Turbo truggy

[mavereq]

I wasn't sure if I should post this in the forced induction or off-road section, but since I'll be posting a lot more pics of the suspension and tube work than the engine, I'm putting it here.

I bought this 97 ranger in non-running condition for $400 last year, replaced the timing belt, and drove it for a while.



I have a 70 bronco that I'm going to be tearing back down for upgrades. It's getting one ton axles and an atlas transfer case as well as a whole new wider frame. Here's the bronco that is donating its legs:



I've been itching to build a truggy, so I'll be throwing everything except the engine and transmission in the ranger.

I have a lot of 2.3 turbo stuff piled up from other projects, so I'll be running a 2.3T in this. I'm not sure how well it'll power a rock crawler, but time will tell.

I ported an n/a head to keep the compression up a bit. It's getting ferrea valves, beehive springs and a roller cam from delta that is high lift/short duration.





I'll be running the 97 block so I don't have to deal with an auxiliary shaft. I have a microsquirt from stinger that I'll be using with LS coils. I bought a set of .020" over cp turbo pistons and crower sportsman rods.

 

[mavereq]

Setting up the valvetrain on the head

 

[mavereq]

Getting it torn down

 

[mavereq]

This is pretty much the point of no return

 

[mavereq]

I love Ford 9" axles, but I hate how low the pinion is on the carrier. The rear 4 link is going to have a lot of travel, so I splurged and bought a true high 9 center section. It's a 35 spline case setup for an ARB, but it has a 31 spline spool in it right now. I wanted room to grow later.

 

[mavereq]

Getting the interior out. I plan on running the front half of the cage inside the cab. I'll build a sheetmetal dash when the time comes.



This is the current status of the build. I'm a single dad, so I only get about one day a week to work on this. I'll hopefully start on tube work next week.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Looking forward to updates.

 

[mavereq]

I need to decide what I'm going to do with the front clip. I'm thinking about cutting it out. I can either make a replacement out of tube or aluminum.

 

[mavereq]

Engine is out



I still haven't decided whether I want to build a different core support. Just looking at the frame makes me want to build a better one. Decisions decisions....

 

[BlackBII]

2.3 Turbo? 1 tons? I'll be watching this one.

Can't wait to see more progress.

 

[mavereq]

Only half tons, but full width. High pinion 44 front, 9" rear. It's looking like I'll have to go 3 link in the front because my double will be clocked up for a flat belly and I don't think I'll be able fit an upper link on the driver's side unless I build a wider frame or channel the cab floor.

My plan is to keep a low COG and try to keep the rig as light as possible.

 

[mavereq]

Started stripping the frame. I cut the engine punt crossmember out but left enough to hold the motor mounts for reference. I cut the coil buckets off and then slid the axle housing under to get an idea of how I'm going to cram the suspension in there. I'm not happy with it. Looks like it's time to build a frame.

 

[mavereq]

Got started on the frame tonight. Compound miter cuts are a pain, but this should give me plenty of room to fit a 4 link up front and have lots of up travel.

 

[mavereq]

Made a little more progress on the frame

 

[mavereq]

I got the old frame out from under the ranger



I slid the new frame under and had to lift, mark, lower cut, repeat about twenty times. I had to get a little creative with the jack stands.



I finally have the cab sitting on the new frame. Everything is looking good.



Stuck a fender back on to see how far I'm going to be able to move the axle forward. The tape is just there as a reference. I'll get some pinstriping tape to mark the fenders before I cut them.



Got the front axle under. The axle is sitting at about the right height for a true 37" tire. I'll have 7" of up travel if I set the ride height where it is now. I'll most likely lower it a couple inches. I'm using ORI struts so adjusting the height will be easy.



Tomorrow I'm going to work on motor and transmission mounts, and start designing the cage in bend tech so I can get it bent and tied into the frame.