1991 ranger/mercedes diesel beef up

[1991fordranger1]

Hello,

Last fall I took on the challenge of mating a mercedes om617 diesel to a fm145 five speed 4x4. Now after close on 20,000kms (yes canadian) I have decided I wanna beef up the suspension for the weight of the engine and for driving it as a dd but want something tht I won't be afraid of takin off road.

So please wise experienced 4x4 mess arounders tell me if I'm on the right track. ( I am a ticketed machinist and apprentice welder so if you have ideas nothing is impossible) I want to put coils from a f150 up front which if I under stand right will equal out to 3.25 " of lift I'm assuming my five cylinder weights more then any ranger engine so I'm expecting it to slump down a bit from weight. I'm gonna modify the drop brackets down two inches to avoid too much angle on the ttb and want to build some stretched radius arms that with my rear tranny mount I have built will bring I back 17.5 ". On the rear I want to do the chevy leaf swap ( explorer 8.8 going in with them) which I under stand with the factory block removed and a 7" shackle should get me three over in the back.

Do my numbers sound about right does it seem like the right way to go please I'll take critisim if it means making super truck ride like a dream let me know

Thanks
Brendan

 

[martin]

Sounds about right to me.

 

[1991fordranger1]

Ok I'll try to take pictures of brackets while being made to see if you think It should work

 

[Str8sixfan]

We gotta see some pics of this motor swap. Sounds tasty.

 

[1991fordranger1]

It's in the other conversions

 

[1991fordranger1]

So I've designed a bracket that has a 1.5" drop on it I should be safe with that and can always make an extended shackle to allow me to drop the truck to match the front end I think I'm gonna leave the over load on as I like to haul a bit of stuff but even the shackle flip and longer springs should still make it smoother correct?

I have a demensioned drawing of my bracket as well if it fits I'll post it if not I'll alter it after but it should be there as I used factory ford drawings of the bolt lay out

 

[1991fordranger1]

I plan to back 16.5 " on the radius arms has anyone made a set? Can chime in on angles and strengths? I will post pictures all at once on the brackets and drawings on the rear end set up as it comes together does anyone have a thread on f150 coils and dropping the d35 a few inches

 

[1991fordranger1]

 

[1991fordranger1]

Just my bumper ready for powder coat will Also work to help brace up the rear end around the rear suspension as well

 

[1991fordranger1]

Parts are to be lasered this week.... If anyone is actually reading this and has done a 64" swap can you tell me what bushings your running. Moog rubber mount or prothene bushings same question on the radius bushing gonna order here this week any thoughts?

 

[1991fordranger1]

Everything is on it's way I'm gonna take lots if pictures to try to spark someone's interest but It will be around the 20th when I do the rear swap

 

[1991fordranger1]

S

Well I lied I recieved all my bushings but the guys who do the laser cutter had a optical eye go on the laser or at least it sounds like a solid reason to take three weeks to cut parts out but I am on my way to pick them up personally and if all goes well I will have a kit to do a exploer axle swap and 64" spring conversion all made from 1/4 plate but I'll keep it posted as it comes along

 

[1991fordranger1]

So I only had time to get the first bracket bent up and not even welded up yet but looks like it's gonna work. It's gonna have a 1.5" drop I'm gonna run the factory shackle from the chevy and see how it fits and runs and what height can always ad a small block for more height or bigger shackle will have more pictures tomorrow hopefully

 

[1991fordranger1]

Ok so I got started on the project ended up rippin the box off to get to the brackets made it a heck of a lot easier. Got I all mounted springs and brackets all measured out where they needed to be got the axle just sitting under it in the pictures and it's as far as I got it's thanksgiving here in canada so I have to go see the family but hope to get back at It on Monday. I have issues with the hanger bearing location so I'm gonna get he axle mounted with u bolts loose. Then move the hanger bearing to get a straight shot when it's sitting on the ground and when I'm satisfied I'll weld it all up do new brake lines and park brake cable locations and try to find time this week to get the new coils and extended radius arms built. Pictures are on face book

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10152752910966125&id=513106124

 

[1991fordranger1]

Let me know if the link works