88 Ranger 4x4 build for Street and Trails

MikeR · Mar 7, 2013

So let me start by saying I currently cannot get the old pics of my truck off the old hard drive on my computer.
So I have had this truck since I was 17 and in high school and other than the American racing outlaw IIs and 30 inch tires the truck was bone stock. About 2 years ago I ripped the whole truck apart and started a full resto and was also going to replace all of the suspension with a James Duff 5.5 stage 3 kit.
I will post the pics that I have and then try to keep this page up to date on what I’m doing with it.
The first few pics are the new Dever rear springs and wider 7.5in mustang rear with disk brakes already temporally bolted in. The front suspension is already torn out and was getting ready to start grinding the rivets off.

MikeR · Mar 7, 2013

Next I tore apart my Old D28 and stripped the beams down and POR 15ed the whole thing. Also I pressed in the JD Pivot bushings and cleaned and Painted the 3rd member. My plan is to get the truck on the road and shake it down (also buy a house) and then in the fall/spring when I have some time and extra cash get another ranger with a 4.0l and D35 and swap some stuff out.

MikeR · Mar 7, 2013

After that was done I started to install the new Duff Lift Brackets and try to get this thing back on 4 wheels. It has been apart at this point for about a year and a half so that’s why some of the pics are me just holding the tires up. I kept the outlaw IIs that I have and mounted some 35/12.5R15s on them that I gut for $200 from a Guy I worked With.

ranger2.9 · Mar 7, 2013

A man after my own heart. I took mine down to the frame and sandblasted, ect. Its looking good so far. I will definarely be watching this build.

Beef52751 · Mar 7, 2013

Looks good. Keep it up

MikeR · Mar 8, 2013

So this will pretty much bring me up to where I was at last weekend. I got the new coil towers in and the New looking D28 bolted in. Then I pushed it outside to clean it up some and wash off all of the grinding dust that has built up over the past year. Also I wanted to play around and day dream a Bit lol. Too bad I didn’t have the gas tank in the truck so it was powered by my old simplicity lawn tractor. I’m also glad that I didn’t put the 2in body lift, on because I would have had to put the smaller tires on just to get the truck out of the garage. At least now I can get the truck in a standard garage door which helps since I am house shopping currently.View attachment 9512 View attachment 9513 View attachment 9514 View attachment 9515 View attachment 9516 View attachment 9517 View attachment 9518 View attachment 9519 View attachment 9521 View attachment 9522

MikeR · Mar 8, 2013

I don't know why it didn't post my other pics?View attachment 9523 View attachment 9524 View attachment 9525 View attachment 9526 View attachment 9527 View attachment 9528 View attachment 9529

MikeR · Mar 8, 2013

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MikeR · Mar 8, 2013

So I had a snow day Wednesday even though it never snowed. I used this time to bend the rear brake lines make some brackets to hold the rear brake lines and I also installed the pass side shocks and mounts. View attachment 9532 View attachment 9533 View attachment 9534 View attachment 9535 View attachment 9536 View attachment 9537

I really like this setup and it seems like the beams are tucked in far enough that the tire shouldn't hit from lock to lock.
I ordered my bushwacker fender flairs and James duff extended Ebrake cables and they are supposed to be here tonight. I'm going to set the pinion angle on the rear and finish the brakes this weekend I will try to get some pics up!!

MikeR · Mar 9, 2013

Well I was out in the garage late last night and all day today. Here is some of the progress that I got done.

View attachment 9548
I installed both front shock mounts

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Then I installed the pass side caliper and brake line got the wheel barings greased and the tie rods installed and center link in.

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I also installed the gas tank and the exhaust. I took the driveshaft out because tomorrow I'm going to pull the rear to weld the spring perches and shock mounts on also going to weld the axel tubes to the center. View attachment 9555 View attachment 9556 View attachment 9557

The list for tomorrow is to
Install the drivers side caliper and brake line

Remove the rear and weld the center and spring perches.

And play with these because they just came in the mail.

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Ford78 · Mar 9, 2013

Looking real good!!

jhammel85 · Mar 10, 2013

Looks great! Exactly what I plan to start soon. Looks like you are working out of an oversized 1 car garage like I am too?

MikeR · Mar 10, 2013

jhammel85 said:
Looks great! Exactly what I plan to start soon. Looks like you are working out of an oversized 1 car garage like I am too?

Haha yes it a 2 car but my dad has the other half. I know that I am looking for a house now and a bigger garage is deff on my must have list. I will say I don't feel cramped on space just that I have nowhere to go with stuff when I take it off. And make sure that you take pics and label everything as you go it will only help when you try to go back together.

MikeR · Mar 10, 2013

Because of daylight savings time, a few to many beers and the GF saying I need to spend more time with her I only got about 3 hours in on the truck.

I got the drivers side caliper and brake line on.

Removed the rear axel and welded the tubes to the housing as well as the perches on and shock mounts.

Pulled the gears and center section out so I can swap in my posi and 3.83 center out of my old rear.

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Going to try to get back out in the garage Tuesday to get some paint on the rear. Will get some picks up latter

upnsmoke · Mar 14, 2013

Is that an 8.8? What's it out of? I'm looking forward to seeing this truck with all its sheet metal.

88 Ranger 4x4 build for Street and Trails

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