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TMorf
02-05-2013, 01:27 PM
Hey guys, figured I would post up my build thread on here and get some more offroad content going.

My buddy Mikey bought this truck a few years ago with the intentions of turning it into a weekend warrior to cruise out to races and have some fun in, basically getting more smiles per mile so to speak. Over time, that went out the window and it turned into a full blown race truck. Long story short, the build got out of hand and he wanted something a little simpler. I talked to him for a few hours and we eventually traded the Ranger, trailer and all the spares for my Chenowth 4LWD race buggy, trailer, and all my spares.

Truck started out lock stock and super clean with very low miles:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d49/m00n63/Project%20Ranger/100_3556.jpg

The truck was then outfitted with a simple beam kit, bolt in bedcage and some other simple stuff. But that went out the window when he found a deal on some used links, 9" housing etc:

http://www.dezertrangers.com/vb/picture.php?albumid=23&pictureid=4345

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3633/3681457759_ca69c2b294_b.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f306/maxyedor/CIMG2122.jpg

From there he took the truck out a few times going through the usual teething issues with a newly built truck:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2616/3783027951_9488399084_b.jpg

Added another spare and swapped some stuff to the back to keep the weight behind the rear tires:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d49/m00n63/Project%20Ranger/a004-1.jpg

Mounted up the Explorer conversion clip and bedsides before the first race, Battle at Primm in 09 I think it was:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d49/m00n63/Project%20Ranger/IMG_0698.jpg

Added some much needed accessories in the cooler, boat seats, and umbrella mount:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d49/m00n63/Project%20Ranger/a068.jpg

From there he ran a couple races here and there and took it out to the desert a bunch. Thats when we ended up swapping vehicles...

HB Vic
02-06-2013, 02:56 PM
Very cool and nice work.

papaletch4130
02-08-2013, 08:04 AM
Bitchen ranger i always like the bed mounted seats!!

WMC
02-08-2013, 08:57 AM
Cool build. I also like the accessories

TMorf
02-22-2013, 07:13 PM
Lost my log in info and got tied up with real life, but Ill bump this up next week with more updates.

TMorf
03-01-2013, 12:49 PM
So at this point the truck had raced a time or two and gone through the usual teething problems. The previous owner then ran SNORE's Battle at Primm in 2010 and finished somewhere in the top 10 out of over 50 starters despite a stock 4.0 motor and junkyard 5 speed manual, while I placed 4th in Class 12 with a pump gas motor, bus box trans and 101" wheelbase.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d49/m00n63/Project%20Ranger/BAP10-GP7-235.jpg

We then raced together in August at the MDR California 200, which Im sure many of you know the unfortunate story of.

http://www.dezertrangers.com/vb/attachments/mdr-california-200/92877d1282006192-218-copy-jpg

After the 2011 SNORE Battle at Primm, there was a thread on another internet message board questioning the spirit of the 1450 class. For those that dont know, aside from the safety rules there are only two other rules including a metal cab as delivered and functioning metal doors. Everything else is open, meaning you can literally put a Ford Ranger cab on a tube chassis truck with a big horsepower V8. For whatever reason, I posted that I was willing to trade my buggy dubbed the Mini 12, spares and trailer for someones Ford 1450 truck. I didnt think anyone would actually take me up on the offer until I got a text from Mikey about his interest. We talked on the phone for over an hour going over everything from parts to spares to what was wrong, and a week later we met at Commerce Casino and signed over the pinks.

TMorf
03-01-2013, 01:06 PM
After we traded, we put a new clutch in because it was fried and did a general quick prep to take it out to Barstow. It was night and day driving a 4 linked truck compared to the buggy.

http://www.dezertrangers.com/vb/attachments/dr-rides/120180d1301434850-gnarstow.jpg

The ring gear bolts in the third member came loose, we ejected one of them out of the back of the housing but it was still worth it. Currie hooked us up with a brand new third member and two brand new axles. Took it down to Plaster City to watch the HDRA race in 2011 and took it out whenever the 7S I codrive went testing just to get more miles on it. Later that year in October, we let the girls race Powder Puff in Barstow. First heat we got third in class 1450 after one of them got stuck and we had to give them a tug which wasnt bad. We had more experienced drivers run in 1400, but the first lap the motor was having some kind of electrical issue that a simple wiggle test fixed but about 15 miles later they put a pinhole in the radiator. We loaded them up with water and they would stop every 5 miles or so whenever there were people around and toss them a couple bottles to top it off. We only finished 1 lap in 1400 but all in all it wasnt bad for the first time the truck raced in our hands. Note the ribbon adorned crimson ghost on the hood... ha ha.

