7.5L_STX: SAS, Big Block Swap

[AZFX4]

So your track bar is in front of the engine crossmember? Im in the middle of doing a SAS on my B2 and if I line the axle up under the spring mounts on the frame it looks like the trac bar wont be in front of my engine x-member. any advice?

 

[7.5L_STX]

So your track bar is in front of the engine crossmember? Im in the middle of doing a SAS on my B2 and if I line the axle up under the spring mounts on the frame it looks like the trac bar wont be in front of my engine x-member. any advice?

i would have to go check (which im not doing right now) but i think my track bar is just barely in front of my crossmember. doesnt really matter anywhos cause that crossmember is gonna be gone when the engine is getting mocked up.

 

[Josh40601]

my track bar runs right in line with the crossmember. tucks up just like it should

 

[7.5L_STX]

my track bar runs right in line with the crossmember. tucks up just like it should

hmm, like i said im not really sure. i havent even touched the axle (or looked at it) since i got my shock mounts done.

im waiting to put my track bar on anyways, first reason being it will be a little different ride height once theres 700+ pounds of cast iron in there. and the number two reason is i might be able to make a different setup once i have a new crossmember in there.

 

[bilzy7]

I was Wrong!!! Don't trade it! I lost my hopes for my 302 wanting... Funds disappear fast sometimes but that truck looks awesome. Not ugly like mine. Love that style the best for a mean lookin ranger.

 

[bilzy7]

But it is YOUR decision

 

[7.5L_STX]

yah, im not sure what im gonna do yet.......gotta check out the dickota first.

 

[kris97ranger]

.... dont trade! dakotas suck!

 

[7.5L_STX]

.... dont trade! dakotas suck!

i agree that dodges suck, but heres my dilemna: the ranger hasnt seen any serious work in a while. im kind of losing interest in it. my DD is falling apart, the winter did not treat it nicely.

if i do this i can get rid of one money pit, get a reliable DD, scrap the f150 and have some extra cash to throw at the dakota(and my debts) plus i hate driving a fullsize, i want a smaller truck and the fact that this one is a V8 and 4x4 is awesome to me, actually thats the main selling point lol.

idk, this is gonna take some serious consideration(and luck...dont ask about that part)

 

[kris97ranger]

i dunno... my buddy has a dakota with the 318 and goes through front end parts more then i did in my ranger while he drives like a granny and i jumped my ranger on a regular basis. he also has no 4wd anymore has had that problem fixed 2 times now. and its broke again and has a bunch of wiring problems and had a rear main seal go. and this thing is in such good ashape it looks like it just came outta the factory but still has all these problems

 

[lethal-threat-b288]

Dakotas do have 1 good and i mean 1 good thing in the 4x4's and its the np231hd transfercase! Thats it tho. Otherwise the interior sux the paint sux the little318 engine sux and the trannys go bad alot.

 

[7.5L_STX]

no worries, i decided against the dodge. the tranny felt kind of.....mushy?

 

[kris97ranger]

except the worry is the fact that you considered trading in the first place sir!

 

[7.5L_STX]

except the worry is the fact that you considered trading in the first place sir!

*shrug*









*kicks Dirt*












*walks Away*

 

[Hahnsb2]

Dakotas do have 1 good and i mean 1 good thing in the 4x4's and its the np231hd transfercase! Thats it tho. Otherwise the interior sux the paint sux the little318 engine sux and the trannys go bad alot.

It's an NP231D, not HD. The interior is fine, much bigger than an RBV, especially the newer ones. The paint is fine. The Magnum V8 is very tough (lets see a stock bottom end SBF put up with 650+hp like a Magnum will, the SBF block itself can't even do it). And automatics suck in general (Ford sure has a great reputation with it's RBV autos ) nothing new here (I solved this by getting a 5 speed), same with IFS.