Scott B's 93 Ranger XLT V8

[Trckmagik]

Awesome build sir.

 

[Scott B.]

Awesome build sir.

Thanks, Brian.

 

[Scott B.]

Last weekend was Country Fried Weekend - an annual camp and food fest.

I thought it was an appropriate first outing with the new engine. Although, overnight it got down to about 25 degrees - a little cold in the tent!

 

[Rick]

That just looks so right in there...

 

[Scott B.]

New Wheel

After close to 20 years, I finally got around to changing the steering wheel.

I never cared for the original, and it was getting worn.

This one does not have cruise control buttons - you can get an add-on that straddles the lower spoke. The add-in is ugly and quite expensive. I mounted 5 buttons/switches on the dash for the cruise - all I need to do now is wire them.

 

[Scott B.]

Nice Rack

I added a shovel mount to my roof rack. I attached a Quick Fist to the cross bars, to mount the shovel.

I have been carrying the shovel in the back, but the shovel head usually does not fit well when the back is loaded. Its odd shape always interferes with something.

 

[reapereviltwin]

I might not post much, your Ranger is looking sweet, Scott!!!!!!

 

[1 of the last]

What a beautiful job, Scott! Have been following this build for a while. It sounds real beasty; even better than I imagined. Enjoy it!

 

[Scott B.]

What a beautiful job, Scott! Have been following this build for a while. It sounds real beasty; even better than I imagined. Enjoy it!

Thanks!

It's got a rumble to it. I pulled into camp a couple of weeks ago, and the guy next to us said he heard it and thought that's not a stock Ranger!

I am enjoying it.

Now to finish the A/C, cruise control, ...

 

[Scott B.]

I'm working on 2 additions this weekend - mounting the air compressor and installing a 2nd battery.

The air compressor is going on the driver's side, under the platform, in a little cubbyhole behind the wheelwell. I chose the driver's side because the bed floor has a bump-up relief for a fuel filler for those trucks with a second fuel tank. Since the space was partially obstructed, it made more sense for a permanent mount here, leaving the other side for storage.

Here, you can see the compressor, where it is going, and fitting it.

 

[Scott B.]

The battery is going in the front right corner of the bed, under the platform.

Here, you can see the battery and RuffStuff carrier, and where it is going.

 

[Scott B.]

Finished!

The compressor is mounted and the battery is secure in its cage.

Neither are wired - that is a project for another day. I am going to add a 12 position fuse block and 6 position relay block by the battery for my circuits.

 

[dkchrist]

Major Respect! Super sweet build!

 

[Scott B.]

Hmmm.... What have we here?

I picked this up recently.

Now that I have a second battery, I can install it.

 

[Scott B.]

I am going to mount this in the rear of the bed on the driver's side.

 

[Scott B.]

I have to modify the sleeping platform to allow for the fridge.

Here, you can see it marked and cut.

I need to add the wiring harness before re-installing the platform. Next weekend.

 

[Scott B.]

I also updated my tire repair kit.

I added a valve stem removal and replacement tool. This tool works with the tire mounted on the wheel. I have not tried it, but the video looks pretty cool.

Here you can see the tool set, and my complete tire repair kit.

 

[Scott B.]

As preparation for a new set of Deaver leaf springs, I had the truck weighted today. The shop that built the engine has a set of scales (for their race cars,) so I got a weight with much more accuracy than I needed!

LF 1299 RF 1209 Axle Total - 2508
LR 1275 RR 1282 Axle Total - 2557

Total - 5063

Amazingly enough, the truck is almost perfectly biased both front to rear and left to right. Circle track racing anyone???

Seriously, the engine swap added approximately 100 pounds to front axle. Not bad.

The rear is heavier than I anticipated. Bumpers and interiors have a cost.

Looking at this, and thinking about the quantity of gear that gets loaded in the truck for an outing, and future wanted mods, the V8 was a better choice to rebuilding the V6.

 

[Scott B.]

Continuing with the fridge mount, I started running power from the 2nd battery. I decided to keep the fridge's power cord intact, and mount a cigarette lighter receptacle for easy access.

 

[Scott B.]

Here, you can see the fridge sitting where it will go.

I will build a sliding shelf to mount the fridge to, to allow it to slide out over the tailgate for ease of access.