Morgan's 1998 Ranger - Page 8

2004xlmiller · #**106** 12-29-2016, 02:44 AM

Havent bumped this but got alot done lately, after a time when I'd had enough and left it alone for a few weeks. Hope to start it sometime in January but we all know i like to blow past deadlines.

Built a rear bumper, little help at work bending the tube, but it came out exactly how i pictured in my head. Something similar to my last plate bumper but with a twist by adding tube and dimple dies.

Dash is in, i regret not changing the heater core but oh well.

Threw the bed back on.

Bedcage went in.

Tube couplers were perfect, came out just below bed level.

Pulled the motor to delete egr, do a few more seals and changed the cam synchro for a 00 year correct one.

In for the last time.

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Fordzilla80 · #**107** 12-29-2016, 05:28 PM

Yes! Glad you're getting closer and closer to having a complete truck again.

2004xlmiller · #**108** 12-31-2016, 11:30 PM

Thanks. Im getting very excited. Trans went in yesterday.

Fordzilla80 · #**109** 01-01-2017, 10:07 AM

Manual trans swap all the Rangers!

Kealel · #**110** 01-01-2017, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fordzilla80

Manual trans swap all the Rangers!

Agreed!

Kobault · #**111** 01-01-2017, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fordzilla80

Manual trans swap all the Rangers!

I almost bought a 2003 Ranger Edge 4x4 when I was looking far a new one last year that was already body lifted with some really nice kit in it and it was $1000 cheaper than my truck, but it was an automatic. I thought about getting it and doing a manual swap, but then I decided I wanted to do all the work to build up my truck myself since that's half the fun to me.

Fordzilla80 · #**112** 01-01-2017, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kobault

I almost bought a 2003 Ranger Edge 4x4 when I was looking far a new one last year that was already body lifted with some really nice kit in it and it was $1000 cheaper than my truck, but it was an automatic. I thought about getting it and doing a manual swap, but then I decided I wanted to do all the work to build up my truck myself since that's half the fun to me.

When I bought mine I was looking for a 2001-2003 White Edge 4dr Supercab with a 4.0 and 4x4. I needed an auto because I had never driven a manual before. I ended up settling for a 3.0 4x2 version of what I wanted since 4x4's weren't prevalent when I was shopping. Probably about two months into my purchase I started having transmission issues with just 40,000 miles. I ended up blowing the transmission sky high at 78,000 miles, and I knew I was done with automatic Rangers. I didn't even care if I didn't know how to drive stick, I was determined to teach myself. The manual swap was cheaper than the automatic rebuild, so it was a done deal. I still don't have a 4.0 or 4x4, but the manual trans made a world of difference in the dependability of the truck, and that's all that matters to me.

Kobault · #**113** 01-01-2017, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fordzilla80

When I bought mine I was looking for a 2001-2003 White Edge 4dr Supercab with a 4.0 and 4x4. I needed an auto because I had never driven a manual before. I ended up settling for a 3.0 4x2 version of what I wanted since 4x4's weren't prevalent when I was shopping. Probably about two months into my purchase I started having transmission issues with just 40,000 miles. I ended up blowing the transmission sky high at 78,000 miles, and I knew I was done with automatic Rangers. I didn't even care if I didn't know how to drive stick, I was determined to teach myself. The manual swap was cheaper than the automatic rebuild, so it was a done deal. I still don't have a 4.0 or 4x4, but the manual trans made a world of difference in the dependability of the truck, and that's all that matters to me.

Yeah, I don't think I'll ever be able to bring myself to buy an automatic vehicle. Everything I've ever owned or really driven has been a manual with the exception of the odd rental here and there. From my grandfather's old 1959 F-100, to a 1988 Dodge Ram 50 on the farm, to a 2002 Corolla and both Rangers I've had. All manuals. All awesome. Unfortunately, I don't think there are going to be too many more new trucks coming out with manuals. You've got the Toyota Tacoma with a 6-speed, but only if you get a TRD Pro or Sport with a crew cab. There's the Nissan Frontier with a 6-speed, but only crew cab 4x4s. The international Rangers come with 6-speeds, but it's anybody's guess if that'll carry over to the 2018/2019 US Ranger. Such an incredible shame.

Kealel · #**114** 01-01-2017, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fordzilla80

I still don't have a 4x4.

It's your own fault you didn't finish the swap

Fordzilla80 · #**115** 01-01-2017, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kealel

It's your own fault you didn't finish the swap

Meh. I wasn't ever going to use it anyway. lol.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Kobault

Unfortunately, I don't think there are going to be too many more new trucks coming out with manuals. Such an incredible shame.

I agree. The manual trans will always be one of the best things I ever did to my truck, and will probably be why I keep my truck around for years to come.

Garfield · #**116** 01-01-2017, 11:39 PM

Nice welds!

Kobault · #**117** 01-02-2017, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fordzilla80

I agree. The manual trans will always be one of the best things I ever did to my truck, and will probably be why I keep my truck around for years to come.

Ditto.

2004xlmiller · #**118** 01-02-2017, 11:37 PM

Thanks. Sooo glad i chose a 5 speed, i chose to put in the $50 craigslist trans over the $100 pick n pull trans. Ive opened a ton of these, and ive never seen a cleaner one than the one i scored for 50 bucks haha. Need to figure out a way to cap the speedo cable hole since i wont be using it. Any ideas? I'll probably make some sort of dummy plug with the lathe at work. Also have no clue how to measure for a new driveshaft since finding a 2wd short bed single cab 4.0 5 speed one seems pretty impossible, not even sure that would be an option that year unless custom ordered. Getting fluids for her this week since everything is still dry. Need a battery harness, a few things tied up in the cab and reassembly there, then hoping to turn the key.. Still wont start, going to need to tune the ecu and delete pats and a few other things..

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Kobault · #**119** 01-03-2017, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2004xlmiller

Also have no clue how to measure for a new driveshaft since finding a 2wd short bed single cab 4.0 5 speed one seems pretty impossible, not even sure that would be an option that year unless custom ordered.

eyeball + chainsaw

Kealel · #**120** 01-03-2017, 08:56 AM

Couldn't you use a drives haft from any 5 speed 2 wheel single cab short bed? They are all the same transmissions that bolt to the same spot, shouldn't they be the same length too?