Look what just arrived...

[JoshT]

Bought them off a guy over on RPS, apparently he wasn't paying good enough attention when he bought them and got the wrong year model. He said they are new and just been sitting in his garage for a while. I'd have to say he was telling the truth there ain't a scratch on em.

I think they'll look good inplace of these:

Don't ask me what the funky looking spike sticking out the front of that old I-beam is. Only thing I've been able to come up with is a jack point, I know they prevented me from installing a junkyard sway bar on the front.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

ive seen that thing sticking off the front of beams before and have often wondered what it was. i was under an '05 e-series van last week that had the same odd protrusion....

sexy beams though. how about some shots of the whole truck?

 

[JoshT]

I'll see what I can scrounge up but it is not any any way currently elligable for STOTM. The best picture I'll be able to get is 4 years old at least and was taken just after it was painted. That paint job is destroyed and it needs body work.

 

[JoshT]

(EDIT: Actually on closer look this picture was taken just after the altercation with the tree mentioned below, which means I don't have any before photos)

This picture is from late 01 or early 02. A few months later I was in a rush to get to high school, and didn't wait for my window to defrost, I hit a mailbox on the way and tore up the passengar side of the truck. I smoothed out the cab corner but it still needs to be repainted and have the fender and door on that side replaced at the least. About a year after that hit a small tree after loosing the back end at an intersection, requiring the hood, grille, and bumper to be replaced, the hood has never been repainted.

So not it has sun damaged clear coat, tube grille, primed hood, and still needs the fender and door replaced. But before I fool with those I'm going to get the suspension and drivetrain the way I want it. Then I'm going to tear the drive train and body off and (possibly) paint the chassis, and rewire the truck. Then I'm going to reassemble and have the paint and body work done.

 

[Hazmat Ranger]

That first picture equals SHWING!!!! Sexy indeed. I felt the same way when I got mine. Good luck with it and keep us posted man . . .

 

[JoshT]

Unfortunately it'll be a few months before I'm able to do the install. Currently I've got no place to do the work, but hopefully in a few months I'll have a shop built. I'm going to do the front drop flip the rear hangar, and possibly install new springs all around at the same time.

 

[skyy_4life]

yea with all of my rangers iv done dream beams in the front and just a flip-kit in rear. check around on ebay or craigslist and find cheap flip-kits. i found mine for $30

 

[JoshT]

Flip kit will put the rear to low for me, I love the raked look on vehicles. I'm going to do the hangar flip and if I need it a little lower install a lifting shackle. A 3/3 drop would be perfect, but there's no guaranteed way to get 3" on back so I'm going to do the hangar and go from there. When I get new tires the fronts will be noticeably smaller than the back (or atleast as much as possible on 14" wheels), to go with the raked look.

Kinda similar to this:

Then when/if I put in a V8 it'll be going with larger fatter tires in back.

 

[JoshT]

Actually this is closer to how I want it to sit once I get a V8. Just a little lower in the front I think. Basically I'll decide as I go.

 

[RaceRanger97]

ive seen that thing sticking off the front of beams before and have often wondered what it was. i was under an '05 e-series van last week that had the same odd protrusion....
QUOTE]

If im not mistaken that protrusion stops the knuckle from rotating too far when turning.

 

[doorgunner]

nuff said....

 

[JoshT]

I think mine will look good, but... Dude yours is Sweet!

I keep telling myself that if I ever total this 84 but the frame and drive train are still good that's what I'm gonna do. I'd have to go with either the Biggie Cab or the Big Boy cab probably the biggie. I like the original but being right at 6' tall I don't think I'd fit well, and the ex cab would give me room to throw a bag or two in the cab.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

ive seen that thing sticking off the front of beams before and have often wondered what it was. i was under an '05 e-series van last week that had the same odd protrusion....
QUOTE]

If im not mistaken that protrusion stops the knuckle from rotating too far when turning.

naa, its far too far inboard for the knuckle ever to contact it.

its got to be a leftover from previous years

 

[doorgunner]

Obviously it is a Skunk-catcher

 

[skyy_4life]

Obviously it is a Skunk-catcher

hahahah.... lol thats hilarious.
well my friend says could it have anything to do with factory 4X4. the differential is mounted in one of the I-beams. is it that Ibeam? could that have been somewere that could be cut out for 4x4 or something? idk just a question.