'69 CS Ranger Frame Off - Progress Report - Long overdue

[Daffy_'69]

Hello all,

Some of you may remember my posts in the past, short recap... I'm driving a donor truck from CO to IL and it breaks the Tranny in BFE KS. I've got a CC Camper Special that will be parted out to rebuild a Ranger CS. So, enough of the old stuff.

I have gathered tons of information from the site, great tips, how-to's and lots of specific answers to my technical questions, so thanks for all your support. As I type this, I have just reassembled the newly powder-coated frame with the Frnt & Rear axles and she is rolling again, without the tie-rods, but who needs to steer a stripped frame. I have posted a bunch of pictures of my project on the Gallery Section - user name daflentge, its one of the latest ones added.

I still have lots to do, as many of you that have done this know, but I'm making great progress. This next week, I'll be taking the Cab & Front end of my old CustomCab off and preping it for paint. It turns out the Ranger Cab had some hidden rust (of course I didn't find it until after I had completely stripped the firewall, floor boards and underside of the cab) in the rain gutter. Fixable, but not nearly as good as it looked when I started and no where near as good as this beautiful frame deserves. Can I just say that a good powdercoating makes parts look and feel awesome.

If anyone is interested, I'll be parting with that cab, front fenders, inner fender panels, doors, etc. I'll post something on the for sale section with specifics later.

I did some fun stuff with POR-15 as well and will be using it on some of the other parts that I'll be taking off my donor truck. My feedback on that stuff is mixed, I like the finished product, but you really have to be commited to the job at hand to get it done right. And painting in IL in June, is a constant struggle to keep the sweat from dripping in or on what your painting.

Quick engine update: FE390 Ovebore .040, CraneCam 343901, KB Pistons, Edel intake, Cloyes True Double Roller, Hedman Ceramic headers. It is not together yet, but it is on schedule for a fall completion and reinstall. Can't wait to hear this baby breath again.

Hope you all are doing well and I'd love to hear any comments you have after checking out my album on the Photo Gallery. I'll be posting more regularly and asking more questions as the rebuild gets more technical.

[fourtss]

it's bout time you get back to us, sounds like yer makin great progress, keep up the good work, and don't be a stranger for so long anymore

[Daffy_'69]

7-17-07 Update

I just wrapped up 6 weeks at the parents place in IL working on my truck. Now I'm back to Colorado and back to real life and work.

I made significant progress. I was able to get the frame back on axles, front and back.

Did anyone notice that I put the front axles on upside down and backwards the first time? They actually went on with a little effort and a big rubber mallet. Once I figured out my mistake(when I was putting the tie rods on) I got them turned round to the correct position, they went on with little effort.

That mis-step aside, the rebuild is going smoothly. I ran all new brake lines, but reused my fuel lines as they were in great shape. I cleaned up the Aux tank and remounted, got the E-brake and brakes (discs up front) all plumbed and ready to connect to the proportioning valve. I also got the frame wire harness mounted, with all new shrink wrap so it looks great.

From the two trucks I had one good booster, but two bad Master Cylinders, so I swapped out the bad booster for the good one and purchased a new Master and got that all mounted and cleaned up. I was not able to get my SSBC proportioning valve mounted yet, which will look really nice. I think I'm going to mount it on the bracket that comes of the steering box top, where the old brake lines used to have a retainer. I tried to get it to fit on a plate between the master and booster, but there just wasn't room.

I'll post additional pics in my gallery in the next couple of days, and I'm going to be scrapping out lots of stuff. Biggest of all will be the frame. If anyone is interested in a clean, straight f250 frame, drop me a line. The frame is in southern IL.

I must say that Keith specifically and many others on this sight have made this project feel like I really know what I'm doing. I have done tons of searches and reading of posts from many of you and asked specific questions that really helped me along. I can honestly say that I would not be this far along without your support. Thanks for all your guidance.

I'm a real fan of this site.

[MadMaxetc]

That frame looks AWSOME!!

Very Nice Job!

Keep us posted!

[dcbullet]

It sure does look awesome. I'd like to see more pictures of your project.

[Daffy_'69]

Here are two more shots...

I've got more on my gallery (daflentge), but these I think show where I am at this time.

[ezernut9mm]

wow! nice work.