Chester Replacement

[holshotracer]

Well sort of.
Friday night ran into the problem of the engine/TTB crossmember. So instead of swapping every thing into the ranger i decided to take another route.
The pics kinda tell the route i went.:sonicjay:
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Build/Buildpics005.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Build/Buildpics007.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Build/Buildpics008.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Build/Buildpics009.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Build/Buildpics012.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Build/Buildpics010.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Build/Buildpics014.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Build/Buildpics016.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Build/Buildpics018.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Build/Buildpics022.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Build/Buildpics023.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Build/Buildpics024.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Build/Buildpics025.jpg
Thats only after two days of work. I have to build new rear cab mount. I still have to get the tranny and T-case in yet. As far as the bed I have to figure out what i'm going to do yet.

[kunar]

ahhh...ttb wont swap into a 2wd truck, i kinda figured you would do a sas once i saw you had a 2wd truck...do you plan on putting the bed on the explorer frame?

[samsonitesamsonite]

that 2wd has the rancho 2.5" kit?

[milje]

Well, that's one way to pull the body off :D

[CheapThrillB2]

yes the ranger had a lift kit on it, as far as being rancho, could only assume

[holshotracer]

i beileve that it is the rancho kit on there.
As far as the bed i'm thinking that i may do like the dezert guys and build a bed cage and then hang bed side off of that.

[danger88ranger]

i beileve that it is the rancho kit on there.
As far as the bed i'm thinking that i may do like the dezert guys and build a bed cage and then hang bed side off of that.

:agree:
If you decide to make a bedcage, cage the cab at the same time. It would be pretty easy for you to work around the cab cage because you have it all apart at the moment.

[PARKINGLOT]

looks good!

[Sunk]

Sweet, lookin cool

[holshotracer]

We got it fired up tonight, and backed it out of the garage. Man it smoked bad. I have to replace the spark plugs cus they are probley fouled. All that left to do is the front drive shaft, make rear cab mounts, and wire up some tail lights. I'm planning on having it at the last Bear Swamp.
All the smoke form firing it up
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Buildpics029.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Buildpics031.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Buildpics032.jpg

[kunar]

yep, they like to smoke once they have been on their lid. will probably need an o2 sensor too. was there something wrong with the blue hood or are you just trying to keep chester alive?

[holshotracer]

chesters hood had the hood scoop and i didn't feel like cutting the rangers hood.

[Mutant Pony]

Chester Lives!!!! Just looks a little different. I would have done it a little different but, that is me. It looks goood and it runs, that is what matters.
Are you going to go back to the dunes? Don't let a freak accident deter you.

[PARKINGLOT]

good stuff man! going to flatbed it?

[compleckz]

i ****in love how u put on the old chester hood and lower trim piece, lol... chester reincarnated!

lookin good guys

[CheapThrillB2]

he'll be back out on the dunes next year, i'd drag him kicking and screaming if i had to, but it won't be needed,

[holshotracer]

i'm most likely going with a cage from jegs. the bed cage is just going to be for holding things down like my hi lift and spare tire.

[holshotracer]

Oh yeah i will be back at the dunes.

[compleckz]

any progress on the explanger?

[CheapThrillB2]

its basically done and will be in a mud bog event tomorrow, with pics as well

[holshotracer]

Got the tail lights and mud flap installed last night. Today I made the spare tire mount.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Buildpics056.jpg
First time out since done
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/explanger/Buildpics057.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/explanger/Buildpics058.jpg

[holshotracer]

I added about ten pounds to be back. i put on my Solid diff cover that i won at the pig gig.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Build/Daves001.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Build/Daves002.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Build/Daves003.jpg
I swapped out my T-case for a manual one so now i don't have to crawl underneath the truck no more to get four wheel drive.
Also here's a pic of my spare tire carrier. not bad for about a hour and a half worth of work.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Build/Daves004.jpg

[red85]

I'm looking for ideas about how to put an Ex rear end under my truck and I like the look of what you've done there. Do you think I could build an upper mount to bolt the shocks to in my Ranger or will I be obligated to get that crossmember out of an Ex?

[holshotracer]

The easy way to do it would be to make mounts on the axle and use the stock cross member. there are no shock mounts on the explorer axle because the mount for the explorer are on the sring plates.

[holshotracer]

I picked up a pipe bender to start on my bed cage. i was thinking though being that i'm 6'4" a cage inside will not give me head room so i decided on a full exo. i'm going to dove tail the bed while i'm at it. Also i'm going to get rid of the explorer gas tank for a BII.

[danger88ranger]

Where did you get the bender from?

[holshotracer]

Its the habor freight pipe bender. i going to build the exo out of 1 1/4 pipe. i know thats its not as strong as tube. but right now i can't afford tube and i want more protection than just the cab.

