'02 Ranger XLT - rear frame replacement

[Arkan]

Hello - I'm Arkan and I'm writing from a little country in Europe called Poland.

I was asked to help with a restoration of a 2002 4.0 Ranger XLT - the rear frame is in a really bad shape and I've been thinking on either replacing it or building a new one.

If I were to replace it - which other cars have similar frame that I could use?

I also have an access for a press brake and a 12kw laser, so there should be no problem in fabricating a new one - did anyone made one from scratch?
VIN for more information: 1FTZR45E42PA09772
Some photos:

https://imgur.com/a/6KJzier

 

[RonD]

Welcome to TRS

Yes, that's a crusty mess

Could be the camera angle but that looks like a Long Bed Ranger frame, did it have a 7ft bed?

If its a regular 6ft bed, then same rear frame was used on all Rangers from 1993 thru 2011, regular or extended cab, 2WD or 4x4 use same REAR frame, and 6ft bed
Same for 1994-2010 Mazda B-series(not BT)
Only exceptions were the "long bed" models

Not sure what the availability of Ranger/B-series parts are in Poland or in Eastern Europe
But most vehicles in wrecking yards have front end damage so rear frame is OK

Ranger dimensions here: https://www.therangerstation.com/tech/ford-ranger-dimensions/

There are no other vehicles that shared frame with Rangers/B-series that I know of

Be aware, Ford also used Ranger name for a larger version of the North American Ranger, it was sold in Europe as a Ranger, but it was a larger model and frame would not be the same

 

[Arkan]

Almost all Rangers sold in Europe were powered by 2,5L turbodiesel - the one im working on was imported from the US, the frame from Euro version wont fit.

Here's the VIN: 1FTZR45E42PA09772 - not sure if this is a long bed or short bed

Also if there's a guy who makes or a shop in US that sells rear frames - don't mind PMing me.

 

[RonD]

You can go here to decode the VIN: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/vindecoder.php

Tells me its a 2002 XLT 4x4 supercab 4-door, so regular 6ft bed for sure

Yes, the Diesel engine Rangers were different size than the North American Rangers

 

[don4331]

Arkan: Poland isn't that little (for European country)

Is the frame just bad at the very back? Or is it bad at the front of the gas tank cross member on driver's side, too? (We don't want to have you fix one location, just to have issues at another). <Shadows are just in wrong places for me to tell if the front brace has issues too.

If it is just the rear of the frame, there were a couple companies who made replacements for the rear "tips". But, no one makes replacement for the spare tire carrier.

The spare tire carrier would make shipping frame section a bit of a challenge - there are 8 rivets on each side and then the back section could be removed. As RonD said there are lots here with front end damage but just surface rust on rear.

PM me if you want to discuss options on parts.

 

[Arkan]

I need to replace everything from this point - the main issue is to make some measurments, as the spare tire carried I can make on the go.

 

[sgtsandman]

The best place to separate the frame is at the joint where the front and rear section meet. They will be riveted together at that point. Mazda B-Series trucks shared the same frame. I don’t know what European models might share the frame.

 

[don4331]

Arkan:

I found this while looking for something else: https://www.autorust.com/product-category/ford/ranger/

 

[dvdswan]

Welcome to the site.

 

[pjtoledo]

rust likes to form inside the joint/overlap where the front and rear sections are joined.
you can't see it until the parts are separated.

 

[don4331]

Interesting @pjtoledo - all the ones I have pulled apart have has some kind of rubber/oil between the 2 sections. And next to no rust - but Alberta isn't exactly bad rust location..

 

[pjtoledo]

I'm deep in the rust belt and have found a hole lot of nothing when separating frames.
one of them was from southern Ohio which is not exactly the rust belt. it may have been a transplant.

can we blame the oil you found on tar sands?

 

[JavaG66]

I just want to say that this is an interesting thread with a lot of good replies. I am considering buying a 2000 ranger that lived most of it’s life in Wisconsin, and it’s almost as bad as Arkan’s. Thanks for posting this Arkan!

 

[Arkan]

Hello - it's been a while, did some measurements, tomorrow i'm gonna pick this from a local workshop. Should fit 99%
4mm thick S355 steel - 1mm thicker than the original one

 

[pjtoledo]

looks good