4WD Ranger Knuckle on 2WD Ranger

[JoshT]

I want to do all new front components to just not deal with the rust of the current ones...

(I still have a whole re end to do up anyways) then maybe I’ll look into 13+ discs later down the road

I know that Ontario is worse than down here on the rust, but it can't be that bad. It's cast iron surface rust. If those pieces are that far gone, how is the rest of the truck worth touching?

I'm not going to argue with you on the price. You know whats available up there, I don't and don;t know the currency conversion.

May I ask how you were planning to accomplish 13" disc brakes with the 4x4 knuckles? I am not aware of any kits current available to install them on 2wd or 4wd aside from the possibility I mentioned above. Brakes are not an area I'd want to DIY, especially not if rust compromises parts that bad. I'd be willing to swap bolt on factory parts for an upgrade, but not custom fabing caliper mounts and modifying rotors to fit.

 

[L0WnSL0W]

I know that Ontario is worse than down here on the rust, but it can't be that bad. It's cast iron surface rust. If those pieces are that far gone, how is the rest of the truck worth touching?

I'm not going to argue with you on the price. You know whats available up there, I don't and don;t know the currency conversion.

May I ask how you were planning to accomplish 13" disc brakes with the 4x4 knuckles? I am not aware of any kits current available to install them on 2wd or 4wd aside from the possibility I mentioned above. Brakes are not an area I'd want to DIY, especially not if rust compromises parts that bad. I'd be willing to swap bolt on factory parts for an upgrade, but not custom fabing caliper mounts and modifying rotors to fit.

It’s not that bad it’s dangerous it’s just more paint peeling and surface rust but the bolts are more than likely going to be a pita being rusted together and changing ball joints /bushings would be equal in price to brand new ones without the effort. Nothings wrong structurally. I can get brackets CAT designed and machined when I decided to go that route I have a few machinists friends and just get discs from a factory mustang. Not completely DIY.

 

[pjtoledo]

FYI

2005 Lincoln Aviators have 13" front rotors
I'm not sure we could mix'n match the control arms & knuckes.
might be a fun research project

 

[L0WnSL0W]

FYI

2005 Lincoln Aviators have 13" front rotors
I'm not sure we could mix'n match the control arms & knuckes.
might be a fun research project

They have a 5x5.5 (I believe) bolt pattern and the knuckles are super different need a lot of fabricating and measurements to get proper angles this is more or less bolt on with a fake CV stub. So even if I’m wrong and the bolt pattern is the same the amount of fabricating to make it work properly and be safe isn’t worth it.

 

[JoshT]

Nope, 2005 was Explorer based, so it should be 5x4.5 lug pattern. That said I don't think the knuckle and brakes will swap over, just like the Explorer of that generation.

 

[don4331]

They have a 5x5.5 (I believe) bolt pattern and the knuckles are super different need a lot of fabricating and measurements to get proper angles this is more or less bolt on with a fake CV stub. So even if I’m wrong and the bolt pattern is the same the amount of fabricating to make it work properly and be safe isn’t worth it.

While Lincoln Navigator has 5x4.5 bolt pattern for the wheels, it has very different hub pilot diameter (85mm vs 110 for Ranger, so unit bearings don't "bolt in") and hub offset is different too*. So yes, very difficult to make Navigator knuckles work safely on Ranger A-arms

*As opposed to Jeep XJ unit bearings which are only couple thousands off Ranger ones and do bolt in.

The Navigator rotors are also ~0.25" shorter in height (but ~3/8" better than Mustang 13" rotors, so not a bad choice as less offset to bracket).

 

[JoshT]

I'm looking at this again and have a question that I think makes reviving the thread worth while.

Can anyone confirm that the knuckles that OP was asking about are indeed aluminum?

I was all excited a couple of months ago about the prospect of shaving some weight when converting to live axles and bigger brakes. Now I'm questioning the idea that they are even aluminum. At this time the listing doesn't actually state aluminum, and all other listings have the charecteristic coloring of cast iron. Ultra Power seems to be reseller, not a manufacturer, so it's hard to believe that they would offer a one off product like this that no one else offers. I'm really wondering if it isn't a doctored (very lightened) photo, or if they use a different final finishing process that results in the lighter color. I think that a sandblast finish on smooth cast iron can leave a light colored finish like that.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Is there any way to find a shipping wieght?

 

[JoshT]

They don't show a weight on the product. Like many parts brands, it's difficult to find information about it online. Searching the www for the listed Ultra-Power part number mostly gives Dorman or unrelated results.

 

[L0WnSL0W]

Finally got around to ordering there’s they ARE NOT aluminum

 

[pjtoledo]

thank you.

 

[JoshT]

Well that stinks, so they're just light colored cast. Thanks for being our guinea pig and posting your findings.

 

[L0WnSL0W]

No problem figured I was doing the change anyways I mine as well take the gamble on aluminum.