[danger88ranger]

Yeah, i dont blame you for that after what happened at silver lake. What kind of pipe are you planning on using?

[CheapThrillB2]

1 1/4" schedule 40 (1.66" OD, wall thickness 0.140)

[holshotracer]

Today i went picked up some tires for it.
How many tires can you fit in a BII?
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Build/Buildpics087.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Build/Buildpics088.jpg
6 total 5-33s and a 235 spare.
33-13.5-15 TSLs they sould be alot better than the ATs that are on the explanger now.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Build/Buildpics089.jpg

[danger88ranger]

sweet tires, i love my swampers

[dirtsquirt]

I see you had a couple four legged inspectors" DID it pass?

[Sworn]

Wow! Lookin Good!

[CheapThrillB2]

I see you had a couple four legged inspectors" DID it pass?

okay its driving me nutz, what the hell are you talking about, i went back and looked at all the pics:icon_confused:

[compleckz]

okay its driving me nutz, what the hell are you talking about, i went back and looked at all the pics:icon_confused:

i had no idea what he meant either... but i just went back and scoured the pics and found it.. look at this pic closely.. one 'four legged inspector' is easy to spot, the other is slightly hidden :)

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Build/Buildpics023.jpg

:tease::tease::tease:

[CheapThrillB2]

i get it, i was looking at recent pics, not the ones from months ago lol

[holshotracer]

got three of them mounted on the rims and on the rig
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Build/12-29-07001.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Build/12-29-07002.jpg

[351ranger]

Are you putting a bed on that thing? Seems like you wouldn't have any traction with nothing back there.

[ditchopper]

looks 10x better

[holshotracer]

Are you putting a bed on that thing? Seems like you wouldn't have any traction with nothing back there.

it won't have much of a bed when i get one on there. it's going to be bobbed and dovetailed.
at the last run i didn't have much problms with traction. i was able to pull my buddy nicks ranger out of the trails and on to his trailer. and that was on snow

[351ranger]

it won't have much of a bed when i get one on there. it's going to be bobbed and dovetailed.
at the last run i didn't have much problms with traction. i was able to pull my buddy nicks ranger out of the trails and on to his trailer. and that was on snow

Thats cool. It just seems like it would be light as hell and just spin with no bed on it. Bobbed and dovetailed should look pretty good.

[CheapThrillB2]

http://www.axcessmypics.com/photos/photo05/f8/e9/53057183898c.jpg

heres an old pic from after the body swap, loading up the old body for scrap

[holshotracer]

when wheelin today i had some carnage.
i took out both outer shafts and one hub.
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e47/CheapThrillsOffRoad1/Jan%206%202008/Dec29th2007026.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e47/CheapThrillsOffRoad1/Jan%206%202008/Dec29th2007025.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/1607006.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/1607004.jpg
So i decided it was time up up grade. so i got this
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/1607010.jpg
77' dana 44 out of a F150. i'm going to shorten the passager side so i can run EB shaft. i also got 4 15x10 steel rims also all for $150

[zainyD]]

Wow, sounds like you got a real good deal on that thing. Before you shorten it though I would seriously think about leaving it full width. The added stability it provides is well worth it, plus it's a lot less work. I considered doing a EB width D44 at first, but I'm very glad I kept the axles full width.

[holshotracer]

i haven't fully made up my mind about the full width cause i can get the matching 9" rear for $100 too. the only problem is that the D44 is 3.55 and my 8.8 is 3.73 so i would have to regear the front.
That and i've never had a problem with the 8.8

[351ranger]

I could get you an eb axle for 50 bux. One bad shaft and you could put your disc's on it off the 44 you just got.

[351ranger]

Also, I figured I should tell you cheap thrill guys, I found a spolder 8.8 disc brake axle that would be dirt cheap too if you are interested. I'm probably a couple hours from ya. I would hate to see it get crushed.

[holshotracer]

Is that EB a high or low pinion?

[351ranger]

Is that EB a high or low pinion?

Its a low pinion. All EB's are. Mine is a low pinion and have never had a problem with it. Even rock climbing.

[holshotracer]

i found out that i can get mine narrowed for $60. the guy thats going to do it has done a couple before.

[holshotracer]

Earlier this week i got the 44 stripped down and today i dropped it off to get cut down. i should get it back in about a week.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Build/Buildpics091.jpg

[holshotracer]

Finally got my axle housing home. Its now 6" shorter on the passager side.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Build/Buildpics093.jpg
I also picked these up off of CheapthrillB2
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Build/Buildpics092.jpg

[holshotracer]

Got some of my parts tonight. Still waiting on the ring and pinion- they were shipped separately
chrome moly shafts
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Build/Buildpics094.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Build/Buildpics095.jpg

[holshotracer]

On Sunday I pulled the dana35 and all the TTB brackets to make way for the dana 44. I'm going to have to figure out either new radius arm mounts or a little bit longer radius arms.

