89’ Ranger 4x4

[GahnRacing]

Started working on a rear bumper. I liked how short the rear of the truck was, but I was worried about certain people nerfing my jack and I didn’t have any recovery points to slap a strap around.

Got a little inventive with the notcher

I’m thinking I should add the same style of tube to the bottom.. yay or nay?

Got a little more work done to the Toyota snatch strap point.

 

[GahnRacing]

I really need to get off the dailies and update this thing more often

I thought this was a cool idea to keep the spare spark plugs from bouncing around in the spares box

Moved the radio head unit to the dash instead of above my head. Also, got rid of the unnecessary electronic 4x4 wiring/switches.

Purchased an overpriced headset hanger. Got tired of handing the headset to the passenger after they buckled up.

This is the only pic of the finished bumper I currently have. Truck was loaded and ready to hit the dez

I also removed the poly bushings from the radius arm connection points and replaced with delrin which resulted in the pics below.
I’m pretty certain that I didn’t clearance the uniball cups enough resulting in the beam pivot fatiguing and cracking

 

[GahnRacing]

Well I finally got around to making a jig for my driver beam mount. Should be able to fit a 1” uniball and 2-5/8 space misalignments.

I hope this thing works out. Welds could have been better. I think I need a new entire gun assembly.

 

[GahnRacing]

Got the beam mount in. Everything feels solid and the stock holes lined up pretty well.

Old and busted

New and improved

Time to get this thing bolted together

 

[GahnRacing]

Heads are on. Slow going, but I need to take my time and get this one right.

So maybe a dumbass question, but I’d like your opinion on this Barge. What is the best way to seal these ungasketed areas of the lower intake.

Felpro instructions say just use a bead of silicone. Seems sort of silly

 

[GahnRacing]

Alright this shit is getting done, got the upper mounts made, just need to make the lowers.

Shock angles not correct, butt fuck it.. I dgaf

Nothing special.

 

[GahnRacing]

Some progress is better than no progress. Upper shock mounts are 100% welded in

Lower passenger mount is complete. I don’t think I’m going to show off the drivers side.. pretty disappointed lol

Drivers side done.

All painted. Quick and dirty.

I’ve been talking about it forever now, but I will for sure be rebuilding/revalving these guys this weekend.

The truck did very well in the whoops with just the C/O’s in the front, but does terrible on jumps and g outs (slams hard). Once I figure out the current C/O valving, I’ll need some advise on valving with the added BP

 

[GahnRacing]

I’m taking suggestions on coil over base valving...

Current

 

[GahnRacing]

Current BP’s

 

[GahnRacing]

I’m still waiting on shims for my coilovers, so in the meantime I worked on the engine a little.

Rocker shafts are assembled and in. No more springs.

 

[GahnRacing]

For those degenerates that aren’t perusing the dailies.. she’s back.. for now

Fox valve chart

Bypass valving: Comp #105 Rebound #70 150 psi
Coilover valving: Comp #50 Rebound #30 150 psi
Starting the bumps at 100 psi

 

[GahnRacing]

Cleaned and tested my injectors today. All of them look good. They’ve probably been sitting unused for the last 10 years. Rebuild kits should be in later today.

Not too shabby for my first radiator shroud.

I’m so close I can taste it.

I still need to pull the upper intake one more time, re-torque all lower intake bolts and clean up the spark plug wiring.

So I took this turd for a long drive yesterday, no issues. I didn’t have the PCV’s hooked up to the vacuum on the intake.. possible reason for increased crank case pressure . I’m going to run an air/oil separator

 

[GahnRacing]

I got around to replacing that locking hub assembly I DNF’d months ago.

The Premium hub assemblies look mucho bettero

I had been cautious of my passenger beam pivot ever since I destroyed the drivers side. So naturally I had to rebuild it..

Mount contacts the uniball cup for a good amount of travel

Comparison

Spread comparison

I love thick plate outside corner welds

 

[GahnRacing]

Outerwear for the AEM “Siltflow” filter came in. There’s just enough room for it to fit in there. Tighter than your sister.

Beam mount is in. Tapped the center hole because I could not fit the middle bolt with a nut due to the wider spread bracket. There were only 4 rivets originally so I imagine the 5th will add some more security.

 

[GahnRacing]

 

[GahnRacing]

4/14/2022

This takes us to the present day.

I destroyed the trans on my last run. We thought it was the clutch, but turns out I exploded 2nd and melted the counter shaft.

I had considered purchasing a reman trans through Summit/Zumbrota, but I decided to take it to a local favorite (Poppa Joe’s Gearbox).

He said he beat on that fucker for awhile before calling it quits. I seized it real nice. He had a spare case and completely rehauled it. New gears, brass synchros, etc.



The price difference wasn’t much, but I know for a fact that everything’s been replaced. I’m currently waiting on a beef’d up clutch disc before I can throw it back together.

 

[theycallmeWALLY]

Did the dude have any suggestions on how to make it stronger?

I want to keep the 5 speed in my truck until I add 2 extra cylinders and go full HAM on the drive train.

Do you think having the gears Cryo treated would help anything or just create another problem down the line?

 

[Rowdy Fitz]

I purchased an entire vehicle lol. I’ve heard they’re a bitch to find.

I haven’t been able to find a set of shifter boots for my truck. I’m gonna try to run a pair of shifter boots.

Rocker shafts are assembled and in. No more springs.

The engine looks titties!
I would have thought you would go roller rockers. Other than the price, what’s made you not go roller?

4/14/2022

This takes us to the present day.

I destroyed the trans on my last run. We thought it was the clutch, but turns out I exploded 2nd and melted the counter shaft.
View attachment 766
I had considered purchasing a reman trans through Summit/Zumbrota, but I decided to take it to a local favorite (Poppa Joe’s Gearbox).

He said he beat on that fucker for awhile before calling it quits. I seized it real nice. He had a spare case and completely rehauled it. New gears, brass synchros, etc.

View attachment 755

The price difference wasn’t much, but I know for a fact that everything’s been replaced. I’m currently waiting on a beef’d up clutch disc before I can throw it back together.

I have used Papa Joe in the past and have no complaints.

 

[GahnRacing]

Did the dude have any suggestions on how to make it stronger?

Not really, other than the brass synchros.He said the design of it is just doomed to fail. Something about putting load on the center of the cluster right at 2nd and 3rd.

Do you think having the gears Cryo treated would help anything or just create another problem down the line?

I personally think it would create problems, BUT I’d love to see somebody do it.

R150 swap ftw

The engine looks titties!
I would have thought you would go roller rockers. Other than the price, what’s made you not go roller?

The only company I’ve ever seen make roller rockers for the 2.9l is Morana Racing out of Canada. They’re $800-900 a set and I honestly don’t think they’re still in business. I think I’m $1500-2000 into rebuilding this 2.9 which is fucking stupid in the first place.

 

[theycallmeWALLY]

I think a sequential is going to be the winner. Sounds cheap.