Bringing back to life 2000 Ford ranger

[Bwag94]

Hi, not new to these forums just finally decided to make my own thread an post the life of my wife old ranger she had in HS an now my daily driver (as long as I don’t lose a tire again ( know the differences in an explorer vs ranger 4x4 front hub)). This little guy has been through a lot to start when I had it shipped from Rhode Island to WA it needed a frame. Bought a 04 weekend ranger did a frame swap and rear door. Rebuilt the 3.0 v6 still little power moved to CO an just didn’t have the power to climb these hills or keep up on I25 looked into doing upgrades turbo etc.... an found threads about an explorer 5.0 swap. Good deal bought a wreaked 97 Mercury mountaineer an lucked out on the whole speedo issue as it was a 98 setup minus the return less fuel system so I had to run a return line back to the fill neck. The swap was very easy still haven’t re wired the rpm but only engine codes I get is the dumb vapor leak crap but nothing else. The only remaining original equipment in the trick is now the seat dash and cab/bed everything else has been updated or converted. My new project which I’m going to be building a thread for is pulling the motor doing a 347 stroker kit. Kept in mind that with the measurements it takes a .030 bore over with the 3.4 crank making 347 my thought is might as well go .060 over and should come around a 363ci. I’ll rebuild the 4r70w and keep the truck Awd not worried about doing tcase and driveshaft swaps at moment. If you have read this far thanks for your time enjoy the pics.

 

[RonD]

Welcome to TRS

Very nice FIRST POST

And great Pics, thank you

Wasn't clear on if you hooked up the front drive shaft on the AWD Transfer case?
Just as a heads up, AWD transfer case uses a viscous coupling, so it can roll in Park if front drive shaft is not connected to axle, just on a slope, but can be quite surprising if it happens, lol

 

[Bwag94]

Welcome to TRS

Very nice FIRST POST

And great Pics, thank you

Wasn't clear on if you hooked up the front drive shaft on the AWD Transfer case?
Just as a heads up, AWD transfer case uses a viscous coupling, so it can roll in Park if front drive shaft is not connected to axle, just on a slope, but can be quite surprising if it happens, lol

Yes so I figure the torsion bars on the explorer to be more heavier duty so I switched out both lower arms with the torsion bars but wanted to keep the hub locks on the ranger. As you stated I found out about the Awd needing to be locked in the front due to it started rolling on a hill parked..... So as I was switching the hubs over I somehow got the hubs mixed or shafts. Had a ranger shaft in a explorer hub so didn’t put the snap ring on. Surprisingly lasted over a week before coming back from Safeway an the whole driver wheel and hub went flying over the cab of the truck. Good day an atleast I wasn’t on i25 doing 80 when it happened. Dumb mistake no wreck so more or less re did the driver side all explorer and ranger is Awd complete.

 

[Oxxon]

Hello and welcome to TRS!!