302 V8 Ford Ranger project

[snoopjonnyjon]

Yeah, I suppose you are right. People will probably assume it is just another shiny minitruck.

[snoopjonnyjon]

After I got started rebuilding the KX, this project went stagnant for almost a year, but I got back at it at Christmas time.

Here's the video of it being fired up for the first time. I still hadn't timed it, or made any carb adjustments.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pl88657GK4g

[snoopjonnyjon]

http://www.youtube.com/embed/FRMKrgWgqsw

I drove it for the first time this weekend.

[Friar-Tuck]

   
 Holy Cow!!...
 I love hearing you and your Dad--- Get IN!!  .... BE CAREFUL!!!  I'll get out and film you around the Yard...
  You Scared the poor guy!  ( and I don't think it's the first time!)
   Great stuff John!   That sounds like a Nascar Truck!   WooHoo!   
    Like Pop said You better be careful! 
 Great work so far, can't wait to see the next installment!
    Tuck\o/

[snoopjonnyjon]

It's coming along slowly. The bodywork on the box is complete, and the inside painted. I've spent much of this winter wiring. Definately my most hated part of the build. Getting closer all the time though. I think it is possible I could have it wired by spring, and then I can paint it over summer, and hopefully do up all the final assembly and details next winter.

[snoopjonnyjon]

[Friar-Tuck]

Hey Snoop,
 Great to hear from you, Hope all is well up in your neck of the woods.   Can't wait to see another Testing/Shakedown vid.
  Take Care,
 Tuck\o/ 

[Motorrad]

d**n snoop... that thing is comming along nice!..

Must see a shakedown vid!

[snoopjonnyjon]

To say I am excited to see it coming together is an understatement. It's been in process almost 7 years now! It has meant no KX riding this season though. I haven't even fired up my 500 this year, but just decided I needed to get this truck done.

I've got all the wiring sorted out now. I've taken all this stuff off for paint, but here's some of my test-fitting of dash and lights, bumpers, etc. It should go together pretty easy now. It starts are runs with a turn of the key now... not like in the last video when I had switches vice gripped to the hood hinges.

[snoopjonnyjon]

I was on the farm for the last 5 weeks. I did some work on it whenever there was some dew in the mornings during harvest. I'm back in the city again, so won't see much of the truck until Christmas now.

It still has a fair bit of work left to do on it, but if you squint it looks like a complete truck now.

I got the grille, bumpers, and lights in.



Mirrors from a 67 F100



White seatbelts... I will not be giving rides to anyone who has just worked on hydraulic hoses.



Under the hood is done except for a few minor pieces.















And, a little video for the sound.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/qa9G6Rpg7w0

[snoopjonnyjon]

Took the tailgate home and got it installed within about 15 seconds of being in the yard. Couldn't wait to see how it lookedon the truck after pinstriping last weekend.







Also got my new cargo light this weekend. Finished wiring my taillights as well.



Installed the panel between the grille and the rad core. I had prepped it a few weeks ago, but needed to wait for new hardware from LMC.







I fit my door panels for good too. Doors are fully assembled, and if I need to take them apart I will need another set of new door panel clips.

[The Flyin Hawaiian]

Lookin good! I have a similar project. Its a 91 GMC C1500 RCSB that I bought new, then built it up around 96 then took it apart again in 2000. Its been sitting ever since and it kills me everytime I look at it! Hopefully I can get to it in the next few years and get it back on the road.
This was at the 98 Hot Rod Powertour. St Petersburg Fla

[snoopjonnyjon]

My old man was really worried I would do that... take it apart and not get it back together! I had one really slow winter on the truck when I rebuilt my KX, but I've always managed to keep making slow progress on it.

[snoopjonnyjon]

Well, truck is basically finished now. All I have left is the exhaust, headlight knob and speedometer driven gear. I was previously unaware the manual and auto trans take a different gear.

Most of the work was in installing the Dakota digital indicator. It shows what gear I am in, as well as controlling the neutral safety switch, and reverse lights. It also has high beam indicator and turn signal indicators. I figured it is a pretty clean way to go when swapping trans and gauges.