1992 Ranger "SuperVillan"

[Copykat]

I've been collecting parts, designing, and secretly planning my build. I now have a direction and a slue of parts. Time to get building.

Here is what I started with.

1992 Ford Ranger 2wd extended cab short box.


I swapped in a 2.9L V6 with a 5 speed Mazda Transmission.


Got it all running and on the road. Truck runs great. typical lifter clatter though.

Did a shackle flip to lower the back so the truck sits level. Dropped the truck about 2" in the back.


Designed an axle fip kit to lower the back the 8" needed to clear the tires and keep the truck level.



With the extra drop out back I need to notch the frame. Insert a Monster notch.


Ordered all the parts to be Laser cut.





Bought a set of 3" drop beams for the front. This will lower the front 3" with the stock coil springs.


Now you ask why the difference is lowering heights? Simple. I plan to run a 33 x 12.5" tire on the back and a 205/70 on the front. Tires are on order. Picked Firestone Destination AT's as there were only a few tire companies that made the sizes I wanted with the same tread pattern.


Here is what it should look like when lowered and on the right size rubber.

[Copykat]

Here are some of the things I have been working on.

Time to start the Mercury part.


Cut the Letters out of Fiberglass on a water jet and epoxied them onto the tailgate skin.


Smaller set for the grill


Both finished.


Started on changing the headlights. I liked the different look that the German Spec Explorer had and wanted to keep it looking different than the other trucks here.


Cut the light apart and inserted new sealed beam headlight.


Made cardboard fillers to get an idea of shape I needed for the bezels.


Next to the stock headlight


Completed the other side in the same manner.


Got around to installing the tailgate skin and grill.



Lets see what the new lights look like with the new grill?


Start the process of making a mold for the fiberglass pieces.


Needs some bodywork on the molds before making parts.


This is where I am at right now

Except for having to change out a couple suspension parts this week because of the old ones finally letting go.

[Copykat]

Parts I have for the engine stages.

I have new lifters and pushrods for the 2.9L and a new High volume oil pump. Also have a gasket kit for the engine for when these parts get put on. Also have some 260cc injectors.

I had picked up a MS1 kit and have assembled it but having issues with loading the tune to it. It connected to upload the MS1 Extra firmware, but won't connect for the tune.

Put it on the back burner for now.

Picked up a Vortech 12:1 FMU kit and a recalibration kit for 10:1. Also got a 255 Lph fuel pump. Both of these are in the mail. Should have them next week.

Why the FMU, big fuel pump, Megasquirt, and 260 injectors you ask? Simple fact of the matter is that I want to turbo charge this truck. Have you guys to thank for the bad ideas.

I have a turbo setup I previously built for another truck, but removed it after cracking a head and having turbo oil return issues.

Plan to mount the turbo on the 2.9L.

Turbo is a T3/T4 from a Datsun 280ZX. I've got a 12 x 12 intercooler I picked up a while back and will add that to the mix as the original setup didn't use one, but that was 3 PSI. I plan to run this one at 10-15 PSI.

I've had lots of these parts for a while now and Just need to get time to install it all.

Once the FMU and fuel pump get here it's going to get crazy, as I'll be working long nights/weekends to get this stuff installed.

[Copykat]

Drop Beams installed. Got the alignment close so I can drive it. I may chop the coils down a bit to adjust the camber. Brakes work and I massaged the fenders a bit so the tires don't rub. The beams and knuckles came from a 97 Ranger so I got a free upgrade to the twin piston calipers.

[Copykat]

Chopped 3/4 loop from the coils



Installed a 255 lph fuel pump. Put the new fuel tank straps on.

Gave the truck some color.

[Copykat]

wheels



hood

[Copykat]

Picked up a 2.9L couple weekends back, and started to play around with it.

First thing found was I have to move the alternator.





Other than that it seems to fit nice.

Oil drain back will be easy to route into the valve cover.

[Copykat]

Got a bunch of little things painted.

[Copykat]

Got some more stuff done.



Since I have welding to do on the tailgate. I may as well do it right.

[Copykat]

Found this picture for alternator location

[Copykat]

Got some stuff done this past weekend.

Rolled into the shop like this.


Couple hours later.






Rolled out like this.

[Copykat]

Here it is to date.

I couldn't run the 33's without major rubbing on any sort of bump. I got them to clear to get it rolling but rub like a mofo on bumps.

Pulled the 33's off the rims and put a pair of 31" sport king AT's on the back. They rub a bit but not as much as the 33's did.

Static drop 5" front and 8" rear. Next on the list is bodywork to finish paint, and to section the bed to get diff and tire clearance to get the 33's back on.

Gave the truck a bit of a wash yesterday. This is with the 31's on the back, with the 8" wheels.

[Joxracing]

It looks sweet, but what exact theme is it taking?

ha, slammed or off road?

i like the mercury thing.

[philofab]

I want that grill.

[SteveG]

Man, I haven't seen dream beams in a while!

[ChaseTruck754]

Either have I. And they still scare me - haha

[Copykat]

Getting back into it and got the alternator relocation bracket built.






Moved a few things around to make room for future changes. The Coil isn't normally there!


Charcoal can moved.


Washer bottle/overflow moved back to give lots of room for new battery location


Built a set of traction bars since I was getting alot of wheel hop.

Holy hell does it ever hook up now!!

If I only had decent tires with traction.




Installed a fiberglass roll pan. It's from a 93-97 ranger, so it will need just minor work to make it fit perfect. As it is it fits pretty damned good.




BTW if your wondering, most of this stuff will be broken down this summer, blasted and painted. Just too damned cold in the winter to paint in an unheated shop. Don't think the wife and kids would like the smell if painted in the house. :nono:

[rushcanuck]

just noticed you havent put them new headlights you made yet. I think they'll look awesome!

[Copykat]

Haven't finished the molds yet.

[Copykat]

I was going to sell the truck but decided to keep it and convert it to an automatic so I can drive it. Sold the grill and tailgate skin so its just a Ford again. This past weekend i had a couple buddies come out and give me a hand with the trans. I had gotten a 4x4 2.9 trans and I picked up a 2wd trans from a 2.3 turbo coupe. So with a bit of swapping parts we made a 2.9L 2wd trans with floor shift.