just got a 83 rang
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Senior User
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From: maryland
just got a 83 rang
my grandad just gave me a 1983 ranger. its a singe cab short bed 2x4 it has a 4 banger 5 speed. the bed is all beat and banged up but besides that its all surface rust..what would be my best bet for the bed? i mean crushed in 6 inches or so from where my grandad ran into stuff. should i try to find another bed or get new quarters or what? cuz i thought they were tached on and i dont want to have to drill all of them. and pretty much the whole bed needs to be. its crushed n rusted. how hard is it to take the bed off? ok now for the second thing...the motor is shot. it busted the rings on the pistons. should i try to find another engine that was in it. or drop a 302 in it? what would be better. and what would be quicker. now in maryland we have emissions and im not sure how far they go into emissions for a vehicle that old. and i want to have the truck be half way fast if i go to step down on it..how much mods will have to be done to put a 302 in it? would the trans bolt up or what...what about crossmembers.
Post Fiend
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I would search the boneyards for another bed, it would be easier to swap beds, than try to repair yours. It's not hard to take the bed off, ypu will need a couple of guys to help lift it, but theres the floor bolts, tail light wires, and gas tank filler neck. The easiest would be to put a 2.3 back in it. If you go with the 302, most states say the new motor must be of the same year vehicle, or newer for emission puposes, but check Maryland law. Your ranger tranny will bolt up, but it won't hold up. I would get the motor and 5 speed tranny from a 83 to 85 mustang, that way you can maintain a carb, and won't have to mess with putting in a computer, or electric fuel pump. James Duff sells the conversion kits to make the job easier. I would think long, and hard about giving up the 4 cylinder for a 302. The 2.3, you could drop in and drive, also good on gas, a 302 will be a longer, more costly process.
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From: Greenvile, SC
I kicked that 302 concept around for a while when I was doing some serious tinkering with my '99 3.0L. You would really need to find a complete donor vehicle to be even worth while..If not you'lll have to outsource for all the *new* computers ...controllers, rearends, tranny(s), etc. The 'puters and other electronics would really play in part if you dropped in a EFI or Carb. motor. Personally... I'd keep to the 4-banger or maybe a small 6. Seeing how the gas prices don't seem to be getting better. I'd save all the fuss and headaches for somthing that's "still" in there, instead of unleashing a whole new beast!
P.s. if you find a decently "stocked" boneyard... you maybe lucky enough to find a half-way decent motor...in a half-way decent truck ....and of course a half-way decent bed.
P.s. if you find a decently "stocked" boneyard... you maybe lucky enough to find a half-way decent motor...in a half-way decent truck ....and of course a half-way decent bed.
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From: maryland
ok well i looked on the sticker under the hood. it has a 2.0 liter and its a 1 barrel carbed motor. at least i think it is. i pulled the breather lid off and there was only 1-barrel there. so i was guessing it was carbed. if i were to find a v6 like a 3.0 or 4.0 would it drop in? would the tranny hold up? but yea the sticker says 2.0 liter. and its gas. not diesel. any ideas?
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From: maryland
do u think i can put a 2.3 in it? i was just reading the forum for 4 bangers where the guy posted how he ran 20psi turbo on his 2.3. so should i try to find a motor out of a t-bird? will that drop right in?
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From: Greenvile, SC
I think it was like...uhm '83 err '84 maybe when the "Turbo" 4-cyl. started showing up on the T-birds? That's a long ways back. I suppose it would be the place to start if you really want that turbo. I'd still look for a somewhat complete donor vehicle just' in case you need/want something else besides the motor and or tranny. I'm sure there is a vendor out there that carries the rebuild kits for that. Which ever way you decide to go...please keep us posted...
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Eastern WA
One thing that is real important to keep in mind on a project like this is, "what's it all worth when it's done?". It might (and probably will) be in your best financial interests to look for a vehicle that needs far less repairs. The alternative on this is to get it running and driveable for the least amount of $. Fix only the significant problems, forget cosmetics, make it just a driver. The last thought is, why go to all the trouble to stuff a 302 into what sounds like a really well used truck when you could stuff it into a truck that has a great body and other things. Given that time is of value, it's all the same amount of work no matter which you choose, but in the end, one will be worth more.
*I've learned from my mistakes, sometimes the hard way.
*I've learned from my mistakes, sometimes the hard way.
