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51^st Post

Idahome

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I read that yesterday also
funny that article came up on the google news feed yesterday and here we are today with the question....500 hp splits 302's = myth
The deal with the 351 based engine in a ranger is size, to fit a 351 in there with its larger heads requires extensive moving/notching of the steering shaft and heater box and to route the exhaust inside the frame rails gets to be a real challenge.....
Not that it can't be done, it is done all the time, there are plenty of 351 and for that matter big block rangers out there in the world....but look at what they are used for and decide if that is right for you.
The 351 based engines can make tons of torque and HP, I just see it as a less desireable swap due to the fitment issues the slightly larger 351 and its taller heads create when dropped under the hood of the ranger.

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Posted: Sat Aug 15th, 2020 02:33 pm

52^nd Post

VelociRanger
Iâ€™ll probably do it tomorrow

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Well crap

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1983 Ranger, reluctantly taking apart. Donor/project vehicle.

1997 Ranger Ex Cab Manual 4.0 2wd, dead on arrival. Hopefully reviving for a daily driver.

1984 Ranger, currently in â‰ˆ861 pieces. Sheâ€™s donating whatâ€™s salvageable.

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Posted: Sat Aug 15th, 2020 06:09 pm

53^rd Post

JAMMAN

Owns A Torsen

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I recently saw that video and selected a cam from one of his combos he ran. Maybe heads too but my boss will flip if I don't use his trick flows now since I've been bugging him.

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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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Posted: Sat Aug 15th, 2020 08:34 pm

54^th Post

VelociRanger
Iâ€™ll probably do it tomorrow

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Well...now the question is 2.3t or 5.0?

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Posted: Sun Aug 16th, 2020 11:11 am

55^th Post

Idahome

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yes
(cant go wrong either way)
Make another list! Pros and cons

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Posted: Sun Aug 16th, 2020 11:51 am

56^th Post

Eddie Money
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https://ford-rangers.com/forum62/986.html

Heres a good read about choosing an engine

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2007 Sport 4door 4x4 4.0L SOHC V6 Ranger

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Posted: Mon Aug 17th, 2020 08:45 pm

57^th Post

VelociRanger
Iâ€™ll probably do it tomorrow

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I wanted to keep this a secret, but I figured it would help if everyone knew my goal.

Ever since I saw this truck online, I've loved the look and idea behind it; take a brick, add power, good suspension, good brakes....and you have a wicked truck. This thing has a 331, mustang II front suspension, a 9 inch I believe...it's awesome. I don't want any of that though. I want a TRUE first gen Ranger (the front end styling changed in 1989), on newer suspension that rides well and handles good, nice interior with a simple roll cage, good street/gt seats, A/C and heat, lowered a little in the front and the back, wide tires and rims, prerunner fenders and bedsides for a â€œwide bodyâ€ look, and....a V8. Yes, a V8. Good power, it's still reliable even lightly modded, and it's still different. I have a lot of things to do still, but as they always say...how do you eat an elephant?

One bite at a time.

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Posted: Mon Aug 17th, 2020 09:05 pm

58^th Post

VelociRanger
Iâ€™ll probably do it tomorrow

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Also, how should I go about fixing these rust areas? This is all in the interior roof Of the truck. Should I just get a new cab and swap it, or do I just cut off the parts of a donor vehicle, say like halfway down the a-pillar and up all around?

Last edited on Mon Aug 17th, 2020 09:07 pm by VelociRanger

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Posted: Mon Aug 17th, 2020 09:42 pm

59^th Post

Eddie Money
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Definitely eating an elephant with that cab.

I know money is an issue but a parts truck could be necessary. Hours of body work cost time away from friends and family even if it's cheaper than a pro or a another cab...

Weigh your options. It's always a risk to dig into a big project because you might get frustrated and give up. Paying for a better cab or parts truck may slow your progress but it wont discourage you as much.

Growing up my dad had a 42 LaSalle in our garage he had found in a barn when he returned from Vietnam. He sold it when I was about 10 unfinished....

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2007 Sport 4door 4x4 4.0L SOHC V6 Ranger

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Posted: Tue Aug 18th, 2020 07:36 am

60^th Post

Tsquare
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It looks like a candidate for a convertible but leave the top off all the time.

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NE ATL
'04 XLT regular cab 3.slo stepside
Semi retirement

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Posted: Tue Aug 18th, 2020 08:41 am

61^st Post

VelociRanger
Iâ€™ll probably do it tomorrow

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Tsquare wrote:
It looks like a candidate for a convertible but leave the top off all the time.
Lol, cool idea but no

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Posted: Tue Aug 18th, 2020 10:47 am

62^nd Post

Idahome

Joined: Wed May 2nd, 2018

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I had a convertible ranger....it was cool. There was a company that made a kit so you could cut the top off, add some plastic trim and some clamps and it would clamp back on...was pretty neat!
I only owned that truck so I could remove the engine, but the removable roof was cool.

It does not cost anything to remove all the rust and have a look see. My fear is that with that rust showing, the metal inside and behind it is gone too......... So yeah maybe best to swap cabs. On a Ranger the cab is not very big so its not the "hugest" job ever. Having the cab separated from the truck gives you alot of options also....about how to fix or replace the rust and makes adding a v8 way easier with NO CAB

But as we said, removing rust to have a look at the extent of the rot is free, just elbow grease.
I eat elephants all the time

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Posted: Wed Aug 19th, 2020 03:21 pm

63^rd Post

VelociRanger
Iâ€™ll probably do it tomorrow

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So do you think I should put the V8 in before I put the cab back on or....? I'm confused. Today Im gonna go out and probably grind on the floors some, maybe cut the inner roof skin off to see what's behind it.

