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This is a custom 1995 Ford Ranger. It may look simple at first glace, but on closer inspection, you may notice those buldging rear fenders. The stock outer bed skins were removed and new Splash skins were grafted on. The steps were then removed and smoothed with fiberglass. That process left the inner wheel wells intact while adding outer fender wells for use with super-wide wheels and tires, whithout the need to tub the bed. Such subtle, yet functional, effects are the type of thing for which the owner, Michael Cook, takes great pride.

Up front, a stylish and functional Cervini ram air hood was added to inhale loads of air for the powerplant. A billet grille from Southeast Customs and an air dam with billet grille insert and PIAA lights from Trader's Truck Accessories were also added for some smooth style up-front. The rear of the truck received a roll pan from Godfather Customs, Meg's stainless steel exhaust tips and a T-rex Slide-N-Hitch license plate and hidden trailer hitch.

All the paint and body work was performed by Dwight "The Magician" Welch and Terry Smith, the owner of Imported Car Sercive in Dalton, GA. While the truck was at Imported Car Service, Terry also installed a Bell Tech 3/4 suspension drop kit.

Power comes from a balanced and blueprinted 302 with 306 cubic-inch J.E. pistons and a pair of ported Trick Flow twisted-wedge aluminum heads. Its Ultradyne hydraulic roller cam produces 284 degrees lift on the intake side and 288 degrees on the exhaust side. The duration is 524 degrees intake and exhaust. An MSD ignition was added to handle the electrical tasks. The engine is topped off with a Ford Motorsports aluminum high-rise intake and a 650 double pumper Holley. A pair of Hooker Headers dump post-engine gasses in a custom 2 1/2-inch exhaust system with Hooker Aero Chamber mufflers. Horsepower is estimated at 350-375. To transfer that power to the ground, a Tremac transmission with a posi-traction rearend was added. The truck was built to be a daily driver with reliability over all-out horsepower, but it surprises the heck out of just about anyone and anything else on the road. Mike informed us that such a stealth package makes for loads of fun: mild mannered when you need it and SuperTruck when you want it.


Take a closer look

The engine was built and transplanted by Performance Technologies of Cleveland, TN. Mike tells us that the owner of the shop, Dan Rawls, along with master mechanic Chuck Graham, did a great job right down to the air conditioning. Randy and Jim of Jim's Serice Station and Muffler Shop in Chatsworth, GA handled the custom exhaust.

The wheels are Craiger DragStars 15x7 in front and mighy 15x12 at the rear wearing giant BFGoodrich Radial Tires.

On the inside, the original gauge pod houses Autometer gauges including a 160 MPH speedometer and an 8,000 RPM tachometer, along with a gas gauge, and amp meter. A three-gauge pod below the ashtray holds temperature, oil pressure, and voltage gauges. The dash was built by Mike himself. In the past, he did most of his own work on his rods, but now he makes more money as a stockbroker peddeling stocks and bonds than he did twisting wrenches.

Michael Cook
Chattanooga, TN

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