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1993 Splash in SC


ericbphoto

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Location
Wellford, SC
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Engine Size
3.0L
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6"
Tire Size
35"
My credo
In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are different.
Cut away the passenger side of the bumper that got bent. Now I can start mocking up how I want the new bumper to look. I need to order something big to get some good cardboard for CAD work. (Cardboard Aided Design)

20230102_103818.jpg


20230102_103827.jpg


20230102_105935.jpg


20230102_105945.jpg


20230102_113443.jpg
 


sgtsandman

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Aliquippa, PA
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Ranger XLT/FX4
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Pre-2008 lift/Stock
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31X10.5R15/265/65R17
Your lights are a little out of adjustment.
 

85_Ranger4x4

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ericbphoto

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Wellford, SC
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Engine Size
3.0L
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6"
Tire Size
35"
My credo
In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are different.
Your lights are a little out of adjustment.
You are correct. The passenger side headlight makes a nice bright spot on the road about 10feet in front of the truck.
 

Robertmangrum.rm

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Location
Tennessee
Vehicle Year
2020
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
2.3 EcoBoost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
2.5 level kit with rear add a leaf appox. 1.5
Tire Size
305/70r17
My credo
Buy it, build it, and drive it like you stole it
You are correct. The passenger side headlight makes a nice bright spot on the road about 10feet in front of the truck.
Mr. Eric,
My son Zane was talking last night how muchbfun he had on the Traverse last year. He asked if you were planning another trip. I said I'd find out. I'd like to be able to complete the whole thing this year so will need to schedule some time off. Thinking maybe this spring so it might no be so dusty. You interested? Wouldn't mind having a little time to explore some of the hikes and stuff as well.
 

ericbphoto

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Location
Wellford, SC
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Engine Size
3.0L
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6"
Tire Size
35"
My credo
In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are different.
Mr. Eric,
My son Zane was talking last night how muchbfun he had on the Traverse last year. He asked if you were planning another trip. I said I'd find out. I'd like to be able to complete the whole thing this year so will need to schedule some time off. Thinking maybe this spring so it might no be so dusty. You interested? Wouldn't mind having a little time to explore some of the hikes and stuff as well.
I’m trying to flesh out some events. Probably doing a weekend trip with Project Overlander in April. Cades Cove will probably be early, either late March, if Ranger is ready, or soon after the April trip. There’s more coming. I expect to upload a Curious Hound “Words from the Pack Leader” video tonight.
 

Robertmangrum.rm

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Location
Tennessee
Vehicle Year
2020
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
2.3 EcoBoost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
2.5 level kit with rear add a leaf appox. 1.5
Tire Size
305/70r17
My credo
Buy it, build it, and drive it like you stole it
I’m trying to flesh out some events. Probably doing a weekend trip with Project Overlander in April. Cades Cove will probably be early, either late March, if Ranger is ready, or soon after the April trip. There’s more coming. I expect to upload a Curious Hound “Words from the Pack Leader” video tonight.
I'd need sliders before I'd be ready for Cades Cove haha. But I'll be watching for events. He's been wanting to do some more overlanding type rides. He's been riding on all my trips since that Traverse trip and said that he wished there was more camping instead of just day trips.
 

ericbphoto

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Wellford, SC
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Engine Size
3.0L
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6"
Tire Size
35"
My credo
In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are different.
I didn’t realize there was anything that rough at Cades Cove. I’ll have to check some more videos
 

Robertmangrum.rm

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Tennessee
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2020
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
2.3 EcoBoost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
2.5 level kit with rear add a leaf appox. 1.5
Tire Size
305/70r17
My credo
Buy it, build it, and drive it like you stole it
I didn’t realize there was anything that rough at Cades Cove. I’ll have to check some more videos
Sorry you said Cades Cove. I was thinking Copperingers Cove. Cades Coves is a paved loop in th Smokey Mountains. Beautiful area. Not much wheeling but if you exit through Parsons Branch. You will come out on the tail of the dragon. Would be an epic ride on the 2 wheeler haha
 

ericbphoto

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Location
Wellford, SC
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Engine Size
3.0L
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6"
Tire Size
35"
My credo
In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are different.
Sorry you said Cades Cove. I was thinking Copperingers Cove. Cades Coves is a paved loop in th Smokey Mountains. Beautiful area. Not much wheeling but if you exit through Parsons Branch. You will come out on the tail of the dragon. Would be an epic ride on the 2 wheeler haha
Parsons Branch and TOD are the primary goals on that trip. Might be some other dirt roads to explore. There is also another paved road with better views that is a companion to TOD. Makes a nice big loop, almost.
 

