The Black Hole

[Paraphoe]

I know the feeling. I have a neighbor that asks me "Whats wrong with it now"? Every time I do something to it.

HAHA! I have those same neighbors! An older couple that always sees me outside wrenching and asks "What's wrong NOW!?"

 

[97sprt4x4]

Giggity

Looks pretty sweet. one question though, are you gonna keep the auto shifter or are you going to swap out for a manual trans column. Looks great otherwise.

 

[gmanpaint]

Manual column eventually. Not in a rush for it. I will remove the stock shifter till then.

 

[CDW6212R]

Wait until you find the manual shift column. It's easy to remove the shifter from the column once it's removed, but tough still in the truck. Just drop the column one time.

 

[gmanpaint]

I had it off a couple weeks ago and put it back on. I have had the column dropped a few times already, only takes like 10 mins or so to do. The shifter comes out with a pin & unplug the O/D wire, pretty easy actually after you do it a couple times.

A good trick to it is to remove the front 2 nuts, and loosen the rear 2 nuts so the column drops and hangs enough to get at the shifter.

 

[CDW6212R]

Ditto, after doing it once and fighting the wiring connectors, that would work well.

 

[Turdle]

I have to hand it to ya Gregg, your confidence level has greatly improved since I met you. You're really turning this thing into a beast. I knew you had the ability all along.

 

[rookieshooter]

Thanks GRN!

It is def a labor of love/hate with it. I thought kids tested patience, but this rig has pushed me to the edge many a time. In the end, it is always worth it.

How true, how true

Looks great

 

[rookieshooter]

HAHA! I have those same neighbors! An older couple that always sees me outside wrenching and asks "What's wrong NOW!?"

Again, How true how true

 

[gmanpaint]

Thank you very much guys.

I have wrenched since I was a kid but, it was not until recently, I started messing with 4x4's or anything besides old school carbed drive trains.

I never had anybody around in my family to help me along either. Resources were always from friends or books. Along comes the internet and the fine folk on EF(especially Jon who helped me in the very beginning, and still is), and opened my mind to a plethora of knowledge. Without your vast library & intellect, the encouragement needed to attempt 90% of these mods, the reaping of benefits, and the congratulatory rewards at the end of a job, they would most likely never of happened.

My hat is off to EF.
Thank you all
G~

 

[crazyflights]

 

[gmanpaint]

Back @ YA!

 

[John_Rock]

Back @ YA!

Chat thread?

 

[gmanpaint]

Here is a link to the recent trans conversion. Lots of pics and info on how to (or not to do) this Mod.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=254763

 

[gmanpaint]

The manual trans got it's first wheeling trip behind it. Much more work, but just makes it that much more challenging.

Learned a bunch of not to do's, learned some have to do's and some wanna do's.

5th gear is a very nice addition. 70 mph at 2000 rpm, is a lot better than 2800 rpm with the 4R55E.

I might have to get a new Master slave cylinder as the old is not working well. Pedal has to go to the floor almost to disengage the clutch. Has been bench bled, & gravity bled, yet still does not work correctly, making it a PITA to operate.

 

[crazyflights]

I never drove the Ranger that the pedals and mastercyl came from so, maybe it wasnt good? Id try that your slave cyl was almost new. 5th gear is nice, you should bring it to Lin this sat evening for some mild wheeling and campfire.

 

[Burns]

Yeah you better go ahead and keep that strap on there lol just kidding.

After you wheel with the 5speed more you will be a pro. I love mine but it took Time time to get used to. Nothing like being able to use the whole spectrum in lo-range.

Also check into using vacuum to bleed the clutch.

 

[GRNMACHINE]

Truck Looks Great!! Wheel Tire Combo is TUFF!!

 

[Maniak]

Now that you have a clutch, its time for a doubler/stubler so you don't need to touch the clutch.. Heck, throw in an atlas now

~Mark

 

[gmanpaint]

I never drove the Ranger that the pedals and mastercyl came from so, maybe it wasnt good? Id try that your slave cyl was almost new. 5th gear is nice, you should bring it to Lin this sat evening for some mild wheeling and campfire.

I will go get a new master for it then. Thank you for the very nice invitation, but I have to go thru my Moms stuff this weekend with family, and sort thru all her stuff. Been almost 2 years since she passed and we have not been able to pull ourselves together til now, to do it.

Yeah you better go ahead and keep that strap on there lol just kidding.

After you wheel with the 5speed more you will be a pro. I love mine but it took Time time to get used to. Nothing like being able to use the whole spectrum in lo-range.

Also check into using vacuum to bleed the clutch.

I think I have to have a strap front & back on this rig at all times. It just isn't high enough to go over the stuff I try to climb. It is what it is. Still having fun as hell doing what I can with it. With a new master bench bled, hopefully it works better.

Truck Looks Great!! Wheel Tire Combo is TUFF!!

Thank you very much

Now that you have a clutch, its time for a doubler/stubler so you don't need to touch the clutch.. Heck, throw in an atlas now

~Mark

If I had the coin for an atlas, I would have the coin for an SAS, better engine, and the wheels I want for the 35's. Someday it will happen, but for now, I am learning how to wheel with it the way it is.


Best thing about the manual is no more over heating and being thrown into limp mode. 2nd best thing is the 5th gear for HWY cruising. 3rd best on the list, is the full range of gears, like Burns mentioned. It can get tricky (scary too) being stuck and fighting a extreme vertical climb with the clutch. Using 2 feet for 3 pedals is something I haven't had to do for a long time. 4th best thing is, it is fun to operate, as your always doing something and it makes you concentrate real hard at every thing you do on the trails.

Thanks for all the comments guys.