1st gen ranger crossmember question.

[RangerFabWorks]

The hell is this thing for? And is it actually necessary on a 2wd truck?

Reason I’m asking. My big radiator I’m installing wants to occupy some of the space as that crossmember. So I can either remove it. Or fabricobble a new one to take its place

 

[adsm08]

It is to protect the steering linkages from taking hits off-road.

Three of the four 1st gen RBVs I have owned didn't even have it.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Neither my '85 or my '86 parts truck had one.

 

[RangerFabWorks]

So removing it will not really affect anything?

 

[ZMan]

back when I was 16 that saved my steering from hitting a culvert when I lost control on a snowy road and went in a ditch. Its not needed under normal driving lol.

 

[adsm08]

So removing it will not really affect anything?

Depends on how much stuff you plan on running your steering into.

 

[97RangerXLT]

Depends on how much stuff you plan on running your steering into.

well I don't think anyone "plans" on running into stuff... I didn't "plan" on taking my 1988 Oldsmobile through a road sign and into a cornfield back in 1994... but being young and stupid and having a car full of simarlily young and stupid friends along with me kind of sealed the deal...made a hell of a nice dent in the front bumper... I hit it dead center too. but I digress. if you do not anticipate doing young and dumb stuff or otherwise use the truck for what it was not intended for, you can remove it. I think I would "fabricobble" (I love that term btw..) something up to take its place that will work with your plans.

AJ

 

[adsm08]

To fabricobble one must have ingenosity.

I know most of us don't plan on running into things, but I don't know what this truck is actually going to be used for. Some people here do wheel and off-road 2wds.

 

[RangerFabWorks]

This is a street truck that will see some strip action. So I may come up with something in the future

 

[Maideeeo]

This is a street truck that will see some strip action. So I may come up with something in the future

please do as i'm really interested!
and by the way, thanks everyone and OP for this post, really interesting and helpful for me.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

This is a street truck that will see some strip action. So I may come up with something in the future

IMO it would be dead weight for you aside from whatever strength it would add to the frame as a crossmember.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

IMO, for this application, the engine crossmember will provide all the strength needed.