The front stripped
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Build/Buildpics099.jpg
The dana 44 placed under the explanger
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Build/Buildpics104.jpg
Also installed the rear lug adapters
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Build/Buildpics105.jpg

[holshotracer]

I got the radius arms mounts made- steering mostly doe got to fix one little problem with one of the knuckle. We got the track bar mount mocked up and ran into some problems. The shocks are way too long for the springs that i was going to run temporary.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Build/5-25-08001.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Build/5-25-08002.jpg

[holshotracer]

Well I thrashed for two days trying to get the rig ready for the Spring Fling/OSTC. I got it finished up at 11:30 Friday morning, loaded up and started the 210 mile trip. It made the trip on the highway with no problems.
Heres what we ended up coming up with after alot of headaches.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Build/Buildpics121.jpg
I ended up having to build extanded radius arms so i could get enough droop.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Build/Buildpics118.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Build/Buildpics119.jpg
And heres the track bar mount.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Build/Buildpics120.jpg
Heres at OSTC playing on the RTI ramp.
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e47/CheapThrillsOffRoad1/Miffys%20spring%20fling%202008/IMG_2283.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e47/CheapThrillsOffRoad1/Miffys%20spring%20fling%202008/IMG_2284.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e47/CheapThrillsOffRoad1/Miffys%20spring%20fling%202008/IMG_2286.jpg
The front probly would flex better but the shocks bottom out to soon.
Also a big Thank You to Cheapthrillb2 for helping out big time!!!!!

[odie1969]

hey a kinda a dumb question but where did you find the lug adapters

[CheapThrillB2]

adaptitusa.com

[metalmacguyver]

So whats up with that trac bar mount?

[CheapThrillB2]

So whats up with that trac bar mount?

it works, what else is there. Its solid. You can't see all the bracing from the underside and on the sides. All the metal aside from the stock bracket is 1/4" plate and it was all welded with extremely good penetration.

[metalmacguyver]

Ok, the picture makes it look sketchy. But if it gets the Cheapthrills stamp of approval, it must be good!

[CheapThrillB2]

oh trust me it looks like ass, but we are about function instead of appearance, after all its an explanger not a wrangler lol

[holshotracer]

I installed some 2" lift blocks and extended shackles to level out the truck. Now I'm going to have to make a new upper shock mount in the rear cause the factory one is too high in the frame so it limits droop.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/explanger/Buildpics128.jpg
The drivers rear tire is off the ground.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/explanger/Buildpics133.jpg

[CheapThrillB2]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5Xqqnsht38

[CheapThrillB2]

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e47/CheapThrillsOffRoad1/th_TimBearSwampJuly20007.jpg (http://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e47/CheapThrillsOffRoad1/?action=view&current=TimBearSwampJuly20007.flv)
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e47/CheapThrillsOffRoad1/th_TimBearSwampJuly20009.jpg (http://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e47/CheapThrillsOffRoad1/?action=view&current=TimBearSwampJuly20009.flv)
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e47/CheapThrillsOffRoad1/th_TimBearSwampJuly20010.jpg (http://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e47/CheapThrillsOffRoad1/?action=view&current=TimBearSwampJuly20010.flv)
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e47/CheapThrillsOffRoad1/TimBearSwampJuly20002.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e47/CheapThrillsOffRoad1/th_MVI_2502.jpg (http://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e47/CheapThrillsOffRoad1/?action=view&current=MVI_2502.flv)
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e47/CheapThrillsOffRoad1/IMG_2503.jpg

[holshotracer]

A couple of weeks ago well running at Bear Swamp is got stuck and when the tractor pulled me out the passager front tire was in a hole. It ending up bending the radius arm.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/explanger/BearSwamp7-20028.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/explanger/BearSwamp7-20029.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Build/Buildpics145.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Build/Buildpics146.jpg
So I bought a used set of raduis arms. They're 2" DOM and were ran on a explorer on 38s and the held up.
I had to build some mount for then.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Build/Buildpics155.jpg
Testing them out with out shocks. I going to mount F250 shock mounts and have to measure for new shocks.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Build/Buildpics151.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Build/Buildpics153.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Build/Buildpics150.jpg

[danger88ranger]

Looks good, do the tires rub at full lock?

