1995 Purple Turbo Splash Project

[Jowlz]

I figure it's time to get a project log going, now that I have the truck in my possession. I bought the truck 4/28/11 unseen, when I was in Las Vegas. Here's the pictures the dealer sent me...

[Jowlz]

5/9/2011 I made it to Knoxville, TN. My buddy picked me up and we went to check it out. It's quite a bit rougher than the pictures but I expected that.

1. Panel below headlights looks like it took a rock.
2. Grill has hole in it.
3. Pass door was hit at some point, buffed out. Can really see in the pictures but wavy....
4. Gouges in pass bed side.
5. Rear sway rotted away.
6. Driver door handle loose.
7. Burns in carpet.
8. Seats are really bad.
9. Headliner completely gone.
7. Door key doesn't work for the locks. We figured this out after we parked and locked it at his house......Good times!

All in all not to bad. On the good side, the underside it very clean. A little surface rust but no rot. All mounts and perches look great. Steering nice and tight. Someone had kept this truck up pretty well. Everything on the interior works. Dash and door panels in fantastic shape. Here's some highlights of the problem areas...

http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp135/Jowlz1/IMG_1038.jpg
http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp135/Jowlz1/IMG_1037.jpg
http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp135/Jowlz1/IMG_1032.jpg
http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp135/Jowlz1/IMG_1031.jpg

[Jowlz]

Once I got the truck I made some calls, and started ordering parts. First, I called my friend Rick who owns a paint shop. I've decided to repaint the truck. I'm trying to get to his shop at the end of June if my work schedule allows me to get all the panels on. I'll get it into a final coat of 2k primer at my shop, then trailer it to his shop for the spray.

I ordered everything today for my first round of work on the truck. Suspension. I ordered brake lines, tie rod ends, ball joints, bushings, complete front brakes, bearing etc. I also ordered enough POR-15 to do the entire frame. Tomorrow I will order drop beams & shocks.

The day I get home I will go to the yard and see what we have as far as axles and transmission etc. I'll also pick up the body panels I need. I will know then how to proceed with the rest of the build.

I also finally got a HX35W. I say finally because 2 times I had guys weird out or sell to a friend etc. Supposedly 100 miles since pro build on this Holset. Wastegate is welded. Looks like I need to start figuring out external wastegates and how they work...

I've decided to keep this truck very stock looking. No aftermarket parts on the exterior except for maybe a fog light valance. I have narrowed rims pretty much decided on Cobra R rims or Pony Rims. Engine wise, I will go low key not too much bling. I really want this truck to have a stock look about it...High performance... but stock

[D94R]

What size Cobra R you looking to get? Found a place to buy them? The cheapest I've found them online is from http://www.cruizinconceptswholesale.com.

They have the 17x9's for $146/pc
And the 18x9's for $169/pc
http://www.cruizinconceptswholesale.com/images/Wheels/wheelreplicas/New_Folder/cobrarwheelmain.jpg (http://www.cruizinconceptswholesale.com/proddetail.asp?prod=CCCRC189)


ETA, if you don't want them chrome, they have them for cheaper in black, gray, polished.

If you can find a cheaper place, pass it on. Though personally I'm digging their GT4 rims.

[Jowlz]

I'm leaning towards finding ford oem's. 17x9.... I'd also like silver rims for the stock look. I've been scouring the mustang forums for a used set. There is a very nice set of OEM's like you are looking at on corral.net for $650...I do have a set of 97 Cobra wheels at my shop but I don't think they would look right... they are the phone dial looking rims...

http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp135/Jowlz1/images.jpg

Thinking something like these...
http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp135/Jowlz1/svt-cobrar-wheels.jpg

[Jowlz]

I ordered DJM Ibeams, KYB GR2 shocks, Energy Poly bushing kit complete with body bushings and new radius arm bushings. I'm kind of at a stand still until next tuesday when I pick the truck up to take it home...

