New on here! I have been sneakin around and what not but have a 98 ext cab 3.0 Ranger that I wanna fix up one step at a time! Hopeing that you all can point me in the right direction of where to go with this. Starting out with small stuff to make it more comfortable and the next thing to do are put in the explorer seats that I bought and cleaned up. Gonna be nice and better than the stock bench that I will be getting rid of. Truck is gonna be used for camping and fishin on the beach on the Jersey Shore at Island Beach State Park.

Plans include:
SAS with coils or coilovers
Cap on back with beds underneath
custom bumpers front and rear
Either Full Size Axles or Vintage Bronco Axles! Opinions Welcome
Lockers front and rear
V8 Conversion.
Mix between a prerunner and a wheeler
Roof Rack
Lighting
Rocker Guards
etc...

Hopefully this wont take forever but it will get done and I plan on doing as much of the Fab work as possible!

Here is the big question about the project and where it goes from here forward! Looking at the Frame in the back it seems to have more rust than I would like to see. Is this something that is common with these trucks and what can I so to rectify it. I will try and post up some pics here in the future! Hopefully I can turn this $500 dollar investment into something unique and fun!

 

Ok, so it looks like this will be a slow thread to get going and that is all right! I will update with pics as I go along and hopefully some of you will wanna chime in.

Took a better look at the Frame and I think that it is gonna be fine to work with. There are definitely some rusty areas like the Spare Tire carrier but that will probably be cut out eventually and replaced with something more useful like possibly an air tank for airing back up coming off the beach.

Next order of business is gonna be installing my Explorer seats! I have them just sitting waiting to be installed and I think I am gonna get to it tomorrow! Will run them directly off the battery. That should be fine or possible the cigarette lighter in the truck!

 

I ran my expo seats off the battery for a few weeks (had in-line fuse). I eventually switched all my accessories over to a an auxiliary fuse box and it look much cleaner under the hood. (And safer too).

 

Ok, didn't get seats installed like I planned. Listened to people complain about stuff all day instead so some other things had to get done first. In any case it was a constructive day just not Ranger based.

Here is a pic of the Seats going into the truck and a shot of the D44 axle I think I am gonna stuff under the front. Only real negative about the axle is the Drum brakes which are gonna have to be changed to disk. If anyone has the parts to do so off another axle hit me up definitely interested. Other option is to find another axle off of a FULL SIZE to stuff under there instead with the disks already on there. I am OK with Drums in the rear. Hopefully get the seats in tomorrow or at least started!

Some Pics!

 

With the rust on the frame. Get a wire spinning brush for your drill. Test each area to make sure it is still strong and not all rust. Then take the drill and brush to it. Removing rust down to medal. Wear breathing protection and eye protection. Then just keep going till you get black pitted metal. I did this on my last vehicle. Have yet to do it to the Ranger. Then spray it with rustolium black under carrage spray. It will be like a new under body. In my avatar. My ranger came with this spray on the sides and bumpers and under carriage already. It makes it look nice. It delays rust for a while. As you see new rust develope you need to use the brush again then respray that area. This isn't going to make a damaged frame strong again. That could fall apart in action. It will take a rusted frame and stop the rust for a while. With upkeep. You can keep the rust away. So it won't be RUSTY as in your title of this post anymore. You can get this stuff at walmart or other places that sell spray paint or auto spray paint. As far as the rest of your plans. I wish I could help.

 

Hey thanks for the input! I looked at the main part of the frame and it looks alot better than I thought. It was definitely sprayed with something to protect it so hopefully when I pull the bed to clean things up wont be too bad. The spare tire mount is pretty crappy but I think it is gonna get removed and I will build up another crossmember to replace it and I think an air tank will replace the spare tire!

 

Cool. I don't have a spare tire holder or a spare tire. I just thought the older rangers came without. LOL

 

I can vouch for this.

I do this each year to my frame and undercarriage and it really does keep rust at bay. You'll have to keep an eye on it and reapply as needed, like he said.

The only thing I will add is that I do use rustoleum rusty metal primer before I apply my protective coats.

 

Now I need to find that primer. Thank you for the tip.

 

Very nice seats. I'm just thinking how to build up my center consule. The one on the floor that does little storage and holds 2 cups. I want more even if I need to build it. LOL

 

Yeah, there is rust but hopefully not too bad but has to be addressed. Thankfully the main frame looks ok. However I will clean it up and brush on some POR 15 or Rust Bullet and that should take care of things! Those things are literally almost bomb proof protection and worth the money IMHO!

