Another build thread + Racing Updates

[Magnethead]

have to say I like how you are making it a sleeper truck, that could still pass as mostly stock. Sleepers are awesome. Have you done anything to it that has made it not as reliable as a daily driver?

The powerglide is the weakest link durability wise, it takes the hour drive to the track or half hour to Summit's warehouse/store no problem at 70-80MPH. It's got most of the same parts in it as the powerglide in the dragster, so I don't see it having an issue anytime soon.

Nothing else has really been changed mechanically. Most of the changes so far are electrical.

The suspension upgrades are just that - upgrades, although the new front springs are certainly set up for drag racing.

New engine is still hydraulic roller, custom pistons to handle anything I can sling at them, forged rods and crank. Stock block will be the weak link. Ford GT fuel injectors, nothing really wild or otherwise non-production or concerning.

The procharger will probably be the most maintenance-needy item. Probably check the valvetrain every oil change on the procharger to be safe (ever 1,000 miles or so)

 

[DanicaFreak]

The powerglide is the weakest link durability wise, it takes the hour drive to the track or half hour to Summit's warehouse/store no problem at 70-80MPH. It's got most of the same parts in it as the powerglide in the dragster, so I don't see it having an issue anytime soon.

Nothing else has really been changed mechanically. Most of the changes so far are electrical.

The suspension upgrades are just that - upgrades, although the new front springs are certainly set up for drag racing.

New engine is still hydraulic roller, custom pistons to handle anything I can sling at them, forged rods and crank. Stock block will be the weak link. Ford GT fuel injectors, nothing really wild or otherwise non-production or concerning.

The procharger will probably be the most maintenance-needy item. Probably check the valvetrain every oil change on the procharger to be safe (ever 1,000 miles or so)

great post. love reading about frankentruck. I remember when she was bone stock. great work

 

[Magnethead]

great post. love reading about frankentruck. I remember when she was bone stock. great work

Hell, from the outside, it still is stock. The master kill switch in the old license plate light hole is the only evidence of significant modification. I loathed putting a tonneau on it, but it just made sense long term.

 

[Magnethead]

Fuel pump assembly will nearly be frame rail to frame rail in the back. Have the rest of the fuel system shipping out tomorrow.

Picked up the new-to-us rear wing for the dragster from TRL's old stomping grounds.

 

[DUN24]

California auto ref's would love this truck. Lmao

 

[Magnethead]

Went to the track on Saturday...

Photos by Randy Curtis (Curtis Photo Art) and Ronnie Barnes (XRP TV)

 

[DanicaFreak]

Went to the track on Saturday...

Photos by Randy Curtis (Curtis Photo Art) and Ronnie Barnes (XRP TV)

Yes yes yes!
Any timed runs?

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk

 

[Magnethead]

Yes yes yes!
Any timed runs?

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk

Made 14 runs total

 

[Magnethead]

It's about to get nuts around here with both builds going simultaneously.

Dragster has the new wing, and we put the rear axle back in after getting the housing powdercoated, also put new axle shafts in. Short block is together, next step is valvetrain.

My last box from Magnafuel came today, so I can start piecing together the engine side of the fuel system. Fuel tank straps are painted, snubbers are glued on (Marine glue is NICE!), tank is ready to get hung back in the truck. I have the fuel lines ran semi-temporarily up to the engine bay, they'll need to be re-routed later, but I wanted to get the length figured out now. The pressure/supply runs up the driver side frame rail, curves around the brake booster and HVAC accumulator, and comes out on the passenger side. The return hose runs up the passenger frame rail and pops out behind the HVAC accumulator.

 

[Magnethead]

Switched the dragster cylinder heads to titanium valves on both sides, so spent this morning calculating the new pushrod length for the new geometry for the 0.093 longer Ti valve stems.

Also got the fuel cell installed in the truck for what is hopefully the final time. Need to do some further tweaking on the fuel pump mount/crossmember, but now I at least know where it all needs to sit.

Have a general idea on what to do with the components under the hood. I need to make some brackets to start mocking it up though.

Also made microscopic progress on the onboard air system.

Should have the air tank mounted tomorrow. Might even get the air chucks mounted. Hopefully will have the underhood fuel system bracket fabbed up or close to it.

Brake Rotors should be ready for pickup tomorrow, Brake Calipers on Friday.

 

[DanicaFreak]

Switched the dragster cylinder heads to titanium valves on both sides, so spent this morning calculating the new pushrod length for the new geometry for the 0.093 longer Ti valve stems.

Also got the fuel cell installed in the truck for what is hopefully the final time. Need to do some further tweaking on the fuel pump mount/crossmember, but now I at least know where it all needs to sit.

Have a general idea on what to do with the components under the hood. I need to make some brackets to start mocking it up though.

Also made microscopic progress on the onboard air system.

