Time for 1 ton SAS

[littleredrangerhood]

I got a set of 1985 Ford 1 tons (D60 & 10.25 Sterling) from a buddy. I plan on lincoln locking the rear and running a lockright up front. I am just going to keep the factory gears (4.10). I figure once I put the doubler in it will be a nice crawl ratio and even in 4 Lo the V6 will still be able to turn the tires pretty well. I am going to run Ranger leaf springs up front, probably taking out the bottom leaf so the lift isn't too extreme. Depending on clearances I will ditch the 3" BL. I am going to run hydro assist steering and I still need to order a DIY BTF diff cover for the rear. I will probably wait a while to go to 35 spline externals and lock outs up front.

Here are some pics.

Got some parts.
new u bolts and spring plates for the rear. These components are beefy!
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/3/web/2475000-2475999/2475556_181_full.jpg
new diff cover for the front. It is all 3/8"
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/3/web/2475000-2475999/2475556_182_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/3/web/2475000-2475999/2475556_183_full.jpg

Yanked out the old axles. Still need to take out lift brackets up front. Started to mock things up to see what it would look like with the new axles and tires. Not exact but gives you an idea. The truck will sit a good bit higher when on the axles. It was pooring rain when I took the pics.
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/3/web/2475000-2475999/2475556_184_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/3/web/2475000-2475999/2475556_185_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/3/web/2475000-2475999/2475556_186_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/3/web/2475000-2475999/2475556_187_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/3/web/2475000-2475999/2475556_188_full.jpg

The tires in the pics are 39.5 PitBull Rockers.

[compleckz]

that diff cover is freakin awesome.

[littleredrangerhood]

that diff cover is freakin awesome.

Yeah, all the brackets and such are from RuffStuff Specialties. I have a spring swap kit for the front and some leaf spring hangers coming for the front from them too. The rear diff cover is going to be a DIY kit from Blue Torch Fab but I still need to order that.

[danger88ranger]

Looking good, are you planning to run those size tires you have mocked up in the pics or are you going bigger?

[littleredrangerhood]

Looking good, are you planning to run those size tires you have mocked up in the pics or are you going bigger?

I will be running the ones in the pics. Bigger? Heck, they are 39.5" tall. They will get BIGGER when mounted and inflated. Going to run them on a 16x10 rim. I have been told these tires balloon out like a mofo when aired up. If I went any bigger I might start to have clearance issues in the rear since the rear axle is so close to the cab. Plus I got a set of 4 practically brand new for a total of $400. Couldn't pass that kind of a deal up.

[littleredrangerhood]

Just ordered axle swap kit and spring hangers for the front. Hoping to get both axles hung over Easter Break. I will have to wait until funds replenish themselves before moving onto the high steer hydro assist steering. BTW anyone have 16x10 8 lug rims for sale? They are harder to find than I thought and I refuse to buy rims new.

[red85]

That truck is getting more badass all the time. Did you do away with the bed altogether or did you pull it off for the axle swap? BTW love the US Army star on the doors.

[v-8power]

You'll be able to throw quite a bit of mud with those tires. Looks Good

[littleredrangerhood]

That truck is getting more badass all the time. Did you do away with the bed altogether or did you pull it off for the axle swap? BTW love the US Army star on the doors.

Yeah, I just got rid of the bed all together. I still need to finish up the rear. There is going to be a spare tire mount above the gas tank.

The truck just looked too plain with the black bedliner. I thought the tan would contrast the black well and I'm pleased with how it turned out.

[littleredrangerhood]

More progress. Rear axle installed but still needs to be plumbed for brakes. Front axle crudely mocked up and ready for install after graduation in early May. Tires mounted on rims and put on axles to get some measurements. Going to cut down the rear shackles to correct length when front susp. is done. Going to ditch the 3" body lift as well. Waiting on D.D. Machine doubler before making new driveshafts.

Here is a pic from the backside.
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/3/web/2475000-2475999/2475556_196_full.jpg

Here are some quick numbers.
outside tire edge to outside tire edge = 84"
approx. wheel base = 115"
ground clearance to bottom of rear housing = 11.5"
ground clearance to bottom of rear axle tube = 16.25"
ground clearance to bottom of front housing = 13"
ground clearance to bottom of front axle tube = 17"

[Bray D]

lookin good, any word from duffy lately?

