Almost got rid of my ranger

[bilzy7]

I went to a lot and almost got rid of my 1999 ranger for a 1999 f150 xlt 4x4. But it had such bad excessive rot along frame and all the front suspension pieces were rusted to he'll. Ohh ya it drove smooth with a 5.4 in it but... F that. I lookedat my truck and it side by side. Wow my truck looked so much better with 265/75/16's on. So... 3500 I got to spend. Fun time begins. Wish it didn't have 205k miles. Time to do some spending.

 

[strvger]

what are the things on your "buy list" for it? that kind of money can go a long way by shopping here on trs, craig's list, etc. and even a longer way if you're able to do much of the work yourself. good luck and have fun for sure!!

 

[bilzy7]

what are the things on your "buy list" for it? that kind of money can go a long way by shopping here on trs, craig's list, etc. and even a longer way if you're able to do much of the work yourself. good luck and have fun for sure!!

My wife just embarrassed the he'll atta me haha. I went to put my new silicone PIAA wiper blades I got from 4wheelparts, after a half hour she grabs them and pops em right on... I'm like, I F*cken hate you haha.
But my to buy list... Idk if I should get a new engine or what. If I stick with this one I need a new coil pack... And fuel filter. Hopefully that will take away any bogging on highway. I just got a new exhaust I could get new for sound but I don't care for it. Maybe a 4 inch lift. I was so mad after getting this when I found out 4 inch lift for a 1998 is 500 and for 1999 it's 1500. I might just get a body lift. But I'm not really mechanically inclined. I do communications stuff. It plugs in I fix it... If it takes fuel I walk away hehe. But I do new some new shocks.

 

[strvger]

body lifts are relatively easy. a couple of buddies (or just your wife perhaps, lol) and one day should do it. nice thing about the bl is it doesn't change the ride or handling at all. also, there will be no need for an alignment or other suspension upgrades. you may need the steering extension and shifter extension if it's a manual. and you can always upgrade the body bushings at the same time if they look bad or the ride is somewhat stiff. the only other mod will probably having to move the brake line brackets a few inches.
as for shocks, if you have the money and want the best bang for your buck, go with the Bilsteins. search here on trs and you'll see they get the best recommendations for daily driver activities.
with the bl, you'll find everything under your truck much easier to see and work on with the added height.
if your current engine is running pretty good and your mileage is decent, i'd just go with it and keep up the maintenance on it. might be wise to put some of that cash away for a "just in case" situation, but sounds like you'll be fine for quite a while.
good luck with your build for sure!

 

[RangerMtnHigh]

good thing that f150 was lousy cause the 1999 f150 is the ugliest truck ever made

 

[adsm08]

It plugs in I fix it... If it takes fuel I walk away hehe.

So where do you stand on generators?

Also, if I had 3500 to drop on my truck with 205K, crate engine.

 

[bilzy7]

So where do you stand on generators?

Also, if I had 3500 to drop on my truck with 205K, crate engine.

Generators? I meant like radios/computers. I don't do power equipment besides runnin a power cable to battery terminal. I just try to sound special, it helps me wake up in the morning. Lol. Hmmm I'll have to search up on that crate engine idea... Thought they were expensive... And I don't know a trust worthy shop around me for the install. I'd like more power but, idk if I need 300+ horsies...

 

[4.0B2]

302 swap?
axle swaps? real front axle? d44? lol
$3500 can set up a nice suspension system....

 

[bilzy7]

good thing that f150 was lousy cause the 1999 f150 is the ugliest truck ever made

Yes it was... It was in great shape till I seen subframe... It looked like a piece of the titanic floated ashore and they just welded it on. Well my favorite era of f150 is the 2001-03 models. Or a new raptor... But I'm about 42k short of gettin that. I just want a nice smooth ride...

 

[02RangerXLT]

4BT Cummins Swap...!

 

[4.0B2]

I just want a nice smooth ride...

does this mean we shall see a prerunner build??

 

[7.5L_STX]

if i had that money to spend on a truck with tthat much mileage and didnt want a v-8 i would rebuild the entire engine. go through the trans, Body lift, 33's on some nice black rims, true dual exhaust w/headers, and some nice custom bumpers front and rear. and maybe 8.8 w/ discs swap and a re-gear.


now i wish i could spend money on my truck haha

 

[bilzy7]

Hey I was looking at the nice armor front bumpers on 4wheelparts for jeeps. Can't I just get it modified and mounted for my truck? Then I could put some lights on it Yo use as fogs. That's one thing I'd like to do.

 

[bilzy7]

Ya my plan so far is body lift, I'm happy runnin 265/75/16 on my stock rims so that's fine, maybe diff rims or paint these/refinish. Am... I mean I've found online from a real remanufacturer my same engine with a 3 yr unlimited mile warranty for around 1200. Wiring harness they sell for 125, I know mines old so prob good to replace. Ammm... Idk if I should buy remanufacturer tranny or rebuild. I love the crate engine idea, I just want my 4x4 to still engage, I could always find a used rear and front axle from a v8 explorer maybe get that engine tinkled on. I'm just tryin to stay within my 3500 budget maybe only do 3k

 

[ozziemo27]

Maybe a 4 inch lift. I was so mad after getting this when I found out 4 inch lift for a 1998 is 500 and for 1999 it's 1500.

I think you need to do a little more research and to determine whether you are looking at 2wd lifts or 4wd lifts. 98 and 99 have the same suspension in 4wds.