http://cdn1.files-dezert.com/home/wp-content/gallery/powderpuff11/rdc_15.jpg

After this we took a run from Barstow to Giant Rock southeast of Lucerne to put some more dirt miles on it. We dropped the new radiator in the day before but forgot to burp the system, so after 5 miles the temp went way up so we stopped at Slash X and used some well water to top it off after burping. Shortly after making Giant Rock the stupid electrical gremlins hit and the truck would not run correctly. We drove towards the 247 hoping to make it back to Barstow without some CHP interference but the truck made the decision for us. A la my many cold nights in Baja we snagged a bit of fuel from the truck and lit a fire. This was kind of the nail in the coffin as far as needing to rebuild the truck from the ground up to get it to the point like the 12 car was, dialed prep and no DNFs.

TMorf
03-01-2013, 01:16 PM
I ended up picking up a C4 trans with all the stuff to mate it to the 4.0 OHV motor, a new OHV motor with an unstripped harness that I could do myself and spares for spares. We stripped the truck of all its wiring

http://img.tapatalk.com/447846a5-e3b5-83bc.jpg

Couple more lights and real gauges.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/09/05/6e3yredu.jpg

Carbon fiber dash to replace the sheet metal one that we cut out.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/11/11/ysa2u8a8.jpg

Ended up selling the stock motor I got and bought another 4.0 from a friend who went to a V8. Luckily this one came with a stripped harness, tuned and chipped computer, JBA headers, bigger throttle body and other misc bolt on stuff. I dont want to build it internally yet, when it starts to get tired I have pistons, cams and some other stuff at the ready.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/12/06/nage7y5y.jpg

Mounted up a new Ron Davis radiator and other misc stuff like an overflow.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/02/06/eva3u6u6.jpg[/

Last weekend we pulled the fuel cell out to weld up some misc stuff that isnt welded 360 degrees.

]http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/02/18/4yne8ada.jpg

At this point in time, we are working doing the usual out with the old and in with the new type of work. The new motor is in, has all the wires ran and the computer is mounted. The new radiator is 100% mounted. This weekend we should be able to get the welding done and get the cell back in and hooked up besides the breather that we need to replace because it is too slow. Im guessing that the 90 degree fitting and small tube is to blame, so it should be an easy fix. If we have time then the wiring should start to make headway and hopefully have the ignition done with the new push start and lay out all the switches on the dash. The big hurdle will be ordering a second trans cooler because the C4 likes to get hot behind a 4.0 because of the small bellhousing. Two 11x18" Griffin coolers should do the trick no problem.

There was a lot of work, swapped 5 speeds, late nights and things like that I passed on posting, but from here on out Ill try to have everything updated whenever we make some headway.

TMorf
03-17-2013, 11:16 AM
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/03/17/ave9uve9.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/03/17/6asebyhe.jpg

Gauges and GPS mounted, had to rework the support tubes a bit to clear the far left gauge but NBD. Torched in the second battery mount after finally buying a chop saw. Going to have to buy the cooler mount relocation kit but we will deal with it. Going to start some of the pain in the ass wiring today.

TMorf
04-21-2013, 01:55 AM
Burned through about 30 feet of wiring today. All that's left is the ECU, starter, battery cables for the second Optima. Gauges aren't wired either but I need a sending unit or two... Almost there, got everything needed to mount the C4 besides another set of hands haha.

Where it all began:

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/04/14/ynazy8yb.jpg

No more keyed ignition, full race:

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/04/14/epa5yjy7.jpg

LED strip for the dome light:

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/04/14/e8uru2aq.jpg

GPS, Eagle aka Lowrance:

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/04/14/zamuvude.jpg

Brake, amber and blue light special:

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/04/14/ebuvysyp.jpg

HB Vic
04-21-2013, 09:09 AM
Burned through about 30 feet of wiring today. All that's left is the ECU, starter, battery cables for the second Optima. Gauges aren't wired either but I need a sending unit or two... Almost there, got everything needed to mount the C4 besides another set of hands haha.

Where it all began:



No more keyed ignition, full race:



LED strip for the dome light:



GPS, Eagle aka Lowrance:



Brake, amber and blue light special:




Very cool!! That aint no joke, thats a ton of work. Looks good. I didnt see any pics of that Gothalos character helping out? Get his ass over there and get him dirty!!

TMorf
04-25-2013, 10:19 AM
Very cool!! That aint no joke, thats a ton of work. Looks good. I didnt see any pics of that Gothalos character helping out? Get his ass over there and get him dirty!!

