Custom 1992 Ford Ranger - Clean and Simple

If Mr. Clean was a minitrucker, what would he drive? In our opinion, it would probably look a lot like Richard Thompson's '92 Ford Ranger. Why? Because it's clean, easy to look at, and spotless. Minitruckin', as a hobby and lifestyle, has changed a lot over the years, but one thing is certain. No matter what style is popular today or what was popular the last few years, the simple and clean trucks will always be priceless and in demand.

Richard is 38 years old, and he's one of those guys who likes a sleek truck. To Richard, the best minitrucks are those square and clean ones. So, when he decided to build a mini of his own, he looked no further than his dad's backyard. His dad was the proud owner of a '92 Ford Ranger, so Richard decided that he would keep that truck in the family but tweak it a bit to make it more his own. At first, he rolled the truck around static-dropped, but like most minitruckers he soon realized that stock just doesn't cut it.

He started by 'bagging the truck, which is more complicated than most realize. Richard now says he should have put a Mustang II front clip and body-dropped to save him time. When he 'bagged the truck, he picked up some lowered Belltech I-beams. "The lowered I-beams are awesome, but I had to cut and modify them twice to work," Richard said. "What a nightmare." When he got to the back, it was another mission for him. So this time, he called up his buddy Jason at Suicidedoors.com and got some much-needed help. "I got my parallel four-link setup from Jason," Richard said. "It was the first one he had ever made. When it came time to pay, I asked how much and he replied to just send him some Pop-Tarts. I know it's weird, but it's true. I think I sent him three or four boxes of them." Now, before you try buying some parts with tasty pastries, remember this was a long time ago when dinosaurs still roamed the land.

In the end, it was all worth it, even the nightmare front end. "I'll never sell this truck because its so highly modified with the frame cut and notched," Richard said. "If anything, maybe I'll do a motor swap-something clean, something mild." Whatever it is, we at Mini Truckin' can't wait to see what he comes up with next.

THE LOWDOWN


Rolling Attire
Wheels (Front/Rear): 20x8.5-inch Devious Customs Edge 5
Backspace (Front/Rear): 4-1/2 in / 6 in
Tires (Front/Rear): 225/35R20 Wanlis / 245/35R20 Wanlis

Chassis Modifications
Suspension type: Air
Front suspension: 3-inch lowered Belltech I-beams
Rear suspension: Parallel four-link with a watt's link
Airbag type and size: Front: Slam RS 62; Rear: Slam RS 72
Shocks: Rear shocks are Doetsch Tech
Valves: Eight 3/8-inch SMC valves
Compressor(s): Air Zenith
Air line: 1/2-inch
Air accessories: AVS nine-switch billet switchbox
Frame mods: Sheetmetal bed
Gas tank: Bronco II gas tank in bed
Brakes: 13-inch Cobra rotors and calipers
Misc.: Scuba tanks for air tanks
Performed by: Owner
City/state: Jacksonville, Florida

Body Modifications
Shaved: Emblems, handles, gas door, mirrors, third brake light, antenna, stake holes, taillights, tailgate handle shaved and relocated to inside of tailgate
Taillights: LED 13-inch from Classic Customs
Performed by: Owner
City/state: Jacksonville, Florida

Paint
Brand and colors: Dodge Viper red, metal flake silver, black
Performed by: Chase Shiver
City/state: Camilla, Georgia

Interior
Seats: '67 Mustang bucket seats
Material: A lot of black tweed
Dash: Black tweed
Door panels: Black tweed
Center console: Borrowed from a Ford Explorer and wrapped it in black tweed
Flooring: Black carpet
Headliner: Can you guess? Ding, ding! Black tweed
Performed by: Owner
City/state: Jacksonville, Florida

Stereo
Head unit: Aiwa
Mids and highs: 6.5-inch components by MA Audio
Amplifier for mids and highs: Pioneer one-channel
Subwoofers: Two 10-inch JL Audio subs
Amplifier for subwoofers: JL 500
Performed by: Owner
City/state: Jacksonville, Florida

Special Thanks (from owner):
Thanks to all of the AA Jax guys. Thank you to my wife and two girls for allowing me the time and space to work on my truck.