Hey RF the name is Brian and I am now a Ranger owner. I searched Ranger forums through Google and this one came up and it looked like a sweet place to do some research and meet some good people. I am a GM guy at heart however this past spring I struck a deal on a 1997 Ranger because I always liked them. Heck I worked at a North Central Ford dealership for 3 years back in the mid 90s when this truck was new! I found out that it was purchased from Norther Ohio Ford dealership as well.

I bought it in non running condition because it was sitting for so long, 7 years to be exact. It used to be a promotional truck so excuse the horrendous colors under the hood and inside. I have plans for it but the very first thing is to get some correct seats in it along with new carpet and seat belts cuz there are none. I attached some pics and some video links so take a look and let me know what you think. Excuse the mud on the tires. I have a gravel drive. The truck has since been washed.

Things I need and will start scouring the forum for.

- Need to find out if new Ranger seats will bolt in to a 97 cab using the factory holes
- Need seats, split buckets with arm rest would be ideal but not sure it they will fit and if the shifter will be in the way.
- Need new Ford production or very nice used gray carpet, this truck has felt as the carpet.
- Getting rid of the CORBEAU seats that are in it.
- Need a new Ford production gauge dash bezel and radio bezel.
- Need new Ford production or nice used gray seat belt set.

Let me know what you all have.

YouTube - 1997 Ford Ranger 5.0 5 Speed Part 1

YouTube - 1997 Ford Ranger 5.0 5 Speed Part 2

 

welcome...jealous of the 302

 

Wow, nice way to start out with a ranger, 5.0 already in it. This will be a sweet truck once you swap out those seats and get it running.

 

That thing looks like the last **** i took

 

Holy smokes that is nice. I love it. Part 2 video is very cool man.

 

that is legit. I think the next ranger i will own will have a 5.0. it sounds far fetched. but if i ever find a scrapped NEW 5.0 i will starting a project truck.

 

Would love to have the 5.0

 

Wirelessly posted (Blackberry 8530)

Nice looking truck aside from the hood. That 5.0 in there has got to be fun.

I'm a lifetime GMer myself, but over the last 10 years, I've owned a few fords including a 95 2WD Ranger and my recent 00 4WD unit that brought me to find this place.

Welcome. It's a great forum, with a bunch of good guys.

 

sweet truck man, welcome

 

What an awsome truck. makes me want to build another 5.0 ranger.

 

that seat needs to go and if it were mine, i'd paint the intake gray or polish it. welcome.

 

I was gonna tell ya that you can combine the 2 (GM & Ford) like I've done, but then I seen the pics............NICE find with 5.0L already in it & 5spd too boot!

Gotta be nosey and ask what ya gave for it????

GLAD your with us!!!

 

Hey all thanks for the welcomes! Great to be here. I see a lot of great stuff here already.

 

Trust me the interior is getting an overhaul and same with the colors under the hood.

 

I paid $1500 for it but it had some issues from sitting for years. All fixed now and I have plenty of plans for it.

 

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"Somebody call 911, somebodies been robbed & this guys a theif"!

WOW, heck of a deal ya got there.....................

 

I love it. Glad you got a good steal on it! and welcome to R-F

 

welcome man, hell all the hard stuff is dont for the most part haha Im from central ohio