I mentioned in another thread about my Ranger so instead of cluttering up somone else's business I figured this would be the place to post up some pics and info.
Many, many years ago when pushrod 5.0's were stock and my high school buddies thought they were cool for buying something quick (and paying crazy high insurance).....I did something different. I stuffed a beat down high mileage 2bbl 351W into a Ranger. Hung a one off rear suspension under it with a Mopar 8.75". Then narrowed it to ride on 15x10" wheels w/ 275/60's. It sounded GREAT, looked mean but ran like a turd. BUT...just saying it had a 351W in it made no one want to race!
Years later I rebuilt the 351W w/ several speed parts including WP Windsor Sr. heads. Years after that, a bigger cam and bigger exhaust. Then after that a looser convertor. Then paint. Now to the modern day it's getting the last improvement that I've wanted all along.......a STROKER!! The short block is almost done. I needed my Windsor Sr. heads so I yanked them this AM.
Here's some recent pics of the truck.
(http://photos.imageevent.com/17encore/danb/ranger/websize/116.JPG)
(http://photos.imageevent.com/17encore/danb/ranger/websize/117.JPG)
Oh. I was born on December 4, 1976. This truck was built on December 4, 1984. I have the original build sheet and the cab was stamped under the heater box. I thought that was awesome!!
I love v8 rangers ....... Clean truck dude!
Thanks.
There are a lot of details I left out. Long tubes, dual 3" exhaust with Flowmaster Delta Force 10 series lers, RPM Air Gap, 750DP, built C4, 3500 TCI, cell in bed, etc, etc.
Here's a better pic of the hood. It's all steel and made from the stock hood. I cut and raised the center panel then made patches for the sides.
(http://photos.imageevent.com/17encore/danb/ranger/websize/115.JPG)
Any motor porn ? Lol
Rangers and Tbirds go well together! I DD a 2.3T swapped 4wd Ranger.
Yours looks nice. Oddly enough, its not the first time I've heard of a Mopar 8.75" under one.
(http://photos.imageevent.com/17encore/danb/ranger/websize/100_0034.JPG)
Looking good...cool little truck....what does it run?
Yeah the Mopar 8.75" is odd....why not 8.8. It was it free?
Travis
Good looking bay man
Not had it to the track in a long time. With the small exhaust, manifolds, 3.23 gears, stock convertor and .450" lift cam it went high 13's. It was fun and a lot less maintenance....should have left it that way!!
The Mopar rear.....well....I built this truck when I was a teenager and on a tight budget. Did a lot of trading, bought parts cars, stripped them and sold/junked what was not needed. I got this rear from a late 70's Cordoba. Bought the car for $200 w/ a 440 and Torquefilte. Sold the motor and trans, took the rear and junked the rest. It was loaded w/ 3.91's and a posi. My cousin builds tube chassis's and drag cars so he narrowed it for me for free. Since then I have acquired complete third members with 2.94's, 3.23's, 3.55's, and a set of Strange 4.56's.......all posi.
(http://photos.imageevent.com/17encore/danb/ranger/websize/100_1803.jpg)
That totally makes sense...neat story. Sounds like with your current set of mods...12's something.
Neat creation...it is all yours :)
Travis
Cool truck :).
Any traction issues with the light rear end ;)?
Traction issues are what make it so much fun!! ;)
You got that right! :D
I agree Lou, that is a cool truck!
Very nice Dan! You know I like it!
That's awesome...was hoping you'd do a little show 'n tell with it :D
Makes me want to scour CL for an old Ranger or Explorer lol.
First time I opened this at home, at work I could not see the pictures, Awesome truck man!! I just pulled a 351w marine block out of a ford ranger for a guy, the truck just started rusty out will bad and the install and work was not as nice as yours. Plus I purchased the 5 speed that was behind it. Love to see more of the truck!!
Thanks for the comments.
Here's a link to the entire album.
http://imageevent.com/17encore/danb/ranger?n=0&z=2&c=4&x=1&m=24&w=0&p=0 (http://"http://imageevent.com/17encore/danb/ranger?n=0&z=2&c=4&x=1&m=24&w=0&p=0")
sweet little truck! I love the old turbines on it!
I saw that, and was "whoa! Turbines!!! Hell yes!"
mmmm mmm, I'd put the turbs back on and never take 'em off, if it were mine...and Dan..you look exactly like my cousin....you have any relatives in north Missouri? lol