Just bought another one, project "R - Member's Projects Showcase - Tech Section

26^th Post

JAMMAN

Owns A Torsen

Joined: Mon Sep 18th, 2017

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Checked some things out tonight after it got dark. Front speakers do not work at all but are 3 way speakers. The speaker box in the back sounds REALLY GOOD I was expecting license plate rattlers and was going to take them out but instead of booming rap style bass it is punchy rock style bass and sounds very good. I'll have to mount it correctly because it looks like crap but it is a start.

Ordered a mounting kit for the radio identical to what I did in my DD, I have a bezel to replace the one he hacked in an attempt to mount his bass boost dial. Failed attempt.

Gotta give the kid credit for effort though he did attempt to mod his ranger and was successful in some ways. Not sure if I'm going to keep the blue glowing LED's under the dash... seems like it doesn't match the red theme.

Today I took the fan and shroud off, laid the AC pump to the front (AC pump has to come off to expose a bolt that holds the bracket to the motor), took off the other 3 bolts holding the bracket to the motor moving it over just enough to get the timing belt cover off. Belt was broken and looked 100 years old probably the original. I turned the cam bolt to prove the cam wasn't locked up so it looks like if I can bring enough stuff home tomorrow to get the harmonic balancer off I can start it tomorrow night.

Not a bolt on this thing was tough to remove, there is no rust on anything.

I'm not following any procedure I found for belt replacement, because most of them sucked. You don't have to remove the radiator to get the balancer bolt out, you can use a chain wrench and a breaker bar with a pipe.If that don't work I'll bring home a low profile impact (everyone makes one now)and rattle it out. No coolant removed, no PS fluid, no freon. Everything still in tact. Seriously you can get to everything all the youtube vids suck on this particular operation.

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Posted: Sun Jul 29th, 2018 11:08 pm

27^th Post

black06xlt
Coal miner

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Did I mention I can get speakers??? The Haynes book for Rangers has a nice how to on the timing belt. But it's really a simple job

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Posted: Mon Jul 30th, 2018 05:39 am

28^th Post

chris

Wrench spinner

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JAMMAN wrote:
I'm not following any procedure I found for belt replacement, because most of them sucked.
Lol - there is ALWAYS an easier / quicker way than the manual / guide.

Workshop time guide to take an MGB engine out is 3.5 hours - I can do it in 90 mins ....

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Posted: Mon Jul 30th, 2018 10:01 am

29^th Post

Don

Joined: Fri Oct 20th, 2017

Location: Grove City, Ohio USA

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JAMMAN wrote: Title work today, thinking about just pulling it home with a strap. You can do that in ohio legally, less than 15 feet and you need a 12 X 12 minimum white flag/rag on the rope/strap. It is less than 2 miles from my house. It is a standard so no harm to transmission.

I'll have it running tomorrow if I can get it home today. Problem is no help, wife won't do it and my son that drives is in florida.You Know Jim all I do is sitting around doing NOTHING!!! Give me a call if you need a hand. You know I got at least one good one. L.O.L.:P

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Posted: Tue Jul 31st, 2018 06:39 am

30^th Post

JAMMAN

Owns A Torsen

Joined: Mon Sep 18th, 2017

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I did think about it! I think we would have had a hard time pushing it up the driveway though, it took me like 400 tries but I did get it backed into the driveway close enough to the garage to push it in.

Then when I dropped the dolly off at u-haul I see the emphatic message written on the tow bar "Do not back up! Damage will occur". The pivots on the dolly make it nearly impossible to back up effectively and I can back a trailer.

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Posted: Tue Jul 31st, 2018 08:25 am

31^st Post

Don

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Yea never ever try to back a vehicle with one of those dollys. Ed damage a door on his fox body doing that. that's why I prefer a full trailer. I would have given it the old collage try, I have a big butt, I could afford to put a little a.. into it. :)

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Posted: Tue Jul 31st, 2018 09:26 am

32^nd Post

JAMMAN

Owns A Torsen

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I made it work, you just have to quickly realize it is not going to follow normal trailer protocol. I made heavy usage of my across the street neighbors driveway which is almost in line with mine. Without that I would have been screwed.

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Posted: Tue Jul 31st, 2018 10:45 am

33^rd Post

chris

Wrench spinner

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Lol - I have an A frame that hooks onto the front lower wishbones / arms.

Same thing, you can't reverse it unless you have someone in the car holding the wheel straight, otherwise the front wheels just pivot onto full lock ....

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MG power

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Posted: Tue Jul 31st, 2018 10:59 am

34^th Post

410customs

Idahome

Joined: Wed May 2nd, 2018

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ah reminds me of the 10 years I moved trucks around without a tractor

timing belts suck!!

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I build custom RBV, specializing in drivetrain conversions, wiring, suspension and complete custom trucks

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Posted: Wed Aug 1st, 2018 07:01 am

35^th Post

JAMMAN

Owns A Torsen

Joined: Mon Sep 18th, 2017

Location: Grove City, Ohio USA

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It left my garage under its own power last night. I'm thinking "sell" already, power steering whines and the fluid looks like mud. Brake fluid looks like mud too, brakes need bled and rears need adjusted at least maybe replaced I feel some shoe shifting as it stops.

