Finally!

[ridgerunner]

This little beauty followed me home yesterday...it's now official, I'm a Ranger owner!

Its a 1994 with 68,000 miles. It still has all the undercoating on the frame from the factory, super, super, sweet!
Few minor issues, the 4wd doesn't work (has the auto hubs and push button 4X4) probly just the little motor on the transfer case.
The gears are only 3:27...Gotta regear, no getting around it. Thinking 4:88 with 33" tires. Other than that very happy! Oh yeah,
4.0 manual too.

 

[ZMan]

Congratulations! How far did you have to travel for it?

 

[wildbill23c]

Is it just me or do the new dodge rams just look ugly? That Ranger looks great.

Either the 4x4 shift motor, the switches, or could also be the hubs are bad as well. On rare occasions the 4WD module will fail, but that's pretty rare.

 

[JoshT]

Congratz on the purchase, now you can get rid of that ugly thing in front of it.

 

[Haywire6000]

Mine is a spitting image of that, minus the door trim. Mine has the 2.3l, 4x4,5 speed with manual hubs. Which i found out is a vary rare combo.

 

[ridgerunner]

Congratz on the purchase, now you can get rid of that ugly thing in front of it.

Hey now! They play well together, big brother and little brother.

 

[ridgerunner]

Congratulations! How far did you have to travel for it?

It was in New Castle, PA 5 hrs one way, 5 hrs back, not bad. I'll tell ya this has got to be the cleanest most rust free truck in the North East. Been stored every winter...I got friggin' lucky.

 

[ridgerunner]

Is it just me or do the new dodge rams just look ugly? That Ranger looks great.

It grows on ya...

Either the 4x4 shift motor, the switches, or could also be the hubs are bad as well. On rare occasions the 4WD module will fail, but that's pretty rare.

Any idea the cost of switching out all the auto chit and putting in manual hubs, etc.?

 

[ridgerunner]

I think it's a 8.8" am I right? The liquid on it is WD40...trying to clean off the axle tag.

Any bets on if this front axle was ever worked on? Is the red RTV sealant factory?

 

[upnsmoke]

Looks like an 8.8 to me. Nice find. I have been eyeing 4wds from that Gen myself. I don't have the money just yet, but when I do, I would love to find one near that nice.

 

[doorgunner]

That's apurdy little truck...........................

 

[wildbill23c]

Any idea the cost of switching out all the auto chit and putting in manual hubs, etc.?

I'm not sure, I know the manual hub kit through LMC is about $300 plus the conversion kit is $100. Its pretty expensive, but well worth it IMO. I hate relying on electronics in a vehicle in the middle of no where. Plus you have to get the manual shift transfer case as well, or you can install the manual hubs and a shiftster kit which to me is a PITA because in order to engage/disengage the 4WD you have to crawl under your truck and turn a knob on the transfer case.

I'd go to a salvage yard and get the parts personally.

I have had my 84 Bronco 2 since November, so far I've had 2 people ask me what the knobs were in the front hubs on my Bronco 2. After the whole seriously you have no clue what manual lock-in hubs are, I have to explain that's how pretty much all 4WD systems used to be, get out of your vehicle turn in the hubs, then get back in and pull a lever, no pushing buttons or turning knobs while moving.

I haven't messed around with the electric shift 4WD systems enough to know how they work completely all I know is when something goes wrong its expensive and sometimes hard to diagnose.

 

[Captain Ledd]

The manual stuff varies. Junkyard is your best bet, the lockouts and the spindle nuts are what you're going to need, pretty sure the rest of the wheel assembly is the same.

As for the RTV it looks to be the exact same shade and color of several diffs that I've taken apart, so my guess is that it's never been into.

That's really sweet to see your patience rewarded!

 

[Surrey]

I think it's a 8.8" am I right? The liquid on it is WD40...trying to clean off the axle tag.

That thar be an 8.8.

The 7.5 cover is more rounded, and the part that sticks out for ring gear clearance is more to one side on it.

Also, all 4.0s came with the 8.8 so unless the previous owner changed the axle out, it'll have an 8.8

 

[Surrey]

I'm not sure, I know the manual hub kit through LMC is about $300 plus the conversion kit is $100. Its pretty expensive, but well worth it IMO.

I believe you can get MileMarker hubs from the TRS store for $125 each, and the lockout conversion kits for under $10 each.

http://www.jamesoaksenterprises.com/products/milemarker_ranger_hubs.htm
http://www.jamesoaksenterprises.com/products/spicer.htm

So thats under $300 for brand new relacement parts for manual hubs.