Make me a Ranger owner

[ridgerunner]

OK, dumb question...did Ford make a 1995-97 single cab 4X4 4.0 Ranger with a short bed (ie 107.9" wheelbase)??? If so I'm having one hell of a time finding one to buy!!! On my fourth month looking. Found zillions of extended cabs, lots of long bed single cabs most with the 3.slow, but not what I really want. Anyone?

 

[mleega1]

I dont think that they did.

 

[MastuhWaffles]

I think Mazda B series made a short bed version. I mean there the same thing, basically.

 

[adsm08]

I think they did, but it was not a common setup. Akin to a 4-cyl manual 4x4.

 

[ZMan]

Finding a shortbed 4.0 4x4 is a hard combo to find, I'm pretty sure they existed, all I can say is good luck!

 

[UrbanRedneckKid]

Just buy a long bed truck, and a short bed box.

Build one, we'll guide you.

 

[ridgerunner]

Just buy a long bed truck, and a short bed box.

Build one, we'll guide you.

It has crossed my mind to do that. To get the shorter wheelbase I assume I'd be cutting the frame a little and changing driveshafts etc? Or would I just move the rear springs and trim the rear frame?

 

[UrbanRedneckKid]

It has crossed my mind to do that. To get the shorter wheelbase I assume I'd be cutting the frame a little and changing driveshafts etc? Or would I just move the rear springs and trim the rear frame?

I'd move the springs and trim the rear.

I'm still contemplating turning mine into a shortbed. Although, I'd be moving the wheel wells, and keeping my current wheelbase.

 

[Captain Ledd]

Yes they did, and I own one.

1997 4.0L 4x4 single cab, short bed. Has all the factory skid plates ever offered as well. It's even a stick. Unfortunately it's not for sale, sorry. Picked it up for donor parts to my Red Rangers 4x4 swap since the frame is identical (only 4wd instead of 2wd). Engine blew a head gasket and by the time it was realized it had already cracked the head and done other damage.

*edit:

If I was swapping stuff I'd buy a 3.0L truck of the style/color your looking for and just do a 4.0L swap. Tons of info/resources on those and build threads. 4.0 swaps are VERY popular. Swapping and modifying frames to get what you want is a bit more involved. Swapping a factory offered engine is not only going to be cleaner it should nearly be plug and play if you keep things in order. Probably more cost effective by the time you're done too.

 

[UrbanRedneckKid]

If I was swapping stuff I'd buy a 3.0L truck of the style/color your looking for and just do a 4.0L swap. Tons of info/resources on those and build threads. 4.0 swaps are VERY popular. Swapping and modifying frames to get what you want is a bit more involved. Swapping a factory offered engine is not only going to be cleaner it should nearly be plug and play if you keep things in order. Probably more cost effective by the time you're done too.

On 2nd thought, if I was starting from scratch. I like this idea more.

Even though it requires swapping everything from the radiator to the transmission.

 

[Captain Ledd]

On 2nd thought, if I was starting from scratch. I like this idea more.

Even though it requires swapping everything from the radiator to the transmission.

Still fairly easy, it'll all bolt back together.

Engine swaps are usually pretty salvageable as well, worst case scenario, put the old one back in. All you can grumble about is time lost. And with factory engines all the real hard/complicated stuff of getting to fit and work right is already done, by a team of professional engineers.

Start chopping up frame sections and drilling holes in things and you're pretty much stuck seeing the project through or getting rid of the whole thing because of mistakes that are irreparable.

 

[EMB1230]

I hear ext cab 4-cyl 5 speeds are really hard to find as well.

 

[ridgerunner]

The only short beds I've found are 4 cyl and 2WD so engine swaps are the least of my worries. Gotta be one out there for me....

 

[UrbanRedneckKid]

The only short beds I've found are 4 cyl and 2WD so engine swaps are the least of my worries. Gotta be one out there for me....

Keep looking, or lower your standards.

I know they are out there, one of my customers has a 94 RC/LB, 4.0, 5spd, manual 4x4.
I love that truck, he dropped it off this winter the night before a 10" snow storm, for a miss and rattle in the front.
After a tune-up and front wheel-joints, my boss had me shuffling customers around town, so the other guys could keep busy.

Reminds me of when mine was stock, I was reminiscing all day. The turning radius is way way better than mine though. It ain't much, but its definitely noticeable to me, the longbed driver.

 

[ridgerunner]

Yeah, gotta keep looking. An engine swap is Ok but I still want the larger axles etc. that comes with the 4.0. If I bought a 3.slow I'd have to swap out the axles too. Anyone want to post up some pics of their short bed just to make me drool please do so.