Rewiring everything from the fuel cell forward is easily the most time consuming thing of this build. I think that GotHalos is too busy at the river now that its heating up haha.

TMorf
04-30-2013, 02:35 PM
Not too much to report about from this weekend. Had to call it quits early so I could make the Stadium Super Trucks race up in LA on Saturday night. All in all, SST was super cool and worth the money if you have a chance to check it out and Im sure Mickey Thompson would be proud. I know this month they are in SD at Qualcomm and Im gonna try to make the May 18th race for sure.

Anyways, we got the fuel cell back in after cleaning it up, hooked up the freshly cleaned fuel lines and double checked all the connections on the new motor were good to go and tossed 5 gallons in the cell to check for leaks. Looked it up and down from the motor back and it wasnt leaking a drop, fuel pump was working without issue etc, until we got to the cell. Since the truck is running EFI, it has a return line back to the cell. Lo and behold the fitting for the return on the cell was stripped out and seeping a bit of fuel. Going to have to take the cell apart again and replace it. Figured its a good time to swap out the vent line too since its way too small to fill the cell with a dumpcan and backs up. One step forward, two steps back. Besides that I got a bit more wiring done and laid everything out on the dash with the tried and true blue painters tape and sharpie method.

mvloc66
05-04-2013, 06:39 AM
Very cool!! That aint no joke, thats a ton of work. Looks good. I didnt see any pics of that Gothalos character helping out? Get his ass over there and get him dirty!!

We try Vic!

TMorf
08-21-2013, 09:17 PM
Not much left to do. Got the trans in with the Camburg mounting plate and all new grade 8 hardware. Need some thicker wire to run from the alternator over to the starter and crimp 4 connections and the pile should start up.

Still need a second trans cooler because the small bellhousing on the C4 likes to get the fluid real hot. Two HUGE Griffin coolers should handle it no problem. After that rebuild the shocks, needs balljoints for the beams and a quick once over and this thing will be ready for testing. No real plans next year but it should be good to go for 2014 when we arent busy with school and save our beer money. :-)

TMorf
08-27-2013, 06:36 PM
Got the truck running this Saturday. Definitely a little perkier than a stock 4.0 with the tune and sounds solid with no leaks anywhere. Plumbing time!

TMorf
08-31-2013, 07:58 PM
Seats are in after some dash trimming. Getting some mounts for the race radio and ECU made this week. Everything else we need is bookmarked until Im done bending over for textbooks like the radiator plumbing etc.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/01/9umesyra.jpg

TMorf
10-11-2013, 02:27 PM
Havent made much progress in the last month or two. New shifter arrived a couple weeks ago and the mounts for the radio and intercom are about done. Need to order all the plumbing goodies, get new driveshafts made and rebuild/revalve the shocks.

GotHalos
10-11-2013, 03:19 PM
Havent made much progress in the last month or two. New shifter arrived a couple weeks ago and the mounts for the radio and intercom are about done. Need to order all the plumbing goodies, get new driveshafts made and rebuild/revalve the shocks.

Parker 425 is calling :thumbup:

TMorf
01-02-2014, 10:27 PM
Parker 425 is calling :thumbup:

About that... haha. At least we have the ultimate set of tools to prep with now. Ill try to find a pic but my dad is a retired Toyota master tech and gave me his aviation size cart and top box 90% full of tools plus a 33 gallon compressor.

papaletch4130
01-08-2014, 09:54 PM
Parker 425 is calling :thumbup:
Yes it is!!!!!!! Truck is looking tits btw!!

TMorf
04-28-2014, 10:41 AM
No real updates unfortunately but I bought the second trans cooler and all the sending units for the new gauges. Less than a month til I'm finally done with school and will have time to put all these hand me downs to work... Don't mind the magnet haha.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/29/dabe3upy.jpg

HB Vic
04-28-2014, 10:49 AM
School and work always interfere with the fun stuff. Don't school too hard :D

TMorf
06-24-2014, 03:13 PM
Gear grabber and all the linkage is hooked up. Just need to adjust the cable. Got my radio and ECU back from getting some work done. Should have most of the dash finished this weekend. Check list is getting smaller.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/25/qajapypa.jpg

HB Vic
06-24-2014, 04:16 PM
That things gonna be crazy.

TMorf
07-01-2014, 10:48 AM
Good chunk of wiring done...

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/02/vu2avare.jpg

TMorf
07-25-2014, 12:48 PM
Aaaaand more wiring...

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/26/e8a7ehab.jpg

Mrs.K034
11-22-2014, 10:09 AM
Any new updates?? I wanna see this thing done :)


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