Ratricha the 88 Pioneer

[JMO413]

The day I bought Ratricha the 88 Pioneer. Bought her for $1200 and drover her home 72 miles. Price seemed reasonable to me with under 110 K on the odometer. I had no clue how bad the frame was rusted and the leaf spring was cracked.

Almost everything was stock minus some PO add on. Then I took off the running boards and realized the frame had a nice large hole in it. An afternoon and some metal later good to go. This is when I realized the leaf spring eye was broken. So I started looking for leaf springs. I decided on the Rusty's 4.5 because it had rear springs. While I was waiting on the lift I replaced the vacuum line set up. Did plugs, wires, cap, and rotor.

Then it all began.

 

 

 

[JMO413]

The never ending battle of wiring problems. Not sure how many people had owned this truck but it was a victim of scotch locks. So far I have removed about 20. Then I broke the battery tray. Love the replacement from Dirt Bound off road. Then I found Cruisers sight and went to work.

 

Refreshed all the grounds. Added a few more grounds. Used half a big tube of Oxgaurd. I put in the 746 injectors beacuse one of mine was split. Cleaned the C101. Fixed the sensor grounds. Taped the throttle body and made new vacuum harness for the MAP sensor. Added the relays for the headlights. Finally got all the lights to work. The front sockets were shot. Put on a real back bumper not a piece of wood. The Fey bumper fits good and came with plate lights. Brackets seem a little flimsy. Bust got it from advanced Auto parts online. It was 25 percent of if I let them ship it! 

The I drove it long enough to get an alignment after the lift.

Got some stock Cherokee wheels with decent tires so I could see what else she would need. Found out I needed ball joints when I tried to get it aligned. 

[JMO413]

I upgraded all the steering components to ZJ. All my tie rods were loose. The ZJ set up is cheap for the size difference.  Replaced ball joints, axle joints, front hubs, rotors, pads, and calipers. Both calipers had the bleeder seized in them.

Painted the front diff cover while I had it off changing the fluid. Had to get extended brake lines to feel okay about the lift. Also got quick disconnect sway bar links so they would reach.

 

Wish I could say I put the upper control arms on then too but I didn't. The lift came with nice beefy lowers. I later put on WJ uppers and poly bushings in the axle.

After a little more driving I realized how bad the motor mounts were. I replaced them with Brown Dog off road rubber mounts. They are good looking and definitely sturdier than stock. Even got my wife to help install them!

I also had to change the oil filter housing orings. It was needed any way. 

Then more wiring problems. Had a constant draw. Finally figured out it was the wiring the PO had added for the fuel pump. Found a bunch of wires with small nicks that were shorting. Finally got them fixed and the fuel pump to function correctly. I replaced the speedometer cable that had melted on the exhaust. I finally had a speedometer that worked. 

Drive it some more and realized how bad the valve cover was leaking. I bought the good Felpro valve cover gasket and am happy I did. It's very good quality and no leaks after. I also did Cruisers valve cover mod while I had it off. 

[JMO413]

Figured out the PO had the fuel pump wired straight to the battery. He did this to try and boost pressure I think. Replaced the fuel pressure regulator and the truck finally ran correct. I also replaced the PCM with a 89/90 PCM. It definitely helped the idle and ran a little better. 

Then the squeak began. There was this random squeak. Sometimes at idle sometimes driving. Finally pulled the idler pulley and the bearing was shot.

Drove her some more back and forth to work. Finally found the wheels I wanted on Craigslist. Bought some Thunderer 31/10.50/15 Trac Grip. They are a little noisy but I like them and they are cheap.

[Ωhm]

Unless you like it the way it is, flip your grill, its upside down.

[JMO413]

47 minutes ago, Ωhm said:

Unless you like it the way it is, flip your grill, its upside down.

Thank you I never noticed.

[HOrnbrod]

Did you check axle centering after your lift? Did you install an adjustable track bar? That coil spring looks too bent.

 

[JMO413]

I did install an adjustable track bar it came with the lift from Rusty's. That's the shock boot in the picture above. I will check the spring alignment tomorrow.

[JMO413]

The interior is in pretty decent shape for 30 years old. Along with some sweet widow cranks.

The bed work roll bar removed and POR15 on the rust spots.

Gotta support with the stickers!

[JMO413]

Does the spring looked better in this picture?

[HOrnbrod]

13 minutes ago, JMO413 said:

Does the spring looked better in this picture?

 

Yes. Looks good and centered in the well too. Do you remember how the side-to-side centering the axle was before adjustment with the track bar?

[JMO413]

I'm not sure. I got it close on install and went from there. The track bar from Rusty's is pretty nice.

[JMO413]

I also installed the lights from the roll bar under the bed for back up lights.

I also painted the rear diff cover when I changed the fluid. I also change the transmission fluid and transfer case fluid. Changed the rear pinion seal and rear transfer case out put seal.

[JMO413]

I just got done flushing the heater core. Thanks to mjeff87 for the idea of using vinegar to flush the heater core. I did get something a little too wet while flushing the heater core. Had to let it dry out for a day before she would start. Now I have good heat and she runs a little cooler. I also replaced the ICM beacuse the sealed bottom was falling apart. My meanlemons bored throttle body should be here tomorrow yay!

[JMO413]

I also replaced the blower motor resistor. That lasted two weeks. Then I changed the resistor and the blower motor. The blower motor sounded good in the truck with it out I'm surprised it worked.

[JMO413]

Pictures of when I bought her.

[JMO413]

Frame repaired in process photo. You can see the broken eyelet from the leaf spring on the ground.

NOS oxygen sensor I got from New York.

New Doorman vacuum harnesses.

 

[JMO413]

That's my 5 month journey with Ratricha. I will keep this going from here on out. Thanks to everyone here for all the help!!! Special thanks to Ohm for the wiring help!! And a shout out to Cruiser for being awesome and having an amazing website!!

[JMO413]

Just thought I should alaborate on the name. I had the truck a month or two and we ordered pizza from Domino's. The delivery drivers name was Ratricha. Do from that day on my wife called the Comanche Ratricha! It's fitting she's kind of a ratty truck!

[JMO413]

Just installed my bored throttle body from meanlemons and wow. I am overly happy and impressed with this upgrade. There is definitely better throttle response. My butt dyno is happy!

Taping the MAP sensor hole.

Neal does great work!

I believe this is one of the best upgrades you can do!

[JMO413]

Pulled the grill gaurd of today so I could put my grill in right side up. 

I also pulled the wiper transmission out and rebuilt it today. Best $4 I have spent in along time!!! Thinking I should get newer style arms my springs are not very tight anymore.

[Ωhm]

Since the grill can go on either way from the factory (renix years), it might have been upside down on the showroom floor. This is kind of a standing joke on this site. Your not the first nor will you be the last. If you keep an eye out, you'll find them too.

[JMO413]

Had to find a picture of when I bought it. And it was in correct then. I must have put it in upside down when I added the headlight harness. I can't believe they made it so it could be installed upsidedown.

[JMO413]

Well we definitely got some snow in Iowa today. They say between 8" and 12". The old girl plowed right through and sure is fun in 2wd. Glad I got most of the issues worked out before today!

[Pete M]

holy snowfall batman!    that sure looks like a blast