RangerJoey
Member
- Joined
- Apr 29, 2017
- Messages
- 96
- Reaction score
- 7
- Points
- 8
- Location
- BMore
- Vehicle Year
- 1999
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Engine Size
- 4.0L V6
- Transmission
- Automatic
- My credo
- Teen Wolf for President!
Hello,
I'm getting prepared for a full front suspension overhaul and in the process, converting from a locking hub system to a front live axle. I've read this article in the tech section but still have some questions.
First, I've picked up new upper control arms, lower control arms, inner tie rods (with new boots), outer tie rods, struts, end links, and strut bar bushings. I got some grease and an inner tie rod tool, (from Harbor Freight). Now I'm looking to the specific components needed for the axle swap. The article said from a '95-'01 Explorer, but was that written before the Rangers switched? I'm basically trying to see what OEM part numbers I'll need. I know I need a left & right front axle shafts new axle nutes, and wheel hubs. The axles don't intimidate me, but I've never done a hub before. Is there any special tool I need to get these things off the knuckle and press the new hubs in? It looks like it's just 2 bolts and some prying. I just don't want to oversimplify.
And finally, the torsion bars. I wasn't going to do any big coil swap and I've picked up the struts, but how do I remove these? The jaw tool is crazy expensive and I've read horror tails about the more generic jaw pullers. What's the "bottle" method or something?
Thanks for any advice in advance - and please feel free to talk down to me. I've never done this before and want to make sure I'm getting as much info as possible!
I'm getting prepared for a full front suspension overhaul and in the process, converting from a locking hub system to a front live axle. I've read this article in the tech section but still have some questions.
First, I've picked up new upper control arms, lower control arms, inner tie rods (with new boots), outer tie rods, struts, end links, and strut bar bushings. I got some grease and an inner tie rod tool, (from Harbor Freight). Now I'm looking to the specific components needed for the axle swap. The article said from a '95-'01 Explorer, but was that written before the Rangers switched? I'm basically trying to see what OEM part numbers I'll need. I know I need a left & right front axle shafts new axle nutes, and wheel hubs. The axles don't intimidate me, but I've never done a hub before. Is there any special tool I need to get these things off the knuckle and press the new hubs in? It looks like it's just 2 bolts and some prying. I just don't want to oversimplify.
And finally, the torsion bars. I wasn't going to do any big coil swap and I've picked up the struts, but how do I remove these? The jaw tool is crazy expensive and I've read horror tails about the more generic jaw pullers. What's the "bottle" method or something?
Thanks for any advice in advance - and please feel free to talk down to me. I've never done this before and want to make sure I'm getting as much info as possible!