[splatranger95]

Your truck looks pretty much exactly like mine. Except the stripe. Havent seen too many saphire blue trucks. I like them

[Big Bad Brad]

Sounds like a good start, I say try the 97 Cobras with it lowered, I put a set on my 93 XL and love them,

http://fordtruckworld.tenmagazines.com/NewGallery/2/3148/1023490.jpg

[Jowlz]

I picked up the truck as planned on the 24th. Everything went without a hitch. I spent 10 hours yesterday at the yard. I got:

1. A spare motor to build
2. M50D trans and everything for the 5 speed conversion except an ECU.
3. Steering column--Needed the ignition so I'd have a set of keys that match...
4. Door Locks
5. Drive Shaft
6. 4:10 LSD Mountaineer Axle w/traction bars.
7. Hood, pass door, tail lights, head light, grille, pass fender, driver fender.
8. Gauge cluster with tach.
9. Explorer Shorty Console
10. Explorer Overhead Console
11. Explorer Lighted Double Visors
12. Ranger Radio Surround
13. Mustang GT seats
14. Bronco II Front and Rear Sway Bars

Bringing the truck home. I got about 17 MPG towing...

http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp135/Jowlz1/IMG_1185.jpg

Some yard shots...

Moving some junk to get to the 5 speed/engine donor... My wife's dad took the shot. He is a wiz with cars, but held my camera every direction but pointing at me to take this picture. Finally, he got it right as I was reaching for the parking brake....
http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp135/Jowlz1/IMG_1195.jpg

My wife's dad again....getting impatient because I'm moving too slow and being too careful!! Lot's of arm waving and hurry up motions followed this shot....
http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp135/Jowlz1/IMG_1196.jpg

http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp135/Jowlz1/IMG_1197.jpg

The carcass....
http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp135/Jowlz1/IMG_1199.jpg

The rear end donor. Check the rear bumper. I kept eyeing it up when I was taking the axle out. I think I am going to take it home for the truck...
http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp135/Jowlz1/IMG_1193.jpg

Some of the days take....
http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp135/Jowlz1/IMG_1201.jpg

Interior before new seats. Notice the rip I put in the door panel. I got another panel and will install soon.

http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp135/Jowlz1/IMG_1187.jpg

This morning I got the seat tracks swapped and the seats installed. 1994 Mustang Convertible seats are a DIRECT swap for reg cab ranger. Took about 45 minutes to install the seats.

http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp135/Jowlz1/IMG_1189.jpg

http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp135/Jowlz1/IMG_1190.jpg

Then I started on the rear end. I got a crappy surprise when I removed the bed with the help of my 81 year old neighbor. Not sure of the weight of the bed, but we lifted it off with no problems...Rear spring hangers are rusted thru. I looked the truck over pretty well but missed those. Luckily, autozone had the mounts and shackles in stock.

Bed off, test fit of Cobra wheels. I'm not sure about the wheels, but they are growing on me....
http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp135/Jowlz1/IMG_1202.jpg

Spring Hanger Fun....
http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp135/Jowlz1/IMG_1204.jpg

8.8 installed. Brake discs hit with whirlock/roloc discs. I'm going to run the discs for a couple weeks with the old pads, then turn the rotors and install new ceramic pads. I'm going to weld shock mounts on tomorrow. I tried the same side explorer shock mount routine and the shock is at a strange angle and flexing.... I also think I am going to weld some 1" .120 wall tubing in to brace the frame. I think I can loose a ton of frame flex with a few tubes.
http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp135/Jowlz1/IMG_1205.jpg

Side view. Way too low for my taste! There is a jack under the frame in the picture...The axle is about 1" from the bumpstops. I think the springs may be junk, but it could be the rotten shackle hangers... I picked up a set of Chevy 1500 adjustable lowering shackles that I am going to flip. If that doesn't bring the truck up to my liking I saved the mountaineer springs and will install those... I'm waiting to get this all ironed out before installing new poly bushings etc..
http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp135/Jowlz1/IMG_1206.jpg

I'll update tomorrow....

[Jowlz]

Those rims look great on your truck. I checked a few other trucks out with those wheels and thought I would like them. Mine have the charcoal inserts and maybe that is what is different. I would love to polish them out, but am unsure of the plastic center cap... I'm waiting until I get the truck finished to decide on wheels...
Sounds like a good start, I say try the 97 Cobras with it lowered, I put a set on my 93 XL and love them,

http://fordtruckworld.tenmagazines.com/NewGallery/2/3148/1023490.jpg

[Jowlz]

Your truck looks pretty much exactly like mine. Except the stripe. Havent seen too many saphire blue trucks. I like them

That's a killer looking truck you have.... I checked out lots of your threads and had your truck in mind when I bought this one. What are your exhaust tips? It's just the look I am going for....

