Picture diary of a 4X4 RCD to Dixon Brothers LT Conversion

Quasi242 · 04-23-2009, 11:23 PM

Let's begin the transformation from Drop Kit lift to functional duel purpose rig!

Still plenty of work to be done. Fiberwerx 6" flaired fenders should be added this weekend. Not sure what to do about the rear suspension until I can afford to LT the back (Giant 64" is my goal). RCD rear setup works ok for general desert exploring but not sufficient for high speed and I hate the "stink bug" stance. Rear rack is functional, but no longer matches the future direction of the truck.

Danger FX4 Ranger · 04-23-2009, 11:42 PM

Nice!

I've been wanting to see a Dixon install. How much time was required?

organic · 04-23-2009, 11:54 PM

Wow!! Very nice. How much lift did you get?

alaskan155 · 04-24-2009, 12:22 AM

so when ya getting the edge stickers, you 4wd killer you,

naw nice truck just remove the 4x4 stickers

odie1969 · 04-24-2009, 12:29 AM

That is so sweet. Wish I could go that deep in to it. it looks like a awesome lift with great travel.
High where in AZ do you live. and for your rear end question you might talk to 84 I know he has the giant 64"

Quasi242 · 04-24-2009, 12:49 AM

The conversion took a buddy and I 30+ hours (60 man hours). As for lift, my truck sat higher with the RCD kit.

My truck was sitting level when the first pictures were shot, but I only had a couple of inches of down travel left. Once I reduced the preload, the front of the truck is probably 3" over stock plus tire height.

Not really a 4X4 killer. I am just waiting on the half shafts. Aaron was out of stock when my kit shipped out. 4X4 should be up and kicking in a couple of weeks.

I live in Tucson. It will be a while until I can afford to play with the rear suspension, but I will have to chat with 84 to see what his impressions are in regards to the Giant spring pack.

**mjonesjr** · 04-24-2009, 06:14 AM

Looks awesome.

If you get a chance, do a write up on it and we will stick it in the tech library!

Quasi242 · 04-24-2009, 08:52 AM

Cool. Will do.

RaceRanger97 · 04-24-2009, 03:48 PM

looks awsome! now its time for some action shots!

c_note · 04-24-2009, 09:28 PM

i see your also converting to live axles. smart move.

btw i was so close to doing that kit but i did a coilover SAS instead. i regret it tho.

Quasi242 · 04-25-2009, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c_note

i see your also converting to live axles. smart move.

btw i was so close to doing that kit but i did a coilover SAS instead. i regret it tho.

Actually, this truck has always been a live axle setup. Ford must have changed mid production in 2000. Interesting that you regret choosing the SAS. It seems to be such the in thing right now, that several people have questioned my desire to go LT vs SAS. Both are great and excel in different ways. Literally, it just depends if you want to crawl or fly.

c_note · 04-25-2009, 05:52 AM

well with the setup i have, i should be able to fly and crawl but i dont have the proper valving and now i want to go triple rate instead of dual rate. i swear i feel every bump on the highway.

its just a pain to do any work on it now that i dont have a garage or easy access to parts like i did in san diego.

so when are you gonna put some glass on that bad boy?

04-23-2009, 11:23 PM	#1
Quasi242 January 2010 OTOTM Winner Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Tucson, Arizona Year: 2000 Make: Ford Model: Ranger Engine: 3.0 Class: 4X4 Long Travel Posts: 191 Rep Power: 12 iTrader: (0)	Picture diary of a 4X4 RCD to Dixon Brothers LT Conversion Let's begin the transformation from Drop Kit lift to functional duel purpose rig! Still plenty of work to be done. Fiberwerx 6" flaired fenders should be added this weekend. Not sure what to do about the rear suspension until I can afford to LT the back (Giant 64" is my goal). RCD rear setup works ok for general desert exploring but not sufficient for high speed and I hate the "stink bug" stance. Rear rack is functional, but no longer matches the future direction of the truck.
	Tweet

04-23-2009, 11:54 PM	#3
organic Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Connecticut Year: 1995 Make: Ford Model: Ranger Engine: 3.0 Class: 4x4 Used For: dedicated firewood hauler Posts: 361 Rep Power: 12 iTrader: (0)	Wow!! Very nice. How much lift did you get?
	Tweet

