Thread: Project 2 Ghetto Build Thread

OK, since I am pretty much done with my Ghetto1 build I got another Ranger to build up with my friend. Here's the link to Ghetto1:
Project Ghetto Begins....

Now to the details behind 2Ghetto:

Picked her up for $2,500 cash last night. Gold 1994 Ranger extended cab. 92,000 original miles. She's super clean, all stock, and has a 4.0 V6 with the manual 5 speed transmission. I'll post pics soon.

Only thing that isnt working is the AC. Not sure if I'll even bother with trying to keep it.

Gonna do a full cage front to back with 1.75 x .120 DOM. Gonna try to sneak in some .095 where applicable so I can save a little weight on this one.

Hopefully getting equal length D44 beams crossover steering and 4 link with 9" rear end. That's gonna depend on budget though, since it's a joint venture with my friend Kevin.

It's my second build so I'm hoping it turns out better than Ghetto1. Get ready bitches!

Are you selling your first ghetto-ride? Its not even done yet is it?

Originally Posted by coletrain

Are you selling your first ghetto-ride? Its not even done yet is it?

HAHAH you're on to me!! Nope, not selling her, and nope she's still not finished! Actually getting swinger steering as we type. But all I have to do is plumb the cell and she's done.

2Ghetto is actually going to be 50% co-owned with me by my friend. We figured it would be a hell of a lot more fun with 2x built trucks! Let the nerfing begin.

Damn man, your just bumpin them out.
Nice job.

OK, so I used her to bring home 54ft of 1.75 x.120 DOM today.
Paid $3.56/ft.

I'm gonna try to log exactly how much material I use, and in which areas. Also will be looking for advice on where to use .095 to save weight.

here's what I'm starting with...

Looks like a good start. That trucks clean

so i got an insane amount of work done last night.

What are the overall plans/goal for this one??

Originally Posted by FasterNU

Gonna do a full cage front to back with 1.75 x .120 DOM. Gonna try to sneak in some .095 where applicable so I can save a little weight on this one.

Hopefully getting equal length D44 beams crossover steering and 4 link with 9" rear end. That's gonna depend on budget though, since it's a joint venture with my friend Kevin.

I think he was gonna do this. ^

So off with the bed, cut out spare tire mount, and almost done w/ the bumper.

I woulda probably had it gutted by now too, but the lil bitch didnt pass smog ... so now I have to keep it driveable until we fix that.

It passed emmissions fine, just failed on evaporative test.

I had one with the same problem. It ended up being a cracked filler hose. They can be found cheap online...

you gonna make all your own mounts and beams?

Originally Posted by jpjeep

I had one with the same problem. It ended up being a cracked filler hose. They can be found cheap online...

Yea, once i got the bed off, it looks cracked at the base too. My friend and I decided to just pay the $45 for a diagnosis.... and we'll fix it. I agreed because I dont want to start throwing money at it and still have it fail.

Originally Posted by GREGASAURUS REX

you gonna make all your own mounts and beams?

I seriously thought about it, but I'm not so sure I have the knowledge/skill at this point. Plus that would be a lot more down time, and I can't really leave my truck in the garage(occupied by bikes)

So I think we're leaning towards Threat's beam kit and 4-link right now...

Update regarding the smog issue! It's that god damn filler hose! Fricking knew it. Oh well, waste of $45 but at least it's an easy fix.

Is that hose molded on the end or what?? Can't remember and I'm at work. If it's straight hose I'll just take a hacksaw with me, cut it off above the crack and reinstall right at the smog place.

PS they quoted $400 for factory filler and $160 or something for aftermarket.

Originally Posted by FasterNU

Update regarding the smog issue! It's that god damn filler hose! Fricking knew it. Oh well, waste of $45 but at least it's an easy fix.

Is that hose molded on the end or what?? Can't remember and I'm at work. If it's straight hose I'll just take a hacksaw with me, cut it off above the crack and reinstall right at the smog place.

PS they quoted $400 for factory filler and $160 or something for aftermarket.

pick a part

Mike

duct tape is your friend.

CLICK HERE!!!

$70 shipped.

Originally Posted by only1mikey

pick a part

Mike

i heard they cut the filler necks out.. ive never actually checked it out while there but has anyone else heard that?

FUCKING SCORE!!! I MEAN CHECK OUT ALL THIS SHIT I CAME UP ON BELOW!! Fucking 17mm-19mm combo wrench, 12 cents, 2x pens, a keychain, some chalk, a pill, and a popsicle stick!! (Not pictured was a black whistle without the ball).... dont know where that ended up.. guess my friend didnt appreciate it when I blasted it super loud in his ears while he was cutting out the sheet metal... lol

hell ya

Did you eat the pill? haha and you are now 12 cents closer to the finished product

Haha sweet! I got a free mix CD with my truck, and something like $1.13 in change in the center console too!

As for suspension, if you can build a cage, you can build suspension. A cage is way more important and complex then suspension.. I beams are simple to build, just time consuming. As for the links and the way there setup, read. Alot. You can do it, but just do your research first. My next truck will be build all by me, unless I get some sorta discount.