[littleredrangerhood]

Yeah, he said most likely early April. He can take until May for all I care since I won't be back home until after graduation anyway.

[littleredrangerhood]

Finally, update. Went to the steel yard today and got some necessary material.

Steering is half done. Front spring hangers are done. Rear driveshaft is made but not installed yet. Waiting on spring bushings, shackles, and more weld in bungs and TREs. Here are some pics. BTW, the blocks in the pics are not weight bearing but just there as a precautionary measure.
http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/3/web/2475000-2475999/2475556_202_full.jpg
new cribbing for jackstands
http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/3/web/2475000-2475999/2475556_203_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/3/web/2475000-2475999/2475556_204_full.jpg
Sorry, didn't have any hot female models on hand.
http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/3/web/2475000-2475999/2475556_205_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/3/web/2475000-2475999/2475556_206_full.jpg

[c_note]

goodnite! thats a badass setup.

quick question! is there a reason why the gear oil plug is in the center of the diff cover rather than the top? im gonna build my own cover but wasnt sure if having too much gear oil in a diff could cause some problems.

[littleredrangerhood]

That's the way it came. It is from Ruff Stuff Specialties. Don't think you would need more gear oil than what the factory already specifies. That sucker will take plenty of oil as is.

[Combs Customs]

Axle Seals arent designed to be completely covered in oil all the time. Will make them leak very quickly.

[littleredrangerhood]

Update, got the front part of the springs installed. Need to drill holes and install shackle hanger for the rear part of the springs. Also, having a small problem. I need a longer pitman arm cuz right now mine sits directly on top of the tie rod. The new one needs to be about 1.5-2 inches more forward so about 7" center to center. Any ideas on what arm would work with the current steering box? The one in the pics is a drop arm but I want a stock arm . . . just longer.

Here are some pics.
http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/3/web/2475000-2475999/2475556_209_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/3/web/2475000-2475999/2475556_210_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/3/web/2475000-2475999/2475556_211_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/3/web/2475000-2475999/2475556_212_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/3/web/2475000-2475999/2475556_213_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/3/web/2475000-2475999/2475556_214_full.jpg

Next up is the shackle hangers and then finishing up the steering.

[Maverick]

You know what might work. The pitman arm off of a TTB F250. Im pretty sure it's the same shank (if not the same box) as what the Ranger has. The stock pitman arm on those I believe has little or no drop. That might get it up high enough out of the way. Truck looks bitchin by the way.

[littleredrangerhood]

its not really a height issue, i have a stock arm I could switch it out for and would but the hole for the draglink end in the pitman arm has to be forward more than it is or the tie rod will interfere with the drag link, I'll check into the F250 pitman arm though, thanks for the compliment

[Dishtowel]

I love this truck,I like the height, and thank goodness you have the width to go with it!

I scheme of doing something like this eventually, with the extended cab with the rear axle brought up. Do you have some more pics of the rear axle to cab relationship? Did you cut frame and redo it that way? or just move axle mounting up? What does your wheelbase measure?

[littleredrangerhood]

I love this truck,I like the height, and thank goodness you have the width to go with it!

I scheme of doing something like this eventually, with the extended cab with the rear axle brought up. Do you have some more pics of the rear axle to cab relationship? Did you cut frame and redo it that way? or just move axle mounting up? What does your wheelbase measure?

I moved the front hanger forward 16" and cut 24" off the frame then mounted the shackle hangers to the underside of the rear bumper I made. The wheel base right now is looking to be 113". The height right now is actually too high for me since I am into rock crawling and like a low center of gravity. The 3" body lift is probably coming out and the suspension should be about 2" lower than it is now when I am all done. Here is a pic of the rear tire clearance (it is pretty much perfect for this size tire).
http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/3/web/2475000-2475999/2475556_197_full.jpg

Thanks for the compliments.