[tcranger]

dam looks like you were busy. looks nice:thumbsup:

[Jowlz]

I still need some ECU info. I need an ECU before I start into the transmission. What year truck can I use the ECU from? I know 95-97 but am wondering about 93-94, 98-. The trucks we have are either missing them or outside the 95-97 window. Any ideas?

[beluga420]

I'm building a 97 auto and have the m50d swap and some dude said I could keep the auto ecu just need to change all the wiring... Would be fun to have somebody confirm this tho cuz I'm not 100% sure.

It's a good start btw!

[jfive]

1998 to 2001 pre durtec are suppose to be better computers for tunning from what I understand. Truck looks nice and coming along fast. I have been junkyard looking for seats myself, as mine ripped pretty good the other day, and I really want buckets. Found a Volkswagen GTI with recardo seats for 250 for the pair, or subaru limited leathers for 200, or jeep cherokee newer leathers for what ever the guy tells me when he gets back to me. Was hoping to get some for cheap, but can't seam to find any in good shape for cheap. Did you just use the mountaineer leafs? Looks like it droped alot with the leafs under the axle.

[Jowlz]

I didn't use the mountaineer leafs but am going to go get them.I took them off the rear end and tossed them back in the mountaineer so at least I know where they are.... I think that will be the solution to my problem....

[Jowlz]

I spent the morning running around and getting new spring hangers and shackles. Then I swapped in a mountaineer spring on one side. This resulted in about 6" of lift over the splash springs. I'm guessing about stock height for a ranger with better springs than mine....

I looked at the blocks I got with the DJM flip kit (not sure exactly why they were included) and thought about putting them on the mill and cutting them in half. I figured this would give me about 3" of drop. Then I got another idea. I took out the shackle and bolted the leaf right into the spring hanger. I think this will yield me 3" or so of drop.... Any reason I can't do this?

This is how close the axle is to the bump stop, the suspension is hanging at full droop in this shot. Splash spring.
http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp135/Jowlz1/IMG_1207.jpg

This is with the shackle removed...
http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp135/Jowlz1/IMG_1209.jpg

I still need to figure out sway bar and E-brake....googling it now...

[splatranger95]

That's a killer looking truck you have.... I checked out lots of your threads and had your truck in mind when I bought this one. What are your exhaust tips? It's just the look I am going for....

I don't have tips on my truck. Its just the pipe sticking out the side. Its getting 2 1/2 duals with 4" tips angled out the corners comin up pretty soon here.

Thanks for the complemnts on the truck! It still needs a ton of work but she is comin. I need to post some new pics soon

[splatranger95]

Oh and use a 98 ecu.... much more tunable and you can put a 2 step on

[Jowlz]

Oh and use a 98 ecu.... much more tunable and you can put a 2 step on

Ok. I will hunt a 98 ECU down. Thanks for the info!

[Jowlz]

I ended up running the expo springs with the shackles and will just see how it looks when the bed gets back on and I get the front done. FYI, there needs to be shackles for the springs to move correctly and not put a ton of stress on the shackle mount. I got the shock mounts welded on tonight and drove the truck. It feels 100% better already. I am going to put a couple braces and make some traction bars to fit in the factory traction bar tabs. I have some spare heim joints from an old project and will use those up.

I fly out tomorrow for a few days. Wednesday I plan on getting the front started and getting the Ebrake worked out.

[dangeranger93]

Any reason I can't do this?


You cant do that, the spring wont work without a shackle

[AirBender]

hes right.. have you ever ridden a hard tail harley..... it will be very similar in ride quality...

[Skyy_4life]

that donor truck for ur engine!!! is the bed any good on it, is it for sale, and how far from cleveland are you!!! i need a long bed SOO bad for my 4x4 lol

[Jowlz]

that donor truck for ur engine!!! is the bed any good on it, is it for sale, and how far from cleveland are you!!! i need a long bed SOO bad for my 4x4 lol

That bed had some damage on the pass side. Then we rolled it up on its side to unbolt the exhaust and tranny etc..so its catastrophic now.

