1969 Ranger - Project Glory Days!

[67mann]

Tyler....was there a pipe kit you bought or are ya just havin them bent as ya go I'm seriously lost when it comes down to this,but I'm with you....done everything else...why farm this out Looks good so far

[basketcase0302]

Kool...a "true" X-pipe! Your gonna love the flowmasters-mine speak lightly-with a growl!

[tylerb43]

Exactly! I'm hoping the X pipe will smooth out the louder pop of the FM 40's and I'll end up with a smooth, deep growl! We'll see!

And sorry, I should've said; the x-pipe is a kit from summit, (SUM-642122 - $79), it includes the x and the 4, 45 degree pipes to get you off and running.

[Dr Casti]

Tyler, excellent Job man!....keep on...

[Ranchero50]

Really nice clean install. I wonder how the 'X' is going to work with your manifolds. Usually you see a pretty big surge around 3600 with an X vs. 2500 with a H. Longtubes are good for a surge around 3200rpm.

Jamie

[tylerb43]

Soooo anyway, here's what I've been up to.

I may have mentioned this before, and you know I'm putting A/C in this truck, but I hate how the compressor sits on top of the engine most of the time. Car show after car show, pop the hood on some beautiful machine - A/C compressor right on top, blocking the view with ugly huge hoses running everywhere. Little dramatic? Well maybe, but here's what I came up with to fix this "issue", (in my mind anyway)

Anyway, I'm using a Sanden 508 compressor, so I ordered one and started mocking things up.

So after many measurements and a little time with the spaceball, this is what I came up with.


I had a local water jet shop cut it out of 3/16 steel for me, and I had this:

A little more mock up:

Fully welded and ready for grinding and finishing:

Powercoated, (I love this new powder I'm using) shiny and ready for final install:

And - boom! Awesome - I'm pretty proud of this one.

[elgemcdlf]

I have read that Flowmaster mufflers do not flow. Most of what I have been reading says use Magna Flow. Doing a 385 series engine that in nature has a restrictive exhaust side of things. The 460 guys all say to avoid the Flowmasters

[FormerMarine1981]

That A/C Bracket is sweet. Could probably sell those to a few guys.

[Calfdemon]

I have read that Flowmaster mufflers do not flow. Most of what I have been reading says use Magna Flow. Doing a 385 series engine that in nature has a restrictive exhaust side of things. The 460 guys all say to avoid the Flowmasters

I have read and heard the same thing regarding Flowmasters (and I have them on my Firebird). I am not a fan of the Magnaflow sound though, so I am not going to run Magnaflow either. I have heard good things about the new CherryBomb mufflers, so I am thinking of giving those a shot.

But the reality is, the Flowmaster might drop you maybe 5 hp. In a truck, does it really make a difference? Flowmasters sound sweet though!

[elgemcdlf]

Well since the 385 series engine is severely crippled by restriction on the exhaust side I think I am going to use something other than Flowmaster when that time comes for me. I might just go straight pipe with no mufflers.

[tylerb43]

I suddenly regret mentioning the brand of muffler I am using.

Back on track men...

[tylerb43]

I finally finished the bodywork on the drivers door, (pass side is already done), and got it in primer. My brother came over and helped me mount the doors on the cab once again for the last test fit. They looked great (minor update needed on the passenger side). Now they'll come back off to get 2k primer and blocking. It may not sound like much, but when you've done thus much metal work, it feels great and I'm counting it as a milestone!!

[sargentrs]

Awesome job Tyler! You're my hero. I really like the A/C bracket. Looks like your doors and hood had the same issues mine has. Thanks for the before, during and after shots!

[Coupe5oh]

That air conditioning bracket is sweet. How does the exhaust look from the side? It appears you have it tucked up pretty good. What are you gonna do after the mufflers? I'm thinking about either just going up and over the axle on mine and then dumping it or trying to tuck it and turn it down behind the wheel. I don't really want much to show.

[XABN82]

That A/C Bracket is sweet. Could probably sell those to a few guys.

That is for sure. I'd love to buy one.