[holshotracer]

I'm a little behind on my updates.
A couple of weeks ago i got the front suspension finished up for now.
I mounted EB coil buckets and F250 shock mounts.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Build/Buildpics157.jpg
I had to put some plates under the lower coil mounts to stop them from bending.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Build/Buildpics158.jpg
Here's the radius arm mount and cross member.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Build/Buildpics160.jpg
It will just about collapse the spring and no more using the shock as a bump stop- the fender is now.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Build/Buildpics162.jpg
I have to trim the bumper now.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Build/Buildpics163.jpg
I also built a rear upper shock mount so that i can put the bed on with out the shocks sticking though the floor.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Build/Buildpics166.jpg
They rub just slightly

[holshotracer]

Got some work done on the bed. Heres it just sitting on the rig.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Build/Buildpics171.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Build/Buildpics172.jpg
Got the back cut off to bob it
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Build/Buildpics173.jpg
Heres were the back is going to be
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/Build/Buildpics174.jpg

[holshotracer]

Well the explanger is getting to the point were it's done for now. Heres before the 4 hour clean up after bear swamp.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/explanger/002.jpg
I'm going to wheel it as much as I can. I'm saving up for the exo cage and some new gears- cause most likly I'm getting some 36-12.5-15 SXs.
The bed turned out to be a good length my bike fits great.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/explanger/004.jpg

[danger88ranger]

How long are those radius arms? Do you think their too long? Just asking because i'm going to be building some in the near future and would like a good length to go with.

[holshotracer]

From center of axle to piviot bolt is 56". A lot of people say that they're too long but i don't think that they are. I've haven't had a problem hanging up on them.

[holshotracer]

I got three 36-12.5 SXs on, need a new rim for the other one though. I need to trim a ittle of the fender but not much. Now i only have to replace a slave cylinder and a master cylinder waiting until it warms up.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/explanger/36s004.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/explanger/36s011.jpg

[traildevil67]

What steering is that?

[CheapThrillB2]

the Tie Rods are chevy One Ton TRE's and he drilled and tapped some 1.25 .250 DOM to match the TRE's and reamed the knuckles to flip the tierods on top of the knuckles.

[holshotracer]

one more pic
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/explanger/36s012.jpg

[CheapThrillB2]

Found some pics in a photo album.....

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s274/FallenStar_2008/MuRunApril2009/107_0257.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s274/FallenStar_2008/MuRunApril2009/107_0265.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s274/FallenStar_2008/MuRunApril2009/107_0250.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s274/FallenStar_2008/MuRunApril2009/107_0251.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s274/FallenStar_2008/MuRunApril2009/107_0252.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s274/FallenStar_2008/MuRunApril2009/107_0306.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s274/FallenStar_2008/MuRunApril2009/107_0307.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s274/FallenStar_2008/MuRunApril2009/107_0312.jpg

Man that thing looks good on 36's :thumb:

[holshotracer]

Well on the way to the Sundowner BB/BS ride something in my clutch decided to let go. Well i finally got it a part and found that the throw out bearing locked up and over heated the slave cylinder.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/explanger/explanger001.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/explanger/explanger003.jpg
The clutch didn't like rocks and 36's with 3.73s.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/explanger/explanger004.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/explanger/explanger008.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/explanger/explanger009.jpg
The 5 speed is getting replaced by a C5 auto.

[holshotracer]

i got the C5 installed and the cross member moved up.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/explanger/explanger004-1.jpg
I had to move the cross member because the C5 is 3" shorter than the M5ORD-1 or A4ld.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/explanger/explanger003-1.jpg

[holshotracer]

Got C5 installed the rest of the way.
Ran into a few problems though. The T-case shifter needs to be modified.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/explanger/elpanger001.jpg
I ordered a B&M Z-gate shifter and got it installed.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/explanger/elpanger006.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/explanger/elpanger008.jpg
One other problem was when i tried to install the dip stick and the heater/ A/C box was in the way so i'm going have to get a now a/c box
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/explanger/elpanger011.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/explanger/elpanger012.jpg
The rear drive shaft was lengthen 6.5" and i still have to shorten the front one. There is something wrong in the valve body so i have to pull it ang get it fixed.

[PaleBlue90]

Got C5 installed the rest of the way.
Ran into a few problems though. The T-case shifter needs to be modified.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/explanger/elpanger001.jpg
I ordered a B&M Z-gate shifter and got it installed.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/explanger/elpanger006.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/explanger/elpanger008.jpg
One other problem was when i tried to install the dip stick and the heater/ A/C box was in the way so i'm going have to get a now a/c box
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/explanger/elpanger011.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/explanger/elpanger012.jpg
The rear drive shaft was lengthen 6.5" and i still have to shorten the front one. There is something wrong in the valve body so i have to pull it ang get it fixed.


lookin good,:icon_thumby::icon_welder::icon_hornsup:

[venom97]

sweet ride,look foward to seeing more of this build!

[holshotracer]

Still having problems with the valve body so i ordered a TCI StreetFighter for the C4.

[holshotracer]

Got the valve body today.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/explanger/explanger002.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/holshotracer/explanger/explanger001-1.jpg
Got it installed but i need to pick up a different filter before i put the pan back on