1989 Ranger 373v Restore..

[jseasor]

1989 373v
Whats up guys, ive been influenced by arjones01 to not do a total restore on my 373v but to add a few things that will help improve that quality of the boat. my plans are to add a new deck extension, take out the bench seat. (for sale on ebay). two new windshields, getting away from the sqaurer type models. ive got basscat ash colored carpet. add a new dash plate and a panel up front. Im taking everything off, and buffing the whole boat with a couple of different things. Meguire's oxidation remover and 303 aerospace protectant. if any of you have seen my boat, it probably doesn't need a total buffing, its in excellent shape, but i figure while im at it, it couldn't hurt. arjones01 is assisting me in this project, while he's finishing up his transom..i'll post pics along the way. right now the boat is in the shop getting cowling painted, decals done by iguanagrafix. here are some pics of it, pre-restore. i'll post pics when the cowling is done.
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[SwatDawg]

that boat is not worth restoring at all. Now bring that pos to louisiana (with title's) and drop it off and I will dispose of it properly

You can even drag my pos Swift back to Ky with you

[jseasor]

hey thanks for the comments.. i think.. anyhow, i enjoy the boat, the deck is the only thing that bothers me. i had that padded seat and the short deck....gonna solve that problem real quick. the boat is all original, seats are the only new things since 1989. i added graphs and a TM. engine is original, never been touched. original berrings in trailer, wood on trailer, carpet, everything ...to answer any questions...its been ran like a scolded dog. guy that had it before me fished an average of 3 days a weeks since 1989...just kept it in the garage..

[SwatDawg]

That boat is fine man, Aaron will show you how to get it right... you will be very happy once your done

[jseasor]

gettin a little more work done today, getting her prepped. took off all the compartment lids, ladder, glove box, and old padded seat which is for sale on ebay. still wondering how im going to build the deck where the old bench seat use to because the fiberglass has a curve in it to make room for the latch on the old bench seat, gonna have to do some thinking, if you got any ideas..feel free. was really serious about making the rod locker longer by taking out the foam at the end of it. found outlast night it was gonna be a hassle if i don't do a recessed foot pedal, which im not going to do. so i thought i would tough it out and chip away little by little. i was greeted this morning with not foam at the end of my longer, but a sheet of glass. theres no just possible way for me to have enough strength, length, to get it out. so...looks like im just gonna have extra storage and store the rods on top of the boat.
here are some pics of the process

heres the bend in the rim of the old rod locker, that may make it tough to put ply wood for the lid..
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heres a shot up in the rod locker itself...see the glass?? impossible....
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Modified by jseasor at 11:36 AM 7/23/2008

[jseasor]

finally got the seats out....there was no bolt on the drivers side arm rest, just a bracket that you pull up on. only bolts had to take off were the screws on hinges and the bolt in the livewell for the middle seat...post more pics later..

[Mike C]

IM sent

[Scrapper]

I will post mine tonight...I used a 2X4 frame that I ripped to the right size and used a router to route the curve out.

[javelin90]

Jason, it is going to look good when done. Might i ask whats the typical cost for painting the cowl and stickers? Also what kind of speed are you getting with the 150gt?
Thanks, G.

[jseasor]

the cowling painted and some stripping back on, no more than a 100 bucks. arjones01 got his done for $25 but lucked into a good deal because the guy was painting a car the same color. as for the decals, you get what you pay for. i had original style stickers put back on with a new style twist on it. all new ranger decals outlined in blue metal flake, one white ranger sticker for the driver dash and my hull Ident. #'s done in blue metal flake also. darryl from iguanagraphix made them and done an amazing job, can't wait til i put them on, the decals alone will make a difference. they cost for them was 172.50. reason for the price was the metal flake, it can get pricey....but i think its worth the look and its great customer service...here are my decals just not put on...notice the larger johnson emblem. that is going on the front of the cowling, alone. the originals stickers were red, but we decided to go with blue to match the boat. and as for speed, believe it or not i do really well. GPS speed with just me, to 1/2 tanks of fuel is 61mph, no jackplate, all original...fast enough for me

[jseasor]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Scrapper &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I will post mine tonight...I used a 2X4 frame that I ripped to the right size and used a router to route the curve out. </TD></TR></TABLE>
lookin forward to seeing that...it will help out alot..

[jseasor]

with a total of about five hours...im ready for carpet!. got the seats out and cleaned up. here are some pics of the work done this morning.....in some of the pics you can see arjones01 ranger in the background.[IMG][/IMG]
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the teak wood (glove box) is off, i read up on it online and found that if you just scrub with soap and water it will help a lot. it did! however, its still not where i want it, when i bought 303 aerospace protectant to clean the boat with they sent me a free sample of some type of furniture cleaner for teak. it worked pretty well however, no i really dont know if i should sand it, or just put a sealer on it and go. any ideas would be greatly appreciated...


