so today i picked up an 86 ranger 4x4 ext cab in great shape. someone has tremcladded the whole truck black. actually doesnt look that bad from 10 feet away. body is solid and has almost no rust. frame is also in excellent shape. it was having some fuel issues and was parked. someone stole the battery and MAF. the motor was just replaced and there are a some loose plugs on the engine harness.

onto the fun. i grabbed a rolled 06 fx4 with 60,000km. box is destroyed, cab has light damage at rear, needs right front door and fender. when it rolled the right rear axle hub broke off. all 5 of the factory tires look brand new. the fx4 rims are all there and spin straight on the balancer. even the right rear one that flew off the truck with the brakes still attached.

plan is to install the 86 cab and box on the 06 frame. i will be using the 06 interior and obviously the 4.0l powertrain. i have already located a new rear differential assembly.
i am expecting to modify/move/make new body mounts and custom bumpers.



Uploaded with ImageShack.us


Uploaded with ImageShack.us

pics of the 06 tommorow

 

You realize a ranger body is smaller then an F150 frame right?

 

I think you read it wrong. The 06 is a ranger. Says "4.0l drivetrain" and interior.

 

some children don't get it

 

98liftedranger

 

rookie

 

Meh you see things when you don't sleep for days at a time.

 

This sounds pretty cool, nice old style with the good drivetrain. Kinda curious how the all electronic inputs will work with a mechanical gauge set

 

Very nice! I want to change my interior on my 87 to a newer style so i will deff be watching this!

 

Sounds like a cool project... keep us updated!

 

I've seen an 06 f350 6.0 with an 86 F350 body on it, that was cool. This should be cool as well. I dig the old body style.

 

im using all electroncs, gauges, dash everything from the 2006. the only thing im keeping from the 1986 is the cab and box. so in reality it will look like an old *** truck but have everything else from a current ranger.

 

Probably the best idea, Wonder how well the dashes will line up?

 

I'm curious about that too. I've seen a whole bunch of dashes put into different dubs and even a stang dash in a ranger so it is gonna be interesting to see if there is any major width differences.

 

pulled the box off yesterday. right front inner tie rod was bent 90 degrees where it connects to the outer. just to have it mobile i pulled it off and with torches and a 10" vise got it pretty straight. at least now the truck can be moved around easier. i will replace the inner and outer when all the work is done.



Uploaded with ImageShack.us



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

 

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

 

Looks like a good swap. Can't wait to see it all done.

The Dashes should swap, assuming you can get all the mounting brackets and junk out of the old truck.

 

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

 

Man that trucks destroyed. Hope you are keeping those wheels. They are by far my favorite Ranger wheels. Going to an interesting project.

 

the two wheels from the passenger side are damaged. could be repaired for about 100-125 a piece

the truck went for an amazing journey last winter up over a snow bank and into a ditch.

 

Holy cow! That thing is bad!

 

keep the firewall from the 06 and put it in the 86, the new dash will not bolt in to the old firewall. and the havc boxes will not swap. steering column mounts are different, hvac mounts different, wiring locations different, etc.

 

thanks i knew the stuff wouldnt bolt up and i was planning on just making brackets and stuff. i guess i can cut out the 06 firewall and weld it into the 86. that would be easy enough. thanks for the tip.

meanwhile today i was back at it. i stripped off all the body panels, and interior. pulled the rad and a/c condensor. unbolted everything from the firewall and inner fenders and pulled all the wiring and stuff on top of the motor. steering column is out. cab is coming off tommorow as soon as i finish pulling the dash.

the right rear section of the frame might have a small kick up about 1/2 - 3/4 of an inch. they are both straight and arent twisted. but the gap between the bottom of the the cab and the frame is smaller on the drivers side. so it will be going on the rack this week. its great knowing the owner of a body shop. lol

i did manage to get it running today. first problem was the trans shifter cable was broken so it wasnt in park. had to crawl under the truck and manually select park. it started and died right away. well it was in a pretty bad accident so i checked the fuel pump cut off and had to reset it. started up but was pissing oil. so now im like wtf. i look and the oil filter had a dent in the sidethat cracked. it impacted the frame rail in the accident. easy fix. started with new filter and she runs great.
better pics tommorow.

 

got the cab off. picked up a new complete rear axle/diff. i dont think the axle tube is bent but i dont want to chance it. so i will sell the lsd and 4:10 gears and left side axle and recoup some of my money. tommorow morning i will be swapping the rear end so it will be a rolling chassis and can go on the frame rack to get straightened, once i get the cab and box off the 86 they will be getting painted.
tommorow after i swap the rear end on the 06 i will start stripping the 86 frame. should go alot faster because im not saving anything and i can just cut everything.



Uploaded with ImageShack.us


Shot at 2012-08-13



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

 

Damn man do work!