On another topic, worked on these explorer seats today and they are a bit more complicated than I thought originally. I think that these had memory function but I don't care about that wont be functional. Just want the seats to move and lumbar to work. Anyway, trying to find info with pics is difficult. I know all the seats could be slightly different but I am working with what i believe to be 97/98 explorer power seats. On the bottom of them there are a number of different plugs that I did not notice originally. I was under the impression that it was only 1 12V and ground but it seems like there could be as many as 5/6 connections that have to be made to get them to work! Any advice? Basically, 3 connections for power all the time and I think 2 ignition connections which are for the memmory function. Any help/advice is appreciated. Will fuse directly off Battery with 12gauge wire! Eventually maybe put in a relay off the ignition but I think that may be overkill!

 

Stumped me. What I do know is it needs the memory function to make the parts in the seat work. Because the seat I think looses all settings. Or brings them all back to zero. So somehow that needs to be hooked up. Unless you like the way they feel without adjustments. I have 1 power socket under my driver seat. Don't know why its there. The seats are manuel. Beat up but so comfortable. If you can't retrofit these can you get a non-power version? Still would be soft and all. Just not needing electricity to function.

All else fails. Go to the library or on line. Look up the Chilton book for the year range explorer. Those books break everything down. Hopefully that can help. Problem is those connections are more than just power. They interface with the computer to do the memory and maybe other functions. Because the memory makes all adjustments to bring the seat to the right setting. I think a few wires on each plug help that. Adding complication. I hope you find the way.

 

Thanks man! Those seats are so much nicer than the stock Ranger ones that are in the truck. Hopefully the other plugs don't really matter and it is as simple as two connections.

I asked the original owner about the memory and he said they didn't have it I believe but there sure are alot of plugs for no memory. I think they were 99 seats according to him. I will test them with a little 12V batter that I have and see what happens. Who knows.

 

Hope the rest falls into to place sounds great. I know the seat makes the truck. If its not comfortable you don't want to be in it or drive it. Seat a basic part make or break it. My seats are worn in such a pattern that they are so comfortable. I will more than likely remove the jump seats. I use them now to store stuff behind. So I don't know. They stay up and hold my stuff out of the way. So I don't know. I've seen pictures of them out. It has a cleaner look.

 

Ok, so tonight I looked at the power seats a little further and Lo and Behold all the connections were there! For some reason the guy selling them disconnected them and they were kinda hidden out of sight. Some of the tabs were broken from disconnecting them but I don't really think they are gonna come apart anyway and I will put a Zip Tie around them to prevent that from possibly happening. Like others have stated, it is basically a 2 wire hookup in my case since the seats don't have the memory function which is fine by me. Even with the memory function I think it is still a 2 wire hookup if you don't wanna use that function and it would probably be a PITA to install anyway. FWIW i think it would be a waste of time. My only last hurdle putting these in is the sliders that the seat belts are attached to. How have you guys and gals modified this because the Ranger seatbelts are attached to the Ranger differently. Other than this these will go in this weekend even if i have to cut off the Ranger seatbelt mount and weld it to the Explorer seat Carefull without Destroying the seat. I have attached some pics for reference. The Last pic is of the connection to power up the seats. That is all that needs to be wired up for me and good to go! It isn't heavy wire either. Maximum 14ga to 12ga but not any bigger than that! Hopefully this helps someone else that wants to put in these seats. Also definitely a direct bolt in. Already confirmed that! Only obstacle now is the seatbelt. Sorry for the book!

 

Not a book. A lot of good information about your project. Glad to see it coming together nicely for you. Hoping these seats give you good support and many miles of comfort.

 

Ok, workin on Driver Seat and have it all figured out. Only problem is somehow my welding helmet strap on the inside is BROKEN! UGH!!! Off to sears to hopefully get something halfway decent!

 

Oh man that sucks. Hope you find a cool helmet to replace it. I did some tint on my ranger. Got driver and passanger at 35%. Have the 2 small windows at 5%. Just need to finish the back 3 at 5%. Looks a lot nicer. I do see the reflection fish bowl thing. That I can ignore for less light on me. I have chronic migraines and vertigo. So the tint keeps me feeling better. Bright lights and flouresents are bad for me. So if I can get out of wearing sunglasses I'm happier. After tint its light work. That will be a challenge. Keep up the good work.

 

That sucks! Hopefully the tint does the trick and the Police don't give you a hard time if it is too dark! I will probably Tint as well in the future but not a priority at this time.

I actually wanna find an explorer to grab the V8 out of next. So will start looking. There looks to be a decent prospect in Ohio I may come and get if the price is right. I guess take a bus or fly out there to get it! Has pretty low miles and I like that!