Should have the air tank mounted tomorrow. Might even get the air chucks mounted. Hopefully will have the underhood fuel system bracket fabbed up or close to it.

Brake Rotors should be ready for pickup tomorrow, Brake Calipers on Friday.

Thats a lot of work mags,,,,race tank hold less fuel the street one? looks like it,,,,

 

[Magnethead]

Thats a lot of work mags,,,,race tank hold less fuel the street one? looks like it,,,,

Fuel cell is rated 15 gals, probably closer to 14 or so. Stock tank is 22 [optional size], standard factory tank was 16.

Shouldn't be too bad though. That's still 2.5 hours of fuel range.

I have the level sender 1" shorter than the tank, so I'll have a 2-2.25 gallon reserve below indicated empty. Gas light will still function, so it will come on with about 3-4 gallons total left in tank.

Since i have the factory dealer tool, I can connect to the PCM/dash and set the fuel tank size manually.

 

[BobbyFord]

Switched the dragster cylinder heads to titanium valves on both sides, so spent this morning calculating the new pushrod length for the new geometry for the 0.093 longer Ti valve stems.

Also got the fuel cell installed in the truck for what is hopefully the final time. Need to do some further tweaking on the fuel pump mount/crossmember, but now I at least know where it all needs to sit.

Have a general idea on what to do with the components under the hood. I need to make some brackets to start mocking it up though.

Also made microscopic progress on the onboard air system.

Should have the air tank mounted tomorrow. Might even get the air chucks mounted. Hopefully will have the underhood fuel system bracket fabbed up or close to it.

Brake Rotors should be ready for pickup tomorrow, Brake Calipers on Friday.

How long until there's a Ford 9" under there?

 

[Magnethead]

How long until there's a Ford 9" under there?

Full float F9 is in the plan. Just a matter of $$. It costs about 2K to build, plus the third member. The 5 on 5.5 bolt circle is a bit large, but oh well.

 

[Magnethead]

How long until there's a Ford 9" under there?

$785 for the bare housing - http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/catalog/FORD9.html

$1280 for the spindles/hub/brake kit - https://www.solidaxle.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=51&idcategory=13

Just a matter of welding the spindles on with a jig. We built this combination all the time at my old job. If it can handle 300+ HP on 42" tires bouncing off of rocks, my 700 and a transbrake with 29" tires should be easy.

 

[DanicaFreak]

$785 for the bare housing - http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/catalog/FORD9.html

$1280 for the spindles/hub/brake kit - https://www.solidaxle.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=51&idcategory=13

Just a matter of welding the spindles on with a jig. We built this combination all the time at my old job. If it can handle 300+ HP on 42" tires bouncing off of rocks, my 700 and a transbrake with 29" tires should be easy.

 

[BobbyFord]

View attachment 37884

Some girls like make-up and fashion.
Some girls like make-up, fashion, fast cars and motorcycles.
There are car girls at every car meet. There are hot girls that own hot cars.

There’s a passenger seat in almost every hot rod.

 

[DanicaFreak]

Some girls like make-up and fashion.
Some girls like make-up, fashion, fast cars and motorcycles.
There are car girls at every car meet. There are hot girls that own hot cars.

There’s a passenger seat in almost every hot rod.

I want your life bobby.

 

[TexasRaceLady]

I've ALWAYS been a sucker for hot cars. LOL

 

[DanicaFreak]

I've ALWAYS been a sucker for hot cars. LOL

 

[Magnethead]

And some of us burn all our energy in the shop and garage in the morning, so when they pass out on the couch after dinner, then wake up and realize it's only 6:30 instead of 8:30, we are completely confused about why our body feels like it's bedtime.

 

[Magnethead]

Picked up the brake rotors today, made sure they are right, pulled the old spindles apart so I'll be ready to swap it all.

Got the air tank mocked up and both air fittings mounted. Not perfect, but workable.

Also went to Summit and used my gift card to get a bunch of fuel side fittings.

 

[Magnethead]

I got one side of the truck almost done today. Took the old brake stuff off, removed the hub/bearing assembly that was known good, removed the spindle, removed the shock, compressed the stock spring, pulled it out, compressed the new spring, stabbed it in, put the new spindle on, put my known good hub/bearing on, put the shock back on.

It wasn't anything REMOTELY easy done as said, but I got one side done today.

Tomorrow will be the other side.

Also got the second head on the dragster engine today.

 

[Magnethead]

More progress today.

 

[Magnethead]

Current plan is to pick up the truck engine on Saturday.

 

[Magnethead]

Updated wiring diagram

 

[TexasRaceLady]

Looks like someone dropped a plate of spaghetti.

