‘94 4x4 Swap/Build

[DRanger024]

There is a Hurst shifter for the m5od-r1 that has a longer lever arm below the pivot. Makes for quicker shifting. I put one in my low buck race truck.

I had a hurst shifter in my ‘02. Quite frankly, I hated it. The throw was nice but the notchy shifting was kind of a bugger in traffic. Not to mention the slave in that truck needed to be shimmed so it amplified the extra effort needed to shift.

 

[DRanger024]

I pulled the truck in the garage Friday morning and pulled the trans. I had bought a bearing and seal kit for the transfer case and the trans itself. Fluid looked excellent in the T-case but I had some weeping on the input and rear output seals. Took care of that and tore into the transmission. Found the rear main shaft bearing race had spun and wore a groove 0.025” deep in the retainer so I had anywhere from 0.027-0.031” of end play. Spec is 0.002-0.006”.
I have a steel bearing retainer on the way and a shim kit to fix the end play. Plan is the have the smallest amount of preload on the bearings as possible. I think the trans is taking a beating with the 33’s and 3.73 gears. Should have it all back together next weekend.

 

[DRanger024]

Trans is done and ready to go back in. I failed to take many pics but there’s not much to see. I’ll post some comparison pics of the bearing retainers when the first one I ordered shows up .
All in all pretty disappointed with Allstate Gear. I ordered a bearing and seal kit from them the last time I had the trans apart. I got everything I ordered with the kit and was very satisfied. This time I ordered the same kit plus synchros as the 3rd gear synchro was trashed. Well, the input bearing was missing and they wouldn’t replace it even though they have it in stock. They sent me a bearing retainer for an M5R2 (ordered this separately) and agreed to send the correct retainer but never sent any emails or info in regards to when, the box the bearings and synchros came in was cut open (probably related to the missing bearing) and everything was just kind of rolling around in there. I still managed to get the trans done but I had to make a few separate orders to do so.

Truck drives great. Even after I got everything together and the clutch master cylinder decided the push rod didn’t want to party anymore. Had to scramble to find a master cylinder quick, get it bled and stick it in. Surprising enough, I didn’t have any left over hardware when I was done

Now I can get back to the things I was trying to get done before all of this.

 

[Lefty]

This was shortly after I bought it. It was completely stock and came with all the original paperwork and every single receipt since it was new.

Fast forward 13 years and this was basically how I got it back. I had lowered it a couple times at one point and the front end was shot/.

This was the '97 B4000 donor truck I traded my clapped out Dodge 1500 for. It had no title and the body was trashed but the motor and trans both worked like they were new.

Stripped right down to the cab and engine cross member out

4.0 in my Ranger after new gaskets and converting it to '93 engine management.

And the Almost finished product.

Future plans are to get the front end up another couple inches and Run 33's. It would be a plenty capable truck for the two tracks and little bit of hunting it will see


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Looking good

 

[DRanger024]

Not much new with the truck. Core support finally gave up the ghost. Not sure if I want to build one or buy a replacement.

I did pick up another 4.0 for it. At 285,000, the engine in the truck now is showing its miles. Visibly burning oil and the valve train clatters pretty bad when it’s cold.

Just under 150,000 on this one.

I picked up an old Meyer ST 7.5 snow plow for it as well.

The plow was rough but for $100, I can work with it.

Proceeded to cut the mold board off and narrow the blade to 6.5 feet wide.

The outer most ribs were rotted through and pretty thin overall so I had some new pieces cut from 5/16” plate.

While I was waiting on some 13ga. cold rolled to come in for the new mold board, I got started on the truck side mount. Had to cut out the goofy crossmember in front because I wanted to use pre existing frame holes.

When I started measuring everything, I noticed the front of the truck looks like it’s leaning to one side even though the frame measurements indicate it leans the opposite direction exactly one inch (Ranger lean). That’s when I realized my core support is roached.

Rubber body mounts are finally shot also.

Anyways, got the plow mount done.

It’s a little too high but I’m not willing to let it hang way down. I’m going to modify the push frame to compensate. I need to make up approximately 6 inches to get the plow close to where it needs to be.

More on that later. It’s next on the list.

Rebuilt the pump in the meantime as well. Had to re-solder the wires back on a couple coils but everything functions. New decals even.

 

[DRanger024]

Plow blade is painted.

 

[DRanger024]

Made some progress on the plow setup. I think I’m roughly 30 hours in with lots of distractions. Probably burned up a 5lb box of 7014.

Decided to almost completely rebuild the push frame. It was bent the hard way and all attempts to straighten it out failed.

About half way done. I went to 2” .187 wall square tube in place of the 3”x3”x.375 angle that was there. It should be stronger and lighter.

Chain broke off at one point so I cut the welded hook (bar)? off and welded tabs on.

Don’t ding me too hard on some of my welds. This project was mostly to teach myself a little more about stick welding. Mistakes have been made and lessons have been learned.

 

[DRanger024]

Still have some gusseting to do on the push frame but there it is.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I would probably even enjoy some snow removal duty if I had that.

Nice job!

 

[DRanger024]

I would probably even enjoy some snow removal duty if I had that.

Nice job!

Thanks. Snow removal can be brutal here with the wind across the field. I’ve slowly graduated from a snow blower to a 2wd ATV with a plow then a 4wd ATV with a plow and now the Ranger will take over. Looking forward to a heated cab and a cup holder for my coffee

 

[Uncle Gump]

Power angle would be pretty nice...

But something cool about it.

I'd like to find a small SnoWay... would be pretty sweet on the Bronco II for keeping the driveway open.

 

[DRanger024]

Power angle would be pretty nice...

But something cool about it.

I'd like to find a small SnoWay... would be pretty sweet on the Bronco II for keeping the driveway open.

It will have power angle. I need to order new rams yet and move the brackets. The rams that came with the plow were pitted so bad, they would never hold oil.

The biggest struggle is no one makes a mount for these trucks anymore. I’m sure you could call and custom order one.

 

[bobbywalter]

with the solid axle....it may not unload too bad. may want to double the frame stack on the blade... so the working angle wont just climb and unload.


bit it turned out great.

 

[DRanger024]

with the solid axle....it may not unload too bad. may want to double the frame stack on the blade... so the working angle wont just climb and unload.


bit it turned out great.

Thanks. I’m hoping it doesn’t want to drive over the plow too bad. I know the push frame is pretty hokey looking. I already have some plans rolling around in my head to drop the truck side bracket a few more inches. It shouldn’t change my approach angle at all. Front end squats exactly one inch with the full weight of the plow hanging on it.

 

[DRanger024]

Got the truck and camper ready for a 4 day adventure across most of the UP with my wife.


…and chickened out on taking it.

So the F150 was called to duty.

I have total faith in the old Ranger but she’s just not up to par to tow the pop up and haul a bed full of gear that far. The 3.73 gears and 33’s are solely to blame and I’m kicking myself for not doing things right when I build the D30. It’s only saving grace at this point is the hybrid M5OD.

Back to the snow plow soon. I have most of the hydraulics but waiting on angling cylinders. Still need to make a wiring harness for the controls.