want to build up truck
 

hey guys, i'm sure someone on here probably knows something about the topic...

I've got a 1981 ford ranger f250 w/ 3spd automatic and either a 5.8 or 6.6l V8 (gonna find out soon). I think it would be cool to make it into a drag truck, i dont care about the body or anything it's all rusted and i want it to look like a piece of junk. Just curious how cheap i could build up the motor (it's carb, not EFI) and tranny and swap rear end gears. I dont need only new parts like i would want for my stang, used will work. I just want to know how cheaply it could be done. If there's a way to modify a turbo off an old diesel, or some other way to add 100-200+ hp to the truck, and i'm sure the tranny would need to be replaced. Or an old engine like a 460 or something that's carb, i want to stick with carb because it's different (learning experience) Kinda want to stick with an auto too because it would be something different, i already have a sweet manual vehicle.

im not sure about the work required with that swap but you dont want a diesel turbo on that. Youll want a wastegate setup so you can relive boost. Diesel blocks are able to take that kind of torture, and thats why they are able to run 400k miles when its taken care of.

well u get the point, i dont care about specifics now, just a rough estimate of parts, power, cost

this may be the wrong place for that kind of information. try finding a ranger or truck forum with a lot of members and start asking questions. chances are, someone has done something similar and can guide you better on whats involved, cost, parts, and all the questions you are asking here.

i will prolly go to a specific forum later, right now i just want a general idea... shouldnt be much different than if anyone here had a nonEFI mustang w/ auto and built it up

is it an f250 or a ranger... is it deisel or gasoline?

a gasoline engine is extremely easy and rather cheap considering the costs of EFI...

basicly, you pull the engine, rebuild from top to bottem...

crankshaft
pistons
heads
cam
the whole kit n cabottle

then
tranny
drive shaft
built/racing rear
whells n tires

and gut the interior... cost a few grand... will be fast and fun...

lol.. dont forget a role cage...

and is it a ranger or an f250?

f250 = full size truck
ranger = baby truck

Back in 1980, the ranger was a full sized truck. The emblem on the fender says ranger f250 and it has either a 351 or 400 engine so it's not a baby truck... And I dont want to gut the interior, I wouldn't go that far, it is gonna be my winter daily driver so i still want 4 wheel drive and stuff, not to worried about racing suspension and all that, i just wanna see the look on a mustang gt owner's face when they can barely keep up with me stop light to stop light :punk:

also no wheels or tires, i want to keep it looking old and junky, plus i wont be going more than 80mph... for now anyway.

imo this is a silly way to spend your money. Just put the money into the the stang and enjoy it.

double post

this isnt gonna be my money (so it probably wont happen). I'm trying to convince my dad to let me do it next year during school because i'll have shop class for atleast half the year if not all year, and i'm looking at going into automotive engineering so it would be a good learning experience. The learning experience is the main reason i would do it. And dont worry, all my money is going towards the stang.

well... to tell ya the gods honest truth...

4x4 = offroader, daily driver, beater, vehicle for snow, etc... (def not race car, lol)

2x4 = you could build a sweat race car... but not worth it...

if its deisel...
the new ones have lots of potential with a grand

the old... I know absolutely nothing about...

4x4 is heavy... keep it as a winter beater or what not

if ya really wanted...

find an old ford and drop the engine in there (if its a gasoline...)

____________________________________

sorry, but I was confused over exactly what you were lookin to do or what the truck is... i saw someone talkin bout deisel... hope i helped... at least a little.. lol :beerchug:

it's gas, and yea i know about the new diesels... my dad had an 04 6.0l f-250 and now an 06 6.0l f-350, both chipped. Tons of power. just a mail tune nets 200 additional torque, bringing it up to the 750 range. 0-60 well under 8 seconds... not bad for a 7,000 pound 4x4 meant for towing, and that's just a tune)

The old truck is just gonna be for experience, and i want lots of power and that's my choice. not expecting to race mach 1's with it...

lol... it probably doesnt make too much power (stock)...

lots of potential... ah...
if ya wanna do something for tech shop...

1. pull engine, rebuild
a. new bearings
b. maybe bore it out a bit (buy good parts, pistons and everything needed to work, dont need to go too performance)
c. port polish
d. valves and lifters
e. plugs, wires, etc
2. exhaust
3. intake manifold
4. carb... or two carbs... or... :shifty: three carbs

that'll get ya much better performance but not over kill...
a rebuilt engine makes it run good as new (probably better!)

then... also fun in shop classes...

body work... learn to use welder and other cool tools...

________________________________

Lol... these deisels are rediculous...
I'm still not sure exaclty how to work on 1... completely different then a gasoline... props if ya can do it... although i hear it easier then gas... lol

good luck buddy:beerchug: