Project Wicked Wayz

[The StRanger]

1989 Ranger 4x4.
Picked this up a couple years ago with a bad engine, pulled it for a crylon rebuild and found the cracks. so what the heck.
Some JB weld and time and it was running. Rattling but running.
one day it was slow so I pulled it back in the adjust the lifters and found the valve cover was dry... 0 oil pressure.
So I pulled the whole thing and get ready for the 5.0.

[96EXXLTinCO]

Cant wait to see where this ends up!!

[The StRanger]

Long term. 78 F150 9 inch full width, Match d 44 front with long cast radius arms or Rubicon d 44 high pinion with locker.
Drive train will be 5.0 injected Truck engine (high low end torque), AOD and NP308 t case

[EKXJ87]

Ranger with a 5.0 what's not to like, can't wait for the build !

[Java]

:thumb: :thumb:

[The StRanger]

There is no way that 5.0 is gona fit the way it is now..
Do the A/C box mod and there is a lot more pass side room.

[96EXXLTinCO]

That made a hole......

[The StRanger]

But only two..

[MultiScuf]

The 5.0 outa the new Mustang???

[robotzombies]

1. Did you ever consider the 4.0? Or is the 5.0 too tempting? 2. If you ever want to let go of the drive shafts, let me know.

[The StRanger]

The 5.0 outa the new Mustang???

Naw. Its the old school 91 F150 or 250.
I rather lean to torque over HP..
Most of what we do is off idle. HP comes in above about 4000 RPM.

[MultiScuf]

I was just wondering. keep us updated :)

[Brian]

Looks like a nice match!

[Brucker]

Great project!

[The StRanger]

I was just wondering. keep us updated :)

It will be a long term project ( Hopin not to long).
There's a lot to do...

[dieseldoc]

Nice. Will watch this one for sure.

[Jim]

I rather lean to torque over HP..
Most of what we do is off idle

:thumb:

[The StRanger]

1. Did you ever consider the 4.0? Or is the 5.0 too tempting? 2. If you ever want to let go of the drive shafts, let me know.

I have the 5.0 hangin around the garage lookin all lonely and stuff.
It needs to go out and play..

Ill see what I need from the shafts and let ya know..

[The StRanger]

5.0 loaded up and on the way to the shop !!

[The StRanger]

Teaser !!!

[Cr33p3r]

Haha its a bit tight sideways there Sam.

Interested in how it plays out when you are done.

[The StRanger]

Pulled off the plenum (a little easier on install) and rolled it over to take a look at the bearings.
All the rod bearings are good. It will still get new rod & main bearings.
Now lets see what need to be cut up !!!

[The StRanger]

Im using the stock 2.9 engine mounts for a mock up. Im thinkin 1/4 inch with gussets.
Some cutting and bending on the pass side, And removing a tab on the drive side and its in...

[The StRanger]

This engine has a mid mounted oil pan pick up and will not clear the inner TTB arm mount..
Choices are replacing the pan & pick up. Cutting the existing oil pan & pickup. OR.
Pulling the TTB and start the SAS now.

[The StRanger]

Its in and It fits..
Pulled out the tape and it looks like there might be a need for a little hood bump od some sort.
Got 9 inches of plenum to fit in 9 inches to the top of the hood.
Dont realy know till its clipped and bolted to its next home..

[Cr33p3r]

Do your SAS now while it's down, you'll be happier when its all done.

[88Toy]

My vote as well, although you'll probably need a rear sump pan eventually. Neat project!

[The StRanger]

Doin this a little bit at a time after work, But its a start.
And its not like I can leave it in the shop long term, It has to roll out before Mon morn.
Have a small pill or 1 3/4, 1/8th wall welded for now..
Some bushings, cut and trim, Sparky, sparky...
1st step to a D44 high pinion front...

[The StRanger]

Now the season is over I can get back to this !

[Fordguy77]

Sounds fun! Id personally recommend putting the Explorer 5.0L Intakes on over the Truck style. Much shorter, and still designed to retain the torque. And they also flow a lot better. Im currently putting a 5.0L in my BMW. Well starting to. Keep up the good work.

[EKXJ87]

Now the season is over I can get back to this !

X2 That! now if this warmer weather would stick around for a bit, have decided on which front 44 your going with?

[The StRanger]

Rubicon HP Dana 44 with Elic locker

Im gona try to run a hybrid front. Con inners with a 78/79 knuckle.
Lock out hubs and 5 on 5 1/2 with FJ Cruiser/ Tacoma 4 piston calipers

[EKXJ87]

Cool looking forward to the 44 build and will be looking for some pointers, as I just picked up a 76 HP44/9" from a F150 that I plan on building and putting under an XJ.

[ExplorerTom]

Rubicon HP Dana 44 with Elic locker

what year?

[redneck23ms]

Cool looking forward to the 44 build and will be looking for some pointers, as I just picked up a 76 HP44/9" from a F150 that I plan on building and putting under an XJ.
what pointers are you looking for? those are the same axles that i have in my yj.

[The StRanger]

what year?
I think it came out of a 10 or 11

[EKXJ87]

what pointers are you looking for? those are the same axles that i have in my yj.

