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K-9_HANDLER's avatar
K-9_HANDLER
Explorer
Feb 10, 2015

Father/ daughter truck project

I have been posting regular updates on another forum. Folks have been enjoying following our progress. I thought I would post on here as well. My daughter and I have been fixing up a 89 Ford Ranger for her first vehicle. 2.9 v6, auto, 4.10 limited slip. It has been fun and she has learned alot. The truck had some front end damage, two busted windows and a driveline vibration. We replaced the body parts and windows from donors at the bone yard. Replaced the u joints and balanced the drive shaft. We live on a farm and she wanted a flat bed like one of bigger trucks so we tossed the rusted pick up bed. Currently doing the final prep for paint. She has selected racing Green from Eastwoods. I will post pics of me shooting it when the time comes. Here are some pics of the progress thus far.
I hope the pics upload.


[img][/img]

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  • fx2tom's avatar
    fx2tom
    Explorer
    Feb 10, 2015
    Bucky Badger wrote:
    That's awesome K-9...my little brother who is 15 restored a Ranger too. pretty much by himself...my dad just looked over his shoulder occasionally. In the link are the pics for it. At age 49 I wish I would have wanted to learn about cars...That saves a boat load of money
    http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=152658


    He did a great job! I had a '90 that same color (the blue - minus the gray). I had the 2.3l 4 cyl and had 365k miles on it when the tran finally gave up. Also had a 2001 and 2003. They're great little trucks
  • K-9_HANDLER's avatar
    K-9_HANDLER
    Explorer
    Feb 10, 2015
    He did a fabulous job! Very impressive. Thanks for sharing. We have been frequenting the Ranger Station quite a bit.
  • K-9_HANDLER's avatar
    K-9_HANDLER
    Explorer
    Feb 10, 2015
    Found another pic. It was when we test fit the front end to make sure we got the body lines right after fixing the accident damage.
  • K-9_HANDLER's avatar
    K-9_HANDLER
    Explorer
    Feb 10, 2015
    Thanks for all the positive feedback. I shared it with her and she is appreciative. This all started this fall when we began looking a first car for her. I assumed she would want a coupe, something a little sporty. After looking at a few she finally told me straight up she wanted a truck. We looked at this one and her face just lite up. Never will forget it. She was so excited. Now mind you this thing was a POS but she could see the potential. She cant wait to take her dog, Daisy, with her in it. I am fortunate the kid gets good grades, volunteers every week at our local library,farm chores, even does her own laundry and hangs it outside on the line. This project is worth every minute. They grow up fast. I will post more pics as we progress. The flat bed is going to linseed oil finished oak with low slat sides.
  • spoon059's avatar
    spoon059
    Explorer II
    Feb 10, 2015
    That is AWESOME! I wish I had skills like that to pass along to my kids. My dad taught me BASIC vehicle maintenance. Our vehicles include lifetime basic maintenance, but I have a tractor and lawnmower that I can teach the kids simple stuff.

    I see you are a K9 handler, are you LEO?
  • dodge_guy's avatar
    dodge_guy
    Explorer II
    Feb 10, 2015
    Are you serious! I'm lucky if Ivan get my kids to shut the door when they get out of the car! LOL

    My son so far is not really into cars. I think it may have something to do with me complaining about all the new cars and the issues I have to deal with! So he just figures it's worth trying. I wish they would show a bit more interest in it though.
  • fx2tom's avatar
    fx2tom
    Explorer
    Feb 10, 2015
    blt2ski wrote:
    Older daughter would do this. Younger......not on you life......some do, some don't, just as some males are this way. my FIL may he rest in piece, did not know the difference tween a slot and a philips screw driver! Much less a torx or sq drive!

    marty


    My FIL is a diesel mechanic by trade, had is own diesel shop for 20 years, designs his own cooling systems on heavy equipment. He refused to teach his daughters (3 of them, only had girls) anything mechanically because he didn't want them under the hood. When DW and I started dating she had a Honda that she hadn't had an oil change on in 25k miles, almost gave me a heart attack!
  • mabynack's avatar
    mabynack
    Explorer II
    Feb 10, 2015
    Just a thought on the vibration. I worked on several trucks from that era that had a misaligned drivetrain. If you have a problem with U-joints wearing out, check to make sure the driveline is straight. There's some adjustment in the transmission cross-member on most trucks.

    My daughters never were interested in things that involved getting dirty. It's nice to see your family working together.

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