[littleredrangerhood]

Just finished the new trans crossmember and built a t-case crossmember earlier. Doubler is in, driveshafts are done, diff covers are installed, gas tank is installed properly, spare tire mount is done. I have to redo the front suspension at some point or another (lowering the front spring hangers by ~3") but it is not a priority for the time being. Shocks are going in today and I am going to start the hydraulic assist as well. Here is a pic of what it looks like now. Not the best but I will get more later.
http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/3/web/2475000-2475999/2475556_294_full.jpg

[COPPERHEAD85]

lookin good man!

[Boggin]

damn that thing is sick

[KELLY88]

Man this truck is insane. Can't wait to see it in action!

[littleredrangerhood]

Man this truck is insane. Can't wait to see it in action!

Well, its not that insane YET. Its still open/open and has the stock axle shafts, u-joints, and hubs. I mean D60 shafts and u-joints are nothing to sneeze at and money is tight but when I can afford it I am going to get a locker for the front, 35 spline outer chromoly shafts, bobby long u-joints, and drive flanges. The rear is going to get welded when I have a chance to borrow a stick welder from my buddy.

[littleredrangerhood]

Alright, here are some more recent pics. This is how it sits in PA until I can get back there to finish it and bring it down to Nashville.

http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/3/web/2475000-2475999/2475556_301_full.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/3/web/2475000-2475999/2475556_300_full.jpg
Obviously I need to redo the front suspension, bringing the front hangers down and moving the rear hangers up along with possibly going to a shorter shackle. I have a plan in mind to fix the rear shackle angle but I don't know if I'll get to that just yet.

http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/3/web/2475000-2475999/2475556_299_full.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/3/web/2475000-2475999/2475556_302_full.jpg

[littleredrangerhood]

Flew up to PA for Spring Break to get some work done on this thing. Got the tapped steering box in and the new saginaw pump installed. Still need to actually install the ram but decided to wait until May to finish this thing up. I'm planning on buying a nice mig welder to use for the rest of the build. Have a bunch of random shit to finish up including inboarding the rear springs.

Here are the few pics I took this week while I was working on it.
rear disc brake swap using E350 rotors and chevy calipers
http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/2/4903/1121/24755560309_large.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/2/4903/1121/24755560310_large.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/2/4903/1121/24755560311_large.jpg
redone front susp with original 3" BL
http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/2/4903/1121/24755560320_large.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/2/4903/1121/24755560323_large.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/2/4903/1121/24755560321_large.jpg
went from 3" BL to 1" BL
http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/2/4903/1121/24755560326_large.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/2/4903/1121/24755560327_large.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/2/4903/1121/24755560328_large.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/2/4903/1121/24755560329_large.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/2/4903/1121/24755560330_large.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/2/4903/1121/24755560331_large.jpg

[metalmacguyver]

Dude, your torturing me with your progress........

[littleredrangerhood]

Dude, your torturing me with your progress........

Sorry man, wish it were already done but graduating college, getting married, and moving 800 miles away made it a lot harder to get it done. Should be out on the trail ripping it up in May though.

[Iron Ranger]

You know how if a guy with a huge ring on his hand punches you, the ring imprint will show up on your forehead?

Well, 3/8" diff cover: If you rammed a ricer head-on, the only feature thats going to show up in that smashed fiberglass mess will be the outline of your diffcover.

That thing isn't bullet proof, it's flippin' C4 plastic explosive proof!!!

This thing is going to be awesome!!:icon_thumby:

[crawlin91]

Everything that a Ranger ought to be!
TOTM!?

[littleredrangerhood]

Everything that a Ranger ought to be!
TOTM!?

Been there, done that . . . but thanks for the compliment.

[littleredrangerhood]

Shakedown Run - Damn Locals Memorial Day Weekend Bash

Just some gay poser pics from the end of the day. Didn't have a passenger along with me on this ride so no pics from the trail. Only carnage was the trans shift linkage and some tweaked leaf springs; shouldn't have removed the overload from the front packs.

http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/2/4903/1121/24755560333_large.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/2/4903/1121/24755560334_large.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/2/4903/1121/24755560332_large.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/2/4903/1121/24755560337_large.jpg

[ZMan]

what are the front springs off of?

[littleredrangerhood]

what are the front springs off of?

