The Unicorn That Came to Life: Adam Lewis’ 1989 Ford Ranger Transformation

The Unicorn That Came to Life

THE national slogan for Ontario is “Yours to Discover.” Perhaps inspired by this slogan, there comes a time when every Canadian boy finds his destiny. For Adam Lewis from Ingersoll, Ontario, his moment began with a Take Your Child to Work day. Adam’s father, Rick, was somewhat of a computer wizard and developed a software that created an inventory management system in garages around the country.

“I remember walking into the garage with my dad and seeing this slammed OBS sitting on a hoist,” Adam tells Street Trucks. “I can give you every detail of that truck to this day.”

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For Adam’s 16th birthday, he and his father were browsing an auto trader magazine looking for his first vehicle. The initial choice was going to be a Chevy or Mazda; in fact, when one of his friends suggested a Ford, Adam responded, “F-No.” His father actually spotted a 1989 Ford Ranger and said they should go check it out. It was originally owned by the seller, who used it to haul his motorcycles—but to say the truck was loved would be a lie. The only reason Adam agreed was because he going to see a slammed S-10 after the Ford. The truck was good, not great. But when Adam saw it, his life changed. His father test-drove the truck with Adam in the passenger seat. He didn’t say much, and they went home after that with Adam wondering why they didn’t look at any other vehicles.

Little did he know, Rick had purchased the Ford Ranger without Adam even knowing it and gave it to him as a huge birthday present.

The Ranger went through the normal nip/tuck phase with Adam trying his creativity out to make sure it was unique for him. It went through three different paint processes. His first show solidified his passion north of the border and turned him into a truck connoisseur. A bunch of money and an upset father later, Adam brought in the truck to be bagged. An out of control street racer slammed into Adam’s Ranger, and it was back to the drawing board. It was time to go all out and show the country what Adam and his friends were capable of.

They started to shave the truck with a friend who knew how to weld. Then, they started to address all the engine leaks. Because of the long delay, the truck was sarcastically nicknamed “The Unicorn,” as things kept changing and taking longer and longer. Adam was able to find a Ford Mustang motor from a friend, and a couple of his friends, Ed Godin and Rob Vanluik, helped get it together and running. The motor mounts were replaced with Modified Welder Series and everything was installed in Adam’s garage.

Now that the motor was built and ready for the streets up north, Adam turned his focus on the exterior. Every body modification was done inside Adam’s garage with the help of his close friends Steve Carlucci, Dennis Thorne, Gary Donkers, Todd Robinson and, of course, Adam. His goal was to have this mini fit into a truck show and a hot-rod show. Everything done to the body was completely thought out. After being in the scene for many years, it was hard to stand out, but Adam did everything to do just that. Every single color added to the Ford is a factory Ford color—including the pinstripe. With the steady and talented hand of Adam Pettengill and Adam, the entire Ranger was coated and repainted to perfection.

The seats became an interesting story. Adam’s father preferred the stock Ranger seats and actually traded his custom Cessna airplane seats for the stocks. Tim Atkinson came in and stitched the seats while Adam custom built the door panels. The console between the seats was made to resemble a full bench seat instead of buckets.

Once the interior met Adam’s standards, it was time to adjust the one-off suspension. Although the actual air ride was changed many times, the most recent was built by Steve Carlucci, Gary Donkers, Dennis Thorne, and Adam inside his home garage using nothing more than a MIG welder. It was a lot of trial and error. The Mustang II suspension clip used hand-built control arms and upper and lower modified drop spindles. The suspension is very similar to a triangulated 4-link.

With many people to thank, Adam wishes to recognize Phil Gordon for spotting his truck and wanting to shoot it for a magazine, his parents Tina and Rick Lewis, Adam Pettengill, Steve Carlucci, Kevin Crowhurst, Gary Donkers, Matt Kennedy, Cory Hussey, Ed Godin, Todd Robinson, Rob Vanluik, Trevor Bradfield, Tim Atkinson from IssyFab, Brandon Steplock from ProGrade Detailing, Ryan Leeming from RL Shine, John Paul Ellis from Stripping Technologies, Dennis Thorne from Thorne Customs, Shawn Pereira from King of Bling, Rob Allison from Pinhead Metalkraft, Phil Cholette from PhilBuilt Designs, Jordan White from Precision Laser Works, and his entire Acrophobia family.

This truck is a result of 25 years of friendship, heartache, happiness and sadness. It’s as much of a reflection of Adam as he could ever express.

“It’s humbling to know that a truck built in a garage by a bunch of friends all starting their own companies could go this far,” Adam adds, “I am blessed and lucky because I love each and everyone who enjoyed this build.”

OWNER

Adam Lewis
Ontario, Canada
1989 Ford Ranger GT
Acrophobia

TRUCK SPECS

CHASSIS

Front suspension

Narrowed Welder Series Mustang II front crossmember
Handmade control arms
Slam RE6 airbags
Monroe shocks
Narrowed MII manual steering rack
Front components powdercoated Maple Penny bronze
Copper nickel hardline
2-inch drop spindles

Rear Suspension

Wishbone 3-link
Overkill Heim joints
Handmade links
Square tubing on edge
Back halved
Boxed and plated chassis
RE8 airbags in front of axle on custom mounts built into frame
Dual Viair 480s compressors
6-gallon spun aluminum tank
Airlift 3P management
Copper nickel hard lines
Rear bag cups hide air lines and caps
Acrophobia logo built by PhilBuilt
Axle bracket handmade
Powdercoated Maple Penny

DRIVETRAIN

Engine

‘91 Mustang HO 5.0 302 small block
E303 Ford racing cam
Port and polished heads
650 performance carburetor
March pulleys
Maple Penny powdercoated water pump and intake
Handmade stainless radiator hoses
Derale electric fan
Hedman shorty headers and handmade H pipe exhaust
Flowmaster super 44s and turn downs under bed floor
Shaved firewall
Tubbed engine bay
Relocated brake booster and steering column
Relocated hood latch
Redline tuning hood prop
Engine painted Ford Magnetic Gray
Cobra disc brakes,
Calipers painted Maple Penny
Transmission: AOD with Lokar goodies, painted Agate Black
Rearend: Narrowed 4.5 inches, Ford 7.5 axle with Trac-loc

BODY/PAINT

Factory Ford UG Platinum Tricoat pearl white basecoat
White Gold, Magnetic, Bronze Fire, Blue Jeans Metallic, Ruby Red and Ingot graphics all done by Adam Pettengill and owner
Bronze Fire pinstripe in bed
Shaved fog light holes, antenna, door handles, door locks, cab seams, stake pockets, taillights, tailgate, third brake light, gas door, rear cab, four storage compartments inside bed, molded GT ground effects kit glass sealed to body, Ford logo of cab wall, removed bed bulkhead to expose back cab, shaved fender emblems, Cali Combo

INTERIOR