1987 Ranger Flat Deck Build On a Budget -

[RangerPatrol]

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[RangerPatrol]

Hey everybody,

I picked up my 4th Ranger a couple of weeks ago and Ive been thinking hard about what improvements I can make. Budget is going to come into effect but that isnt going to stop me from building a very capable wheeler. Some history on my Ranger. Originally it was purchased by the John Deere Dealer ship in Duncan BC, Vancouver Island. it was then sold to one of the mechanics of the shop. While working a backhow slammed into the side the of it. At that point the original 86 Cab was toast. Said see ya later and picked up a short box ranger and popped the new cab onto the still good frame. at that point they removed the old box and popped on the flat deck, probably been atleast 10 years since then. they cut the rest of the parts truck in half making a trailer. looks good. ANYWAYS .... on to the build.




Specs of my Ranger:
1987 Cab on and 1986 Frame
Flat Deck 4x4
3.73 Gear Ratio
Dana 28 Front/7.5 Rear
Manual Hubs/Tranfer case/Transmission



LIFT
Front
Ive been thinking hard about what to put into it to lift it up. One of my buddies has a 4" Rough Country lift kit that would work just fine and he only wants 300 includes the drop pitman arm. I know that a rough country kit wouldnt work if I had the dana 35 as the brackets actually hit the pumpkin, but since its a 28 Ill be just fine.
I also want to toss in a 3" Body lift.Where should I get this!
READY FOR LIFTOFF

Rear
Unfortunately my friend doesnt have any of the rear end lift parts, but I plan on using a 2-3" lift block and a Belltech 6400 Shackle. I figure that the rear is already higher then the front that It should end up leveling itself right out. Putting 7" total into the front lift and maybe 5-5 1/2 in the rear.
Since I have the flat deck U-bolted to the frame, I dont plan on body lifting it at all, only the cab will be body lifted to level it out with the headache rack on the flatdeck.

THis has a 4" rouch country in the front, and only overload in the rear, id lift the rear to level. This was a strictly wheeling ranger, welded rear end. Cracked the frame, scrap.




These are the Rims and Tires Ill have on the Ranger.



Tires
Well Im sure you all know that a dana 28 u joint is abuot as strong as your grandmas knuckle,SO they are REALLY strong, Ive already replaced them all to ensure I get the longest life out of them. DO NOT TRY AND REPLACE YOUR GRANDMAS KNUCKLES. Ive decided that I really dont want to go any bigger than 31x10.50. I had a Bronco II that I threw 33x12.50 on to the dana 28 and it took about a month for both axles to each snap. I had spares and expected it to happen. I was testing it really. Im confident that the dana 28 can handle 31`s and some pretty rough wheeling. Ive got a pair of BFG Mud Terrains and a pair of Adventuro Radial Mud Terrains, Pretty well the same tread Pattern, big different in price. But they do the trick and Ive got a full size BFG Spare.

This is what too big of tires will do to your fun, BREAK IT!


Bumper/Winch
So I went to princess auto on saturday after looking at there flyer and telling myself I need something from it. usually what happens, when I got there, i was pretty shocked, they werent in there flyer, but yet there they were on sale for less than half price? WAAAAHHHHHTT?

This is what I found
http://www.keeperwinch.com/KW9_5.shtml
Regular Price is 599.99, $240.03 Sale Price, I paid 268.00 after Taxes...Should I have left it on the shelf for that price?

The 7500 was on sale for $220.03, just check out the ad, unfortunately there werent any left in store or else Id have been perfectly happy with it. It includes the Reciever Mount Plate, just check it out, they are good products.
http://www.keeperwinch.com/KW7_5.shtml

I really didnt want to have all that weight chillin on my front end everywhere I go around town. So I decided something else had to be done. I decided To go with a 2" reciever hitch on the front. That way I can remove it any time, mounting the winch to a plate that hooks into the reciever hitch.(Check out the picture, the superwinch is mounted on the same 2" reciever plate) Dont think Ill be getting a bumper for the front. wont ever need one for the rear.
This is my Roommates Superwinch Mounted, Ill be doing the same.


Lighting

So the Headache on the flatdeck is gunna be pretty perfect for throwing up side nice big round Bushlights, im thinking of 4.
I have a Lund Visor that came witht he Ranger but it doesnt seem to fit, im thinking about cutting the fibreglass to make it fit right. But im also leaning toward 5 orange tear drop like lights just above the windshield. where the Visor would normally be at. and the 4 spotlights on the headache in each gap. should look beauty. Something like this.



Differentials,
So ive been looking online, there is NOTHING for a dana 28, unless you find a stock limited slip, which is near impossible because the only Model you can find a front limited slip in a RBV is a Yukon Bronco II, snow plow version. where they actually came stock front and rear L/S. So the 28 stays as an Open Differential for now. Lucky for me I found a L/S for my 7.5 out of a 90 ford aerostar, all cleaned up and ready for install. So im pumped about that. $65



Well for now I think that is about it, I need more ideas people. So please tell me your thoughts. Even if im a nimrod tell me about it. ill be posting lots of pictures as I go. Here are some to get your ideas flowing.

I just finished stripping and painting the flat deck and front bumper, new wood, and undercoated the rear half of the truck, Looks minty. Waiting onthe body lift before I paint the cab and undercoat the rest.

Whats your Favourite color Ranger, Mine is Red. This is the first Ranger I ever had, and my scrubby self in a picture.




My buddies is john deere green, what do you think?


The Black and white Bronco II is my most recent past project, I grenaded the clutch, and said my goodbyes.

Heres the progress so far on My Ranger.



And a couple random pics of my past and present RBV`s to keep you all interested.

 

[straycat]

Flat bed you mean....lol. I was trying to figure what you meant by flat deck!!!
Pictures came out nice.....uh,,,why the three post??

 

[swynx]

looks like a great project, if your going to stay with 31's then i would say to just get some cc810 springs, there for a early f150, theyll give you a soft flexy suspension with 2 inches of lift, itll take you way more places than that damn rough country.

ive found on craigslist full front ends, with the skyjacker drop brackets 4.88 gears the whole works for 200$ so id probably pass up that rough country.

also id toss a locker or a limited slip i those axles, or get an axle with limited slip. my buddy has a 89 chevy with a locker in the rear axle (14 bolt) with 29 inch tires, open front, he goes most places i go.

 

[tmcalavy]

Nice truck...don't waste money on a lift, just beef up the springs...use the lift kit money for a haircut and shave. Where's the dog that goes in that crate? You'll catch lots more babes with the dog up front ridin' shotgun...long as he's had a bath lately.

 

[RangerPatrol]

Flat bed, yes, haha. 3 posts because the pictures never on the first couple times. such a piss off, it took way to long to get it right. ya I needed a shave, been a couple years since then. Hed be riding shotgun if she wasnt already. haha

Ill look into the f150 springs, would they need a larger coil mount?, id grab the springs from a scrapper, would I have to grind off the rivets to get the baskets?

Ive got a limitied slip going in the 7.5, cant find anything for a dana 28 front axle, so itll have to wait until I pick up a solid axle or a Dana 35. Im trying to keep costs down, but want to get maximum clearance. 3" Body lift is getting installed very soon, you guys think just 2" coils will be alot better then the 4" rough country, I want more clearance, ive got fallen trees in my way alot of the time. so the more the merrier, maybe Ill aadd the coils and the rough country. thanks for the tips