PM sent

[ExplorerTom]

If I understand the JK D44, it's basically a bastardized D30. If left alone, it's not as strong as a normal D44.

Have you you also heard this? If so, do you plan on addressing those weaknesses?

my D30 has the axle tubes trussed, skid plates on the control arm attachments, gussetted C's and chrome moly axle shafts.

Are you you keeping the coil spring set up? If so, which springs are you going with?

[The StRanger]

The axle is already caped and gussetted. Planning on trussing it.
Gona play it lose with the springs. Got a set of YJ or TJ front but I think they may set it to tall.
Im not plannin on goin to hard core, Just want somethin if I roll it on its side it aint no big thing...

[The StRanger]

So kinda fiddling around today and the engine sits a little low in the frame for my tase.
Im already planing on a 2 inch body lift for some clearance issues.
So a 2 inch lift on the engine, trans and T case will give my a flat belly skid plate

[The StRanger]

A little 2 inch stock I had hangin around (Resever hitch)
Cut and drilled
Remember this is a trial run. My work, May not

[The StRanger]

Also had a chance to clock the remote filter

[The StRanger]

My kind of selfie..

[The StRanger]

Figured I cant make it to the run I can take a couple hour with Mr Sparkie..

[The StRanger]

Even got Dizzy to help clean the engine !

[The StRanger]

Currently on hold till further notice ..

[96EXXLTinCO]

:frown:

[The StRanger]

Bizzy fingers and stuff. Didnt get pics but did have a chance to work the head a little.
Had the broke intake bolts so between heat and welding got them pulled.
Started major degraeseing & thread chasing Im might get some paint on them soon..

[96EXXLTinCO]

Do work!!!

[The StRanger]

Its amazing what some time, Elbow grease and a can of Duplacolor can do...
Redone the guides, checked and laped the valves.
Get my gasket set so I can match port the runners and put them together !!!
Doing a lot of labor stuff during this "JOURNEY"

[96EXXLTinCO]

Back when I did motor swaps for an engine exchange shop, I swear I spent just as much time cleaning parts as I did on the R&R. Owner's motto was "If you're willing to lick it, then it's clean enough to stick it" I never made any money at that place. 16 hr motor job would turn into at least twice that. But if I was working on my own vehicle...................totally different story.

[The StRanger]

All the engine work here is crates. All the other get a bath in the steamer. But my own stuff gets cleaned and painted.

[96EXXLTinCO]

All the engine work here is crates. All the other get a bath in the steamer. But my own stuff gets cleaned and painted.

We did rebuilt long blocks, so just had to swap oil/water pump, intake, pullies, etc. But man, some of those intakes were a nightmare. I'm with you though, I wouldn't do my own motor without doing what I (and you obviously) belive is the right way!!

[The StRanger]

Once in a while it nice to brake out the micrometer..

[The StRanger]

Had a chance to do some match porting on the heads...

[The StRanger]

Amazing what a little hot bath can do for greasy parts.
Every thing cleaned and etched, ready for porting.
Its all part of that idle hands stuff they keep talkin about !!

[The StRanger]

Idle hands and Paint cans...
What do you think of Orange and Black ???

[Chris]

Isn't that the color used in the 60's? I like it!

[96EXXLTinCO]

Pretty close to Chevy orange isn't it? I'd mess with people and tell em it's a 350.

[The StRanger]

Flat orange & flat black..
Iv never done this color combo before
Wait this ya see the valve covers..

[The StRanger]

Time to start gutting the interior..

[The StRanger]

And it loaded it upside down

[Chris]

I thought you flipped it to make it easier to work on! :D

[dieseldoc]

Chevy orange and black, always a good stand by.
Yet Hemi orange would be better!

[The StRanger]

I was also thinkin florescent orange.
Glow in the dark would be cool.

[dieseldoc]

:thumb:

[The StRanger]

Just can't stay still, and with sher's sugary on wed I kinda have two days.
The rest on the interior came out and into the dumpster. Got some old seat I have from a Corolla that should fit in nicely. Good bolster and a lot better than those old flat plastic bench things.
Now just bending and melting steel and they will do.

[The StRanger]

I don't know why I can't get pics to load up right

[Chris]

I don't know why I can't get pics to load up right

You using a phone to take them?

[The StRanger]

Yup. My laptop is down for a bit

[Chris]

The way to get the photos to load is to turn your phone 90 degrees from the way you held it for those pics. If you have an iPhone the "home" button has to be on the right side for the pics to post correctly. I don't know about Android phones but it's gotta be similar.

[The StRanger]

It's all good as it loads but when I hit post there on there side or upside down. Just never know

[The StRanger]

Had a chance to do some welding on the cab bracing.
Kinda fun to let the little one play with sparkie a bit..

[The StRanger]

Now that things are starting to get back to " normal"
And I use that term loosely. It's time to load the 5.0 up and get it back together...
See. It don't go away, just slowed down

[Swank1975]

Hey I think it's not set in there right. ;)

[The StRanger]

Sometime it tips my pic on the side.
Don't know why but I can't fix it.

