• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

Ranger bed trailer


snoranger

Professional money waster
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
RBV's on Boost
ASE Certified Tech
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Nov 25, 2007
Messages
13,052
Reaction score
13,522
Points
113
Location
Jackson, NJ
Vehicle Year
'79,'94,'02,'23
Make / Model
All Fords
Engine Type
2.3 EcoBoost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
I didn't ask for your life story, just answer the question!
The time has come to put my Ranger out of her misery. She's seen 190K since 1990, when my uncle bought her. I beat the tar out of it for the past 120K and she took it like a champ. So I decided to give her a new life as a trailer.


How it looked as of friday: (Ignore the ugly red cap, thats off our company s-10. We just needed a place to put it for a few days.)


Lets get right into this. Pulled the bed: (The van in the background is mine, so is the Cobra behind it.)




I found a little rust on the frame, nothing too bad. (Oh look, a 1" BII sway bar.)

Forklifts make this kind of work so much easier, everyone should have one.


I cleaned up the surface rust on the underside of the bed and painted it with POR15: (I even found a use for the floor mats :D)




While that was drying, I chopped the frame in half. (The 2 green Explorers in the background are mine.)


 


snoranger

Professional money waster
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
RBV's on Boost
ASE Certified Tech
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Nov 25, 2007
Messages
13,052
Reaction score
13,522
Points
113
Location
Jackson, NJ
Vehicle Year
'79,'94,'02,'23
Make / Model
All Fords
Engine Type
2.3 EcoBoost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
I didn't ask for your life story, just answer the question!
Next, we need to do some work on the frame.

I leveled it and welded in a new front crossmember and a support to the factory crossmember. (It may not look straight in some of the pics, but I can assure you its within 1/16" of perfect in every dimension.)






I added another crossmember near the rear. I have a few reasons for this.
1) The rear crossmember seems weak to me.
2) Im not putting a bumper on it, I have a rollpan on the bed already.
3) I may put some stabilizer legs on the back, for loading and unloading my quad when I'm not hooked up to a tow vehicle.



I welded all the factory crossmembers to the frame rails, in an attempt to stiffen the frame a little.


Gratuitous weld shot. Yes everything is stick welded, thats all we have at work.



How she sits as of today.



I have to cut a hole in the front crossmember for the tongue. Its going to extend into the chassis about 8" and be gusseted to the 2nd crossmember. The tongue will extend about 4.5' from the front of the bed and have braces off the frame on either side.

The company next door does hot dip galvanizing. I may strip it down and send it over to them before final paint and assembly. Last time I had something of this size dipped, they charged me less then $50. They cut me a good deal, because I fix their forklifts.
 
Last edited:

Robert_1967

New Member
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Nov 7, 2009
Messages
1,802
Reaction score
13
Points
0
Location
White Pine, TN
Vehicle Year
1988/1989
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
302/2.9
Transmission
Automatic
That sure was a nice looking Ranger to cut up.




Robert




sent from the depths of hell while roasting marshmallows.
 

shane96ranger

Well-Known Member
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Oct 20, 2009
Messages
8,328
Reaction score
220
Points
63
Location
Utah
Vehicle Year
1997 / 1989
Make / Model
Ford F150-Stang
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
4.6 Triton / 5.0
I measured mine and it's 54" from the back of the bed to the front of the tongue.

 

snoranger

Professional money waster
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
RBV's on Boost
ASE Certified Tech
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Nov 25, 2007
Messages
13,052
Reaction score
13,522
Points
113
Location
Jackson, NJ
Vehicle Year
'79,'94,'02,'23
Make / Model
All Fords
Engine Type
2.3 EcoBoost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
I didn't ask for your life story, just answer the question!
That sure was a nice looking Ranger to cut up.
Which part?
The rotted out radiator support.
The rotted out body mount brackets (all of them).
The dry rotted body mount bushings.
The 4.0l OHV thats burning oil.
The slipping 2.9l A4LD.
The cracked windshield.
The completely rusted out doors.
The leaking radiator.
The seized AC compressor.
The leaking steering box.
The rotted out exhaust.
The worn out interior.


You see where I'm going with this? The truck would have cost more to fix then it was worth.

I've got 8 cars (not including my wifes new Fusion), its time to thin the herd. I'll pull the MSD DIS-4, the Borla headers, and the BBK throttle body off this and get rid of it.
 

Robert_1967

New Member
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Nov 7, 2009
Messages
1,802
Reaction score
13
Points
0
Location
White Pine, TN
Vehicle Year
1988/1989
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
302/2.9
Transmission
Automatic
Well, from the pictures it "looked" to be a nice Ranger.


Could you e-mail me the front bumper and spoiler?!?




Robert



posted from the gates of Babylon.
 

snoranger

Professional money waster
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
RBV's on Boost
ASE Certified Tech
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Nov 25, 2007
Messages
13,052
Reaction score
13,522
Points
113
Location
Jackson, NJ
Vehicle Year
'79,'94,'02,'23
Make / Model
All Fords
Engine Type
2.3 EcoBoost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
I didn't ask for your life story, just answer the question!
I measured mine and it's 54" from the back of the bed to the front of the tongue.