Weird squeak in the back when you hop on the bumper, sounds exactly like ball joint squeak but in the back? Shocks are new and I don't see anything obvious but it was dark.

Clutch feels fine, have to plate it insure it and drive it for a few days to flush out the boogers. I'll fix the brakes but overall I'm only extremely impressed by the body condition everything else looks and feels exactly as it is... a 18 year olds first car and an experiment in wiring LED's.

Nice row of reds under the tailgate might keep those.

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Posted: Wed Aug 1st, 2018 09:09 am

36^th Post

Don

Joined: Fri Oct 20th, 2017

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Squeak is coming from the bushings from the leaf springs IMO.

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Posted: Fri Aug 3rd, 2018 08:18 pm

37^th Post

JAMMAN

Owns A Torsen

Joined: Mon Sep 18th, 2017

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I soaked the bushings in WD and the squeak stopped. Just hadn't been driven for a while.

Brought temp plates home, drove it around for a little. Real smooth, clutch and tranny feel solid, no grinding or clicking or other crap.

So I have my list of things to fix before I sell it, some rangerish some just needed.

1. Power steering pump has to go. I have one at work but don't know the condition, it was almost 200,000 miles also. What can I fit on there.... does it have to be 98 thru 2000 4 cyl or is there a lower mile alternative? Goal.. selling not driving. Radio is so loud can't hear the steering. It felt a little choppy first few turns but after circulating it felt just fine but still made noise.

2. Has the 2 speed fan only, pigtail on order as I already have a new resistor in stock LOL.

3. e-brake spring weak, will not return to top leaving light on. Will the one off my 99 expo work?

4. Needs dome light. I'll hack the one in out of the expo.

5. The alarm system don't lock the passenger door, there is something broken to the lock knob.

6. Radio bezel needs switched out.

7. AC cycles but does work. Last time this happened on a ranger it was "too full" but will see, we have a machine at work.

That's about all, it is completely drivable as it stands. Goes straight, seems in balance, I actually like the feel of the wheel spacers might keep them (sorry).

If I were keeping it I would do a lot more to it but I intend on selling it or trading it for a 4wd ranger with a screwed up motor or a motorcycle.

Seems to happen every few years I find a vehicle for just a few hundred and don't have to put much in it. I have about 650 in this one and I would drive it out of state in a minute.

I found a saturn SL2 one time for 400 and cleaned the throttle body, changed the crank sensor and drove it to KY from Ohio. Drove it over a year back and forth to work.

Bought a corsica one time for 200 bucks, towed it home, replaced 2 injectors and drove it for a couple years. Sold that one for a grand.

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Posted: Fri Aug 3rd, 2018 10:40 pm

38^th Post

1qaz
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Sooooo....you'll drive this one for a couple years then sell it? I need to find one to fix up to sell. I enjoy working on Rangers as much as I enjoy driving them. Glad you rescued this one.

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Posted: Sat Aug 4th, 2018 09:51 am

39^th Post

JAMMAN

Owns A Torsen

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I'm going to drive it till I get the "bad stuff" fixed I figure a month and a half or so.

I figure I can double my money pretty easily and some kid will get a great deal still.

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Posted: Sat Aug 4th, 2018 09:59 am

40^th Post

Don

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Did I mention I also have a motorcycle? :cool:

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Posted: Sat Aug 4th, 2018 10:03 am

41^st Post

JAMMAN

Owns A Torsen

Joined: Mon Sep 18th, 2017

Location: Grove City, Ohio USA

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Didn't see it in your garage.

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Posted: Sat Aug 4th, 2018 10:11 am

42^nd Post

Don

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JAMMAN wrote: Didn't see it in your garage.It has it's own garage. I also had a Goldwing & 1966 CB450 in it.

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Posted: Tue Aug 7th, 2018 10:16 pm

43^rd Post

JAMMAN

Owns A Torsen

Joined: Mon Sep 18th, 2017

Location: Grove City, Ohio USA

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The original list:

1. Power steering pump has to go. I have one at work but don't know the condition, it was almost 200,000 miles also. What can I fit on there.... does it have to be 98 thru 2000 4 cyl or is there a lower mile alternative? Goal.. selling not driving. Radio is so loud can't hear the steering. It felt a little choppy first few turns but after circulating it felt just fine but still made noise.

2. Has the 2 speed fan only, pigtail on order as I already have a new resistor in stock LOL.

3. e-brake spring weak, will not return to top leaving light on. Will the one off my 99 expo work?

4. Needs dome light. I'll hack the one in out of the expo.

5. The alarm system don't lock the passenger door, there is something broken to the lock knob.

6. Radio bezel needs switched out.

7. AC cycles but does work. Last time this happened on a ranger it was "too full" but will see, we have a machine at work.

