I inherited a Vintage Model T from my Grandmother. Technically it's still my Mom's, but she hates it because it's the stock drivetrain that is next to impossible to drive. Turns out, I hate it too. 4 pedals on the floor, hand throttle and ignition advance on the column, 2 speed rear end, a nightmare to drive. Look for a youtube video of someone driving a vintage Model T to see what I mean. Zerk fittings and oil cups everywhere with no seals so oil and grease is oozing out of everything, and a flathead 4 that I was warned would break the crank if I revved it past 3000rpm. It had been converted to a Holley 1 barrel carb, VW distributor, and Nissan alternator over the years, so it wasn't 100% original. I decided if someone "hot-rodded" it in the past, I can hot rod it a little more while keeping it original looking inside and out.

I found a wrecked 2009 Ranger with a 2.3l DOHC motor and a 5speed Automatic and I went to work.



I didn't even know if it would work, but I know I had to try something. I was willing to build an Intake or a header to make it fit under the little hood, but once I tilted the motor about 10degrees it fit perfect. I found a Radiator that would work, modified the front crossmember to fit it, built motor mounts and a trans mount and we were off to the races.



My buddy took the Ranger rear end home with the stock rear end and did a ton of machining to make the stock wood wheels work with the Ranger 7.5 and drum brakes. These cars only have rear brakes, so getting the stock hand brake working with the Ebrake and getting a pedal assembly with a clutch master cylinder working was really important. I made a pedal assembly with the 3 teardrop pedals that all work as a brake pedal now.



Every part of this build was two steps forward, one step back. But the electrical was the real challenge. That's where this Forum entered the chat. I had no idea what PATS was. I had no idea what mistake I made by using a 2009 Ranger. After countless hours on this forum, I understood what I needed and got it done.




6 weeks after I pulled the motor from the Ranger, I took the Model T to Arizona to take my Dad on the 100th annual Route 66 Fun Run

 

 

I could not have done this without this forum. I ended up using most of the Ranger wiring harness with the instrument cluster and the PATS key sensor with the key and cylinder hidden under the car. The stock fuel tank is modified to fit the Ranger fuel pump assembly with the stock fuel filter with the return line. Tons of trial and error and tons of reading on this forum.
Thank You!



We did 1 short test drive and loaded the car up to take it to Arizona. We did the 40 mile section of the Route 66 Fun Run from Kingman to Topock, over the steep twisty Kingman Highway with zero issues.

 

Well, having been a car collector for over 75 years, including a 1904 "T" firetruck...I am 90... I saw this and could not imagine why anyone would even conceive of a project like this. But as I read the post I actually got into it and find it a fascinating conversion. I doubt there is another conversion in the world that spans such a number of years.
I am now thinking I need to do this...or buy yours. But the price of such a huge project would be horrendous and at 90 I probably would not have the time to finish it. You have done something special, I love it.

 

Thank you!
I'm glad someone understands it