This project started in early Jun 2023: AKA:, What I started with on 30 May 23

After a Marketplace search for a...something, I ended up with this. My must haves were a truck, title, no/minimal rust, and at least would run and drive on it's own. Wants included A/C of course and mostly cosmetic work as needed. Not really brand specific although I did have a liking to the squarebody S-10's. This Ranger was offered for a mere $500.00, but I was told that it would need a new engine as it would overheat. BUT, it would start up and drive. Went to take a look and it was obvious it had been sitting awhile, hence the wasp nests everywhere. Luckily, where it was sitting was a Home Depot parking lot and after a bottle of bee spray I was able to get a good look. Went to start it and only then then did I realize that someone had attempted to cut the converter off and apparantly gave up. So now we're down to $400.00, cash was exchanged and I loaded it on my trailer. These pictures are pretty much as it was when I got it. Seats were ratty, but surprisingly comfortable. The promised A/C "that works" was a pipe dream as the plenum was cracked, motor was sitting in there and held in place by a few wood screws. Nasty camouflage tape on the wheel and door pools. And just look at the cigarette butts everywhere!!!. Big bonus was the transmission was recently replaced.

 

Almost immediately the battery was replaced, the converter was removed and replaced w/a straight pipe at a,local exhaust shop. On the advice of a friend, I poured some stop leak into the radiator after determining that the head gasket(s) were bad. At this point I was able to drive it around town some and so the interior transformation began. New headliner, factory 6 disc CD radio, replaced the A/C plenum and it now blows cold, made a 1,047 mile round trip to score these seats, Mustang domelight mod, and then carpet., console...etc . All in all, it turned out to be a pleasant place to be behind the wheel.

 

At some point, I replaced the tires and wheels. Ended up going with about the least expensive option i could find and for my useage it seems to be perfect. Regular black steel wheels, acorn style lug nuts and 235/75/15 Toyo Extenza tires. Totally changed how the truck rode and drove.

 

Grab a shovel and open up the bank account: When I got this truck it was intended to be a *project* or something to drive on my days off vehicle. It was never intended to be a daily driver, but in early September I had a catastrophic problem with my DD and was face with the prospect that those duties would have to fall on the Ranger. I had purchased a front end rebuild kit from someone on Marketplace as everything that moved up front was worn out. Followed shortly thereafter by replaceing the front brakes to include, rotors, wheel bearing, calipers, brake pads, and flexible line for each side. The rotors were the thinnest I have ever seen and were in fact cracked in multiple places. Remember the cylinder head gaskets? Had those replaced and of course both heads needed replaced. Unbelievably (to me) Autozone has those for about $285 ish for each side. Once these items were completed, it was time to DRIVE it. I have over 800 miles in just over a month and a half time with no more overheating or driveability issues. Does fine on county roads and interstates. Still alot more to follow, but where it came from just a few months ago to now I have a vehicle that I can drive anywhere anytime safely I couldn't be happier.

 

Sometimes it's the little things that make the difference. Lots of little things that individually aren't all that exciting, but when when lumped together along with a host of other updates makes it much more pleasant to drive to include reardoors are now working normally. Replaced the front door speakers with Wal-Mart's Pioneer 6x8's. Removed the front door panels and sprayed them which also included removing/repainting the armrests and map-pockets. Also, had the fabric inserts recovered. And before replacing the door panels, lets replace the mirrors and now the power mirrors actually work! This truck was always missing the lock rod on the drivers door, had three keys to operate but no more. Replaced the door lock cylinders and tomorrow will be replacing the ignition lock cylinder and then one key for everything.

 

Headlights are an offering from carparts.com. I also ordered a header panel (which has to be painted white) and a new grill. Account work, I simply won't be able to get to thse until next weekend.

 

And this past weekend along with the aforementioned headlights, I replaced the header panel and finally got rid of the old cracked grill. Did not realize that the Ford emblem would be larger on the new grill, so that's now on order.