I found a 1990 cab, would the front end from the 1984 bolt up? I want it to look like the 84.

Last edited on Wed Aug 19th, 2020 03:22 pm by VelociRanger

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Posted: Wed Aug 19th, 2020 09:30 pm

64^th Post

VelociRanger
Iâ€™ll probably do it tomorrow

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Didn't get out there today, losing motivation

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Posted: Wed Aug 19th, 2020 10:54 pm

65^th Post

Idahome

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yes 84 clip will bolt to 90 cab
the cab was same 83-92 with two options, standard or extended
Always best to put the v8 in then add the cab if you have the option!
Dont lose motivation, this hobby requires dedication but is very rewarding

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Posted: Wed Aug 19th, 2020 11:15 pm

66^th Post

VelociRanger
Iâ€™ll probably do it tomorrow

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I suppose I can fit the cab and bed to the newer frame, get it where I want it, make the mounts, clean up the frame and have that sent off to have the motor put in, and while that's happening I can work on the body...hmmm.

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Posted: Thu Aug 20th, 2020 07:55 pm

67^th Post

VelociRanger
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Called a few wrecking yards around that have first gen Rangers, even some that weren't near me. I asked about a title or a vin or anything, some said they were sold without the dash (the vin isn't in the dash. It's attached to the firewall) and some said they were sold without a vin...? Seems pretty sketchy to me. Swapping VINs. I'm sure that's illegal? I was thinking about just selling this truck to a junkyard and buying a cab, bed, and frame. That's all I need to start anything, but idk. Anyways. No luck there. I should've just waited and saved up some more and bought the other ranger. This one is so full of rust in all the wrong places. I don't have the tools I need to fix the rust, and I don't have the money to buy the tools. I can't really work on anything else until the rust is fixed, so I'm at a major standstill.

Sell the truck for scrap ($50, a $200 loss for me plus time) or find something else to do with it.

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Posted: Thu Aug 20th, 2020 11:26 pm

68^th Post

VelociRanger
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Has anyone swapped cabs before and if so what did you do about the vin?

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Posted: Fri Aug 21st, 2020 10:19 am

69^th Post

Idahome

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You are allowed to swab cabs
You can cut off the vin plate from the original cab and keep it in the glove box
Or drill out the rivets and swap them out

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Posted: Fri Aug 21st, 2020 02:12 pm

70^th Post

VelociRanger
Iâ€™ll probably do it tomorrow

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New plan:

Sell the 2.3 engine on Craigslist. Circle Track guys love these 2.3s. Maybe they'll take the trans too, if not then that's being traded into a junkyard for something, idk what yet.

Remove the bed, I'll keep that

Call a cash for junk cars guy and have him take the rest of the stuff. If anyone needs anything let me know before hand.

Buy another cab, swap the 84 clip onto whatever first gen year I get unless it's pre-88

buy a 98+ frame with suspension.

I should've done this in the first place.

Last edited on Fri Aug 21st, 2020 02:13 pm by VelociRanger

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Eddie Money, 410customs

Posted: Fri Aug 28th, 2020 09:35 pm

71^st Post

VelociRanger
Iâ€™ll probably do it tomorrow

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A little update, haven't been out there in a while.

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Posted: Sat Aug 29th, 2020 09:38 am

72^nd Post

Idahome

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water and rust SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!! That cab is toast, it would take ALOT to bring that back
Live and learn. If it was just floor pans you could pull this off but with all the rust on the pillars and roof rails, better to just find a cab
I love the video's! "Speed holes" "escape route" LOL good humor
The bed bolts are hard to turn even with the correct torx bit, a large flathead = only if you are hulk

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Posted: Sat Aug 29th, 2020 12:20 pm

73^rd Post

VelociRanger
Iâ€™ll probably do it tomorrow

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Lol thanks, I've learned I've gotta have a sense of humor workin with this truck. Yeah, I've given up on fixing the cab, bed may be salvageable, I'll see once I get it off/if I can get it off. On the bright side, I doubt I would've been able to get every wire on this truck for less than 250 from a junkyard, salvage vehicle parts have skyrocketed in the past few months. A 5.0 6 months ago was 450 no core and now it's 700 and there's now a core charge. Today, while I'm out getting more formula (story of my life. She eats as much as I do, she's already grown so much in the last 4 months I feel old at 23 lol) I'm going to see how much a set of torx bits are. If they're too much I've got a grinder and cut off wheel, but I'd rather not have to drag out 200' of extension cord. If I can't get one of those junk car guys to get it without a title then I'll have fun cuttin it to bits. Like I said, for 250 I'm getting a lot of parts and wires.

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Posted: Sat Aug 29th, 2020 10:32 pm

74^th Post

VelociRanger
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Posted: Sun Aug 30th, 2020 01:31 am

75^th Post

Eddie Money
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Rust weighs less than paint. You can still move forward while searching for something you like better. You have a lot of what you need to mock up your vision.

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2007 Sport 4door 4x4 4.0L SOHC V6 Ranger

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