ericbphoto

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Wellford, SC
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1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Engine Size
3.0L
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6"
Tire Size
35"
My credo
In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are different.
A while back, I mentioned that my tie rod ends are wearing out. But they are not replaceable from Superlift, who made my Superrunner steering setup. Some of the joints are welded to the tie rods and cross arm. So, I am re-engineering it completely with replaceable parts. This setup will use GM 1-ton tie rod ends and a pair of offset heim joints in the middle. The cross arm and tie rods will be 1.5" / 1/4" wall DOM tubing. When it's finished and I have all the dimensions finalized, I'll make the drawings available publicly. (maybe for a small fee to compensate for my time and testing). I'm almost at the point where I need to buy some parts and materials. I don't have actual dimensions of the tie rod ends and Heim joints yet. There are 2 more pieces I need to measure and draw for the complete setup. Preview below.

Ranger Steering prelim..jpg
 
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ericbphoto

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Wellford, SC
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Engine Size
3.0L
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6"
Tire Size
35"
My credo
In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are different.
Got the whole assembly drawn up. Will fine tune dimensions when I actually build it. I'm currently separating the parts out into individual dimensioned drawings now. I've made a bill of materials and a shopping list for Barnes 4x4, to the tune of about $345 before taxes. That doesn't include a handful of nuts and bolts and miscellaneous pieces. I don't remember what the Superlift kit cost when I bought it. It was less. This will be beefier with replacement parts that are easier to find.

Edit; Talked to a friend about the heavy duty steering kit he put on his 2022 Jeep. It cost well over 700 dollars. So I guess this isn't too bad. If I was going to sell this as a kit, I would have to price it at least around $750 to account for construction labor.
 
Last edited:

ericbphoto

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Wellford, SC
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Engine Size
3.0L
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6"
Tire Size
35"
My credo
In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are different.
Well, that's interesting. I installed my new spring spacers today. I think they're the right height. I'll do the alignment this weekend, hopefully. But the camber looks decent by eye now.

But, while I was fiddling around with that, I started looking to see what's loose in my steering g system. It appears that the bronze bushings I used to replace the worn/broken poly bushings in the pivot arm are already worn. There is significant play in the pivot arm.

So, I am considering a redesign of the redesign already in progress. I am thinking about changing the bottom of the pivot arm so it will receive a GM 1 ton tie rod end. And modify the cross arm so it has tie rod ends on both ends.

Or...

I wonder how much it would cost to do a SAS. A Dana 44 from a brand new Jeep would be pretty nice. Electric locker. I wonder what gear ratio they come with.
 

ericbphoto

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Wellford, SC
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Engine Size
3.0L
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6"
Tire Size
35"
My credo
In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are different.
Wow. There is so much Ranger stuff tumbling around in my brain these days. I adjusted the toe this morning and called the alignment good until I drive it some. As I said, the camber looks pretty good right now.

The steering linkage parts are still evolving, though I think I have that ironed out in my head and mostly committed to CAD drawings.

Still don't know what I want the bumper to look like. But since I have to do something about headlights and the structure they mount to, I think I'm going to flesh out the new grill/headlight area. Then I can maybe try to match the bumper to that. If it's going to be a mess, at least it will be a consistent and uniform mess. Anyway. I have 7" round headlights and adjustable brackets on order as well as some cool turn signals and side marker lights. My fog lights will probably move up into that area also instead of being mounted down on the bumper, unless I hide them in cutouts in the bumper. I think I want to keep them higher and more protected from abuse, though.

The KC headlights
Screenshot_20230210_211551_Chrome.jpg


The turn signals
Screenshot_20230210_211752_Chrome.jpg
 

Attachments

Blmpkn

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2.3
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2.5"
Tire Size
285/75/18
My credo
Its probably better to be self deprecating than self defecating.
You say your gonna use the KC's as headlights? Are you getting rid of the stock ones?
 

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