Hello from Nova Scotia Canada!
I am the proud new owner of a Ranger and looking forward to getting it back in top shape.
It has sat for over 2 years and that is never good. The frame from the cab back has dried up a lot with scale building up in spots.
The bottom of the box sides have rotted through in a couple of places as well as the spring shackles. Some surface rust on the body in other places as well.
So far I have been pretty lucky. Only had to replace the Master cyl, frt calipers, pads, RR park brake cable and remove and free up the brake/clutch pedal assembly.
Man this 6 foot 6 frame don't fit well under the dash of a ranger!
I have purchased some Belltech 6400 shackles and 1.5 inch spacers for the stock used rims and tires that were bought for winter (wrong backspace).
I plan on removing the box next week and clean/insp the frame while replacing the shackles. I will make some pieces for the rotted box sides and weld them in too.
This forum has been a great help in picking out parts, planing future projects and trying to learn from the experience of others on a way forward.
The end state I envision is what I see here called an overland vehicle. Exploring the back roads and trails and camping overnight in my neck of the woods.
Future projects I have in my head so far are frt and rear bumpers (nothing to grand) with front receiver and winch and better lighting front and back.
That's in between working on my old speed boat and Dads old aluminum fishing boat and motor. I guy needs time for fishing too!

As for me I spent 7 years as a mechanic starting at 18 yrs old and then 25 years as a Vehicle Technician in the Canadian Armed Forces.
I am currently working for DND as an IT Support Technician. My 35 year milestone in the Government passed in January of this year and I am looking forward to retiring here in the renovated family cottage on Lake Charlotte, hopefully next year.
I just built a small garage (20 X 30) and bought a used 9 ton hoist. I still have electrical to install/connect to grid and insulation/drywall to finish in the walls.
I used cathedral trusses with 12 ft walls for a 14 ft clearance in the center for my hoist.
I still need a pipe bender and plasma cutter to round out my future shop.
I can't wait to try my hand at fabricating and creating something special.

If you are ever out this way and want to relax in a tube with a beer or throw a line in the water you can bet I will be here doing just that in between keeping busy in the garage.

When my wife lets me of course. She has projects for me too!

Cheers to you if you read this far!

Craftsman411

PS: Craftsman is the name used for young techs from the RCEME branch in the military here and 411 was my old trade MOC.

 

Welcome to the forum

And thank you for your service

Remember to cycle from 2WD to 4Low once a month to keep electric shift motor working
Also swap heater hoses at the firewall to reverse flow thru heater core, every 2 years or so, up to you, you don't lose much coolant doing this
Heater core is a pain to change on these so the longer it lasts the better, lol

Nice shop

 

Thanks.
Great advice that I would not have thought of.

Cheers