So I bought this 1986 ranger about a week and a half ago. The guy I bought it from was not the owner when it had all the mods done and wasn't able to tell me what all was done. So I've been slowly finding out more and more.
So far I've found:
-3" Body lift
-4" (i think) suspension lift
-Posi locked rear (as per the les schwab guy who fixed my leaky driver's rear axle seal)
-Possibly aftermarket seats that never had their electrical hooked up for the internal air bags. But the back of the drivers one leans back on the right side, so I'm looking for something to swap in.
And these problems
-Broken dipstick - broken off at the max line
-Loose bolts on the rear drive line (all of them)
-Missing bolt on the shifter plate
-Disintegrated front shock bushings and worn out shocks
-Bumpers not raised with the body

Not sure what else I may find, but I took a couple pictures hoping some of you would be able to help me identify some more things.

I'd like to replace the shocks, but not sure what to get. On right now are Gabriel Pro Ryder Premium Gas Truck Shocks.









Rear brakes done this afternoon and they spilled some fluid while bleeding them.

 

try to get rid of stacking the blocks...its really unsafe and plus the lower one looks aluminum. and pressure wash underthere! did you go mudding right before you took this shot? oh and welcome to the site!

 

So.. Whats the mystery?

 

So you bought a project truck...

What motor?
Auto or manual?

Oh and welcome to RF

 

X2 clean that stuff up right now lol

 

right meow

 

I guess I just don't know if there's anything else that's not stock.

5 spd manual
2.9L
Push button 4wd

And thanks for the welcome

 

we like pics...maybe some of the whole truck?

 

As it was when I bought it.

After picking up some wheels and tires. And losing the lightbar.

 

a definate move in the right direction!! witha good wash it will look 10x better!

 

I'm not big on washing my cars. I did spray off the caked mud this morning though. Going to crawl under there tomorrow and take another look to make sure nothing else has come loose or needs attention.

I ordered replacement suspension blocks after measuring what is on there. Currently there are 2.5 in and 2 in blocks stacked. I ordered 4.5 in blocks.

Still not sure what to do about the shocks. I can't find the exact model that's on there now anywhere, or info on them. Also, I'm not really sure what length shocks I should be looking for. And it seems that not a lot of places list the lengths of the shocks they carry. Any suggestions?

 

You shouldnt have ordered the 4.5" blocks. Should have gone with an AAL or shackle instead. Having one big block is just as bad as stacking blocks.

 

just a highpressure spray with soap is what i consider a good wash.

the rear end of rangers were unchanged i believe so any lifted shock for 3-6" should be good

 

Um. No it's not.

 

Yeah you'll be fine with a 4.5" block. Its not like your pushing a ton of power anyway

 

How is it not? Not trying to argue. I just want to know.

 

It's not the height that makes it dangerous. It's the possibility of them shifting around and one getting pushed out.

 

The aluminum can crack easily too.

 

go buy some of the deaver springs and leave one block in keep the height right

 

Sweet truck btw i like the look of it reminds me of my friends bronco II i'll see if i have some pictures

 

nah its not that bad, its not preffered but if you take it easy they will work just fin, more axle wrap for sure but that can be calmed with some traction bars, granted im getting rid of mine but they have been working for as long as my truck has been lifted with no problem and ive got an aal and shackles.....
not every one has the money to drop on deavers plus they are only good for nothing but off roading, they suck for loads and towing....depends on the person and well id never put deavers on that truck its a beater.....

 

Go with a 4.5in block out back, build a traction bar for the rear, Blue lock-tite the driveline bolts (simple vibration causes them to loosen and back off a bit), I have some rear shocks for sale as well.

Also, in one pic, it looks like your passenger side wheel cylinder is going out with all the brake fluid on the back of the brake bracket by the axle tubing, get that looked at or replaced.

Lets see some interior shots? Looks like a fun wheeler!

 

had that happen on my old z-71...makes it hard to drive when your axle is crooked...


also it looks like your rear wheel cylinder could be leaking...is it using fluid??

 

its not leaking he said he replaced the pads or bled the brakes and some got everywhere

 

I took it in to get worked on actually. Since I don't have all the tools to work on it myself yet. They replaced the driver's side rear axle seal and did some break work. Bleeding the brakes, they got fluid all over.

I'll have to get some interior pics tomorrow. The headliner is gone, wires all over from someone trying to steal the stereo from the previous owner, driver's seat leans back on the right side and the shifter boot is cut up. Whoever did the lift didn't put any sort of extension on the shifter and just cut the boot so it wouldn't be in the way. It's plenty long to reach while driving, but definitely doesn't look good, and lets in a bit of road noise.

I'm don't plan on doing any really heavy wheeling, so I'll just stick with the blocks. For now at least. But some places I like to go get really washed out in the fall/winter/spring. I'll also be using it for some hauling around town, so I don't want a strictly off-road truck. It is definitely a beater, which is exactly what I was looking for.

The blocks, shocks, seats and a canopy are at the top of my list. Other things further down the list are traction bars, custom bumpers, winch, lights, possibly a 2nd fuel tank behind the rear axle (my spare won't fit there anyway), mounts for jack and tools, new headliner of some sort, fix the a/c.