4x4 question

[big2003viper]

Hey guys, it's me again with a quick question about 4wd rangers. Specifically the brick body ones (83-87). When offroading in soft stuff like sand and mud, does the front end like to dig down or the back?

 

[mwood1985]

?

it depends on the terrain really. ive buried both it just depends on the ground under the tires. ive pulled guys out before only to have my back wheels stuck in two holes and the front wheels fine halfway through then repositioned and had the back on solid ground and the FRONT dig themselves down til i framed out. as far as while wheeling my 96 had the same front end the 1st gen rangers did. but see attachment...lets say im the only guy i know to have a level truck and all 4 wheels off the ground and suspension at full droop.. and not be moving... took a fullsize bronco with two detroits and aired down boggers to get me off that damn hump....

 

[feellnfroggy]

Thats a good looking hump too. It all depends on how your drive it, If you are the kinda person who always hits the shyt hard then for some reason has to mash the brakes all the time, the front end will dig down. If your a constant lead foot and not modulating the throttle properly the rear will dig down. Along with a billiion other facts including how the guy before you drove the rut anything can happen.

 

[big2003viper]

The reason that I'm asking this is because I want to do a drive train swap on my 87 with a Bronco. And since the engine for the bronco weighs so much more, I need to get an idea on how bad it is going to bog down the frontwhen i do this.

 

[feellnfroggy]

couldnt tell ya, check out the ranger build up thread and pm the guys who have done it. Also there is a v8 engine swap section where Im sur eyour question has beena ddressed, I myself have never done hte v8 swap so I dont have the first clue.