They are rear ranger springs but they are 6" SJ lift springs. Don't know if that actually makes a difference or not since I know SJ used blocks for some of their lift kits. The rear springs on there now are also 6" SJ lift springs but I inboarded them for more travel and flipped them for additional wheel base and better departure angle.

[metalmacguyver]

How do you like those pitbulls?

[littleredrangerhood]

How do you like those pitbulls?

Its funny how often I get asked this question. Actually, this was the first run out on them. I was running them at 10 psi but you can see from the pics that they were still pretty stiff. I hear they really like low pressures so I am going to drop down to 6-7 psi to start and see what happens. Might go down to 4-5 if it can keep a bead that low. At 10 psi I wasn't impressed but I don't think that is the tires fault. Different tires like different pressures. My SXs were great at 10 psi, nice wrap and bite. These tires make 10 psi seem like street pressure. Could also be that the tires are still so new that the carcass hasn't been broken in yet.

[Dan Fredrickson]

And thanks for all the comments guys!

[Mud-Nut]

Let's see some more pics!!! Hurry up!!! Hahaha!!

Nice build. I love the stance on the truck!!!

[littleredrangerhood]

No more action pics for a while. My wife and I just closed on our first house on Friday so we are going to be busy getting that ready and then moving in late June. Trailer needs new tires and all the expenses of owning a new house are going to make things tight. Maybe I will get out again at the end of June or beginning of July. Once our bank account recovers I will be out every other weekend at a minimum as long as I don't break too much stuff in between.

Since Dan posted up here is a list of all the RuffStuff products on this vehicle:
All spring perches, plates, u bolts, spring hangers, shackle hangers, and shock tabs are from Dan. The front diff cover is from Dan. The spare tire mount plate is from Dan. I used several RuffStuff brackets and bushing sets for the custom trans and t-case crossmembers/supports. All top notch and well worth the money.

[littleredrangerhood]

I will have to get some close up pics of the suspension setup and crossmembers that were fabbed up.

[CheapThrillB2]

funny how similar are shit really is lol

[littleredrangerhood]

funny how similar are shit really is lol

Umm, they're not that similar in my eyes. Totally different build styles.

[CheapThrillB2]

Umm, they're not that similar in my eyes. Totally different build styles.

yeah the way they are built and shit it totally different...

I was just refering to

1. both on tons
2. 1st gen's
3. shortened frames
4. no beds

similar, but yet totally different.........

And sweet truck :icon_hornsup:

[littleredrangerhood]

1. both on tons
2. 1st gen's
3. shortened frames
4. no beds


Well HELL, that's the best way to build em:D I think first gens just look the shit. Yours was a B2 frame right? Or did you start all over with a super cab ranger frame and junk the B2?

[CheapThrillB2]

no i kept the b2 frame

I agree, when i first got into rbv's i liked the 2nd gens. But the 1st gens grew on me and are my prefered.

[lil red]

thats funny, im the opposite my 3rd truck i finally got a 2nd gen and i wanna swap fenders and grill with my 85,

[ranerjunkie03]

that is a peice of finely, well crafted, american hardware that should be in the bible and quoted by chuck norris everyday and in the national anthem: A Ford Ranger

[littleredrangerhood]

Small update. Truck is now on 42" TSLs on 16x10 weld on beadlock wheels. Installed front mount winch as well as a dual battery setup behind the cab.

Someone requested pics of the front setup so here they are.
http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/2/4903/1121/24755560363_medium.jpg
http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/2/4903/1121/24755560364_medium.jpg
http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/2/4903/1121/24755560361_medium.jpg
http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/2/4903/1121/24755560362_medium.jpg
http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/2/4903/1121/24755560358_medium.jpg
http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/2/4903/1121/24755560359_medium.jpg
http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/2/4903/1121/24755560357_medium.jpg
http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/2/4903/1121/24755560356_medium.jpg
http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/2/4903/1121/24755560355_medium.jpg
http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/2/4903/1121/24755560360_medium.jpg
http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/2/4903/1121/24755560365_medium.jpg

[NMB2]

quite a few things I would recommend changing on that truck, but cool non-the-less.

[littleredrangerhood]

quite a few things I would recommend changing on that truck, but cool non-the-less.

Please . . . do tell.