Project 86 - Ford Motor Forums

fast74ranger · #1 (**permalink**) 02-26-2003, 05:49 PM

Well... *sigh*... My work is never done! Most of you know I've been working on Project 74 for quite some time now. Progress has been slow, but fun. Now that I am halfway completed, it would only be the "manly" thing to do if I started yet another project without having completed the first, right? And since my schedule barely allows for bathroom time, what would be better than double the grease? So here it is.... PROJECT 86

The Vehicle:
Approximately 6 years ago I purchased a very nice 1986 Ranger STX 4x4. It boasts a fairly beefy 2.9L V6, auto tranny, 8.8 rear diff, and Smitty Built front/rear bumpers. It has served me well over the years, but some time in Y2K she got flipped on her side while wheeling. The damage was minimal, but sufficient. Shortly after, the tranny started slipping... Maybe from towing WAY too much weight on WAY too many occasions. Either way, its toast. The engine is still rock solid after sitting for 3 years!!! I cant believe this truck and all it has been through and yet, it still shows sign of life. Had this been a Chevy, 3 years ago the only thing it would have been worth is a land anchor or future pop cans after a short melt down. But no... Its another trusty Ford.

The Plan:
Since I like the body lines and grill of the 86, but despise the 2 round "bug eyes" guages with the overly intrusive dash board somethings got to go. So... The cab. Its already munched. I dig the 89-92 interior and since the body lines are the same, all I need is a good donor 89-92 standard cab'd 4x4 ranger with a 5 speed (see? I think... Solve the munched cab AND tranny problem in one swoop). One simple cab swap, carrying over the new 5spd (should) be a snap. After an engine overhaul with minimal modifications, the cab swap, a basic paint job, and some TLC to the running gear, we are gonna have a genuine compact beast on our hands!

The Request:
I would love for people to post any ideas of where to go with this truck. I love rock crawling, but mudding is fun too. I know what my truck is good at, but it was also stock. What experiences have you guys had with the 4x4 rangers where its capabilities shined past the competition? While I am familiar with engines, I have never torn apart a 2.9 so any advice on modifications and what to expect would be very helpful. While I love to spend more than I earn, this project HAS to be budgeted and obeyed unlike my 74 F100 (total spent on that thing is now over $4K). Please understand that this is a long term project with a completion date of likely a year or two maximum. I WILL post pics in the VERY near future.

Thanx for reading my lengthy post and PLEASE offer any realistic suggestions you may have.... I need all the help I can get!!!!!

Jeremy

86ranger · #2 (**permalink**) 02-26-2003, 06:07 PM

i would get some performance mods for the 2.9 like headers, cams, heads, and so on. put the horses from stock to OH MY GOD! THIS CANT BE A 2.9!! and lift that bitch so you can change the oil w/out bendin over.

fast74ranger · #3 (**permalink**) 03-01-2003, 02:21 AM

Any advice on which cam?? Brand, lift, duration, etc....

jasfrmn · #4 (**permalink**) 03-01-2003, 02:45 AM

sounds very cool

86ranger · #5 (**permalink**) 03-01-2003, 01:04 PM

no, i am just givin suggestions, i havent done anything like that to my truck (yet) but i would check out some speed shops and ask them, they want your money, but theyll treat ya right

jasfrmn · #6 (**permalink**) 03-01-2003, 02:55 PM

over at RPS there is alot of info on the 2.9

fast74ranger · #7 (**permalink**) 03-01-2003, 04:37 PM

*Shiver*.... another ford website... Well... I'll go check it out. Thanx Jas, 86Ranger.

86ranger · #8 (**permalink**) 03-05-2003, 06:27 PM

you could also just yank the 2.9 out and throw a 5.0 in, or a 351, helll yea, then findin parts like high performance cams will be no sweat

fast74ranger · #9 (**permalink**) 03-05-2003, 10:04 PM

I thought about that. But unfortunately the area I live in is so strictly controlled by air quality regulations that you cannot register a vehicle from 1975-current unless it has a motor that was factory equipment. But believe me... I would love the rumble of a 302 under the hood.

86ranger · #10 (**permalink**) 03-12-2003, 04:56 PM

just get a newer 302 from a wrecked stang or somethin, like a 93 or somethin, then do it with exhaust and dont tell the guys at the inspection station or get a friend to do it, they will never treat you wrong

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread: