Good catch. would have been in a few more pieces in the right situation.

 

After the yoke clearanced we finished the sway bar disconnect bracket. I have one on each side, this also keeps all the hardware together instead of having some type of holder.

 

My thread has been a bit quiet lately.

I still have the Ranger of course, but the wife and I finally bought a house and my favorite part is that it comes with a 3 car shop that's insulated and has a wood stove.

I'm extremely excited to have my own work space and I've already got plans for the next phase of the Ranger build.

I'll throw in a pic of the truck just because.

 

Nice! love the new place. It was a great day when we got the keys to our house.

 

I would kill for a garage like that. You're one lucky man.

 

Sweet! Whats the size of the garage?

 

30' x 70'

 

This popped up local on Craigslist and I couldn't pass it up. Already has the ZF5 adapter and Ford starter. Guy is offering his rebuilt ZF5 since I took the engine. I'll probably grab it as well.

 

Took it to the next level.

 

Yea, this is definitely a step up from where this build has been at.

I have a lot to do before this engine gets thrown in, but the important part is that I have it.

 

Well that's pretty sweet.

 

The guy that sold me the 4BT offered his ZF5. He rebuilt it with a new throwout bearing and slave cylinder. He gave me a new clutch and an added bonus is that he already clearanced the housing for the NP205. He gave me the shifter even though I won't be able to use it, but it will give me something to start with when making my new one.

We talked more about the engine and he did in fact have it running before it went on the pallet, so I feel good about that.

He also already fixed the dowel pin in the 4BT. So there's one less thing to worry about

 

Curious, did a quick google search for '4bt engine', since that's a new one for me. Came across a similar looking Cummins engine. 3.9 liter, inline 4 cylinder diesel engine. This what you've got?

If so, I'm curious as to why you've elected a 4 cyl diesel vs going with a 8 cyl gasoline engine. Still interested to see the process, either way.

 

You're correct about the engine. The 4BT is the inline 4 cylinder diesel from Cummins. "B" refers to B series motor, and the "T" is for turbocharged. This is essentially the little brother to the 6 cylinder Cummins diesel found in a full size Dodge.

One of the biggest draws of the 4BT is the fact that it's a mechanical motor. All you need is a battery and you can run the engine, there are no computers controlling it. Pairing it with a manual transmission eliminates any need for computers.

The other is power, this engine has huge potential for power, while being fairly straightforward to modify.

I also wanted to be unique, there is no 4BT Ranger anywhere around here, but looking over the net, they aren't super common either.

With every other aspect of my build, I'm setting out to be unique, so while there are other 4BT Rangers, there won't be another like mine. I'm doing some research, but I've got an idea of what I'll be doing to this motor. It won't go into the truck looking like it is.

 

Ah, that makes sense. No computers would certainly make it easier, although I presume that also means your CEL goes away too, permanently and also kills any obdii diagnostic ability. Although at the same time with less sensors there's less to go wrong and an overall simpler experience. That's rather appealing actually.

I might go with a computer-free gasoline engine some day if I get the funds and time to do so. Good luck with the swap!

 

This is going to be a sweet build. I remember watching the 2013 Peterson's 4wheel and offroad ultimate adventure and there was a jeep jk with a 4BT in it. That jeep had some serious power.

 

Sort of an update. It's wordy too (sorry)

No progress on the 4BT yet, I'm still in the process of fixing up my shop and acquiring tools for the swap. The engine/tranny is only 1 part of the next phase, this is going to be a major overhaul.

I've had a lot of time to think about my build and where I'm going with it. Sounds familiar right? We've all been there.

You guys have seen SEMA builds right? Take a truck, have companies throw tons of aftermarket parts at it, make it shiny, light it up, then put it on display. These guys are all over Instagram. Some of these trucks are very cool with lots of custom mods, but they aren't everyone's taste, I understand that. Those trucks (and many others) have given me an idea.

I'm going to take a (non-sponsored) "SEMA" approach to this build. I'm basically taking ideas from the lowered and lifted scene to sculpt the next phase. (About now I'm feeling a mallcrawler response coming on)

Mallcrawler you say? Sure, label it. I've had this truck for almost 10 years, and I've put it through some hell, but I've gotten older (wiser?) and care more about preserving my first truck.

As far as the 4BT is concerned, I'm going to tear it down clean it up, throw some color match paint on a few pieces and do a mild power build. The engine bay will be stripped on non-essentials and painted / shaved like some guys in the lowered scene do.

Interior: Not really a rebuild, just a clean up. Vinyl out, carpet in. Suede headliner. Completely new sound system, I'm thinking the entire extended cab section will house the box (not covering the window).
The gauge cluster will be replaced with a full Autometer setup, I've already got pillar mounts too.

Exterior: Shave the fenders, tailgate, styleside bed with a molded rollpan. Shave the cowel (no wipers or antenna), new retrofit headlights (hopefully Brazilian)

Undercarriage: Complete resto, make it like new.

Drivetrain: Here's where I'm not 100% sure. I may keep the D30 and 8.8 for now. But I'm starting to consider a D60/14 bolt coilover setup instead. I won't go full width though, they will be cut down slightly.

Basically, I want the whole package to be like new again, with all the custom features looking like they belong there.

Is anyone still reading this? Probably not, but hey it's not just a build thread, it's a truck blog.

 

I'm with you for sure on being unique. Build it how you like it, that's whats important. I'm looking forward to watching the progress as it unfolds!

 

Sounds pretty cool man. I understand what your saying about preserving the truck. Back in high school I wheeled the **** out of my ranger and my dad just shook his head saying that I was gonna have to end up replacing a lot of stuff. Well sure enough I've replaced wheel bearings, ball joints, TRE's, ect. Looking back on it, yeah it was fun, but the truck wasn't built for it and I ended up paying for it in the end. What I learned from this is that you gotta figure out what you want to do with the truck and then build it based off of that. IMO the "mall crawler" thing is no big deal. If you like the lifted/built look it doesn't mean you have to beat the **** out of it. Sorry I kinda rambled on lol it sounds like it's gonna be an awesome/clean build

 

When you get that 4BT in and crave.. lets say a hopped up P pump or a turbo upgrade I might know someone that could help :)

Cool mod plans can't wait to see the results of this one.

 

You've got my attention. I'd like to get the engine "built" before I stuff it under the hood. I don't want to mess with taking it in and out.

 

My day started out like any other. Landscaping was on my to-do list, and my wife gave me the green light to pull the existing bushes out so we can plant new ones.

I thought, "My truck will make this job a lot easier."

It did, until I got to the 3rd bush. I underestimated the depths and strength of its roots. I locked it in 4x4 and the bush won.

The pinion nut stripped, allowing the pinion to move back and forth, when I was in reverse I didn't notice anything, but once I moved forward. This happened. RIP D30





Was it the smartest thing to do? No. But I've done this several times before with no issue, so maybe I had a little too much confidence after the first 2 bushes. Oh well. It only needs a ring and pinion and it'll be ready to go.

So what's next? With the 4BT coming, the D30 is obviously not going to hold up, so for now, I'll pull the shaft and convert to 2wd. Then the hunt is on for a bigger axle. I'm thinking D60, but we'll see.

 

Shafts are pulled. Truck is 2wd and driveable now.

 

Dang! I'd never believe the bush would win. Sorry to hear about that!

 

I'm surprised as well. It wasn't even a big bush, just must have some strong roots. The first 2 came out easily