I would do a polished upper intake no problem
go OCD all over that SOB

The ranger is running and it runs perfectly!
Engine was filled with Valvoline syntec blend and a Motorcraft 820s filter.
Trans pan was installed with a new Motorcraft filter, added 5 quarts of STP mercon V.
Filled cooling system with 3.5 gallons of pre mix
Battery was brought up to full charge and installed
All new power steering fluid
We added fresh fuel, some Stabil to the fuel tank and pressurized the fuel system. Checked for leaks
Then the time came, you know the time that causes me to lose sleep each and every time I build a truck, time to start it!

bumped the key and she came to life!!
Takes about 3 seconds for the vaseline to clear off the injector nozzles and then she smoothed right out.....I use vaseline to seat the injector O rings
The 4x4 is shifting, 2wd, 4 hi and 4 low with the dash switch.
She has run through a few heat cycles now, burped the cooling system, and adjusted the trans fluid level. She took 13.75 quarts of mercon V....that means we got all but about 1 quart out of the trans before we re installed it.
She sounds AWESOME

The transmission was rebuilt and came from a 99-01 Explorer, so it has later model wiring harness for the internal shift solenoids. After getting a Solenoid A circuit failure code (p0750) I knew exactly what was up. Luckily the carpet and seats are already out.
We had to change the wiring plug on the side of the trans from the 94-97 style 4r70w to the 98-01 style. This involves moving a few pins around and eliminating two of the power feed wires.
We also swapped the DTRS to the older 97 style since I knew that would cause issues with the ESOF system. You see in 98-01 the DTRS went digital, in 94-97 they were analog so our GEM module and PCM are expecting to see analog signals.... The trans is now outfitted with the 98 -01 style solenoids and wiring and the 97 analog DTRS

Also build some exhaust, this truck has a very recent flowmaster 40 series muffler, so we retained it. I built a intermediate pipe to scavenge the two banks together before they go into the muffler.
2.25" pipe into 2.5" "Y" pipe back into the muffler then out with a 2.5" turn down well in front of the rear axle

Then we built a rear driveshaft. We shortened a RWD explorer shaft by 3" and used a conversion U joint at the trans slip yoke. So far so good....we will get some road testing done in the next week or so after the interior goes back together

Ordered new tires for this rig, 4ea 285/75/16 and I bartered with my stepson for the mount and balance (he works at tire place). I traded him some black ranger jump seats and a OHV power steering pump for the labor :)

Truck is getting 05 ranger tail lights and 05 ranger side mirrors, these are OEM parts.
I plan to drive this thing for a couple of weeks just to make sure its perfect, title is now in my name.
Ranger will then get a full detail, carpet is being steam cleaned, paint will get cleaned, sealed and waxed.

This truck will then be for sale!! She will be posted on a few PNW area craigslists and some other for sale rags....also parked out on a busy street with for sale sign
Sad to see her go but we have already moved onto the next build, a 99 4x4 Ranger getting a 4.0 and 5 speed......

Had to re pin this plug, sorry no pics of the before and after but I have the charts that show differences between early 4r70w and late


Front 97 F150 driveshaft installed with new Spicer conversion U joint:


Here is why you want to run Kooler Kleen through your coolers and lines BEFORE you install to your transmission, this is after the lines have already been cleaned, coolers drained and lines cleaned out with air. Then I hook up the cleaner and run the can through. This is what came out

It runs black as night for the first few ounces then starts to run clear, then finally you turn the can upside down and flush with just air.

Exhaust "Y" pipe, scavenging the two V8 banks together after the primary cats and downstream 02 sensors before they head down a 2-1/2"" pipe into the Flowmaster 40 series muffler




Fabrication is my favorite word
Rear driveshaft fab! I have built many driveshafts over the last five years or so, most of them front shafts. Well they always work out so well we decided to try our hand at doing a rear.
This is built with a jig on a flat fabrication table keeping everything plumb and true
here you can see the 3" removed and the tack welds in place. I final welded it and coated with paint yesterday. Now she is in the truck ready for some road testing


This was a 2000 Explorer 5.0 RWD shaft that is now 48.75" (removed 3") from U joint center to U joint center and fitted with a 97 F150 front slip yoke.


fingers crossed!!
Waiting on new ball joints, new front brakes and sway bar links. 
Then we will be installing a Explorer live axle to remove the Ranger vacuum hubs.
Once interior is back together, front end is done and new tires are on, the truck will be road tested (on and off road), then we will get some video


Anyone in the market for a super super clean V8 98 Ranger 4x4? :)
This truck was garaged its whole life and babied, it shows. Then some kid found a huge water puddle and destroyed his engine
Now she is back and better then ever!!

Last edited on Thu Nov 28th, 2019 11:17 am by 410customs