Huggyb1972's 87' Ranger 4x4 build

[huggyb1972]

I have officially started my (and my wifes) Ranger Rebuild here is the General plan:
1. It will be Red
2. It will be 4x4
3. It will stronger than before
4. It will an automatic (probably)
This is part of the before picture the cab that will be on it is not this one.

79 D44 hi-pinion full width

Ford 8.8 trailing arms with a Y-link out back.

[slow96gt]

cool looks like a fun project, what motor you gonna run

[huggyb1972]

Well that is a point of consideration still. I would like to hear a v-8 singing a tune in there but I want to keep the weight on the down low so I'm still thinking. As the truck was in my teenage years 85mph was a number rarely attained unless outside factors were involved: tailwind, downside of hill, something much faster pushing it, ect.......

So almost anything will be an improvement I am not concerned about triple digit speed I would be more than happy if it can hold it's own in a head wind with some pedal left though.

I also am wanting a little bit of everthing from it I would rather have a truck that can be driven rather than trailered everywhere.

[jhammel85]

looking forward to your build!

[Andres629]

Run a 4.0. A whole pile lighter and still make good power even in stock form. Do a mild build and she'll hum right along!

[huggyb1972]

Well I ended up with a 95 explorer earlier this year and from what I have read it is just to simple not to do. My only hang up is the Explorer is 2wd so I am still out a trans. The Ranger is 2.3l 5spd currently. The Explorer is high miles but runs remarkably well starts easy even sitting for a long time.

[huggyb1972]

I am looking for a F-150 fullwidth 8.8 or 9" near by if anyone needs to get rid of one.

As for my truck I have some off the wall plans for it and to start off I am going to beef up the frame by adding plate to box the c-channel for rigitity.

I am wondering how air bags would work off road for this deal instead of coils springs has anybody tried them? how did it do? I would like to be able to change wieght bias and possibly make it kneal so Dad doesn't need to jump as far.

[huggyb1972]

Post take 2
Finally started the teardown process cab, bed, and driveline alll got pullled out.


There's always one bolt that won't come out normally

Fork lifts are very handy I recommend one if you have the means.


Awesome high angle driveshaft




Man these frames are flexy but not for long


This is the only picture I have of my truck as I remember it back in 92'

Day two begins the front end work



Ever wonder how much a Dana 28 weighs


Mach up time





leveled it up a little



Long radius arms on the front. Got a piece of 3"x1 1/2" 11ga rectangle tube and heim adapters from Ballistic Fab




yee ha

[kris97ranger]

its hard to tell but i think id move that front end up some still looks like the difs behind the engine crossmember. strech it out so its in front of the crossmember then you get more uptravel without being real high and its a better approatch angle.

[huggyb1972]

That is the plan to move the axle forward a touch. As for the engine cross member I want to rethink it also. I was never a fan of that monstrosity I would like to do something along the lines where the oilpan can be serviced without a engine host and some choice words.

The rear suspension I am going to use will be more along the line of the desert runner 4 link that giant motorsports makes only home built and modified for trail use. I am having very serious thought about air suspension and will experiment with it to begin with leaving the ability to switch back to coil overs or regular coils if plan "A" fails.

Brayd on here has the setup I like real well I want mine to work very similar to his with a few extras that make it mine.

[kris97ranger]

i dont see why air bags would be any different then coils with the exception of them being short. what my buddy is planning on doing is setting up leaves that are real soft for trails then adding in bags to take the load for regular driving/towing

[huggyb1972]

The way to solve the shorter travel is cantelieiver or stack them in my mind. I think on a crawler they would be superior to coils because you could make the mechanical part of the suspension be the limiting factor and try to have equal pressure on the ground at all times. Plus it would be cool to let it ride low on the road and then pop up when out playing around. And then figure out a way to make it hike a rear wheel and wiz on a jeep.