- 5
- 0
Hello Everyone! First post, just signed up on the forum. My experience on my Toyota MR2 forums has been awesome, and it looks like this is all set up really nicely and I look forward to picking your brains.
My wifes parents have a 1972 Ford Ranger XLT 250 2WD sitting in a field. They said we could have it and my wife wants to make it her project truck. The thing ran a year ago and would probably start up with some fresh gas and a charged battery. It was parked because of crappy mileage. The body is in good shape except the bed of the truck and torn interior.
We are 23 yrs old, and I've been learning/working on cars for 5 years now, just completed an engine swap in my 1986 Toyota MR2. So I am capable of fixing up a vehicle. I've been teaching the wife about engines and cars too. But I've never worked on an old American V-8, tuned a carburetor, changed pads on drum brakes, etc. So I want to learn a lot before I get started. Ok...All of that said, here's what my wife wants. It's up to you guys (and gals) to get us pointed in the right direction so that we make the best option choices without making mistakes and spending too much money.
The engine: It's a V-8. I'm sure it has pushrods. I see power steering pump, AC, water pump, a carburetor, etc. Does the "250" designation indicate 250 cu. inches? What is the HP? Worth rebuilding? She says she will want to swap engines and put something more powerful in there. What are our options? Buy a crate engine? I cant weld, so please specify is that is required to install a particular engine because it means getting help
Tranny: It's an automatic.
She says she wants a manual...but if it's too complicated it might not be worth it.
Suspension: She wants it lifted 4"... I'm sure most of the suspension needs an overhaul.
She wants it painted gun metal gray with pink flames and maybe a pink snow plow. lol. the snow gets 6 ft deep here...but I dont know about 2WD and a snow plow.
It has drums on 4 corners....worth changing to 4 disks/2 disks front?
What is a realistic budget? I dont like cutting corners and do everything right when I can. I would expect at least $10k.
My wifes parents have a 1972 Ford Ranger XLT 250 2WD sitting in a field. They said we could have it and my wife wants to make it her project truck. The thing ran a year ago and would probably start up with some fresh gas and a charged battery. It was parked because of crappy mileage. The body is in good shape except the bed of the truck and torn interior.
We are 23 yrs old, and I've been learning/working on cars for 5 years now, just completed an engine swap in my 1986 Toyota MR2. So I am capable of fixing up a vehicle. I've been teaching the wife about engines and cars too. But I've never worked on an old American V-8, tuned a carburetor, changed pads on drum brakes, etc. So I want to learn a lot before I get started. Ok...All of that said, here's what my wife wants. It's up to you guys (and gals) to get us pointed in the right direction so that we make the best option choices without making mistakes and spending too much money.
The engine: It's a V-8. I'm sure it has pushrods. I see power steering pump, AC, water pump, a carburetor, etc. Does the "250" designation indicate 250 cu. inches? What is the HP? Worth rebuilding? She says she will want to swap engines and put something more powerful in there. What are our options? Buy a crate engine? I cant weld, so please specify is that is required to install a particular engine because it means getting help
Tranny: It's an automatic.
She says she wants a manual...but if it's too complicated it might not be worth it.Suspension: She wants it lifted 4"... I'm sure most of the suspension needs an overhaul.
She wants it painted gun metal gray with pink flames and maybe a pink snow plow. lol. the snow gets 6 ft deep here...but I dont know about 2WD and a snow plow.
It has drums on 4 corners....worth changing to 4 disks/2 disks front?
What is a realistic budget? I dont like cutting corners and do everything right when I can. I would expect at least $10k.