[The StRanger]

Giggle stick purchased

[Brucker]

WooHoo!

What are your specs for the motor Sam?

[The StRanger]

89/90 5.0 stock, port matched & polished heads and intaked.

[The StRanger]

Should be ready to drop in.

[The StRanger]

Don't know why it keeps ripen my pics sideways
Or how to fix them.

[Jim]

Or how to fix them.

Once you post a pic, if it's not in the orientation you desire, go back to your phone/tablet and rotate the picture there the amount the photo posted would need to be rotated for right-side-up orientatation - save it - then re-upload here and the "second try" should be upright.

[The StRanger]

Had a chance to stop.at Kimmer Transmission ( they close at five. I get off at five.)
He had AOD 4X4 output shaft I need, so now I can get this trans done and drop the drive train in..
I'm get in tired of it just setting around.

[Jim]

I'm get in tired of it just setting around.

I was a wondr'n what was up. You're typically out and about.

How much more do you need to get done? Cleanup run Saturday? Or jump in with me to ride along - ample open seats.

[The StRanger]

Was kinda plan in on bringing frog.

[The StRanger]

I was a wondr'n what was up. You're typically out and about.

It funny how a major illness can set us back a year or two.
Kind hard to say "I'm goin wheeling" right after she had cemo...

[Jim]

Ah. `didn't realize. Totally understand. Having family to be one is golden.

[The StRanger]

Ya, I know it’s been a while but stuff happens.
Decided to hold off on the Auto trans ( still haven’t gave up yet ) and pulled the trigger on the 5 speed.
The NP 1106 isn’t the t case I want for now but I’m tired of this thing sittin

[The StRanger]

With a new upper plenum to play with I can lift and polish this and see how it works.

[The StRanger]

Sorry. The transfer case is the Borg Warner 4406 Manual shift.

[The StRanger]

With work slowin down (covid) there’s a good change I can run this down to the shop and get the running gear installed...

[Swank1975]

I'm picturing the transverse mounted 5.o with a chain to the rear axle like a gocart. :)

[Jim]

No locker needed!

[The StRanger]

One front, one rear ?

[The StRanger]

Step one complete.
in the morning, welding

[The StRanger]

May need to cut the hood.

[The StRanger]

So.... bit of a story.
quite a bit ago my son picked up an AOD and engine for Smurf (the old blue bronco). All we needed was the engine.
Trans was junk but it traded for a NP208. But no trans.
long story short, got a smokin deal on a Mazda 5 speed (ford truck trans) and a slip yoke transfer case, and when I stared to install it found it was for a 4.6 modular (starter is in the wrong place)
DAMn IT !!!!!!
found another smokin deal on a Mazda 5 speed 5.0 but its a 2WD, all I need is the case so spent the day striping out the 2WD trans 5.0 and the 4WD case 4.6and installing the 4WD innerds into the 5.0 case. TA DA !!!!!
A Mazda 5 speed for a 5.0 4X4 trans, plus a bonus. The NP 208 bolts right up.
now to install it.

[Java]

That's awesome, Sam. I'm impressed that you can do that. :thumb:

[The StRanger]

Little 7.5 axle, 9 inch full width in.
Think I'll need to do some trimming,

[The StRanger]

Got a little more done today with no pics (sorry)
got the old shock mounts cut off the rear axle, got the park brakes mixed.
modifying 7.5 park brake system into a 9 inch drum.
now ya got a fallow me here. Ford made two different hydraulic lines for the clutch lines ( I’m a ford dealer tech and I NEVER knew this. A small port hydraulic slave and a large port hydraulic slave. I’m assuming F150 and Ranger. so I had to “modify” the line for Ranger master to the F150 slave
now I need to find my missing engine harness and front hubs and I’ll be good to go.
hope to have this on the trail this summer....

[The StRanger]

Brother in law and I hit the boneyard Sat and found my PCM to match the wiring harnesses and the upgraded Distributer.
GAWD I hope I can fire this thing this by this weekend...

[The StRanger]

Found out I have the wrong “type”of distributor so I’m tryin to decide to just buy new parts or make another boneyard run???
had some free time “ wife was busy” so I ran down pulled the little twin I beam and threw the Dana 44 full width.
domino effect in full mode....

[The StRanger]

Full width Dana 44 installed. Used the cast long radius arms.
That gave me about a 8 inch stretch on the front.

[Jim]

some progress.

Dist still on the ToDo list?

[The StRanger]

some progress.

Dist still on the ToDo list?
Ya, still lookin

[The StRanger]

It’s not a dead horse, just doing “little” stuff a little at a time after work and not getting pics.
got the new coils, wires and plugs, it rolled over but won’t fire.
with the steering box in the stock position I have no room for a oil filter so I got a remote filter.
Not knowing that moving the axle forward 6 inches throws the track arm into that pitman arm. And the track arm mount “not permanent “ for now I see bending while turning.
So if I have to reinforce the drivers.side frame I’ll install a Toyota box, 6 inches forward should fix the problem.
The biggest thing slowing me down right now is policing a 2000 explorer harness onto a 90 f150 engine into a 89 2.9 body...
DAMN !!!