Just changing out the drum brakes for the first time on this old ranger any tips? I've heard hammer, pb blaster, heat gun, tried em all. Just anything can help.

 

hammer and lots of PB....Good luck

 

There should be a rubber boot in a slot on the backing plate near the adjusting wheel. You can loosen the adjustment wheel using a flat bar to make it easier to remove the drum. The shoes can wear the drum leaving a ridge that sort of locks the shoes into the drum. Look at a picture of the brake to see if there is any locking device that keeps the adjuster from loosening. I have forgotten what the Ranger uses to prevent loosening. Once you remove the drum the ridge can be ground off so the drum will come off easier in the future.