So I am a ways into this, but will start from scratch so you guys can see where I started. This all started with a truck I bought as is. An 85 Ranger 2WD 2.0 5-Speed. It was made into a soft top convertible. It is lowered, and painted an ugly orange creme (imo). It will be getting an removable hard top, and a 4.6 from a Police Interceptor, and the 4R70W Auto. I am swapping the ECM and wiring I need, and custom wiring the rest. For all of you who say it doesn't fit, there is plenty of room. This is a large job. You need some experience on how to do many different things.

 

Okay, so too start, I had to mount this thing to the frame. So for the passenger side, I used a 97 Ford Expedition factory motor and fabed a cradle on the frame. I could have done the same on the drivers side, but instead used the factory Ranger mount, and made my own plate to mount the motor to the mount. I did this to offset the motor and and make it easier for steering and exhaust, as you will see. Here are the pics of mounts, and getting it in.

Passenger side mounts first




Drivers side, sorry bad picture. You can see my made piece, and the original mount.



So here is a pic of the motor in the truck! Yes, it fits!



Here are some other pics of the fit and clearance.

Front of motor has plenty of room. I could have set this further up, but you will see why I didn't soon.


The heater box was cut and modified, and simply glued together.



Here are the side views




Here is the steering/master spacing, more on this later.


Here are some underside pics.



For the tranny I simply shortened the Crown Vic Crossmember, redrilled, and installed in the Ranger!

 

Okay, well in order to get this thing going, a bit of wiring is in order. I had the whole donor vehicle, So I took the whole engine harness, and computer harness. I got rid of what I didn't need, and modified a few things.

Here is the ECM, and some wiring. I used the factory CV relays were needed, spliced in the Ranger's ignition (no pats to deal with) and added my own fuse box for the fan, fuel pump, and other things.






Underneath, I got lucky. The Rangers driveshaft was the perfect length for were the motor is. All I had to do was use a conversion u-joint to mount the CV slip yoke to the Ranger Shaft. The yoke at the rear end is the same.

 

That is awesome!!!

 

I originally wasn't going to have power steering, but I found life was easier if I ridded my project of the factory steering system with it's inside frame rail box. So, I did some searching at the junkyard, and took a complete system off a 91 Nissan pickup. Outside mount, power, and about the right size for everything. All I did was weld a nut to the Nissan adjusting sleeves and thread in the Ranger outers. I did have to modify the frame on both side. For the box mount location, and idler mount on the passenger side. This made a straight shot for the shaft, eliminates the need for a filter relocator kit, and makes life all around easier.




More pics later

As for the exhaust, this is the fun part! The headers have to go outside the frame, and have to be fabricated. So it was a long process. Here are pics. I don't have a bender, so I bought 45's, 90's, 180's, and flanges.

Drivers Side




Passenger Side



On the drivers side we had to work around the shaft. Another reason a straight shot with the steering shaft was important.

As for the exhaust, 3 Inch to Flowmasters. It will come out along the side in front of the rear tire.

Driver Side




Passenger Side

 

nice job, well done

 

So, the truck runs and drives, and is 90% done, mechanically. Not including updates. I may leave the 7.5 rear, and just use a locker. Or, I may swap an 8.8 in. Don't know yet.

So here is the belt, air intake, and some pics of ther truck. I started body work. So I will keep you up to date, as it goes.

 

Hell yea nice man!

 

nice
good job

 

damn...you did a lot of work....very nice

 

Thanks guys, hopefully others can do it as well! If they want, anyhow.

 

That looks like a hell of a project! You've done some great work so far... I can't wait to see it completely finished!

I love the way the 4.6L sounds with a good flowmaster exhaust!

 

that is cool....i bet it scoots! now put a new cab on that thing...

 

Hey, like I said, It's getting a removable hard top. I will post some pics when I get there. It is also getting a roll cage. Don't know why, but it seems like a good idea!

 

looks like and old bronco with no top

 

i can attest to the little trucks with v-8 needing roll cages. looks like you did alot of work, good job. are you worried about chassis warp or whatever it is called without the rest of the cab, even with fiberglass i would be worried that it would bend. or do you plan on doing frame reinforcement?

 

holy **** its topless!! lol the project is lookin kick *** man! great work too. anyone else getting the feeling to drop a 4.6 in their ranger??

 

Thats awesome, alot of talent and skill there too. Keep us posted. Your going to have to put that cage in just to keep it all straight I think

 

wow! its turning out great!!!

 

Well as far as reinforcement, The roll bar is gonna be anchored to the cab and frame. So it will reinforce that. Also I am boxing sections of the frame to help. But, it should be fine. Rangers dont have near the frame problems that gm mini trucks do.

 

wow impressive work

 

nice work man

 

Kick-*** man, nice work!

Brenton

 

I will start with some pics of the steering changes.

The pics are of the box, tie rods, and idler arm.




Okay, so next I was looking at the rear brakes and rear end. So I put a new locker in, sorry no pics. Camera was broken. But I also deceided to upgrade the rear brakes. I bought a 95 Mustang rear end for $75.00 and swapped the parts. I had to modify the backing plate mounts to fit for space reasons. I simply cut the bottoms off so I could slide them over the back side of the axle mount plate. I also made a plate to put on them for strength reasons. Here are some pics. This is a very easy mod for rear disc brakes. I also had to repair my housing and fix it correctly. The previous owner lowered the truck. When the flipped the axle they didn't relocate the pin mount, the let the axle rest on the alignment pin on the springs. So I welded the hole I found shut, and cut off the mount and relocated the bracket so it was on the spring! Also didn't want the axle moving. I also reset the pinion angle slightly.

Here you can see the Mustang mount plate, and my add-on


Here is another angle.


This shows the spring mount moved, and the mount welded on for the brake hose.


Before I started.


A picture of the caliper mounted, and the bracket for the caliper shortened slightly.


Those old useless drum brakes.


Here's a pic of my new tires! Still have to buy wheels.

 

damn dude looks awsome! job well done.. not a fan of the covt hard top...but each to his own.. looks great!