Ended up going with a Harbor Freight Helmet. Also bought a full face shield for grinding that I might just take the mount off of! I think that I can get a replacement strap for the broken helmet. Or just get another Harbor Freight Shield and use that. Alot cheaper than the helmet!

 

I just recently discovered harbor frieght. Got my off road lights there. Two lights each 100watts. Very inexpensive at 25 dollars. I want a lot of light. I just see to many people with the LED light bar on top. Not a fan of that look. I don't drive a lot. There is a lot of tinted vars and trucks in my area. Some go extremely dark on driver passenger. It is legal to do 50% tint on driver and passenger. Also legal to do 70% on windshield here in Ohio. So I think my 35% might get looked over. The windshield. I couldn't even imagine doing that window. That would be a great use for the heat shield tint. Tint has come a long way since my youth. The cheap stuff I got wasn't to bad to put on and looks great. Good luck with the welding. Question??? Can the frame and drive train really handle a V8?

 

Yeah, on the Lights I would maybe pony up for something a bit better than what Harbor Freight sells personally. But who knows, they might be pretty decent and hold up well for you. Rigid Lights are pretty BADASS but they are pretty ridiculously expensive as well. There are some other brands that might not hurt as bad and are American Companies.

I have some Chinese Knockoffs that are honestly pretty damn nice and they are virtually Copies of the Rigid Lights. The Chinese are pretty much in control of the LED lighting market so they should be decent and are ALOT cheaper than the RIGID and other Brands sold here! If I got a deal on RIGID's I would use them but would have to be a Screamin Deal.

As for the V8, others have done it and I haven't heard of any problems with the frame. As for the drivetrain, I am changing the front to a SAS and rear to something bigger as well. EIther an 8.8 or a 9inch. Probably 8.8 if I can find one the right width. Probably something from an F150 from the late 70's for the front and 90's 8.8 in rear. Tranny will change and TC as well. Just depends how nuts I go I guess! May do a doubler just have to find the cases to do it! Gonna be a fun build but is gonna be slow trying to keep costs down hopefully! Drivetrain is gonna be pricey as you would expect!

 

Sounds like you planned for the increase in torque. Can't wait to see it done. I'll post a pic maybe tommorow of my tint job. Got the back windows completely blacked out. It is comfortable in there. A lot less light. A few reflections. That was the same when I did this in the past. After a while I don't see them anymore. I just enjoy the lack of heavy sun. As far as my off road uses. The beach. The snow. Thats it. Nothing like what I see on here. I just love 4X4 mainly for snow. So much can be done and not get stuck. The beach I might go on when it isn't frozen solid. I tried the trail blazer on it when it wasn't frozen. I could feel myself sinking. The Ranger is a lot higher than the trail blazer. A lot lighter as well. So here is the funny part. It ends up being a street queen mainly. Some of these streets really need the strong suspension. If my lights break. It will more than likely a vandal. Can't wait to see your V8 Ranger. Thats wild.

 

Ok, so I FINALLY got the seats installed from the explorer! I would say that for the most part a fairly simple install and they did kinda bolt right in my 98 from the 99.

1. The seats to draw a decent amount of AMPS. I put in a 20A fuse and blew that one pretty quick so I went up to a 25 and hopefully that will suffice. Decided to go with 14Ga wire which is equal to or one step heavier than what the plug had.

2. Some of the mounting holes on the explorer seats needed to be opened up a bit in order to get the Ranger mounting bolts through the hole and to get them to line up. Used a step bit on an impact and made short work of that.

3. My explorer seats had some weird sliding bracket that the seat belt was attached to and would not work in the Ranger. My solution was to cut off the monting tab on the Ranger seat that I removed and I welded that to the right side of the driver seat and left side of the passenger seat. In both instances there are two holes which need to be opened up a little bit so the bolt from seat belt mount can pass by it. Honestly though it is perfectly located to provide a solid area to mount the seat belt to, At least I think it is!

4. Wiring in my case simply a Black with white stripe (+) and Black (-)

5. This is probably the best interior mod for the Ranger. These seats are SOOOO Much more comfortable and supportive compared to the POS seat that were in the truck. The Lumbar is AWESOME and worth the effort by itself.

Here are some pics which hopefully explain some stuff I did with my install!

 

THAT ROCKS!! If I only saw picture number 5. I would assume they came that way. Outstanding work. Very impressive.

 

Hopefully a HUGE Transformation Coming! Sometimes I forget to take pics of where things started and I get frustrated that there is no record of how far things have come. This will hopefully prevent that! :)

Otherwise a pretty plain jane Ranger if you ask me. However, I see ALOT of potential to make it pretty cool compared to all the new stuff out today! Hopefully it comes together how I am thinking!