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Topic: My other toy.....1985 Ranger (Read 4547 times) previous topic - next topic

My other toy.....1985 Ranger

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.





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!!
1988 T-Bird Sport Coupe--5.0 HO, MAF swap, 1-5/8" shorties, BBK/Flowmaster exhaust, Explorer intake, 70mm Edelbrock TB, T5, B&M short throw, Centerforce clutch and PP, disc brake TC rear w/ 3.55's, TC front brakes, '98 Cobra springs, DIY SFC's, other misc .  14.05 @ 98mph with launching too low and shifting too high.

My other toy.....1985 Ranger

Reply #1 –
I love v8 rangers ....... Clean truck dude!

My other toy.....1985 Ranger

Reply #2 –
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.

1988 T-Bird Sport Coupe--5.0 HO, MAF swap, 1-5/8" shorties, BBK/Flowmaster exhaust, Explorer intake, 70mm Edelbrock TB, T5, B&M short throw, Centerforce clutch and PP, disc brake TC rear w/ 3.55's, TC front brakes, '98 Cobra springs, DIY SFC's, other misc .  14.05 @ 98mph with launching too low and shifting too high.

My other toy.....1985 Ranger

Reply #3 –
Any motor porn ? Lol

My other toy.....1985 Ranger

Reply #4 –
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.
gumby - beauty may fade, but stupid is forever!

My other toy.....1985 Ranger

Reply #5 –
Quote from: STANG8U;413444
Any motor porn ? Lol

1988 T-Bird Sport Coupe--5.0 HO, MAF swap, 1-5/8" shorties, BBK/Flowmaster exhaust, Explorer intake, 70mm Edelbrock TB, T5, B&M short throw, Centerforce clutch and PP, disc brake TC rear w/ 3.55's, TC front brakes, '98 Cobra springs, DIY SFC's, other misc .  14.05 @ 98mph with launching too low and shifting too high.

My other toy.....1985 Ranger

Reply #6 –
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

My other toy.....1985 Ranger

Reply #7 –
Good looking bay man

My other toy.....1985 Ranger

Reply #8 –
Quote from: turbotrav;413464
....what does it run?

Yeah the Mopar 8.75" is odd....why not 8.8.  It was it free?

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.

1988 T-Bird Sport Coupe--5.0 HO, MAF swap, 1-5/8" shorties, BBK/Flowmaster exhaust, Explorer intake, 70mm Edelbrock TB, T5, B&M short throw, Centerforce clutch and PP, disc brake TC rear w/ 3.55's, TC front brakes, '98 Cobra springs, DIY SFC's, other misc .  14.05 @ 98mph with launching too low and shifting too high.

My other toy.....1985 Ranger

Reply #9 –
That totally makes sense...neat story.  Sounds like with your current set of mods...12's something.

Neat creation...it is all yours :)

Travis

My other toy.....1985 Ranger

Reply #10 –
Cool truck :).

Any traction issues with the light rear end ;)?
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

My other toy.....1985 Ranger

Reply #11 –
Quote from: thunderjet302;413538
Any traction issues with the light rear end ;)?

Traction issues are what make it so much fun!!  ;)
1988 T-Bird Sport Coupe--5.0 HO, MAF swap, 1-5/8" shorties, BBK/Flowmaster exhaust, Explorer intake, 70mm Edelbrock TB, T5, B&M short throw, Centerforce clutch and PP, disc brake TC rear w/ 3.55's, TC front brakes, '98 Cobra springs, DIY SFC's, other misc .  14.05 @ 98mph with launching too low and shifting too high.

My other toy.....1985 Ranger

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Dan B.;413539
Traction issues are what make it so much fun!!  ;)
You got that right! :D
I agree Lou, that is a cool truck!


86' T/C 4.6L DOHC
16' Chebby Cruze 1.4L Turbo
17’ Peterbilt 389 600hp 1850ftlb Trq 18spd

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“Heavy Metal Mistress”
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My other toy.....1985 Ranger

Reply #14 –
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.
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)