Project Ranger: The Birth of the Ghost Ranger

So back in February of last year I was made an offer to buy this 1987 Ford Ranger from a co-worker I used to work with. He sent the first three images to me to see if I would want it.

I bought this truck sight unseen except for the images he sent. As of the time frame it sat two years untouched and he wanted it to go to a good home where it would be taken care of.

What sold me was first the truck was decent shape from the pictures. It was a 2.3 liter with a manual transmission, transfer case and 4WD hubs and it survived being in a rust belt state (Ohio).

We did get it start, having to put an alternator, distributor, belt and in line fuel pump (these trucks have two).

The biggest issue was the bedside having rust on the fender flares.

Don't look at the black Ranger to the right it isn't the star of the show.

Block of wood because no parking brake nor do the rear brakes work anyway due to the lines being pinched off.

At least it reduces it's carbon footprint by carrying a plant! It didn't survive long.

The frame which was the biggest point of this truck of why I bought it sight unseen.

Old school teaching of how to use the 4WD system.

And how to use the manual transmission.

Cleaned out bed.

Installing the cross member and transmission mount for the transfer case.

Borg and Warner transfer case. This unit was out of another Ranger. Part of why this truck got parked up. The old one broke and the truck lost the speedometer in that process.

Unit mounted in.

Added a coil because I thought it died (it ran out of gas).

Truck ran weird. Making a weird tick coming from the lifters. It acted liked it had a dead cylinder under load. But didn't sound like it had a dead cylinder at idle. Also note this truck has no muffler so that doesn't help diagnose through sound. But here is me lifting off the valve cover.

That doesn't look quite right. Something is missing.

There it is! Rocker arm was laying on the head at the front left corner (where the image above was taken). Apparently this guy fell off and it had to be reinstalled.

Better look at the valve train. Also the valve cover gasket looks to be completely shot. Luckily got that scraped off and installed a brand new one.

Top down view.

Went to take it home and this happened.

Transmission case came in two at 55 MPH (88 KP/H). Limped itself back to the garage which was about three miles.

Don't think I was supposed to be able to do that so easily.

Definitely looks broked.

Found the reverse switch! Don't think I am supposed to be able to see all those bits. Put clothes on!

Transmission code FM145. This spring it will get a new unit to install. As of now this is the end up of the updates for this truck. I do plan to post these updates on Imgur. Either as updates to this one or as new posts. The future of this truck will consist of painting it black with a ghost stripe down either side and adding some other cosmetics to make it look "ghosted." Mechanically the front axles will get changed, new hubs, new front drive shaft and fixing other issues the truck has or will have happen to it. Feel free to ask questions tell stories of what it was like to have one of these trucks or donate to help see this one come back (you don't have too I won't guilt trip you into it!)