2003 Ford MF Ranger Prerunner Build with my son

[RichieRich]

My son is turning 16 in November and it was time to buy him something to drive...asked him if he wanted something turn key and reliable like a newer F150 or maybe a newer Toyota Tacoma and he said nope, I want a Ford Ranger pre-runner. At this point I was against it, but started to think about how fun it would be to actually build one with him. After some soul searching, I was in. We started to look for something that would fit the bill.
I found a 2003 Ford Ranger XLT with a 3.0 (3.slow) and a 5 speed manual...truck had 187k miles but wasn't too worried about that as I would know a motor swap would be required to do any "real" off-roading.

truck was very clean and no rust
We spent the first few weeks going through all of the systems and changing all of the fluids, water pump was leaking so that got replaced along with brakes and anything else that was showing its age.
Next was a week or so of him learning how to drive the manual transmission...took him a bit but after a few weeks he had it

once I knew he was good with the stick and I felt like the truck was solid enough, I started ordering parts
BTF long travel
Fox Shocks front and rear
Deaver Leaf springs
Blitzkreig shackles

then came the fun stuff...lots of cutting and fab work
no where near done yet, but it is driving again and he LOVES it, still need to get the bed cage and bumpers done along with a cage and seats.
we still have a few months before he gets his license so a system and paint job "should" be done by end of the year.

 

[FENDERFAB]

Awesome project. ranger is a great platform, this is every high schoolers dream truck. He will have alot of fun with it, and lots of options to keep upgrading in the future!
Ive been building my ranger for 13 years now. There is a new forum he might like to check out and share his build on. https://forum.badlinesgoodtimes.com/whats-new/

 

[RichieRich]

Awesome project. ranger is a great platform, this is every high schoolers dream truck. He will have alot of fun with it, and lots of options to keep upgrading in the future!
Ive been building my ranger for 13 years now. There is a new forum he might like to check out and share his build on. https://forum.badlinesgoodtimes.com/whats-new/

awesome...thank you for that. And yes, he is already planning a 5.0 swap and 4 link setup for his graduation present

 

[FENDERFAB]

awesome...thank you for that. And yes, he is already planning a 5.0 swap and 4 link setup for his graduation present

Awesome! Cant wait to see the updated pics as you guys continue the build! Ill keep an eye on this thread if you need any insight on anything feel free to post up!

 

[FENDERFAB]

Not sure what your plans are for cage/backhalf but TE designs makes some pretty cool pre bent/notched kits that make building a cage/backhalf a much simpler process.

RANGER

We ship weld it yourself roll cages and back half kits for you to build in your own shop or garage. Along with those, we also offer trailing arms, link mount kits, steering components and more for your off-road race truck or prerunner.

tedesigns.com

 

[ChumpChange]

Very nice. Picked up this one for my daughter. Nothing to be done like you are doing.

 

[RichieRich]

Not sure what your plans are for cage/backhalf but TE designs makes some pretty cool pre bent/notched kits that make building a cage/backhalf a much simpler process.

RANGER

We ship weld it yourself roll cages and back half kits for you to build in your own shop or garage. Along with those, we also offer trailing arms, link mount kits, steering components and more for your off-road race truck or prerunner.

tedesigns.com

I will be sure to check them out...thank you

 

[ChumpChange]

If only that rear bumper would fit on my 96 I would buy it off you. Looks like you’ll be fabricating something new.

 

[RichieRich]

Very nice. Picked up this one for my daughter. Nothing to be done like you are doing.
View attachment 1446571

they are such a good platform for sure...clean truck. Wish I could have found a white one

 

[ChumpChange]

they are such a good platform for sure...clean truck. Wish I could have found a white one

White was in my search parameters. Every vehicle I own is the same color.

It got listed and I was on it within 30 minutes. There was a line waiting after me.

 

[dirtslinger2]

Fun build, I did the same with my son when he was 15, so it was ready when he got his license.
We started with a ridiculously clean 88 that I found. Did Solo beams, and radius arms, and Deaves in the back as well.