04-24-2009, 12:22 AM	#4
alaskan155 Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Cheyenne Year: 2002 1988 Make: honda and ford Model: CR-v and Bronco Engine: 2.4l/5.0 Class: 4x4 Used For: dd/toy Posts: 947 Rep Power: 13 iTrader: (1)	so when ya getting the edge stickers, you 4wd killer you, naw nice truck just remove the 4x4 stickers __________________ retired TRS member Currently on Fullsizebronco.com under same name current toy: 88 Bronco 35s stock/ no sway bars 5.0/AOD/BWt-case 210k miles 4.10 gears, Rock sliders, chopped quaters far future mods: D60/10.25 sas/removable doors/custom bumpers
	Tweet

04-24-2009, 12:29 AM	#5
odie1969 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: tempe Az Year: 1987 Make: Ford Model: 87 stx Engine: 4.0l sohc Class: 4x4 Posts: 1,271 Rep Power: 14 iTrader: (2)	That is so sweet. Wish I could go that deep in to it. it looks like a awesome lift with great travel. High where in AZ do you live. and for your rear end question you might talk to 84 I know he has the giant 64" __________________ Plz no grammer NAZIS I know my spelling and grammer sucks. thanks. 2001 ranger 3.0l 2wd posed out with prerunner fronts. 1987 ranger 2.9l 4wd stx (swaping in 4.0l sohc trans and 8.8) 1969 mercury cougar conv. 351w virgin as mary 1964 MG Midget 1275cc motor 1996 mustang Gt conv. 4.6l steeda susp. parts
	Tweet

04-24-2009, 12:49 AM	#6
Quasi242 January 2010 OTOTM Winner Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Tucson, Arizona Year: 2000 Make: Ford Model: Ranger Engine: 3.0 Class: 4X4 Long Travel Posts: 191 Rep Power: 12 iTrader: (0)	The conversion took a buddy and I 30+ hours (60 man hours). As for lift, my truck sat higher with the RCD kit. My truck was sitting level when the first pictures were shot, but I only had a couple of inches of down travel left. Once I reduced the preload, the front of the truck is probably 3" over stock plus tire height. Not really a 4X4 killer. I am just waiting on the half shafts. Aaron was out of stock when my kit shipped out. 4X4 should be up and kicking in a couple of weeks. I live in Tucson. It will be a while until I can afford to play with the rear suspension, but I will have to chat with 84 to see what his impressions are in regards to the Giant spring pack.
	Tweet

04-24-2009, 06:14 AM	#7
mjonesjr I dance with the Devil... Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Salem, IN Posts: 4,994 Rep Power: 10 iTrader: (6)	Looks awesome. If you get a chance, do a write up on it and we will stick it in the tech library! __________________ I shall not surrender... I shall not retreat... I will stand here and fight... Or I will stand here and die! All men are created equal, then a few become firemen. Support Our Troops! TRS Facebook Page
	Tweet

04-24-2009, 08:52 AM	#8
Quasi242 January 2010 OTOTM Winner Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Tucson, Arizona Year: 2000 Make: Ford Model: Ranger Engine: 3.0 Class: 4X4 Long Travel Posts: 191 Rep Power: 12 iTrader: (0)	Cool. Will do.
	Tweet

04-24-2009, 03:48 PM	#9
RaceRanger97 April 2009 OTOTM Winner Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Fresno Year: 1997 Make: Ford Model: Ranger Class: 2wd off-road Posts: 1,186 Rep Power: 13 iTrader: (0)	looks awsome! now its time for some action shots! __________________ Burnett's Sand Center (559)299-6099
	Tweet

04-24-2009, 09:28 PM	#10
c_note September 2009 OTOM Winner Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: back in San Diego, CA Year: 2002 Make: Ranger/Explorer Model: Fx4/Rubicon Engine: 4.0 sohc Class: 4x4 Extreme/Race/Mall Used For: dd and time consumption Posts: 839 Rep Power: 13 iTrader: (1)	i see your also converting to live axles. smart move. btw i was so close to doing that kit but i did a coilover SAS instead. i regret it tho.
	Tweet

04-25-2009, 05:52 AM	#12
c_note September 2009 OTOM Winner Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: back in San Diego, CA Year: 2002 Make: Ranger/Explorer Model: Fx4/Rubicon Engine: 4.0 sohc Class: 4x4 Extreme/Race/Mall Used For: dd and time consumption Posts: 839 Rep Power: 13 iTrader: (1)	well with the setup i have, i should be able to fly and crawl but i dont have the proper valving and now i want to go triple rate instead of dual rate. i swear i feel every bump on the highway. its just a pain to do any work on it now that i dont have a garage or easy access to parts like i did in san diego. so when are you gonna put some glass on that bad boy? Last edited by c_note; 04-25-2009 at 05:57 AM.
	Tweet

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode