TheArcticWolf1911
Gunslinger
Joined: Sat Nov 4th, 2017
Posts: 426
Name: Cameron ... Occupation: Process Technician ... Interests: Firearms & Ammunition, Ford Rangers, electronics ...
Reputation Points: 426
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Well, I got some progress done today, and amazingly, nothing fought me the whole day. Thanks for all the tips and suggestions for the rear end.
I got the new cover out of it's box, and I must say, that Summit cover is very well made. The gasket surface was getting close to polished, it was that shiny. The fill bolt appears to be at the same height as the stock fill bolt, and the drain plug as a magnet in it. The girdle cover bolts also have large, swivel bearing surfaces to make contact with the caps. The bolts used on the cover are 12 points, and I noticed right off the bat that these bolts have a much higher contact surface area than the allen head bolts of the previous cover. If I needed another cover, I'd buy this again in a heartbeat.
I followed the directions on the box, used no sealer at all. Stuck the cover on after making sure the surfaces were clean and smooth. Bolts were torqued down, and after letting it set for a few minutes, I poured in 3 quarts. It's getting on 7 hours of being full of oil, and not even a sign of seepage. Yet.
While I waited, I swapped out the U bolts, and I hooked up the brakes. They still need to be bled.
I have new shackles and shackle mounts, but I'm going to wait to replace those. I want to take the bed off, and to do that I need to finish the interior first.
Little to-do list, before it's really driveable.
Rear End:
E brake cables
Bleed brakes
New dust shields
Shackles / Shackle mounts
Interior:
Dye remaining interior panels + console
Replace carpet w/ rubber floor liner
Add mirrors, heated/turn glass, + puddle
Reassemble
Then once all that is done, the truck needs an alignment. Once it's aligned, I'll start driving it to work and back for a month or two to get those new clutches broken in before the 5.0 takes hold. I figure the little 3.0 shouldn't be too awful taxing on it, even if I'm a little heavy handed (footed?) on it.
I did some debating whether or not I still wanted to go through with the engine and trans swap. TL R, Yes I still am.
I'm a bit scared that this will be as frustrating as the rear end was, but worse. But, I know that once it's done, it's done, and I will have a V8 Ranger. Plus, if there will only be one time in my life where I can do a swap like this, it's now. I don't want to be old and grey and think to myself "Why did I pass that up?", so I'm going for it.
Once the above is done, my plan is to aquire the transmission and transfercase assembly from a 4x4 97-03 F150, 4.2 v6. Those components will be loaded into the Ranger's bed, for storage.
Originally I opted to do the interior last, but with the interior in the bed, that leaves no place to store those components, and I need that space.
Now, since I'm not going to use the auto trans from the explorer, that gives me an opportunity to save some money. I can find a donor whose transmission is shot, and still be able to hear the engine run before purchase. Unfortunately I can't drive it home, but whatever. The F150 has a hitch that I can use to tow it to it's final resting place, where we can harvest it's five liter heart. After all, you can't spell slaughter without laughter.
Since nobody wants to deal with trans issues, that'll make the donor much cheaper. Hopefully. People want way too much for these old expos around my area.
Once i have all I need off the expo, off to the scrap heap it goes.
Then.... Paint.
I'm going to put it out to you guys for suggestions, here. I'm starting to rethink the color choice of metallic black. Not so much the price as, the upkeep. My mother has a metallic black MKX, and it looks good, but that paint shows every speck of dirt on it. I'm not committed to it being a Ford color either. If you like a paint code, send it to me.
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1999 Ford Ranger XLT - 3.0 V6 4x4 - Loaded (Totaled) 143k. Rest in Peace, Gold Dust.
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