1st gen suspension setups

[88xltranger]

Does anyone have any good links or experience with swapping or modifying 1st gen suspension for autocross? I know all the basic stuff but I was reading another forum and came across this kit: https://ajesuspension.com/product/83-97-ford-ranger-kit-1/ Any experience with it?

 

[Yotaismygame]

I'm really interested in the AJE kit as well. I'm doing a full custom ranger build right now and I'm torn between making the I beams work with what I want or ditching it for something better. Rack and pinion, tons of brake options, drop in motor mounts...yesss

 

[Shran]

Can't speak to that kit in particular but it appears to involve some pretty extensive frame modifications. I wish they had better pictures. I'm curious specifically about the part where it says engine mounts included - does that mean that they intend for you to remove the engine crossmember?

 

[Yotaismygame]

Can't speak to that kit in particular but it appears to involve some pretty extensive frame modifications. I wish they had better pictures. I'm curious specifically about the part where it says engine mounts included - does that mean that they intend for you to remove the engine crossmember?

Frame modifications....no big deal. Just buzz off all the old brackets and cross members. The K-member becomes your engine crossmember which can accept several different mounts that they make. If you look into their K-members for Mustangs theirs alot of info out there for that. Basically the same thing just for different platforms. i originally looked into AJE for my 69 mustang.

 

[Shran]

Yeah, I figured that was the case. I am no stranger to frame mods and have removed Ranger engine crossmembers several times, mostly just curious what the end result looks like. Torch or plasma cutter makes pretty quick work of it.

I have always kinda wanted to remove the engine crossmember on my rock crawler and replace it with something that takes up less space, thus maybe making it possible to lower the truck a little (front diff clearance issues are a problem) and/or gain more uptravel. But it seems to me that the crossmember adds a significant amount of rigidity to the frame.

 

[Yotaismygame]

AJE Suspension

For the past 9 months we have been working on a 1997 Ford Ranger. AJE has developed a K-member and strut towers that replaces the twin I-bean front end. This Front suspensions uses a AJE designed...

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Pretty much the only pics out there. I've seen a few more from customers but they show the same basic stuff.