1998 SAS?

[98_4x4_Ranger]

I was wondering if anyone has done one on a 98' or even a third gen. How they did it, what they used, and any problems you ran into. I'm especially wondering about my torsion bar front suspension. I want to do one on my 1998 ranger and the project seems very overwhelming, and I don't want to get stuck trying to figure something out after I've got all the parts or started.

 

[franklin2]

Here's a link to get you started. James Duff site is down till tomorrow, but that might have a kit to help you out. You have the tools for a lot of fabrication? Welders, grinders, cutting torch, etc.

https://www.therangerstation.com/tech/ford-ranger-solid-axle-swap-sas/#gsc.tab=0

 

[JohnnyO]

One of the off-road magazines did a SAS on a late-model Ranger a few years ago. Sorry I don't remember which one.
Maybe 4 Wheel & Off-Road but I'm not sure.
I do remember they used a front D35 out of a Jeep XJ. It's not the strongest axle but it'll work for up to 33" tires, it's common and therefore cheap, it's the right width and bolt pattern, and the diff is on the correct side.
Next step up is a 76-77 Bronco D44, also the right width and bolt pattern, but they are not common and therefore not cheap, in fact they're hella expensive.

 

[scotts90ranger]

The early bronco axles are 5 on 5.5 I believe so different bolt pattern but yeah, they're the right width and those two years are Dana 44, previous years are a Dana 30 I believe...

The Jeep axles are popular to do, there's a lot of goofy stuff with them though, they have a vacuum disconnect in many years that is bypassable. Most of them are Dana 30, the Rubicons are Dana 44's but by then they have a different bolt pattern I think 5 on 5... but like said the Dana 30 is super available and cheap and can handle 33's without too much trouble.

 

[ryan]

The early bronco axles are 5 on 5.5 I believe so different bolt pattern but yeah, they're the right width and those two years are Dana 44, previous years are a Dana 30 I believe...

The Jeep axles are popular to do, there's a lot of goofy stuff with them though, they have a vacuum disconnect in many years that is bypassable. Most of them are Dana 30, the Rubicons are Dana 44's but by then they have a different bolt pattern I think 5 on 5... but like said the Dana 30 is super available and cheap and can handle 33's without too much trouble.

That disconnect is long gone - that was a YJ thing

JK axles under a ranger would be great IMO. So much aftermarket support, suspension design is dead simple.

 

[scotts90ranger]

You're in the land of rust, Oregon and Idaho you can find a hooptie that's 30 years old and parked for the last 20 and everything mechanical is salvageable... everything is on the table over here