Hello, i recently joined this site after running across it while doing research for my project. I currently own an 88 Ford Ranger XLT with the 2.9L V6. a few months ago i bought an 89 Ford Ranger XLT also with the 2.9L V6. I originally bought it as a parts truck for my 88 because it had been in a wreak the smashed the front driver side fender and tore the wheel and hub off. However after i got it home a little looking and a bit of luck made me decide to bring this truck back from the dead. I was looking at the damage and it is all body damage. as for the luck just after i got it my girlfriends brother happened to sell me his 91 ranger for $20 since he killed the engine. anyways to make a long story short i am taking the inner body panels for the 91 and putting them on my 89 due to the damage to the originals as well as some bad rust problems. upon taking the original panels off i discovered that the bushing mounts were extremely rusted out so i took the ones of the 91 to replace them with. I need a little advice with this, i used a grinder to cut the rivets and remove the mounts but now i am not sure how to go about mounting them to the 89's frame, I am thinking about using a treading tool to tread the original rivet holes then bolt the mounts on and put a nut and lock washer on the bolt to keep it in place.
any help would be greatly appreciated
Jeremy

Nut and lock washer is the way to go. Paint everything up good to keep the rust at bay and maybe throw a little locktite on them nuts.

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'88 STX Super Cab 4x4
2.9 5spd 180,000 miles
Crappy Paint, Worn Parts,
Fix'em as they Break
when Nowhere is Now Here

i replaced the frount bushing mounts on my 90 i just found a bolt that fits through it an put on a lock washer some loctite and a nut and its good too go oh and put some ospho on the frame after you clean it up let that sit on it overnight and then paint it and the rust should never come back

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1990 Ranger Extended Cab
2.9L V6 5 Speed Transmission
Planning to put a 347 and a T-5 in it eventually

Thanks for the advice guy's, sounds like some good ideas to me, I will post pics of my project soon and let you know how it goes.

well, I took the bed off yesterday and am working on getting the rust off. I bought a wire wheel for my drill to start with but i could use any help available about how to get the rust off before i paint. Also i had to cut 2 of the 6 bolts that were holding the bed on and the other ones are really badly corroded. what should i replace them with, is there anywhere i can get new ones?

well bolts from any ranger up too 92 should work if you want a cheap replacement if you want to go expensive you can order them from LMC truck for brand new ones and wirewheel is the best way to get off most of the rust the small like surface rust just cover with this rust preventer called OSPHO and let it sit over night and the rust will be converted to a neutral metal they should sell it at home depot or other hardware stores then you should just be able to paint it

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1990 Ranger Extended Cab
2.9L V6 5 Speed Transmission
Planning to put a 347 and a T-5 in it eventually

Today i have been working on getting the cab prepped for removal. what all do i have to disconnect so that i can take the cab off? I have never done this before so i was just looking for something like a check list of things to disconnect and the general location of them. Thanks for any advice. I will be posting pics of my progress shortly so watch for them as well.
Jeremy

your going to have to disconnect the wireing harness the steering wheel all the cab bolts the radiator core bolts the radiator and ac condenser ( or you can take them off of the core support i reccomend doing that) the shifting linkage if its a manual and the brake booster or lines if you take the booster off you wont have to mess with bleeding the brakes and anything that is connected from the engine bay to the inner fenderwell like the starter silenoid and the power fuse box and air cleaner tray

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1990 Ranger Extended Cab
2.9L V6 5 Speed Transmission
Planning to put a 347 and a T-5 in it eventually

Thanks for the help, so far i have almost every thing disconnected i think. It is an automatic transmission if that changes anything.

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1988 Ranger XLT Super cab 2X4
2.9L V6 automatic 254,000 miles

1989 Ranger XLT Super cab 2X4
2.9L V6 automatic 186,000 miles

No mods yet

youll have to disconnect the transmission cooler from the core support as well and the shifting linkage on the bottom of the steering column oh and youll have to disconect your parking brake cable aswell

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1990 Ranger Extended Cab
2.9L V6 5 Speed Transmission
Planning to put a 347 and a T-5 in it eventually

I'm new to all this and have just been exploring. I think these guys here are taking care of you really well. I've been looking for the same help as for I am going to be restoring my '85 this summer. Any ?s I'm sure these guys can help.

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1985 Ford Ranger 2.8L V6 Automatic
Duel gas tanks | Spare Tire mount | Busted grill | Bent lower grill | Needs front quarter panels | Some surface rust | About 130,000 miles | Needs right side exhaust manifold | Has 1/4 inch rubber bed mat | Int. of bed in excellent condition |