• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

2 Wheel Drive to 4 Wheel Drive Conversion 1987 EXT Cab to 1987 Extend Cab Manufactured in Minnesota


creases1

New Member
Joined
May 22, 2019
Messages
8
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Location
Springfield IL
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford Ranger STX
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
Factory Lift for STX
Does anyone know, if you can convert, a 2wd Ranger Extended Cab to a 4wd Ranger Extended Cab with a 4 wd donor of the same year ? In this case it is a 1987 Ford Ranger XLT in excellent condition. The donor is the 1987 Ext Cab I have sitting in the garage literally rusting apart. I was hoping that it would just be swapping components between frames like the front components and a couple of parts off the rear end like the Blocks on the springs, the sway bar etc.
Any feedback would be appreciated, I really feel like I could make an excellent truck if it is worth the effort. Thanks
 


bobbywalter

TRS Technical Staff
TRS Event Staff
V8 Engine Swap
TRS Technical Advisor
TRS Banner 2012-2015
TRS 20th Anniversary
Ugly Truck of Month
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 9, 2007
Messages
23,470
Reaction score
4,667
Points
113
Location
woodhaven mi
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
FORD mostly
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
BIGGER
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
sawzall?
Tire Size
33-44
My credo
it is easier to fix and understand than "her"
You should just give all of that crap to me and buy a new truck.
 

Dirtman

Former Middleweight Moss Fighting Champion
Joined
May 28, 2018
Messages
19,304
Reaction score
13,326
Points
113
Location
41N 75W
Vehicle Year
2009
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Lift
It's up there.
Total Drop
It's down there.
Tire Size
Round.
My credo
I poop in the furnace.
If you have both trucks, wouldn't it be simpler to just fix up the one that's already 4x4?
 

creases1

New Member
Joined
May 22, 2019
Messages
8
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Location
Springfield IL
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford Ranger STX
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
Factory Lift for STX
If you have both trucks, wouldn't it be simpler to just fix up the one that's already 4x4?
The 4x4 is the one in the garage that has a serious frame rust issue.

If you have both trucks, wouldn't it be simpler to just fix up the one that's already 4x4?
 

bobbywalter

TRS Technical Staff
TRS Event Staff
V8 Engine Swap
TRS Technical Advisor
TRS Banner 2012-2015
TRS 20th Anniversary
Ugly Truck of Month
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 9, 2007
Messages
23,470
Reaction score
4,667
Points
113
Location
woodhaven mi
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
FORD mostly
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
BIGGER
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
sawzall?
Tire Size
33-44
My credo
it is easier to fix and understand than "her"
And yes you can do it. In your case with info given I would do a body swap unless the chassis on the 4x4 is smoked.

If it is...then the k member and front axle needs swapped. Very involved but can be done. How is the 4x4 chassis?


On edit...see the response.

The k member swap is it for you.
 

alwaysFlOoReD

Forum Staff Member
TRS Forum Moderator
TRS Banner 2012-2015
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Apr 13, 2009
Messages
13,868
Reaction score
5,030
Points
113
Location
Calgary, Canada
Vehicle Year
'91, '80, '06
Make / Model
Ford, GMC,Dodge
Engine Size
4.0,4.0,5.7
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
AFAIK the front crossmember is both riveted and welded to the frame. The 2wd and the 4x4 crossmembers are not the same so need changing along with the axles.
 

bobbywalter

TRS Technical Staff
TRS Event Staff
V8 Engine Swap
TRS Technical Advisor
TRS Banner 2012-2015
TRS 20th Anniversary
Ugly Truck of Month
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 9, 2007
Messages
23,470
Reaction score
4,667
Points
113
Location
woodhaven mi
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
FORD mostly
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
BIGGER
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
sawzall?
Tire Size
33-44
My credo
it is easier to fix and understand than "her"
Search it here. I have done it in several ways. Usually drill a hole and use a body saw or sawzall to pop the upright welds from the k to the rail.
 

bobbywalter

TRS Technical Staff
TRS Event Staff
V8 Engine Swap
TRS Technical Advisor
TRS Banner 2012-2015
TRS 20th Anniversary
Ugly Truck of Month
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 9, 2007
Messages
23,470
Reaction score
4,667
Points
113
Location
woodhaven mi
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
FORD mostly
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
BIGGER
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
sawzall?
Tire Size
33-44
My credo
it is easier to fix and understand than "her"
Or a Dana 30. Or Dana 44....or 60. Or jk.........
 

creases1

New Member
Joined
May 22, 2019
Messages
8
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Location
Springfield IL
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford Ranger STX
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
Factory Lift for STX
And yes you can do it. In your case with info given I would do a body swap unless the chassis on the 4x4 is smoked.

If it is...then the k member and front axle needs swapped. Very involved but can be done. How is the 4x4 chassis?


On edit...see the response.

The k member swap is it for you.
The 4X4 is absolutely bad at the rear forward springcups on both sides but especially on the driver side. You can push a baseball thru the hole on the driver side. It is darn near severed in two. the rust has degraded the gauge o steel on the rear section of this truck.. It is smoked. I have a good amount of $$$ invested and really like these trucks. Now I have a 2WD Ext cab 1987 Ranger that was hoping to combine the best of both and have a decent 4X4 Ranger to drive.
 

creases1

New Member
Joined
May 22, 2019
Messages
8
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Location
Springfield IL
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford Ranger STX
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
Factory Lift for STX
I d
Search it here. I have done it in several ways. Usually drill a hole and use a body saw or sawzall to pop the upright welds from the k to the rail.
Do I have to pull the body off the frame to get the stuff I need ?
 

bobbywalter

TRS Technical Staff
TRS Event Staff
V8 Engine Swap
TRS Technical Advisor
TRS Banner 2012-2015
TRS 20th Anniversary
Ugly Truck of Month
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 9, 2007
Messages
23,470
Reaction score
4,667
Points
113
Location
woodhaven mi
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
FORD mostly
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
BIGGER
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
sawzall?
Tire Size
33-44
My credo
it is easier to fix and understand than "her"
No. But that said I would remove the front core support on a short cut at the cab horns and pull the engine


I need to make a how to for that.
 

creases1

New Member
Joined
May 22, 2019
Messages
8
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Location
Springfield IL
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford Ranger STX
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
Factory Lift for STX
No. But that said I would remove the front core support on a short cut at the cab horns and pull the engine


I need to make a how to for that.
Thanks Yep I thought I would need to make a cut or 2 :)
 

bobbywalter

TRS Technical Staff
TRS Event Staff
V8 Engine Swap
TRS Technical Advisor
TRS Banner 2012-2015
TRS 20th Anniversary
Ugly Truck of Month
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 9, 2007
Messages
23,470
Reaction score
4,667
Points
113
Location
woodhaven mi
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
FORD mostly
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
BIGGER
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
sawzall?
Tire Size
33-44
My credo
it is easier to fix and understand than "her"



Self evident.

This is not a short cut off, it is a long cut. Short cut leaves side pillars intact.....

But the horns where the hood meets the firewall is the area to cut. It's short with a low amount of spot-weld cutter work. This gets everything out of the way, and makes it easy to remove and replace with a few bolts...and wiring connectors.

Of course it also outlines the easy way to convert your 2wd via leaf spring dana 60 to 4x4....and fit a big block.....but the core/inner fender removal is time well wasted on my eyes.

Swapping in a Dana 28 ttb is not my first choice. Dana 30 would be my first choice in your case.
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Truck of The Month


Kirby N.
March Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top