Project Trail Authority (Official Build Thread)

[Viva*the*Ranger]

Well I got my gears in yesterday!

I'm having some issues getting things right though. I posted a thread in the Ranger axle section. If anyone has any input, I would greatly appreciate it!

Here's a link: http://therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=104719

 

[Viva*the*Ranger]

Got the gears done last night With a little help from Todd here on TRS, things went very smoothly. Tonight I'm going to drill out a drain hole on the bottom (3/8 NPT) and bolt her back up to the beam, and this weekend.......................................................IT'S LIFT TIME

I'm still having a hard time finding a good 8.8 that's in my budget. Most people around here are asking $350-450 for one with LS, and disc. The funny part is; when I didn't have the funds, they were all over CL for around $200..... At one point I found one for $150!! what happened Luck of the Irish I guess...

The good news is, I have the gears for it when I do find a deal, and I don't have any wheeling trips planned for the next few months anyway.

 

[88_Eddie]

looks good man, nice work!

i wish you were closer to me, i'd have you help me with mine. i'm gonna be asking you a ton of questions btw, lol

i must've missed it, is that a locker or l/s in there? i'm thinking i'm gonna run my d35 open until i can afford either an electric or ARB locker


your workbench and my work bench are the same color too lol

 

[Viva*the*Ranger]

Thanks Eddie! I can't believe how good it went, for being my first time. Feel free to fire away with what ever questions you come up with. I'd be happy to help where I can.

Yeah, it's a Detroit locker. I got a great deal on it (helped a friend swap out his D35, and some other stuff) basically for about 8 hours labor, doing what I love. Some people are saying I'm not going to like having the front locked full time, but I really like the idea. I'm going to run LS in the 8.8 till I can find another good deal on some kind of a locker. I think the combo should make for a pretty unstoppable rig.

As to the work bench.... That's exactly the color it should be The color of progress! Ha ha

 

[88_Eddie]

Thanks Eddie! I can't believe how good it went, for being my first time. Feel free to fire away with what ever questions you come up with. I'd be happy to help where I can.

Yeah, it's a Detroit locker. I got a great deal on it (helped a friend swap out his D35, and some other stuff) basically for about 8 hours labor, doing what I love. Some people are saying I'm not going to like having the front locked full time, but I really like the idea. I'm going to run LS in the 8.8 till I can find another good deal on some kind of a locker. I think the combo should make for a pretty unstoppable rig.

As to the work bench.... That's exactly the color it should be The color of progress! Ha ha

the pattern on the ring gear looks great for a first time install. (from all the articles i've read)

i've heard the same thing about having the front locked full time, that's why i think i wanna run a selectable. but who knows, this isnt my DD, i may just go with a lunchbox.....but i def want in locked F&R


i'm about to build a new workbench this weekend at the new place the wife and i moved into. cant wait to dirty it up


are you planning on doing a c-clip elim on the 35? i'd do it while you have it apart, i got my spring for $2.xx at a outdoor equipment supplier here in raleigh

 

[Viva*the*Ranger]

Thanks bud. I'm happy with the pattern for sure. Congrats on the new place!! That's always fun to get a new garage! Ha ha

Yes, I'm definitely doing the C-clip elim. What sized spring did you use? I've seen some people use 1-1/2" ID, and others use 1-1/4 ID. I'm going to pick one up in a few hours actually, so it would be nice to know what worked for you.

Thanks

-Denny

 

[88_Eddie]

not sure of the size, i used this article. from what i've read, this one is the best mod. the other elim goes inside of the 35 pig and some people have had them fail

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/c-clip_eliminator_external.html

i will tell you, it was a bitch gettin it over the splines

 

[Viva*the*Ranger]

Word! Thanks Brother. Much appreciated

 

[Viva*the*Ranger]

Lift is done!

Well the lift is in, and I picked up my 8.8 Here are some pics:

The drain plug hole, drilled, and tapped:

The D35 all put back together:

The 8.8:

It's not disc, or LS, but I only paid $75 for it, so I can't complain. This saturday, I'm going to hit the junk yard and pick up a LS, and F250 brake lines for the front.

Out with the old:

My girlfriend helping me out. She really kicked ass! I'm a super lucky guy Not to mention, she looked super hot in the Carhartts and boots

In with the new:

All I have left to do is: Shorten the drive shaft, alignment, extend the brake lines, and get tires. I got the back done last night, but it was too dark to take pics.... and there is nothing really impressive about blocks anyway, so no point in posting pics. Ha ha. I also decided not to put the 2" spacers in it. It's unnecessary lift in my opinion. I don't need my COG to be that high, and I plan on trimming the fenders anyway. It probably saved me some alignment hell as well.

I figure within the next two or three weeks, it should be pretty much ready to go hit some trails.

 

[88_Eddie]

nice work viva! she's lookin good with that lift and 35 in there. makes me wanna get mine in there.

that's awesome you got the old lady out there with you. my wife would NEVER do that.



oh, and what degree camber bushings did you use? i'm thinking of going with 3*, but i only have a 4" lift going in

 

[Viva*the*Ranger]

thanks Eddie. Yeah, she's pretty amazing. I have no idea how I got so lucky with her. The cool part is, she actually helped! Most people say they'll help, then mill around, text, and drink your beer. She easily cut two or so hours out of my day. It was her first time doing any work on a vehicle too!

I got 3* bushings. I kinda scored though...they came with the D35. If you're running 4" of lift, you probably don't need that much, but you may want to get them in case you want to add spacers, or swap out for a 6" down the road. If you want my spacers, I'll give you first dibs, and for super cheap.

 

[88_Eddie]

thanks Eddie. Yeah, she's pretty amazing. I have no idea how I got so lucky with her. The cool part is, she actually helped! Most people say they'll help, then mill around, text, and drink your beer. She easily cut two or so hours out of my day. It was her first time doing any work on a vehicle too!

I got 3* bushings. I kinda scored though...they came with the D35. If you're running 4" of lift, you probably don't need that much, but you may want to get them in case you want to add spacers, or swap out for a 6" down the road. If you want my spacers, I'll give you first dibs, and for super cheap.

my wife HATES to get dirty, so i dont even bother asking her for help. she does drive me to the hospital when i hurt myself tho, lol.

kyle m. gave me 3 or 4 sets of different degree bushings a while back, i'll just see what works best.

i dont know if i'll need spacers. i have 4" coils for the front and exploder springs and a 2" shackle for the back. i want it to sit level, but i'm thinking the back will only get 2.5"-3.5" of lift.....i'll keep them in mind tho, thanks

 

[Viva*the*Ranger]

You bet man. When are you gona get going on the lift? Get started on the diff armor yet?

 

[88_Eddie]

i wanna swap in at least the d35 when i put the lift in, since everything will already be apart. i just need to install the upper ball joints in the knuckles and do my diff protector and that'll be ready to go in.

problem is, my bronco is still over at our old house, i need to get it over to the new house, then i need to build my workbench so i can find all the tools i might need. i'm gonna try to get it done this weekend

 

[SAY789]

Awesome looking truck man I wish I still had my 88. There ain't nothing like throwing a lift on, such a cool feeling ya I'd def get the adjustable 3* bushings cause you know ur gona want to go bigger lol