My name is Keith and I have recently acquired back to me, a 1989 Ranger that I purchased in 1989 and sold in 1989. It has been in our family 25 years. My step dad drove it to the coffee shop and to work all those years.

The truck has 59,889 miles on it and has been on the freeway, maybe 50 times. The 2.3 runs like a champ and I am currently going through the brakes and suspension. The truck is a base model, 2.3, 5spd with 15" steel wheels.

 

I had a 89 ranger with 216,000 miles on it when I sold it. it also had a 2.3 motor I got it with 80,000 on it. you have pics of your truck? welcome to the forum

 

So far, I have replaced all the brake parts with new. Also, replaced inner, outer wheel bearings and seals. Under the hood, I replaced upper and lower radiator hoses, heater hoses, thermostat housing, thermostat and heater core. Parts waiting to arrive: KYB shocks, I beam bushings, radius arm bushings headlight lenses. I am looking for a drivers fender and door with paint code R100

 

Cleaning the truck up today and the speedo cluster was dusty behind the plastic lens. Only to find out the truck does not have 99,559, but 59,889 miles on it.Dust was built up on the numbers from driving on the farm and made the numbers hard to read.

 

Man nice truck for its age! But every time i see an old 2.3 i can't help but think SVO and how cool of a swap it would be in a truck like that!

 

If I keep the truck, SVO will be installed and the suspension will be setup to handle.

 

Awesome! if you do it we need PICS!!! lol

 

It will be detailed. My last build:1SC stripper build - LS1TECH

 

Very cool build! Now just add that cool parts grabber to the garage with this truck!

 

That is what I am thinking!

 

Been working on the truck and things are getting better.

Added the following: Tilt wheel, factory tach, new tires, fan belt, wheels, front swaybar, plug wires, spark plugs, fuel filter, ordered new factory rubber floor mat, getting ready to install new dash.

Located Turbocoupe 5spd, have to look at later today.

Researching and strongly considering Flovo engine build.

Farm dirt





Tilt wheel





Factory Tach, speedo only 8,000 miles off from original.

After



Front swaybar



New dash

 

Been working away, getting the worn parts changed.

Also installed new headliner, visors, rubber floor mat, shifter plate, cup holders and all new plastics behind the seat. This truck was a base model, so it was stripped on the interior.



















Now, I have to find a good set of grey door panels and decide what seats to replace the old one with.

 

Expo seats make a nice upgrade i got mine and love them.

 

Do the Ranger bucket seat rails bolt up to the Expo seats or do you have to fab up seat mounts?

 

Mine were a direct bolt in just had to enlarge a few holes but i think for the regular cab you need regular cab tracks from the early 90's buckets as well. But the expo seats have two sets of holes on the bottom and i seem to recall the ranger tracks will fit one of those sets if not some good grade 8 bolts and your set.

 

Found a set of gray door panels. Need to locate a drivers side good arm rest.





Going to pick up a 1988 Merkur turbo 2.3 engine on Friday.

 

coming together really nice! What did you paint the dash with?

 

never mind saw you just replaced it.

 

The old girl was polished up today.

 

My diamond in the rough. Dropped the pan, motor is clean inside and rotates with no issues. Now, start educating my self on what is going to take to build a 350 to 400hp turbo 2.3.