 

[DanicaFreak]

 

[DanicaFreak]

 

[DanicaFreak]

https://www.dreamcarsellers.com/1985-ford-ranger-prostreet-drag-truck-c-35.htm


not much of a sleeper but a beautiful truck

 

[Magnethead]

Need to do alot of wire cleanup and mount the relay board, but I have a starting point. I have the fuel pump wired right now, but I'll need to go back and heatshrink the connections. I also need to lift up the truck bed to finish some items on top of the tank; I tried to knock the bed bolts loose but they didn't budge.

Dragster engine is now complete intake to pan except for exhaust pushrods.

@DanicaFreak I'm actually borrowing alot of fuel system notes from Brian Esser, who is building a twin turbo LS swap dakota, he's an electrical guru and built his own digital display dashboard.

 

[Nitro Dude]

It looks like you have been pretty busy in the off season, Mag. I was watching the news this morning and they had a pretty chilling story about the illegal purchase and use of nitrous by teenagers here in Southern CA. They did a bunch of raids on some of the auto repair shops that were selling nitrous to the kids. There has been a lot of fatalities because the kids inhale the product and pass out while driving their cars and then crash into other cars. They showed video of the kids taking their bottles into these shops after hours to get them filled and then as soon as they would get back in their car everyone would start inhaling it. They want to stiffen the laws for the purchase and use of nitrous. I wouldn't be surprised if this would impact the use of nitrous for racing in the future.

 

[Magnethead]

It looks like you have been pretty busy in the off season, Mag. I was watching the news this morning and they had a pretty chilling story about the illegal purchase and use of nitrous by teenagers here in Southern CA. They did a bunch of raids on some of the auto repair shops that were selling nitrous to the kids. There has been a lot of fatalities because the kids inhale the product and pass out while driving their cars and then crash into other cars. They showed video of the kids taking their bottles into these shops after hours to get them filled and then as soon as they would get back in their car everyone would start inhaling it. They want to stiffen the laws for the purchase and use of nitrous. I wouldn't be surprised if this would impact the use of nitrous for racing in the future.

Racing (well, any non-medical grade) nitrous has a substance mixed in that is supposed to discourage this activity. It's in the low PPM range, but it's still there. I forget what it is they use, i thought it was a carbon product though.

 

[Nitro Dude]

Racing (well, any non-medical grade) nitrous has a substance mixed in that is supposed to discourage this activity. It's in the low PPM range, but it's still there. I forget what it is they use, i thought it was a carbon product though.

It's not discouraging these kids.

 

[Magnethead]

Front suspension is complete sans taking the spindle nuts to 185 ft-lb.

I have the bed elevated in the back so I can get to the fittings. I really need to pick the whole thing up about 6 inches but it's a wee bit heavy to do that myself, even using the floor jack. I have the bracket made to mount the fuel pressure regulator, just need to drill a couple holes and put it on the truck. I also need to finish the mounting bracket for the fuel pump/filter assembly.

We primed the dragster engine, so it's ready to go in the car now.

 

[Magnethead]

I think the images below should be somewhat self explanatory.

 

[Magnethead]

More progress tonight. Opened up the crossmember to make it easier to access the top fittings, made a hole for the return hose to go through, and center-spliced the 2 wires for the fuel level sending unit. Once soldered, 2 layers of electrical tape are applied over the solder joint. Having them offset ensures that they cannot short out under any circumstance. Also, the purple wire cut in the background is from the reverse light circuit. The splices needed to be such that they could not touch that wire - which I need to cap off with heat shrink.

 

[Magnethead]

We are nominated for a 'car of the month', so if those of you with facebook could please go to this post and like the photo of our car...that would be awesome.

 

[Johali]

We are nominated for a 'car of the month', so if those of you with facebook could please go to this post and like the photo of our car...that would be awesome.

I've had a facebook account for years but have never used it. If I can figure it out I'll be glad to vote.

 

[Magnethead]

Not much in the way of updates. A 58 hour work week pretty much killed the mojo last week, and this week wasn't much better.

I did get the charge and return lines finished for the fuel system, and notched the frame rails for the fuel lines to exit. I have one end of the fuel rail supply done, just need to cut and terminate the other end.

The 90 degree adapter for my dremel and a set of 1-1/4 and 1-1/2 inch carbon blades made easy work of the frame. I shot the openings in primer for now, once I pull the V6 out, I'll clean the cuts up with the carbide bit to reduce the likeliness of cracking. I thought about welding a plate around it, but the heat of the welding may further damage the frame more than just notching the window did.

Block has stayed in the bag while we've been trying to finish the dragster. It should be back together 100% tomorrow and ready to fire by next weekend. I don't mind, I need to recoup some funds anyways. Us education folk don't get paid very much.

The next hat trick will be to connect an 8AN tank fitting, 3/4" filler vent barb, and a 1/4" air line to the charcoal canister. I have a fairly solid idea.

I still need to finish the fuel level sender wiring as well.

Also, PTFE is a steep learning curve. Not the fittings....just the hose.