4x4 to 2x4 suspension swap

[I_BEAM_Machine]

yea i know... but 2 wheel drive has less moving parts, and i believe better for long travel. i have a 88 ford ranger, with an old school rancho lift kit on it. i have already plugged the transfer case, so im at the point of no return. also made a bracket so it doesnt come out of 2H gear on the shifter.YEA I KNOW. why did i do this u ask? well i like prerunners, not rock crawlers.

My question's are, can i use F150 beams/radius arms on a ranger? How can it be mounted to the ranger frame? Do I need the f150 brackets? how can the steering still work? what are the issues to this project?....

i want to keep the same mounting methods,because heims are not cheap,i prefer polyurethane. I also know about the rear end and such to compromise for the wider front end. I would like to use the same coil bucket type dimensions, along with same type and style i-beams and radius arms (80's and early 90s)

One more question.....my lift kit has been plauged with problems.due to some poor geometry and craftmanship i find myself with the same lift kit mentioned in the tech library under BROKEN LIFT BRACKETS. sad situation i know. but is there a way to gusset and re-enforce some of these notorious problems? Im a young ranger fanatic, just looking for the right way to go any help would be appreciated thanks

 

[predator]

why swap? start with 2wd, your headaches will be less

 

[4x4junkie]

You could use the components from a 2WD Explorer or Bronco II on yor 4WD Ranger, they should bolt right up (be sure to get the 2WD-specific pivot bracket that the passengerside beam mounts to).

2WD Ranger parts will not work however.

If you have the Rancho lift, you can beef up the brackets by boxing up the pivot brackets so they won't flex as much leading to fatigue cracking.

I did this on mine and it seems to be holding up prety well now (mines the 4WD, but is similar)

Hope that helps

 

[canyoncritter]

yea i know... but 2 wheel drive has less moving parts, and i believe better for long travel. i have a 88 ford ranger, with an old school rancho lift kit on it. i have already plugged the transfer case, so im at the point of no return. also made a bracket so it doesnt come out of 2H gear on the shifter.YEA I KNOW. why did i do this u ask? well i like prerunners, not rock crawlers.


4wd is a wonderfull thing in a prerunner belive it or not.


My question's are, can i use F150 beams/radius arms on a ranger?
anything is possilbe, but what era of f150 beams are we talking about[/B]

How can it be mounted to the ranger frame?
hot glue and zip ties.............depends on how you want to mount the beams

Do I need the f150 brackets?
once again all depends on how you mount the beams, and what type of beam

how can the steering still work?
same as before but with extentions or set up a swing set type

what are the issues to this project?....

your wallet and or fab skills IF might not be up the the test..

i want to keep the same mounting methods,because heims are not cheap i prefer polyurethane.
can be done. use to be a common thing till hemis came along.If your buying ia kit it may be alittle hard to find.AS most EVERYONE has gone to hemis on the radius arm.

I also know about the rear end and such to compromise for the wider front end. I would like to use the same coil bucket type dimensions, along with same type and style i-beams and radius arms (80's and early 90s)

So I take it your want to keep the un equal lenth beam type.Your going to need to change out your eng crossmember.As the 4wd and 2wd beam piviot points are very diffrent.And the short side beam mounts on the engine crossmember.

One more question.....my lift kit has been plauged with problems.due to some poor geometry and craftmanship i find myself with the same lift kit mentioned in the tech library under BROKEN LIFT BRACKETS. sad situation i know. but is there a way to gusset and re-enforce some of these notorious problems? Im a young ranger fanatic, just looking for the right way to go any help would be appreciated thanks


one thing to learn about prerunners.....DROP BRACKETS ARE EVIL!!!!!



word of caution on the explorer beam route, they are CAST!And have their limits.

 

[F150hybred]

Canyon, your only limit is your imagination. Personally, I can't see why you couldn't use the I-beams from an F150. Yes, they are going to be wider, but the bushings should be the same width. You MIGHT have an issue bolting them to the center hinge brackets due to a possible length difference.. but that shouldn't be too hard to overcome... and your bolt pattern will be different, no biggie there... You will have to relocate your radius arm brackets for sure.
They will make your flange to flange measurement wider... But if that's the effect your after, then this should be the way.
If you do take on this challenge, please do take pictures and fill us in on how it turned out.