- Messages
- 1
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- 0
- City
- Stroudsburg
- State
- PA
- Country
- United States
- What I Drive
- 88 STX
Hello All!
Working into a build scheme with my 16 year old's project purchase an 88 Ford Ranger Supercab STX High Rider 4x4 . He loves the original square body Ranger and wanted to use it as the start of the build. Basically solid but slightly dinged body, minimal rust, Rolling Shell to start with.
Pros : for build choice parts
We have a complete '80 Monte Carlo Turbo 4BBL engine, harness etc.(Buick Draw-thru 3.8L disassembled by me 25 years ago, needs rebuild); an 85 Cutlass 3.8 NA 2bbl/ TH200 still assembled and stored 20 years ago w/ spare 4BBL Weiand intake and this recent project shell purchase w/complete shell, good glass, 90% complete dash, w/power windows & doors, Solid body, locking hubs, & 2000 Explorer 3 spoke Chrome Steel 16" wheels w/ 235/70R16 AT's.
Cons: Minimal rust over rear fenders, It has Mangled wiring, missing AC components and radiator, punched steering column but no engine, no manual trans, no t-case.
Here's the thought process:
Needs a few interior trim pieces, Left front reproduction fender, carpet, front seats & headliner, steering column (Open on this) and a full new/swapped wiring harness.
Also Thinking about an 89-92 Ranger Dash swap for the aesthetics.
Engine:'85 231 Long Block w/ Weiand 4bbl from 85 Cutlass - (later to use 80 MC Draw-Thru carb'd setup on this block and heads)
Transmission & Tcase : Thinking 4.3L S-10 5 spd T5 Borg Warner & manual transfer case; Or NV3550, would likely require custom driveshafts
Needs whole wiring harness (new or from donor vehicle)
My biggest issue right now seem s to be finding Any easier transmission swap ideas for 5 speed & transfer cases? Also open to the idea of using Chevy 1500 '64" ' rear leaf springs to improve the ride in place of the stock Ford units (6" longer springs- could allow us to reposition the rear axle centerline back also &/or swap to a longbox bed.)
I can't find an adapter for the Buick to Ranger Mazda-based M50D transmission & manual transfer case which would help solve the driveshaft issues. This is such an amalgamation, I''m not sure to look for help on Turbo Buck boards or on the Ford Ranger boards.
Thanks in advance for any input! Ill post as we build this summer, AFTER he finishes his Eagle Scout Project
BTW:
Once he gets it going as a daily driver/college car, he wants to eventually build a flat-fendered late 40's to early 60's Willys Extended Cab pickup and bed to remove the Supercab Ranger body from it..
Working into a build scheme with my 16 year old's project purchase an 88 Ford Ranger Supercab STX High Rider 4x4 . He loves the original square body Ranger and wanted to use it as the start of the build. Basically solid but slightly dinged body, minimal rust, Rolling Shell to start with.
Pros : for build choice parts
We have a complete '80 Monte Carlo Turbo 4BBL engine, harness etc.(Buick Draw-thru 3.8L disassembled by me 25 years ago, needs rebuild); an 85 Cutlass 3.8 NA 2bbl/ TH200 still assembled and stored 20 years ago w/ spare 4BBL Weiand intake and this recent project shell purchase w/complete shell, good glass, 90% complete dash, w/power windows & doors, Solid body, locking hubs, & 2000 Explorer 3 spoke Chrome Steel 16" wheels w/ 235/70R16 AT's.
Cons: Minimal rust over rear fenders, It has Mangled wiring, missing AC components and radiator, punched steering column but no engine, no manual trans, no t-case.
Here's the thought process:
Needs a few interior trim pieces, Left front reproduction fender, carpet, front seats & headliner, steering column (Open on this) and a full new/swapped wiring harness.
Also Thinking about an 89-92 Ranger Dash swap for the aesthetics.
Engine:'85 231 Long Block w/ Weiand 4bbl from 85 Cutlass - (later to use 80 MC Draw-Thru carb'd setup on this block and heads)
Transmission & Tcase : Thinking 4.3L S-10 5 spd T5 Borg Warner & manual transfer case; Or NV3550, would likely require custom driveshafts
Needs whole wiring harness (new or from donor vehicle)
My biggest issue right now seem s to be finding Any easier transmission swap ideas for 5 speed & transfer cases? Also open to the idea of using Chevy 1500 '64" ' rear leaf springs to improve the ride in place of the stock Ford units (6" longer springs- could allow us to reposition the rear axle centerline back also &/or swap to a longbox bed.)
I can't find an adapter for the Buick to Ranger Mazda-based M50D transmission & manual transfer case which would help solve the driveshaft issues. This is such an amalgamation, I''m not sure to look for help on Turbo Buck boards or on the Ford Ranger boards.
Thanks in advance for any input! Ill post as we build this summer, AFTER he finishes his Eagle Scout Project
BTW:
Once he gets it going as a daily driver/college car, he wants to eventually build a flat-fendered late 40's to early 60's Willys Extended Cab pickup and bed to remove the Supercab Ranger body from it..
