building ranger into a 4x4

[mopar_66757]

Hi, I have a 1988 ranger I slowly been driving and upgrading drivetrain, recently most of my friends have bought 4x4's and jeeps and I don't have a 4x4..... so my ranger has a 87 roller 302 that I carbureted and HEI distributor in it, a bone stock motor, and behind it is a ZF S5-42 Trans out of a 90's F250 2 wheel drive, and a 8.8 LS308 gears out of a 90's mustang.
I just bought a 1974 F250 Highboy Frame that had a 400 Modified or something with a 4speed and a NP205 and the rear is a DANA 60 and the front axle I'm not 100% but it has closed Knuckles? not sure on gears either but I bet they are 410.

the 4x4 frame wheelbase is 133" and my ranger measured almost 108" so I did some looking at pics on the net and decided that I wanted to make the wheel base lil longer so I cut out 23" and now I'm at the point of relocating the TC forward on the frame and fishpate and remove the old steering box and box in the frame to allow a newer style steering box.
I'm sure people will criticize my frame shortening technique but I've done 4 other frames same way and never had a crack....
I just figured it would be nice to document this and show others if they need any references to any problems.

I will try to update progress as I go

 

[mopar_66757]

So today I got the frame tack welded and moved the TC forward, tomorrow I'm going to pick up a steering box and linkage, I'm at a point now where I need to take measurements from my ranger to determine where the engine will set, and give me a idea of where the body mounts will be.

The Rivits in this frame are pretty tough, nothing a grinder and air hammer didn't fix, but I actually think I could have the frame ready to paint at end of weekend if everything goes fine, I will post some pics and keynotes sunday

 

[Dangerrangers]

Hi, I have a 1988 ranger I slowly been driving and upgrading drivetrain, recently most of my friends have bought 4x4's and jeeps and I don't have a 4x4..... so my ranger has a 87 roller 302 that I carbureted and HEI distributor in it, a bone stock motor, and behind it is a ZF S5-42 Trans out of a 90's F250 2 wheel drive, and a 8.8 LS308 gears out of a 90's mustang.
I just bought a 1974 F250 Highboy Frame that had a 400 Modified or something with a 4speed and a NP205 and the rear is a DANA 60 and the front axle I'm not 100% but it has closed Knuckles? not sure on gears either but I bet they are 410.

the 4x4 frame wheelbase is 133" and my ranger measured almost 108" so I did some looking at pics on the net and decided that I wanted to make the wheel base lil longer so I cut out 23" and now I'm at the point of relocating the TC forward on the frame and fishpate and remove the old steering box and box in the frame to allow a newer style steering box.
I'm sure people will criticize my frame shortening technique but I've done 4 other frames same way and never had a crack....
I just figured it would be nice to document this and show others if they need any references to any problems.

I will try to update progress as I go

.

U should live next door to me , I'm into mods. Keep going!!!!!!!