Thanks, thats what I was planning for this one.




I have to cut a hole in the front crossmember for the tongue. Its going to extend into the chassis about 8" and be gusseted to the 2nd crossmember. The tongue will extend about 4.5' from the front of the bed and have braces off the frame on either side.
 

snoranger

Professional money waster
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
RBV's on Boost
ASE Certified Tech
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Nov 25, 2007
Messages
13,052
Reaction score
13,522
Points
113
Location
Jackson, NJ
Vehicle Year
'79,'94,'02,'23
Make / Model
All Fords
Engine Type
2.3 EcoBoost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
I didn't ask for your life story, just answer the question!
Well, from the pictures it "looked" to be a nice Ranger.


Could you e-mail me the front bumper and spoiler?!?




Robert



posted from the gates of Babylon.

Looks can be deceiving my friend.


I pulled the bumper and tried to send it. I think the attachment is too big. Heres a pic for you though..

 

AllanD

TRS Technical Staff
TRS Technical Advisor
Joined
Jun 1, 2001
Messages
7,897
Reaction score
134
Points
63
Age
62
Location
East-Central Pennsylvania
Vehicle Year
1987... sorta
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
'93 4.0
Transmission
Manual
The company next door does hot dip galvanizing. I may strip it down and send it over to them before final paint and assembly. Last time I had something of this size dipped, they charged me less then $50. They cut me a good deal, because I fix their forklifts.
When you find out how much they want to do a hot dip job on a chunk of frame I'd REALLY like to know...

I've for the front half of a 2001 frame that I'd really like dipped in Zinc
AFTER I get done adding my reinforcements to it.

AD
 

snoranger

Professional money waster
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
RBV's on Boost
ASE Certified Tech
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Nov 25, 2007
Messages
13,052
Reaction score
13,522
Points
113
Location
Jackson, NJ
Vehicle Year
'79,'94,'02,'23
Make / Model
All Fords
Engine Type
2.3 EcoBoost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
I didn't ask for your life story, just answer the question!
When you find out how much they want to do a hot dip job on a chunk of frame I'd REALLY like to know...

I've for the front half of a 2001 frame that I'd really like dipped in Zinc
AFTER I get done adding my reinforcements to it.

AD
I called them today. They have a min charge of $150 for up to 400 lbs for most customers. I have to talk to the regional manager to see what he can do for me.
The company I'm having it done by is V & S (Voigt & Schweitzer) Galvanizing. The closest locations to you are Perth Amboy, NJ, Jonestown, PA, and New Castle, DE.
 

kevinsranger

New Member
Joined
Apr 9, 2008
Messages
1,092
Reaction score
3
Points
0
Age
43
Location
edison nj
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
FORD
Transmission
Automatic
did you just say borla headers and throttle body :icon_twisted: pm me if they are in your way :icon_rofl:
 

snoranger

Professional money waster
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
RBV's on Boost
ASE Certified Tech
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Nov 25, 2007
Messages
13,052
Reaction score
13,522
Points
113
Location
Jackson, NJ
Vehicle Year
'79,'94,'02,'23
Make / Model
All Fords
Engine Type
2.3 EcoBoost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
I didn't ask for your life story, just answer the question!

racsan

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 17, 2007
Messages
4,919
Reaction score
4,317
Points
113
Location
central ohio
Vehicle Year
2009
Make / Model
ford/escape
Engine Type
2.5 (4 Cylinder)
Engine Size
2.5/151 I-4
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Tire Size
235/70/16
My credo
the grey-t escape
put on a surge-brake coupler to the tounge & you could plumb it to the "old" stock truck brakes! not sure that youd need trailer braks on a ranger bed trailer, but all you really would need is the surge-brake coupler & some hard line. welds look good, hard to beat a stick welder for penetration!
 

superds

********
Supporting Member
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Jan 23, 2010
Messages
1,699
Reaction score
80
Points
48
Location
ND
Vehicle Year
1984
Make / Model
Ford Bronco II
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
2" body. 1.5" coil spring spacers/rear block
Hmm...how about the Cobra wheels? I've been looking for a deal on an OE set for my 99, apparently the PO misplaced them :(
 

snoranger

Professional money waster
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
RBV's on Boost
ASE Certified Tech
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Nov 25, 2007
Messages
13,052
Reaction score
13,522
Points
113
Location
Jackson, NJ
Vehicle Year
'79,'94,'02,'23
Make / Model
All Fords
Engine Type
2.3 EcoBoost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
I didn't ask for your life story, just answer the question!
Hmm...how about the Cobra wheels? I've been looking for a deal on an OE set for my 99, apparently the PO misplaced them :(
I've got 6 of them and need to pick up 1 more. 4 for my '95, 2 for the trailer, and 1 for a spare.



I wont be able to do anything on the trailer till the weekend. My wife is away on a business trip and I have to watch the kid after work all week.
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Members online

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Truck of The Month


Kirby N.
March Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top