[Skyy_4life]

damnit to hell! lol, do you guys own the junk yard or know the owners? if you have any clean good shape long beds come in there, LET ME KNOW, ill drive there to get it lol.

good looking truck btw, cant beat it for the price. did you have money saved up for this build? having a budget alrdy saved so when u get ur truck u can just start ordering parts is an amazing feeling.

[Jowlz]

My wife's family owns the yard. I am going out there either wednesday or thursday to get the rest of the parts I need. I will check out the beds that are there and take some pictures... I'll shoot you a PM..

[D94R]

What year is that Ranger in the yard? PA is a long way to ship door panels, but I desperately need new panels for my 94. All the mounts broke around the screws on mine so the panels just kinda hung on the door.

[jfive]

D94R there are probubly some in salt lake, or boise that wouldn't be so far on the shipping. I'd bet there are some in ur area. did a search on car-parts.com and found lots in salt lake and other utah citys. 35.00 is about average list price

[Skyy_4life]

yeah d94r, my 4x4's door panels are the same way, i got them screwed on with regular screws. but i have 15 junkyards within 10 minutes of me in cleveland. lol. door panels are nothing around here. finding rust free body panels.... another story.

[D94R]

Yah, I forgot about car-part.com. The closest JY's around me don't carry what I need. I'll broaden my search with the internets.

[Jowlz]

Ok. I checked the yard for a bed. There were 2 more long beds. Both junk. The door panels are pretty much soaked and nasty from windows being left down in the cars. Here is what I got today while up there:

1. Nice clean driver fender. Mine has a ding in it.
http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp135/Jowlz1/truck11.jpg
2. Nice clean spare hood that I am going to cut up.
3. Hood Vents from a Z34 Chevy. Fully functional. Thinking of putting these in the hood...
http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp135/Jowlz1/truck7.jpg
http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp135/Jowlz1/truck5.jpg
4. Decent header panel. Mine took some damage at some point. Headlight was really just screwed in from the side. Didn't look bad in the pictures but it was.
http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp135/Jowlz1/truck8.jpg
5. Bronco II sway bars
http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp135/Jowlz1/truck2.jpg
http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp135/Jowlz1/truck3.jpg
6. Misc lights.
7. Radio surround.
8. Hood bubbles from Mitsubishi 3000 GT
http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp135/Jowlz1/truck6.jpg
9. Good clean passenger door.
http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp135/Jowlz1/truck9.jpg
10. Interior light. Now I can do the headliner...

I'm really leaning towards the Z34 scoops if I can figure out where to locate them on the hood....

[Jowlz]

Over the last few days I got some more done. The ebrake is done. Rear is completely done. I just have to re-torque some bolts after I drive it a bit more. I also got the front end almost finished. Dream beams, new brakes, pads, springs, bushings, shocks, bearings etc.

http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp135/Jowlz1/truck15.jpg

http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp135/Jowlz1/IMG_1218.jpg

Now the front end is sitting about 2" or so higher than the rear.

http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp135/Jowlz1/truck1.jpg

So, now I either have to put the splash front springs back in, or raise the rear back up 2". I think I am going to raise the rear back up so I have some suspension back there. The rear looked really good where it was but maybe I can fill a little of the wheel well up with bigger tires. I also noticed the tires on the cobra rims are 235/45/17 which is about 1/2" smaller than the 245/45/17. I'm thinking if I go with 18" rims 9 & 10 and go with a touch taller tire the wheel wells won't look so bad. I catch a flight out tomorrow night so a couple more days of no working on the truck. On tuesday or wednesday I am going to take it to my father in laws shop. We are going to box the rear end, and make a panhard bar for it. We are also going to align the truck...

[Skyy_4life]

your supposed to use brake clean to spray that gook shit off the rotors, that can cause stopping issues lol

[Jowlz]

your supposed to use brake clean to spray that gook shit off the rotors, that can cause stopping issues lol

LOL It's rust... NOS ford rotors that were sitting around for a long time....

[Jowlz]

I finally got the front end finished and together. Installed the Bronco II front bar. I unflipped the rear shackles and the truck sits exactly how I wanted it to. It's low but not crazy low. I eyeballed the alignment in the front and took it on a 15 mile ride. It handled 100 times better than it did when I got it.