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1998 XLT, 3.0, , 5 Speed, 4x4 is my "ride" (not drivable yet)
I have a punch list of what I need for it and I'm heading to the local salvage yard in a few days. Their inventory shows six rangers from 1994 to 2004. I'm pretty sure the 94 is a different generation, though (new to these things).
I am in need of
130 amp alternator
Dash bezel (cigarette lighter snapped out)
Shifter ****
Lower dash (mounts for the headlight switch are cracked off and the switch just floats)
Driver's seat belt
Perhaps wheels - mine are rusty as hell and I can see metal peeling. They hold air so it may just be cosmetic, but I don't want to risk it. Tires are very new.
Any suggestions on "common items" that I should look for/grab while I'm there? When I had a MKII Jetta in the 90s, I used to hoard the door handles because the release triggers would snap if you breathed on them in any temperature below 65. If there is a "gotta replace this all the time" item for my Ranger, I'd rather grab it while I'm there.
Well, add a "rear frame" to my list. I believe it can be patched, but I'll look while there. Sonofa...
There is a reason it was cheap. Didn't see it before even though I crawled under. Spare tire crossmember is pretty well shot (note - lower the spare when looking at future vehicles). Could possibly be patched, but a replacement would be best. The front one where the gas tank mounts seems OK. One spot on the passenger side by the spring shackle. Not in the frame box itself, but in that crossmember. Worst spot is that rear area, drivers side by the bumper (which I have no idea how I missed it). I saw the patch kit you can get for like 50 bucks that you can weld in. I'm optimistic that this is fixable. I'll have to do more investigating before I sink anymore $$ into this project. Don't want to make it completely drivable only to be unsafe and fail inspection.
From the similar threads on here, not the first Ranger with frame rot.
Good news, the frame should be two pieces and should come apart right behind the cab. You can either patch the frame, or find a rust free rear half and replace that.
Oh, and don't bother with a new cluster cover for the headlight mount, the one from the junkyard will break too. I drilled holes around the headlight switch and zip tied the switch to the panel. Works great, and I don't have to worry about it coming apart.
Good news, the frame should be two pieces and should come apart right behind the cab. You can either patch the frame, or find a rust free rear half and replace that.
Oh, and don't bother with a new cluster cover for the headlight mount, the one from the junkyard will break too. I drilled holes around the headlight switch and zip tied the switch to the panel. Works great, and I don't have to worry about it coming apart.
Thanks for the info! I spoke with my neighbor (who works for a bridge construction company) to see if he has a welding guy. His cousin is going to come take a look. I saw the repair channel for the rear frame box by the shackle. I'm optimistic, but I'll still take a look when I go to the yard this weekend.
I was thinking about the lower dash bezel and that others will be broken as well. My dad was a military engineer, so jerry rigging is a family tradition. I'll come up with something.
Additional question - I see that my dash bezel around the radio has a fog light button. My Ranger (that the kids have dubbed "Rick" - I know, original) doesn't seem to have factory fog lights. The front bumper is solid (attaching a front end photo). When I removed the bezel, the electrical connection was there and plugged in. What is the likely turn of events here? Someone replaced the bezel? Someone changed the bumper? I imagine that all Rangers had the wiring whether they had fog lights or not.
There is also a connector along the top of the passenger's side fender under the hood that does not have a mate. The other end of the factory foggers, maybe?
Going to "keep going" on the project, I guess. Even my wife is "on board". I think she just likes that I found a project to keep me busy and happy. Celebrating 25 years in a couple of weeks. Maybe I'll get her a trip to the salvage yard for that :)
The fog light connectors should be below the headlights somewhere around the bottom of the header panel (the lights and grille bolt to the header panel)
If your bezel is original and you have the switch on the bezel, you probably have the wiring and someone replaced the valance. Only way to tell is to try and find the connectors. The connector is for a 9006 bulb, so look that up to get an idea of what it looks like.
Well I hit the yard on Saturday. Got some wheels but I was dumb and didn’t think about the 4wd hub (even though I had seen other threads discussing it). I’ll resell them locally and then pick up some explorer or other ranger wheels.
Most importantly I scouted a clean frame. Just have to go and scavenge it. Picked up a 130 amp alternator and a **** **** to replace the dumb metal skull **** that was on it.
Went to release the clutch master today and the plastic collar is half destroyed and stuck hard. I sprayed some pb blaster on the fitting to see if I could budge it but no dice. I’ll probably end up cutting the line since I was going to replace the clutch anyway.
It’s becoming quite the project but I think I can get him back on the road.
Located a clean frame for the same price as the u-pull that was already pulled. It was a southern frame too. Nice shape. It’s sitting in the back of a friend’s pickup while I stop for a meal on the way back from the road trip to get it.
Depends on the vacuum hoses and possible electrical connectors. If they're all the same, it should work. But if there's more connectors on the new one, or the connectors are different in shape or size, you'll need to swap them out.
Thanks for the info! I spoke with my neighbor (who works for a bridge construction company) to see if he has a welding guy. His cousin is going to come take a look. I saw the repair channel for the rear frame box by the shackle. I'm optimistic, but I'll still take a look when I go to the yard this weekend.
I was thinking about the lower dash bezel and that others will be broken as well. My dad was a military engineer, so jerry rigging is a family tradition. I'll come up with something.
Additional question - I see that my dash bezel around the radio has a fog light button. My Ranger (that the kids have dubbed "Rick" - I know, original) doesn't seem to have factory fog lights. The front bumper is solid (attaching a front end photo). When I removed the bezel, the electrical connection was there and plugged in. What is the likely turn of events here? Someone replaced the bezel? Someone changed the bumper? I imagine that all Rangers had the wiring whether they had fog lights or not.
There is also a connector along the top of the passenger's side fender under the hood that does not have a mate. The other end of the factory foggers, maybe?
Going to "keep going" on the project, I guess. Even my wife is "on board". I think she just likes that I found a project to keep me busy and happy. Celebrating 25 years in a couple of weeks. Maybe I'll get her a trip to the salvage yard for that :)
Is this front grill custom made, or how? Looks cool. How did you make it, or from what vehicle you for t from?
That grill came with the truck. It is a stock grill with those inserts places I over it. There is a clamping mechanism to hold it in place. I’ve replaced it with stock as I didn’t care for the look. The one in the photo is sitting along side of my truck right now.
08-28-2019