Modified by jseasor at 9:50 AM 7/25/2008


Modified by jseasor at 9:50 AM 7/25/2008

[Scrapper]

That teak is a pain...i've known lots of people that have stained, sealed and what have you and it never really lasts. The fiberglass book I've got has a section on teak...I just have not gotten into it yet. Let me know what you do.

I'll go ahead and post some pics...I'm not where I wanted to be on it but I'll post so you can get an idea of what I've done...it may not be the best way but I didn't really have a plan...just kinda built and designed at the same time.

Are you really getting 61 out of her?? I can get 55 on GPS but I've got a 25" shooter...more like a crapper...lol...planing is great but she'll slip when you go over 50...you gotta be really careful or she'll blow out. I want to get a 23"renegade and send it mark...I've got a hub kit thought about a trophy...I just really like the four blade props.

I'll get my pics up here in a few...I'll start a new post for mine. Yours is looking great by the way....ours are identical.

I just thought too...I have a jackplate...lol...your dusting me.

[javelin90]

I have a 4 blade also. I like the 4 blade for less torque on the stering wheel. My holeshot is alright. top speed is 60 w/ 6" jackplate. I want to rework the setup on my boat. I got it back in april.
jason, i like the stickers. In the fall i'm going to have the motor repainted.

[jseasor]

yes i really get that speed out of mine, a lot of people can't believe it. it runs like a scolded dog, it has to be just right for me to get that GPS speed...normally on a tourny day, full tanks, co angler, i'll run 58 gps.
as for the prop, i know its a raker. not for sure of the pitch 23 or 24 maybe. not really about performance....never got into that hype. ive never caught a fish running the big engine.. ...

[Scrapper]

you know people can say all they want about how fast their boats go and all...but I just don't think you can beat the 300series Rangers....in classic looks and fishiblity...they are stable as a rock...maybe I'm byassed because its the boat I grew up watching on B.A.S.S. on TNN when I was a kid..lol. Or maybe cause I can't afford a new one..lol. got some of those pics up...I'll get you all the measurements in a bit...fixing to work on my lids. I will tell you on your cuts for your rod box and on the little area in front of the drivers console 5-7 degrees on the miter saw gets it...when test fitting cut a bit big and start at 3-4 degrees and work up from there by half degrees...you can get a very nice fit that way.

[jseasor]

for the rundown:
i have bought two new modern style ranger windshiels from c &o marine.
30 ft. of carpet (ash) from basscat)
4 Pelco lock latches from basscat
5 15" shocks with mounting hardware from Basscat
6 1 1/2 hinges from Stokleys marine
decals from iguanagraphix
new winch wallyworld
trailer jack cover (no more grease on my jeans) BPS
2 Bungee rod tiedowns for the front deck from BPS
Wood
Rubber matting for inside the neck deck lids..
2 Ram 1.5" ball mounts
1 live well timer
LED lights from bluewater
and a cowling painting....


Modified by jseasor at 11:52 AM 7/26/2008

[Scrapper]

just checking in....got anything done today?? Wish I was up there with you guys working on mine...its always fun to have a few projects going on with a few people...we should have a "Classic Ranger" get together..lol. Well i'm off to put some mat on my lids...dang its hot! lol

[jseasor]

i got some great pics. mine believe it or not will be done with in two more working days, (next wed, and thurs). new dash panel in, front deck panel in, all old carpet stripped, acetoned, and sanded smooth, all lids ready for carpet......thanks to arjones for the help! got some great pics of his ranger and mine sitting in the same garage!...i gotta hit the sack, gotta work in the morning. i'll post pics tomorrow night around 10:30pm

[jseasor]

here are some updated pics of all the work we did yesterday. 12 HRS. we figure another day or so and she should be wrapped up. She is ready for carpet as of 2:30 AM this morning, and dashes are done. We pulled the hold carpet up, marked each piece with tape on where it went, each piece will serve as a template for the new pieces going in. We chissled the old glue up and after it was smooth, threw a little acetone on her, to get the rest. then we took her to a car wash, sprayed her down with some good degreaser and she came out looking great. In the background you will see arjones01 ranger, can't wait til we get them both on the water..!!
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next step is power buff her. and add carpet. cowling is in the shop also!......sorry for not much detail, kind of in a hurry, IM me for questions...be glad to help you out..


Modified by jseasor at 10:41 PM 7/25/2008