1999 5.0L Mountaineer Build - SAS with Tons

[036speed]

GOAL: Have a streetable family rig on 40s that can handle difficult obstacles and trails.

Rig - The Mount
Make: Mercury
Model: Mountaineer
Year: 1999
Engine: 5.0L EFI
Trans: Auto
Case: AWD, no low range.
Front: Torsion Bar A-Arm
Rear: SOA 8.8
Gears: 3.73s
Miles: 146,000

Plans:
Trans: ZF5
Case: 1356 (if I can fit it)
Front: 06 Superduty Dana 60, Parallel 4 link
Rear: 06 Sterling 10.5, leaf for now
Gearing: 5.38s
Tires: 40-42" DIA

I would also like to chop the rear and put the gate directly behind the rear seats. I do not have the resources for something like that... YET.

How it sits:

 

[036speed]

So I had a 2nd Gen Ranger that was built on a very low budget. Did a D44/8.8 SAS with 36s. I wheeled it for a few years and had a good time. It was then parted and scrapped.

Now that I have a family, I was looking for a 4 seater rig. I bought a YJ project. But I couldnt keep my interest in it.

So I went back to RBVs and picked up a 1999 Mercury Mountaineer. Going to see how I can apply what I know now to a family wheeling rig.

Day 1: Purchased 12-30-2014 for $950
Owner claimed it had a bad tcase. Upon a quick drive, I determined it was a bad unit bearing. It ran perfect. Steering was tight. So I gave the guy his money.
Recent new parts:
Starter
Alternator
Stainless exhaust from that CAT back
Rear tires
Plugs and wires.
The guy was then told it needed a T-case and he gave up.

It does have rust, but nothing I was not going to cut out anyways.

I should fix it and resell for $2500, but I like it. So too bad.

 

[036speed]

We got some snow on the during the first week of Jan. So I fired up the GoPro and took it out into the back yard.

The CASE works fine.

 

[kris97ranger]

In!

 

[Jsommers]

Following. Is it done yet? Lol

 

[PlumCrazy]

Sub'd

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[escort_gts]

Nice Brad. I need to start looking for a deal like that!

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[wizkid00104]

A luxury family 4 wheeler. You have my attention...


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[036speed]

This is what I want. Not sure how to get here, but I will figure it out.

 

[escort_gts]

Need to buy a jeep first.

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[Grunizzle]

Sweet. Are 99s unibody?

 

[PlumCrazy]

No. Still full frame like a 98+ Ranger

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[036speed]

Need to buy a jeep first.

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I did. I bought a new 2013 and a 1990. And have sold them both

Sweet. Are 99s unibody?

No. Still full frame like a 98+ Ranger

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Body on frame. I think the next body style was unibody with IRS.

Also, Grunizzle, you are on 40s right?

 

[RangerSVT]

Nice project. Might be doing something similar with the gf's ride, a 97 mounty 5.0. The 1356 will hit the framerail unless you move the trans over. 4406's are a direct bolt in swap...

SVT

 

[Grunizzle]

I did. I bought a new 2013 and a 1990. And have sold them both











Body on frame. I think the next body style was unibody with IRS.



Also, Grunizzle, you are on 40s right?

I'm on 37s