NOW I need to add a couple:

8. Thermostat needs replaced

9. Need to see why the blend door knob feels like there is nothing attached.

10. Need to create a new clamp for the actuator see #5 above. He sprung it big time.

11. Need to remove headliner to see if there are wires still for the dome light that is not there. The black connectors seem to be missing also.

12. The "door ajar" never comes on, a guess would be he took the light out because it was on all the time because a switch was broken in one of the doors. Probably why he removed the dome light.

13. Need a special little puller for the power steering pulley. I found my other pump. see #1 above.

14. The radio. What a mess. It's a kenwood DDx371. He didn't hook up the antenna so I can't listen to Chuck Douglas on the way home. I also can't get traffic tie up reports in the morning which would have helped today.
When in bluetooth audio mode the sub doesn't work. This gave me a clue to something else, it sounded so mousey I think he has one of the 4 pioneer door speakers phased incorrectly. If they are right I'll post the model of what not to buy because they sound like poop without the sub.
I have a mounting kit already with the proper cover for the sides where you can see wires behind it.

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Posted: Wed Aug 8th, 2018 10:27 pm

44^th Post

JAMMAN

Owns A Torsen

Joined: Mon Sep 18th, 2017

Location: Grove City, Ohio USA

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#5 and #10 done, got a metal clamp from a hardware store, I found a picture of what I used it was like .98 for 2 of them and I'm sure it won't come off now...

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Posted: Sat Aug 11th, 2018 03:20 pm

45^th Post

JAMMAN

Owns A Torsen

Joined: Mon Sep 18th, 2017

Location: Grove City, Ohio USA

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Did some more, by the end of the day this will be done (needs reinstall):

New cluster led's, new hvac control led's, new bezel, new radio mount, reconnect the antenna and microphone on the kenwood.

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Posted: Sun Aug 12th, 2018 04:42 pm

46^th Post

Scrambler82
Old Bastard !

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RED... the thread again and the truck looks decent.
E4 Red I'm thinking !
Change the grille to a 2001-2003 it will give it more character.

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Ltr,
2003 EDGE, Std Cab, Steppie, E4 Red, 5sp, 4x
5" SuperLift, 33" x 12.50 x 15"
Hurst Shifter
Mod'd Backrack to fit Steppie
Front and Rear Bumpers by Custom 4x4 Fabrication, OK; now Mike's Welding and Fabrication.
Working on more Mods, just need more time, longer days would work !

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Posted: Sun Aug 12th, 2018 05:04 pm

47^th Post

JAMMAN

Owns A Torsen

Joined: Mon Sep 18th, 2017

Location: Grove City, Ohio USA

Posts: 6436

Name: Jim ...

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Forscan right now after replacing thermostat. The old one was probably OK I just didn't wait long enough for it to burp. Been 15 minutes and we are above 150 now.

Fuel trim looks great, the o sensors are kicking, everything looks good.

Except for gem codes but lets get water in it first then concern ourselves with gem :)

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Posted: Sun Aug 12th, 2018 05:27 pm

48^th Post

Scrambler82
Old Bastard !

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What is "Fuel Trim" ?

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Posted: Sun Aug 12th, 2018 10:54 pm

49^th Post

JAMMAN

Owns A Torsen

Joined: Mon Sep 18th, 2017

Location: Grove City, Ohio USA

Posts: 6436

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Fuel trim is the best way to get an overall picture of how your car is getting along with everything else in the system.

Lets say you have a vacuum leak. You don't even notice it but the computer does and adjusts the fuel mixture to compensate.

Ideally it is zero, but it fluctuates up and down as the ecu compensates or at least that is the way I understand it. Anything over 10% in either direction is bad.

Mine was fluctuating both negative and positive about the same amount, at idle and about 2k rpm.

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Posted: Sun Aug 12th, 2018 11:06 pm

50^th Post

JAMMAN

Owns A Torsen

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Put a new thermostat in it, gauge still reads low and fluctuates. Forscan showed absolutely normal, it reads another sensor (the back one on the 2.5L at least in 98).

I confirmed this by un plugging the front sensor. Forscan was still showing high 170's and the guage went dead. Looks like I need a sensor.

The driver side door lock gave out while I was playing same issue as the passenger side so I used the other clamp in the 2pack I bought and fixed it.

I routed and filed the new bezel for the radio to mount it properly and in a bezel that had not been damaged. I ordered an antenna jack for the radio being it had been cut off. Need some screws to mount the plastic to the side of the radio, it is usually in with the radio in the box and not with the install kit.

Cluster is back in and doesn't look bad for a quickie job.

I could drive it but don't want to without the radio in.

The dome light is missing. I know why, both wires are hot at all times. Looks like there are two plugs out of the GEM but it is probably part of that alarm system. Hoping it is the passenger door switch I'll test it this week. You don't know how much you miss a dome light until there just isn't one there.

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00 XLT 4WD RCSB 3.GO! JalapeÃ±o
01 XLT 2WD RC Steppie 3.0 auto Silver
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