Well everyone... One day a couple of months ago I was looking for a project vehicle. I came across this gem in Craigs List. I diden't want to spend a lot on getting one, but I found a guy whom needed some electrical help with a commercial building. (I am a licensed Semi-Retired Electrician).

I installed 13 light fixtures for this truck. Took me and my helper 2 days for the installations of the special lighting.

My plan is to fix her up to original specs, including the paint, right down to the interiour. The engine wasen't running when I brought her home, and I fixed the vacuum leaks (2), Tune up, Oil change, rear oil change, Transmission oil change, removed the aftermarket gauges and re-connected the factory idiot lights, repaired the fuel gauge. (Used fuel gauge from a Bronco II), Bronco's gauge controller (Found behind the cluster) new gas tank sender (Found one in Connecticut). Dip stick and tube (leaking), Oil sender, coolent sender. Fill oil cap O ring.

I am happy to say she runs like a top. No smoking, No taps, No knocks. The previous owner changed the belts except for the Pollution Control pump. Looks like the timing belt was replaced too recently.

When the weather breaks, it's on to in roof. No not using Bondo (plastic). I will be using soilder. The old fashion way. After the inside, then it's on to the under. Sand, remove all the surface rust, re paint with black enamel. Several coats, and special under items color painter, like the shocks (yellow) and the rear axel (yellow).... A good going over... Probally won't be done till the fall, if all goes well, and I'm not working too hard.

So, what ya think?... She is as classified by the DMV "Historic". How many would like to see progress pictures posted?.. Any ideas of color for piticular parts?. Engine block Red, Intake Blue?.... So, let's hear from all you guys..

Several pictures are in my album here on this site.

 

Welcome! I'd like to see pictures.

 

welcome1 not many guys here are restoring their trucks, im actually looking forward to seeing what this gem can really look like!

 

I posted in my album several pictures of the truck, Inside, out side, and under. "Before Pictures". Have a look....

 

Looks good, definitely a great start.

 

I love your truck. I had an '86 I started fixing up then I had to sell it.

 

Thanks.. I hope I never have to sell this.... How come you had to sell?.

 

My dad was about to bring home a classic car that he wanted and I knew he didn't want to have 6 cars at the house, so I decided to sell. I figured I can get another truck to work on down the road, but for now I'd let this one go and keep my dad happy. He didn't really like the way it looked at the house anyway(in his defense, it was the oldest worst condition vehicle in the neighborhood).

Here it is if you're interested in seeing what I did to it:
https://www.ranger-forums.com/project-logs-82/trigger01s-86-project-thread-92542/

 

So you haven't completed the project?. It looked like your making good progress on it. My progress is slow. mainly because I don't have a garage. I have to wait until the nice days. Painting it, I'll probally have to build a home made spray booth on the side of the house. My biggest problem though is getting it high enough to paint and prepair the under carrage. I'm still in the planning stage for that. But, for now it's the body work and then the inside.

I posted some before pictures in my album.

 

No, I never completed it, but I got it to where it ran good enough to drive it daily. I really miss that truck!

 

You sold it so your Dad can have room for another car, right?... Seems you have pleanty of room outside. I may have stored it and worked on it back in the wods a little, if you had the room.

Yes, there is something alouring abiut the style they are. Probally because they are so small and the doors look thin. I suppose thats one reason why people like them.

The weather is still cold outside. I haven't played with web code for quite a while, and I had some web space I wasen't useng so I desided to build a little site for the Ranger. If you want to have a look here's the link.

http://www.kc2dok.columbiawebtech.com/index.shtml

 

Sweet another First Gen.

Welcome.

 

I have access to tons (really!) of parts, good prices too! Let me know if you need any rust free SC parts!

 

Nice!.. Looking for the original Radio, Either the AM, or the AM/FM/Cassette radio. Also, *maybe* the radio's harnes. Not sure yet. Diden't get into that part yet. I know it has to be changed it's a aftermarket now. :-)

**** Red seat belts from the same years.... Complete set, including the center and rollers.
**** Red front dash, not sun faded or cracked. (although that may be a hard item to find). I have one but it's a little sun faded.
**** Cig lighter same era.

How about any of those items?. Sens me your phone number, use the email form page on the Ranger's web site.

 

Once was said in a movie: "Are you ready for the summer?. Are you ready for the springtime?.

Bill

 

hey, i'm loving you 85 can't wait to see i when its done, there's a first gen just like yours same color in it at a junk yard by my house, i'd be happy to check out the dash and seat belts for you and i think it has a radio too, and i belive the interior is in good shape, though i think the shifter in yours is after market, unless they had an option for that, any who you would just have to pay for the part and for shipping.

 

Check you private mail box....

 

have you checked out LMC? they have lots of new re manufactured parts. i understand wanting oem original parts, but there may be some things you cant find.

 

Yea, Thats true. I understand that. But, looking for the OEM parts is part of the fun... Right?

There only a few thing's I haven't found yet in the junk yards. But, they will trun up somewhere... Remember the two front rubber bumper guards?. Huh, try to find them now a days... I still haven't found them, and I can't find aftermarkets.

I did find a set of good condition "Pep Boy's" style chrome bumper guards, but I think that may look funkey on the ranger. The bumpers are black. Not a spot of chrome on the truck.

 

LMC has some really nice parts for that generation of Ranger. I bought a few when I had mine..



GB :)