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From: maryland
well i might just do a turbo. im not worried about expense really. my friend owns a very big junk yard. i can get anything i want in there for free. so i talked to him earlier and he has a thunderbird with that motor in it. i can get it for free..put the 600 dollar kit into it and not have more than 750 in the motor...then he said he had like 5 rangers in there so i can get a complete bed for free in real nice shape.
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
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From: maryland
ok i just went and looked at what the motor is..i know that its a 2.0 liter and i pulled the breather off and im pretty sure its carbed. its a big 1-barrel sittin on top. and to make to make it turbo im sure that it will need to be fuel injection. i dont really feel like changing it over. is there anything i can do to get more power? either way the motor has to be pulled because it had blown piston rings. so if i can get a mustang motor and trans is that all i will need? i mean i dont want a 500hp motor and all im going to do is rebuild it and freshen everything up. its not going to be radical. do u think i will still get decent gas mileage? i mean anythings better than the 6mpg i get now with my other truck. and yes i said 6. so what would be the best thing here. but like i said that motors not going to be radical just intake carb and cam. and will the transmission out of a mustang bolt up to my truck? because i have a 4 speed now...is the mustang trans any longer? will i have to modify my driveshaft?
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From: Greenvile, SC
I'd fix what you already have. Throw another bed on there. Then a new (quick) Maco Paint Job. Then trade-in both the ranger and the 150 ...for a small 6cyl (2.9-3.0). That way your not "lagging" for your Power and your (supposedly) no longer getting 6-MPG. The only thing you'll gain by throwin' a (v8)Mustang engine and tranny in that Ranger (if not done "properly") is a big headache and another 6-MPG vehicle. I wouldn't do it unless your willing to do it ...All the way...
On that note.. if I were in the same situation..
I would sift through the bone yards and find a wrecked (rear or minor front) 2.9 and 3.0 and rebuild that then possibly use some parts off grandpa's truck to repair that front clip or rear section. Orrr if your hung up on keeping grandpa's old truck...use that 2.9-3.0 as that Donor truck for the tranny, engine...and more than likely the rear-end and driveshaft. Provided that the Donor truck is not Brand new (like my first '99 Ranger-totalled @745miles on od.) most components will need to be reworked/rebuilt or replaced.
On that note.. if I were in the same situation..
I would sift through the bone yards and find a wrecked (rear or minor front) 2.9 and 3.0 and rebuild that then possibly use some parts off grandpa's truck to repair that front clip or rear section. Orrr if your hung up on keeping grandpa's old truck...use that 2.9-3.0 as that Donor truck for the tranny, engine...and more than likely the rear-end and driveshaft. Provided that the Donor truck is not Brand new (like my first '99 Ranger-totalled @745miles on od.) most components will need to be reworked/rebuilt or replaced.
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From: Greenvile, SC
Maybe I'm having a bit of difficulties trying to figure out which one you want the most. The power of the V8...or the MPG of a 4/6 cyl. ?!?!? I hate to be misleading/misguiding you. Though I think there is a "swap-in-progress" a lit'l futher down in the forum page, maybe those guys will have different suggestions.
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From: maryland
well the 6mpg im gettin now is in my other dodge. i know that i wont get near as bad. if i get at least 15 with this truck i will be happy. so im not sure yet if i want to get a v8 or what..but i went to the junkyard earlier and picked out a decent bed i want and they had a carbed 2.3 in there. could i just put it right into my truck or would i need to change anything. its connected to a 5 speed overdrive so i might just swap out everything at the same time? i might just put a 4 banger back in it for a while so i can get all the parts i need to do whatever i end up doing. but can i just put the carbed 2.3 in it? or do i have to put a 2.0 back into it? thats what i will probably do just put a 4 banger in it till i figure out what i want. but can i drop that carbed 2.3 5 speed right in it?
Post Fiend
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The carbed 2.3 will go right in there, no problem, take the 5 speed as well, that extra gear will help your mpg. Even if you don't, your 4 speed will still work with the 2.3, it's a direct bolt in, just make sure it has a carb.
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From: maryland
ok thanks for the help. i talked to my buddy today that his uncle owns the junk yard and he said i can go get whatever i need to tomorrow..but iv been told that the 4 speeds were like granny gear 1st thru 3rd gear n then fourth gear was real high for decnt gas mileage...the five speed wont be like this then correct? because they even out more?