@RaggedGT , the Ranger doesnt really look like anything. It looked super straight when I bought it, and when I felt under the fenders I was feeling nice smooth inner fenders, not the actually bondo'd outter fender. The guy I bought it from had a big climate controlled shop that he kept his toys in, but one winter in my ownership and its fillings fell out of its teeth. It just looks like your standard flame job painted '85 Ranger with rusty fenders and cab corners. When I swapped in the news trans, I also found that the trans tunnel was nearly rusted through. I just dont feel like F'in with it anymore. I got my use out of it, and will transfer the fun stuff to a vehicle that allows me to haul my chillins around easier in the winter.
@Boosted92LX , I am going to settle for either a fresh 351, or maybe an aluminum headed 408w if I can stash the cash for it by late summer. It will remain carbed, because I just dont have the time to sort out swapping computers from an older Explorer with fuel injection, and sorting through wiring harnesses, etc. F all that.
@02 281 GT , here is the only pic I have of the Explorer, just taken out of my upstairs window.
The plan is the engine/trans swap, and wheels and tires first. Once that is done, there is a simple 2.5"
suspension lift and it will look about like this:
That is where I will consider it done, and drive it as a daily.