Homestead_World

Somebody on that other forum was really wanting a glimpse of my Ranger after I mentioned it. I posted couple quick snapshots I took this afternoon. I have a site I have been keeping a sort of running journal of step by step the process throughout the summer and fall. When I get around to sorting through pics and inserting pics there at appropriate steps of process, will give a link.

Anyway here are same two quick pics I posted on that other forum. So yes my big six Ranger does really exist and not just in my head....

I believe ya!

Nice truck John!

Well fairly unique anyway. If I would get off my can and go install and bleed out the clutch slave cylinder and install front driveshaft, could actually move truck under its own power. Need to get it at least moved enough I can get tractor through that space for firewood. When I get rear driveshaft extended/installed then its close to being able to be driven on hiway.

As many changes as I have made, you know there are going to be lot of little bugs to work out when I start using it. Hopefully no major problems. I had to notch into front crossmember to get engine to set correctly, didnt look like it would interfer with axles hinging, but in real life you never are completely sure till you try it. If it can navigate the bomb craters and boulders that are my driveway without interference problems then assume its good enough.

Little closer. I really needed to move Ranger out of way to get big truck through the bottleneck to get firewood. Nobody around to steer so cant just hook on a chain. Anyway finally welded up rear driveshaft yesterday and installed it. Ranger is finally movable under its own power. Gets warmer will do front one today. Probably better if I took driveshafts to a driveshaft place, but I've welded them up before on other 2wd vehicles and no undue vibration or problems. Dont think I would want to weld one I was going to drive 90mph, but since extremely rare for me to go faster than 60mph, not real worry.

Need to take shafts out of front axle and replace ujoints, noticed couple bad when I was working on clutch linkage. Dang Autozone guy couldnt wrap his head around fact that front AXLE shafts have ujoints just like driveshafts do. He sold me the ujoints for the 4 cyl driveshaft cause I said they were small ones used on axle shaft. Thought they looked little big but he's one with the computer looking it up. This time when I return them, I will take one of the axle shafts with me. I know they just hire warm bodies at minimum wage but think somebody actually working in a parts store would be interested in cars and have a basic knowlege. Then again sure lot car people out there that never had any experience with 4wd. Few people actually need it or use it even if they own a 4wd. I only really need it because of my driveway. I drive so few miles cheaper to own a 4wd than spend lot money every few years to keep drive in good shape.

is that a 300? I love that engine