New to me 97 4X4

[Welder0800]

Well I ended up trading my 85 ranger for this 97 I found on Craigslist. Wanted to show y'all some pictures of the new truck so here she is.




If anyone heard about the riots in Morgantown, WV back in October this is one of the streets where they took place. Much calmer atmosphere now thankfully.

Specs on the new truck

• 4.0 180,000 or so
• 5 speed
• Manual hubs
• Electric t-case
• 4" RC suspension lift
• Some sort of homebrewed 2" bodylift
• Power windows/locks
• 33x12.50-15 on what I think are Cragar d-windows
• Tilt steering wheel
• Working A/C

The 97 is defiantly slightly taller


Interior shots




Drove the truck 2 hours back to WV and did fine. Has some issues to address like some slight body rust, front u-joint is really clunking in 4X4, tires. Only had it 2 days but starts and runs good so i'm happy. I do plan on building it some hopefully, I already have a 8.8 31 spline disk brake axle, another Dana 35 front axle, manual 1354 with linkage, Warn "Jeep" Hubs. Most likely will stick with the 33" tire size. I'll try and move this to the "under construction" section if any of these swaps actually happen. Could use deeper gears but I feel the 5.13's sitting in the garage might be too deep so im hunting some 4.56's.
P.S. My bad about the pic size, couldn't get photobucket to size them down.

 

[RangerSVT]

Pics are fine. Good looking project you have there. I can move this to under construction if you want this your build thread...

SVT

 

[Welder0800]

Tires and Plans



Put some new tires on the truck. Mastercraft Courser MXT 35/12.5-15. Paid $186 at tire installed. Made in U.S.A

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As to be expected power and mileage is terrible. My short term plan is to cleanup and swap a disk brake explorer rear that I bought locally like 4 years ago. I have some new Yukon 5.13 gears and install kit. Also the truck came with manual BW1354 with linkage but has the stock electric case still in the truck. I just tighten up the front wheel bearings as they were lose as many have experienced. I put on some Jeep hubs I bought from a guy awhile ago. The bad is, there's a hole knocked in the front diff from the cheap lift plate the P.O. put on. I'd like to get the skyjacker hinge brackets LHB352-5 and RHB35-6 and swap in a another Dana 35. I'd like to keep the calipers because there the dual piston variety if that's possible?
Question: I have searched and searched what is verdict on swapping to explorer brake master cylinder and booster? Am I good with my stock ranger MC and explorer disk brake rear. Or go to the same year booster and master cylinder from an Explorer. I'm pretty sure I've read that the Explorer has metric fittings and the Ranger has standard? Any help appreciated as I'd like to do this correctly.

I'm done with college for the summer on the May 8th so I'll be working full time for a few months and am planning on messing with this truck some I think it has potential but does need some work. Also since I'm driving this at the moment I'm selling my 89 Ranger and 88 B2. That 65 F-350 is on the back burner but staying. Let me know what ya'll think*Mods if you wanna move this feel free I haven't done anything major*

 

[RangerSVT]

95+ ranger and 95+ explorer mc's are the same, no reason to change...

SVT

 

[Welder0800]

Just checked Napa's website and your right, I should have looked myself in the first placed and saved ya the trouble; appreciate the heads up.

 

[RangerSVT]

I did the same thing 10+ years ago on my ranger with an explorer swap, I swapped mc's and found out they were the same later on...

SVT

 

[Welder0800]

5.13's, disc brakes and explorer leaves

Finally got my rear back together and under the truck


Rear is out of a 97 explorer, went with 5.13 gears. Install was fairly simple and the truck stops way better, honestly the swap seems worth it just for the increase in braking in my opionon. So far everything seems good. Truck rides much better after ditching the stacked blocks and putting in the explorer leaf packs.



The new leaves made up for ditching the stock block and truck is sitting pretty close to what I'd like.

Not going to promise more updates but hopefully I make some money this summer and get the front end geared and locked so she's back to four wheel drive.


*Mods if you want to move this to the "under construction" thread feel free if you deem it necessary*