Awash in iridescent Chameleon Chrome Illusion paint, the Ranger was "largely constructed from raw materials" using "more ingenuity than money," Scott says. Among the home-fabbed components are the handsome 20-inch steel wheels, though the Smittybilt side steps, Light Force driving lights, and Warn 15000 winch are all stout aftermarket pieces.Awash in iridescent Chameleon Chrome Illusion paint, the Ranger was "largely constructed f If Scott Sidwell looks a little sleepy in this photo, it's small wonder. Halfway to Top Truck from his Minnesota home, his trailer was sideswiped by a passing car, leaving a mangled wheel-and-hub assembly in its wake. Delayed half a day in Utah, he managed to rustle up the parts to patch up the axle, and drove 800 miles nonstop to Hollister a day before the event. He arrived with his Ranger in the dead of night, a few hours before these photos were taken. SpecificationsOwner name/city: Scott Sidwell/Glencoe, MNOccupation: Shop owner, Sidco 4x4Vehicle model: 1983 Ford RangerEstimated value: $25,000Engine/aspiration: 514ci Ford V-8, Holley 770cfm Truck Avenger carb, Edelbrock intake, hand-fabbed exhaust w/ 21/4 x 5-in collectorTransmission: Stock 4-spd w/manual valve body, TCI 2,000rpm stall converterTransfer case: 3:1 hand-fabbed double-row #60 chain-driveSuspension (f/r): Four-link, 9-in Skyjacker F-150 springs, semitractor-trailer shocks/four-link, 9-in Skyjacker F-150 springs, Gabriel shocks Axles (f/r): GMC 2 1/2-ton military/GMC 2 1/2-ton military; rear "lead" locker, 4x.0.120-wall driveshafts, pinion brakesAxle ratio: 6.68:1Wheels: 20-in hand-fabbed steeliesTires: 54x20 Interco Super Swamper Boggers In the rear, a matching M211 GMC axle is similarly located by a four-link and hybrid Skyjacker/Gabriel semi coilover setup, and turns 6.68:1 gears and the stock Mil-spec axleshafts. A stock pinion brake handles stopping chores.In the rear, a matching M211 GMC axle is similarly located by a four-link and hybrid Skyja The Ranger's interior is mostly old-skool stock, what with a working heater, A/C and the OE steering wheel, though switchgear has been consolidated in an underdash Painless control box, and Stewart-Warner gauges are on hand to monitor engine vitals. The Sparkomatic cassette deck looks like it hasn't been used in awhile, though.The Ranger's interior is mostly old-skool stock, what with a working heater, A/C and the O Up front, the Ranger's home-fabbed 3:1 transfer case spins a 4x.0120-wall driveshaft to engage the M211 GMC 2 1/2-ton military axle. Location comes courtesy of a combination of a four-link working in tandem with Skyjacker 9-inch F-150 springs coiled over a set of Gabriel shocks that were scavenged from a semi truck, and hydro-orbital steering helps turn the 54-inch Boggers.Up front, the Ranger's home-fabbed 3:1 transfer case spins a 4x.0120-wall driveshaft to en Rangers never were outfitted with a V-8 from the factory, but Scott's ride proves that a 400hp Ford SVO 514ci crate motor fits neatly between the rails. A Holley 770 Truck Avenger and Edelbrock manifold help to feed the block, an MSD ignition and coil help to manage the spark, and power passes through the OE flywheel to a manual-valve-bodied C6 automatic sporting a TCI 2,000-stall converter.Rangers never were outfitted with a V-8 from the factory, but Scott's ride proves that a 4 By Douglas McColloch Enjoyed this Post? Subscribe to our RSS Feed, or use your favorite social media to recommend us to friends and colleagues!
