low enough that i'd have no choice but to roll the lips, i don't want that. Solution? Wide Body Baja style fenders! Those get ordered in a few weeks! I intend to do all the body work before starting on the drivetrain, reason? It needs more work then the drivetrain. haha. Reguardless, none of this is going to even start until sometime in the spring due to the truck being my only vehicle I'm setting money aside to invest in either a bike, or a beater, preferably a bike. Anywho.

Engine/Tranny: Plan here? 2.3t/i T5
no 302, no 351, no v8, period. Though the idea has crossed my mind many times, i can't for the life of me, justify the cost of fuel alone, it would be more then my rent on a daily 40 mile commute, yes, she's being drivin, and will always be driven. The 2.3t @ 300hp still affords me ~20mpg if i can keep off the grin pedal.

All of it will get a coat of PPG Crimson with blue pearl, very basic, i might even put the black pinstripe back on, just for haha's.

Any and all input is welcome here. This is a longterm project starting from the ground up. So ideas are always welcome in my book. I won't be doing most of the work myself due to lack of facilitys, but anything i can, i will do, re: engine/tranny will probably take up my kitchen but that's some time from now.

Anyway, there's my rant, and there's my truck, all in a part of the forum that, 3 years ago, i never thought i'd post in lol

~Scott~

[This message has been edited by Y2kFocus (edited 09-04-2005).]

[This message has been edited by Y2kFocus (edited 09-04-2005).]

Look at the radius arm brackets on the frame closely. Those are prone to rust out and/or crack.

Are you thinking a mid 80's SVO 2.3 from a Fox Stang?

Rangers are horrible little trucks, i have one. I hate anything newer than about 1967 so maybe i'm biased. It does make a fine, fine beater and daily driver and the "gas guzzling" 302 gets 20+ mpg on the highway.
I don't do 4 bangers so a carb'd 5.0L/T5/8.8 with 3.73's had to fill in.

I haven't got much bulldog experience but my truck even with it's horrendous 67/33 weight distribution handles like a really front heavy F1 car. No sway bars, stock springs and 300,000 mile front shocks and quite small 225/50-16 front tires.

It is invisible to most cops and to girls too, i don't care much for that latter part but if you wanted to be celibate or gay it is perfect.

I'll be selling mine, i have a line on a 1930 Model A... with a 4 banger.

quote:

---

Originally posted by TomP:

Rangers are horrible little trucks, i have one. I hate anything newer than about 1967 so maybe i'm biased. It does make a fine, fine beater and daily driver and the "gas guzzling" 302 gets 20+ mpg on the highway.
I don't do 4 bangers so a carb'd 5.0L/T5/8.8 with 3.73's had to fill in.

I haven't got much bulldog experience but my truck even with it's horrendous 67/33 weight distribution handles like a really front heavy F1 car. No sway bars, stock springs and 300,000 mile front shocks and quite small 225/50-16 front tires.

It is invisible to most cops and to girls too, i don't care much for that latter part but if you wanted to be celibate or gay it is perfect.

I'll be selling mine, i have a line on a 1930 Model A... with a 4 banger.

---

TomP, you are a Hoot! If I ever get the chance - I'd like to tip a few with ya and then walk some car show & "chat" with the chebbie boys!

Hey, I think you forgot to mention one thing to Scott.... that he needs to ensure he doesn't go "pinky" on us and bolt a slushbox in that Ranger! Some of us know that hotrods - especially hotrod trucks - MUST be stick-shifted!

I suspect if you latch on to the '30 Model A, it would quickly be "upgraded" to V-8 power and, of course, have 3 pedals.....?

...Hopin' that ya never miss a shift, Take Care, TomP!

Anywho, the plans for the truck was something along the lines of something I could take to Limerock and run on open track days without worrying about plowing off the rear straight corner into the woods

But it's getting pushed more and more onto the back burner, and the plans always get bigger.
I sent the drop kit back, basicly it looked like a 6 year old with playschool "My First Tig welder" had at some steel stock, then sent it my way. and besides, if i have my way, the dern thing won't even have a ranger suspention anymore anyway. But as it stands, it's going to continue to be a daily driver until i at least move to someplace with a garage.

More an more i'm looking at the 302... being tugged at for it, well, more like kicked in the nads and whatnot to get one. That, and it's incredably cheap compaired to the turbo 4 option. either way, it's going to happen, and if push comes to shove, forced induction is still an option... .even for a 302

quote:

---

Originally posted by Y2kFocus:
Don't worry, not going pink for me! It's gonna have a good ol' T5.

---

Heh, just wait until you go buy fluid for that T-5...

quote:

---

Originally posted by TomP:
Scott
We won't think your fag for having to buy ATF for a T5.

---

But if you play with that handle too much...