Your probably going to want a pair of these soon

Oh, fuck yea I am!!

Any specs on um yet? I think you said they weigh less than your tube setup, right?

Originally Posted by FasterNU

Oh, fuck yea I am!!

Any specs on um yet? I think you said they weigh less than your tube setup, right?

They are quite a bit lighter then my tubed beams. 100% 3/16 CNC bent fully boxed with with some pretty neat internals. Also these will use a square pinch bolt style bung with some extra machining instead of the standard round tube bung like I used on the 1st set almost 2 years ago.

Originally Posted by oorracing

Haha sweet! I got a free mix CD with my truck, and something like $1.13 in change in the center console too!
:

that is nothing, i got a vhs copy of Detroit Rock City in an old astro van once!

Nice platform, I gotta come out and check out the progress sometime...
Mike

I finally got some time to get a little work done. Ripped out AC and got the engine cage started. Dude, I have no idea how Dave at Threat is able to keep the AC in tha family wagon!!?? .. or any of you guys for that matter! The friggin cooler/radiator for the blower assembly is totally in the way!!

Anywho.. here's some pics of the progress

havent got much done.. but here's some updates. Been pulling the dash and got more of the engine cage finished

Looking good can't wait to see the finished product.

Do work! Looking good.

Im excited about this build. Because even tho your last truck was badass, you have learned so much doing it through once. So this one is gonna be exponentially better you know?

Haven't got much done. I did get a notice from the city though... for having a dismantled vehicle in my driveway. Referred to as a "public nuisance". Gotta love that. Way to stimulate the economy.

Anywho, took forever to cut off these body mounts with my angle grinder. I need an air chisel! Started making some new body mounts. Not sure If I'm gonna go solid, or if I will use a piece of the old bushing I cut out.

If your gonna fully cage it and are already build new mounts might as well solid mount it.

Originally Posted by nmsilveradorunner

If your gonna fully cage it and are already build new mounts might as well solid mount it.

That's what I was thinking originally.... BUT, if I wanted to do that right....then I would have to solid mount the rest of the body mounts.

And I don't know if I'm missing something but the actual body mounts are impossible to remove. It's like they are pop riveted together through the bracket!??

I had to cut the rubber mounts and internal tube in half to remove them from the bracket. Was a serious bitch for me because the rubber is tight to the bracket and would bind up the sawzall.

any updates?

lol, why did you use a level on your engine cage? Is the frame perfectly level? or body?

sweet build

Originally Posted by jpjeep

lol, why did you use a level on your engine cage? Is the frame perfectly level? or body?

I hope you are joking, but if not, the angle finder allows to to set everything up to the relative angles of your choice. IE make is straight and true side to side, front to back

Not too many updates right now. Been working on Ghetto1 a lot and too busy with enjoying the dez season.

I got the rear body mounts finished and installed. I went ahead and made them solid. I hope this isn't a mistake considering the rest of the cab is rubber mounted.

I have a set of AutoFab motor and tranny mounts to install on this truck too ... before I continue to put all the tubework in the engine compartment.

I also started the subframe for the cage. I think it's gonna tuck up in there nicely. I just have to be real careful to make sure I leave room for suspension components. I kinda have to do things a bit backwards because I don't build my own suspension.

Will be cutting the holes in the cab for a, b, and c-pillars here real soon. I'll post some pics when I get a chance.

Oh, and yes, Chase550 is correct. I use the angle finder for comparing slopes side to side. I dont really have a nice level surface to work on... so I take billions of reference points with angle finders and levels on the ground, frame, cab, my dick.. you name it. LOL

OK, so here's some small updates. We installed AutoFab's motor and tranny mounts on the 4.0. And interestingly enough... there isn't shit for vibration compared to Ghetto1 and her 2.3L! Next up should be a new beam kit from Threat(my buddy and I finally have the money saved up)

Finished up the body mounts. Decided to just go solid in the rear for more clearance. Hope this wont end up being an issue since the rest of the cab is on the stock rubebr mounts.



Removed all the X-members. Wow, what a bitch with just an angle grinder and a sawsall!! I still haven't got the last remnants of the x-member that is right under the rear most section of the cab. (you can see the last x-member still 100% here in this picture)
Not sure how I can get to those last 4x rivets. So, I just left the stubs for now. I dont think it will be an issue with the link mounts.. but if so, I'll figure out a way to get them out.


We decided to hard face the following section of the frame. I figured it would be an easy way to plug weld all those frickin holes in the frame. I think we're gonna try and get an overlay plate water jetted or lasered out for shits n giggles.(you can see a basic idea of what were thinking with the sharpie)









I got the cab pretty much gutted. Just need to put some holes for a-pillar and engine cage tie ins and then it will be some serious tubage.



So, next up is some beams and tubage. We've been moving slow so far, but I expect things to pick up. My bro and I were finally able to get the other half of the garage from the landlord when we sold her landcruiser. So now the truck is inside the garage and not my driveway. Sure makes working on it a hell of a lot easier!!