 

[Blue Oval]

Big Ranger fan. Just sold this 2010 I drove for two years. Sold my 2003 that I plowed with for 17 years. Took in a F250 to replace them. Miss my Rangers.

 

[Cooter01]

Man this is sweet! I had a 2003 ranger single cab in sonic blue with the all mighty 3.0 and auto trans, as a young punk kid I had mixed feelings about the truck so sold it off for a full size F150. I have been looking for an older ranger with the 4.0 auto trans extended cab to do a basic mid travel kit and go exploring. Something simple yet fun.

 

[chvynhra]

@MARCYTECH is the expert in the field.

 

[RichieRich]

If only that rear bumper would fit on my 96 I would buy it off you. Looks like you’ll be fabricating something new.

Yup
You can have it if it works
Let me know

 

[FENDERFAB]

@MARCYTECH post up a pic of your ranger for this guy.

@RichieRich heres a pic of my truck

 

[MARCYTECH]

My ole girl. I actually just sold this truck 2 weeks ago after 8 super fun years of building and driving

 

[RichieRich]

@MARCYTECH post up a pic of your ranger for this guy.

@RichieRich heres a pic of my truck

View attachment 1446846

That is an amazing truck...this is what my son wants.

 

[RichieRich]

My ole girl. I actually just sold this truck 2 weeks ago after 8 super fun years of building and driving

Did I see a YouTube video on your truck? You have those cool third brake lights I think? what size projects are those? I am looking for some 35" but they aren't easy to find, beautiful truck BTW.

 

[pronstar]

I love this...can't wait to start projects like this with my boys when they're a bit older.

 

[MARCYTECH]

Did I see a YouTube video on your truck? You have those cool third brake lights I think? what size projects are those? I am looking for some 35" but they aren't easy to find, beautiful truck BTW.

Yea that’s me! Terra and wings world did a video on it.
They are 35” on a 15” wheel. Impossible to find lately

 

[RichieRich]

@MARCYTECH post up a pic of your ranger for this guy.

@RichieRich heres a pic of my truck

View attachment 1446846

just found you on Instagram. You do some amazing work man!

 

[25Elmn8r]

Awesome father-son project!

We've had a few over the years.
the original for when he turned 16-
Complete build done at home. I had him do everything except the actual welding on the cage and steering, and spraying the paint.

and the 4x4 solid axle 1 ton swap that would literally go ANYWHERE you pointed it.

 

[RichieRich]

Awesome father-son project!

We've had a few over the years.
the original for when he turned 16-
Complete build done at home. I had him do everything except the actual welding on the cage and steering, and spraying the paint.
View attachment 1446969

and the 4x4 solid axle 1 ton swap that would literally go ANYWHERE you pointed it.
View attachment 1446971 View attachment 1446972

That looks cool...love the red one

 

[LazyLavey]

Curious.... what's the common repower for these Rangers? or is there one?

 

[FENDERFAB]

just found you on Instagram. You do some amazing work man!

Thank you sir!

 

[FENDERFAB]

Curious.... what's the common repower for these Rangers? or is there one?

It varies- Alot of guys that keep the V6 go with the SOHC engine, Common v8 upgrades are either ford 5.0, ford small block or ls based. Mostly LS upgrades now a days have become the norm. I personally have a built 6.0 LS with a Built TH400 in mine.

 

[RichieRich]

Curious.... what's the common repower for these Rangers? or is there one?

I am currently looking into the 5.0 option but thinking the LS is a better overall choice. We wont be ready for a while for that though

 

[MARCYTECH]

I opted for the sohc 4.0 and a c4 trans as it was a very cheap way to gains ton of power over the pushrod ohv 4.0 that the truck had stock. You can build those to give you around 300 wheel HP NA and be reliable too. Stock vs stock the sohc 4.0 makes more wheel hp than a 5.0 v8.

 

[Dunerking]

Awesome project!! I’m sure your son is beyond excited as the build moves forward.
My 15 year old son and I are doing something similar but doing a Gen 2 Raptor conversion to a 2017 F-150 5.0 supercab STX. We have acquired most of the parts,just need the hood and grill and then it’s tear it down!