Nexmo.co 2000 ranger build #1

[nexmo]

Hi everyone, I'm rebuilding my recently purchased salvage vehicle that I got for close to nothing. I traded a 1988 toyota camry for parts that i needed for the front end, I spent 400$ on new body works(Hood, fenders, doors, bed, bumper, and hitch receiver) that I ended up deciding to use on ranger build #2, But am still budgeting it into the build price of this one.

2000 Ranger xlt
4.0 4x4
4door
86,374 miles

I will update this first post with new pictures and updates as the build progresses, Please be sure to refer back to it as time advances.

Thoughts/Plans:
6/30: when this is finished I'm letting my girlfriend drive it, so she will be helping me make a few styling decisions.
I'm going to show her all the different year front ends this weekend (4th of july weekend). I'm leaning twords the 03 honeycomb grille and 06 bumper. we will see what comes of it.
she likes bigger trucks, so I'm planning on giving it a 3-6 inch suspension lift, hoping for 33-35 inch tires on 15x10 rims with a low offset(suggestions are welcome for rims/tires/lift)


Day 1: Purchase
Nothing too exciting, it seems like the previous occupant hit something very sharp and hard enough to snap the steering connection off the knuckle and toss the truck on its side.




Day 2: On 4 wheels.
Pulled the bad knuckle and rim off, put a spare(the one off ranger #2 for the time being) pulse vacuum hub on it temporarily just to get it rolling, and put the spare tire on!






Day 3: Let there be light!
I ordered up these corners and turns the day before I paid for the truck in anticipation, if I hadn't ended up getting it they would have gone on #2. to say the least, they got here extreemely fast for being an ebay buy.




Day 4: Fender tastic.
With the way the damage was, the passenger fender would be pinched by the door and it wouldnt open, luckily ranger #2 had a semi good fender with matching flares, so i swapped that on and bingo! it might not be pretty yet but it works!




Day 5: Bumper dumper.
I feel a might bit iffy when my bumper is so close to my tire, so i pulled a junk one out of a pile of parts in the yard and threw it on instead. Again, it aint pretty but its a bit better. if you can see it, the mounting tab on the far drivers side is bent in, I will straighten it out when i get to the final build.





Day 6: Knuckle duster.
Removed the pulse vacuum knuckle and pulled a non vacuum knuckle and axle off a 99 explorer at the yard today, Threw it in and then decided I still need a few things up front there, Need new inner and outer tie rods, sway bar links and lower ball joint, will replace upper too just for kicks.


Day 7: Fun with fiber!
I decided too do the majority of the body work with bondo-glass,(No use wasting a good door!) Did a thick strand solid filler layer then a thin strand ontop of that to fill it out a bit more and give it shape, then will bondo the final layer in the shop before paint.




Day 8: A date with paint!
I went the the DMV when I got off work and got it inspected and got a title, plates and registered it in mine and my girls names. I finished the bondo work that I wanted to get done for now. Will most likely replace the passenger doors before the final build just so theres no bondo on the finished product. I then proceeded to paint the whole truck black for now, and touch up the badges with some color.





TO BE CONTINUED!

[2004xlmiller]

you shouldnt be spending this much time on cosmetics. get it running and driving again.

[nexmo]

Originally Posted by 2004xlmiller

you shouldnt be spending this much time on cosmetics. get it running and driving again.

Sorry if there's some confusion, It runs and drives great.
Most of the "cosmetics" I've spent my time on are very useful, IE the passenger door being able to open and the bumper allowing the turns to fit in somewhat correctly. Albeit the bondo is just me having fun haha.
Thanks for looking!

[doyouquaxu]

i like how each day has it's own name. progress looks good so far, keep it up

[2004xlmiller]

oh i mustve missed that. well if it runs n drives then keep up the good work. im gonna keep my eye one this one, looks like an interesting build

[nexmo]

Originally Posted by doyouquaxu

i like how each day has it's own name.

Hahaha, I Thought it was a good idea, and it seems like it is as long as I dont do the same thing 2 days in a row, I may start running out of ideas then!


Thanks!

[01B3000]

Nice work, cant wait till its done...

Edit, hows the interior and everything else? Doesnt look like it has any cab damage at all, 'cept for the doors

[nexmo]

Originally Posted by 01B3000

Nice work, cant wait till its done...

Edit, hows the interior and everything else? Doesnt look like it has any cab damage at all, 'cept for the doors

! thanks for reminding me, the enterior is GREAT, one TINY hole in the drivers seat i didnt notice till yesterday so that may have been me... ahahah. it was very very messy in there and still is covered in dog hair, havnt had a chance to vacuum it out . but i've gona over most of the interiour with rags and super clean. will add pics soon.

[nexmo]

Updated build today.(Day 8) waited at the DMV for 3 hours after a 14 hour shift at work woooo
-__-

[nexmo]

Sorry guys, Kinda fell off the map for a bit, Came back wit a moose!
will update page in a bit, It now has 2004 ranger tail lights and 2011 ranger mirrors, Going to attempt to put on my front bumper from a 2009 Wrangler. pics will be up soooon!

[2004xlmiller]

cool! pics!