Looking Into A Swap


LittleBigFoot

LittleBigFoot

15+ Year Member

OTOTM Winner
V8 Engine Swap
Solid Axle Swap
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
1,651
Points
3,101
City
Denver Colorado
Vehicle Year
79-00
Transmission
Automatic
So I'm looking into runing a leafspring suspension system up front on a 2000 Ranger along with an axle swap. I'm doing my research, but what all do I need? I have limited knowledge on a swap like this and I'm sorta leeching off a friend and his dad's know-how and fab skills.

Anyone done the swap/conversion?

Any links to push me in the right direction?

Any and all help appreciated

Thanks,
Adam
 
I have just aquired a front axle along with leafs from a 92 wrangler. It is a dana 30 and stock leafs. I picked up the perches last night and plan on doing some measuring in the next couple of days. I got to get some steel to make the leafs fit the front and make mounts for the rear. I will probably post pics as soon as I start to show some progress. Kinda before and after pics.

Later Brett
 
Thanks man, pics would be great. What are you doing to adapt the steering etc.?
 
I haven't got that far yet
 
Im not doing a leaf swap, Im doing coils, But a D44 is a much better swap under the 98+ rangers as we are heavyer then the older rangers.
 
what do you guys think would be the better way to go? Leafs or coils? I hear leafs are a common/easy/good way to go when upgrading from the torsion bars.... The people I'll be working with suggested leafs, but either way....
 
I had planned to go with leafs, then I sold all that stuff to go Coilovers, cause they perform better on the trail. Its alot more work and design but it will be worth it in the end.
 
Last edited:
I would use coils, they ride much better than leafs.
If you get all the parts from a Ford suspension (radius arms, coil buckets, frame brackets, etc), I don't see it being much more difficult to set it up under there than with leaf springs.
Getting the steering linkage to clear the leafs can be a bit challenging sometimes, too.

It's debatable if coils flex better than leafs (or vice-versa) though. I've seen some very good flex from either.



'98up Rangers aren't necessarily heavier than earlier ones, but Supercabs (of any year) will be heavier than std cabs. I wouldn't put a D30 under any Supercab with tires bigger than 33s.
 
4x4junkie said:
'98up Rangers aren't necessarily heavier than earlier ones, but Supercabs (of any year) will be heavier than std cabs. I wouldn't put a D30 under any Supercab with tires bigger than 33s.
Click to expand...

This is a good point, My truck is a supercab so I was thinking in the realm of supercabs.
 
Yeah, the d44 would be the way. I read about Jim's B2 and he (or who ever wrote it) said that with leafs up front and full size axles it's road handling was greatly shit-i-fyed. I'm going to be pouring all my cash into this project and there's no way I could afford a DD. Do coils handle better then leaves on the road? I mean, I know some 250's and plenty of jeeps run setups like that....

To avoid having to fab up everything would I be able to just snatch a "complete" suspension system from a bigger truck from a junk yard, and modify it to run it on my Ranger? Besides softer coils etc... Like buy a junker f-250 and use everything from that?



Adam
 
The problem with the 98+ rangers is that the frames just werent made for Solid axle swaps. I would say the a good setup for you would prolly be a TJ or XJ Radius arm style suspension. It is easy to setup and can be daily driven with no problems. You can even use an off the shelf kit and adapt it to your truck.

This is Under a 02 or 01 I think. Its what Im refering too.

Looking Into A Swap
 
4x4junkie said:
I would use coils, they ride much better than leafs.
If you get all the parts from a Ford suspension (radius arms, coil buckets, frame brackets, etc), I don't see it being much more difficult to set it up under there than with leaf springs.
Getting the steering linkage to clear the leafs can be a bit challenging sometimes, too.

It's debatable if coils flex better than leafs (or vice-versa) though. I've seen some very good flex from either.



'98up Rangers aren't necessarily heavier than earlier ones, but Supercabs (of any year) will be heavier than std cabs. I wouldn't put a D30 under any Supercab with tires bigger than 33s.
Click to expand...

I have a buddy who put a dana 30 under his S-10 and is currently running 38's. To my knowledge he has never had any problems with the axle. I am going to try it for now and upgrade the bearings and knuckles later.
 
Brett Simpson said:
I have a buddy who put a dana 30 under his S-10 and is currently running 38's. To my knowledge he has never had any problems with the axle. I am going to try it for now and upgrade the bearings and knuckles later.
Click to expand...

Too bad we dont have the Dana30 post from the old forum. A dana 30 will not handle those tires very well. Specially the brakes.
 
Toreadorranger said:
Too bad we dont have the Dana30 post from the old forum. A dana 30 will not handle those tires very well. Specially the brakes.
Click to expand...

Been handling it fine for the last 3 years.
 
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