A few years ago I made the decision to get out of middle management, go back to a simpler time, and try to eliminate some stress in my life, (aka, semi-retirement). Unfortunately this meant making a few sacrifices, one of which included selling my 2003 DSG Cobra Coupe. By far the best all around vehicle I have ever owned. I can still remember how my wife cried the day we watched it drive away. To this day she still won’t talk about “The Cobra.” It was the first date car!
I decided that a nice “simple” vehicle would be a Ford Ranger Step Side, maybe one with a V8 and a five speed. So that is how this story begins. Although this thread is new, the story has been unfolding for a couple years.
Like so many projects, “It started out simple.” The idea was to buy a 98 or 99 Ford Ranger that fit the bill and then pick up a 5.0 V8, T5 trans, and the other misc. items required. “Keep it simple and stay focused, just a quick rebuild, paint, and good to go.”
That is when I got the bright idea to go ahead and do that frame off restoration I have always dreamed of. By this time the Black 98 Ranger was pretty much the daily driver so another truck would be required. A one owner Red 99 Ranger with the right options was located in Orlando and brought home as the new vehicle for the project.
I decided that a nice “simple” vehicle would be a Ford Ranger Step Side, maybe one with a V8 and a five speed. So that is how this story begins. Although this thread is new, the story has been unfolding for a couple years.
Like so many projects, “It started out simple.” The idea was to buy a 98 or 99 Ford Ranger that fit the bill and then pick up a 5.0 V8, T5 trans, and the other misc. items required. “Keep it simple and stay focused, just a quick rebuild, paint, and good to go.”
That is when I got the bright idea to go ahead and do that frame off restoration I have always dreamed of. By this time the Black 98 Ranger was pretty much the daily driver so another truck would be required. A one owner Red 99 Ranger with the right options was located in Orlando and brought home as the new vehicle for the project.
Last edited: