• 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.

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger


5speedin2.3

May 2012 OTOTM Winner
OTOTM Winner
Solid Axle Swap
Joined
Dec 6, 2008
Messages
437
Age
38
City
Livonia, Mi
Vehicle Year
1997
Transmission
Manual
I'm sure a lot of the members on here have seen me around on other forums, I figured I would move what I can find of my build thread over here.

It is finally complete and has been well tested haha.

Specifications: 1997 Ford Ranger XLT, 2.5L out of a 99 with approximately 50K miles, Black ext/Royal blue Int, Reg cab, Long bed,Explorer OHC, PIAA 520 ion crystal driving lamps, 6000K HIDs, M5OD, 1350M (STX), Jeep YJ D30 Front axle, 8.8 Rear axle, 4.10 gears, 33x10.50x15 BFG KM2's, Monroe monotube shocks, James Duff traction bars, RE YJ front leafs, RuffStuff brackets and 5" shackles, lots of audio equipment, custom body damage and scrapes from trees. Lots of other stuff I'm sure I'm forgetting.

From another thread.. On a website where people are treated like crap..


"i went and picked up two d30's tonight, both are HP axles.
they are both out of 90's yj's.

one has 3.07 gears and the other has 4.10's.

im going to make one good axle out of the best parts and go from there.

i have to get an axle shaft from a tj d30, but thats nothing.

tomorrow im going to go pick up the 4" or 4.5" lift leafs.

got everything for $120.

on with the pictures, i will get more as soon as we get the parts up to my dads work."

DSCN0515.jpg

DSCN0516.jpg

DSCN0519.jpg

DSCN0520.jpg
 
Last edited:
"more updates, im picking up an 8.8 tomorrow along with some lift blocks.
7.5 with 3.73 gears is going byebye."

"i still have to install the 4.10 gears in the axle, then it will be installed along with the 2" blocks.

i guess the cover is leaking, its one of the stupid composite covers, one of fords better ideas.
glad my dad had a spare laying around. "

DSCN0524.jpg

DSCN0525.jpg

DSCN0526.jpg
 
"got the 8.8 finished and installed today.

finished the 4.10 swap, this thing has 3.08's in it, yuck!

first torch the axle out

0307081353.jpg


just kidding, had to heat the brake line fittings up a tad.

un bolt everything
0307081354.jpg


drop 7.5 on floor, just kidding again
0307081401.jpg

removed axle
0307081401a.jpg


next muscle 8.8 on jack stands.
0307081406.jpg

installed
0307081417.jpg
 
sorry for the crappy pictures, i forgot my camera and had to use my phone.
Photo_030608_001.jpg

Photo_030608_002.jpg

Photo_030608_003.jpg

Photo_030608_004.jpg

Photo_030608_005.jpg

Photo_030608_006.jpg

Photo_030608_007.jpg

Photo_030708_001.jpg

Photo_030708_002.jpg

Photo_030708_003.jpg
 
picked up the leafs tonight from the same person i got the axles from.

i was told they are 4-4.5" lift leafs.

DSCN0566.jpg

DSCN0567.jpg
 
i picked up the tj axle shaft today and put more money in my bank account so i can buy shackles.

the axle shaft was only $50, most places want $75 for just the inner shaft without the joint and outer part.

getting close!

DSCN0609.jpg

DSCN0612.jpg
 
we tore down the spare axle but we aren't going to use it.
i thought we were going to needs parts from it but the pinion nut was loose and the pinion bearing is fine.

im not sure what the cover is made out of, i think its stainless steel but my dad seems to think its aluminum.

the last picture of the axle on the bench is the axle we are using, the empty axle is the spare.

IMG_0472.jpg

IMG_0474.jpg

IMG_0475.jpg

IMG_0476.jpg

IMG_0478.jpg

IMG_0480.jpg


----

the d30 is done.

now we just need to get a welder and a few parts/brackets from ruffstuff.

DSCN0642.jpg

DSCN0643.jpg

DSCN0644.jpg



----


heres more pictures, we got two of the 32's mounted today and put everything in my truck to take to my dads house.

im stuck with the 16's till we get the other mastercraft m/t because i sold my old a/t's to a guy from greatlakes4x4.

IMG_0484.jpg

IMG_0485.jpg

IMG_0486.jpg

IMG_0488.jpg

IMG_0491.jpg

IMG_0493.jpg

IMG_0494.jpg

IMG_0495.jpg

IMG_0497.jpg
 
well, i got the parts from dan at ruffstuff today, the box was a little messed up and kinda freaked me out, but everything was still in the box.

then i went to a u-pull and got some spring plates, what a freaking pita...

IMG_0510.jpg

IMG_0511.jpg

IMG_0514.jpg

IMG_0517.jpg

IMG_0518.jpg

IMG_0519.jpg

IMG_0525.jpg

IMG_0529.jpg

IMG_0530.jpg
 
well, we got everything cut off today, it only took a few hours.

tomorrow we are going to get ubolts and put the axle under the truck.

IMG_0550.jpg

IMG_0552.jpg

IMG_0555.jpg

IMG_0556.jpg

IMG_0559.jpg

IMG_0560.jpg


as the truck sits now.
IMG_0561.jpg
 
the picture of the bike is my transportation right now.

the truck is going to be 2-3" taller then it is in the pictures once its done.

evan also came over today to pick up the parts for gumby.

IMG_0564.jpg

IMG_0567.jpg

IMG_0569.jpg

IMG_0571.jpg

IMG_0572.jpg

IMG_0579.jpg

IMG_0583.jpg

IMG_0586.jpg

IMG_0588.jpg

IMG_0596.jpg

IMG_0601.jpg

IMG_0603.jpg

IMG_0604.jpg

IMG_0605.jpg

IMG_0606.jpg

IMG_0607.jpg

IMG_0608.jpg

IMG_0610.jpg

IMG_0611.jpg

IMG_0612.jpg


this is what $60 in ubolts look like
IMG_0616.jpg


----

IMG_0629.jpg

IMG_0633.jpg

IMG_0634.jpg

IMG_0635.jpg

IMG_0638.jpg

IMG_0639.jpg

IMG_0640.jpg

IMG_0641.jpg

IMG_0642.jpg


----

IMG_0644.jpg

IMG_0645.jpg

IMG_0646.jpg

IMG_0647.jpg

IMG_0648.jpg
 
Last edited:
well the front is almost done, all we need at this point is the drag link.

as of right now the rear only has a 2" block, we are going to put in an AAL and see if that levels it out, if not im going to get some shackles.

IMG_0684.jpg

IMG_0685.jpg

IMG_0686.jpg

IMG_0688.jpg

IMG_0689.jpg

IMG_0691.jpg

IMG_0692.jpg
 
its getting closer every day!

we got the rear done today and painted everything with primer. (after the pictures.)


IMG_0698.jpg

IMG_0699.jpg

IMG_0700.jpg

IMG_0701.jpg
 
SHOCKING NEWS!

got some super duty shock mounts today.

had to mod them a lil

plus we spray bombed everything

pictures006.jpg


had to drill a top/third hole in the brackets after cutting them down.

next used some 1.5"x4" steel and made some spacer/mount brackets then welded them to the frame.

pictures003.jpg

pictures002.jpg


pictures005.jpg

pictures008.jpg


finished product
pictures009.jpg

pictures011.jpg

pictures012.jpg

pictures010.jpg



cheap curb flex
pictures014.jpg

pictures013.jpg
 
Looks good bud, nice 4x4 swap.

Only critique I got is grind everything down to bare shiny metal before laying any weld.
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

TRS Events

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.

Recently Featured

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

Ranger Adventure Video

TRS Merchandise

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Sponsors


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Sponsored Ad

Back
Top