Torque Specs for 1987 RWD Ranger Ball Joint / Tie Rod Castle Nuts

[78703TX]

Howdy everyone. This is my first post but I've been lurking and absorbing info from this awesome site for years. For the first time, I hit a dead end and needed to post this:

Does anyone know off hand or know where to find torque specs for a first gen 2WD Ranger? My truck is a 94 but for some reason the PO used the older style (87 or 88?) ends when they built the long travel beams. It runs the ball joints in the beam ends as opposed to the spindle, and then the spindle bolts on. I'm not having any luck finding the torque specs for the castle nuts on the ball joints, tie rod ends, and spindle nut. I know a lot of folks say it doesn't matter as long as they're on tight and the cotter pin goes in but after trashing lots of parts in my younger days and not wanting to pull these ball joints again, I figured I'd rather spend the extra 10 seconds to make sure it's done the right way.

Any help is much appreciated!

 

[franklin2]

From a Chiltons manual, 2wd ranger

Lower balljoint 140-180 ftlbs

Upper balljoint 85-110 ftlbs

tie rod nut 51-75 ft lbs

Spindle nut, tighten to 17-25ftlbs while turning the wheel. Then back off 1/2 turn. Then tighten 10-15 inch pounds. Then install the cotter pin.

 

[Josh B]

That spindle nut is the one that forced me to finally get an inch/lb torque wrench, and of course I got the best, a HF 1/4 drive, to which I'll need to attach a 1/4-3/8 adapter to a 3/8 to 1/2in adapter to a 1/2in drive 2 3/8 inch heavy socket to the spindle nut torqued to 15 in/lb

 

[78703TX]

Much appreciated!! I couldn't find this anywhere. Now I can relax and know that when I break another spindle, at least I had it torqued to spec!