88 ranger questions and opinions???

[chriso]

So my buddy has got a 1988 ford ranger regular cab short bed were about to replace the engine he blew the oil pump and the engine went to crap. I am not to familiar with the wishbone type of suspension on this ranger we were wanting to build it into a very capable off road rig we were wondering about a SAS any input it seems like it would be easy to do on this truck... but like I said i am extremely unfamiliar with this truck and its capabilities I have a 85 toy SA... thanks in advance
chris.

 

[chriso]

Any help?

 

[AllanD]

wishbone suspension? On an '88?

You are confusing me... I can't imagine how you are confusing others.

Rangers didn't get a "wishbone" suspension until 1998

 

[chriso]

Well Im confusing my self thats why I came here haha It looks like some type of Independant suspension almost looks like a SA split in two with coils... Im not to familiar with the ranger trucks I my self have 2 fords but they are street rides a 1970 f100 and a 2001 mustang gt...

 

[chriso]

Im just helping a buddy out because its his project trail rig and the engine went capput and were dropping a new 2.9 in soon but were wondering about the suspension it like nothing I have messed with for wheeling I am used to the toyota IFS and SFA... We were thinking It might not be much more expensive to SAS his rig than to build the existing suspension.

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

check out this link:http://www.therangerstation.com/Magazine/Spring2003/TTBTuning.htm

 

[chriso]

Anyone got info for a SAS of this year ranger?

 

[2manyfords]

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Dana30.htm

 

[chriso]

Seems Alot more involved than I thought it would be and just for a dana 30...

 

[Carlos Murphy]

88

I've been off roading a 88, 2.9 auto King cab for 4 years now, truck has 130,000 miles on it and except for having to rebuild the trans (cuz some idiot butchered it trying to do a home made shift kit) Its been trouble free.

I HAVE broken a few things like the right front axle shaft when I slid into a bank, broke the transfer case when I slid headlong into a snow covered erosion ditch that ran across the trail, couldn't stop in time. The suspension flexed to the rear pushing the drive shaft into the T-case and breaking off a snap ring bearing boss.

I run allot in hot weather with the A/C on so I replaced the rad with one from a 4.0 Lt, its twice the capacity.

I'm running 33" Baja Claws on M&T wheels, Rancho shocks and springs, Revolver shackles, tossed the sway bar, made a snorkel and more.
Want pics?

Fergot, I have a Richmond Lock Rite in the rear diff, works great.

 

[midget]

For a trail truck I think a SAS would be the better option than TTB but TTB can be fine providing your not rock crawling into extreme territory. I have about $400 in my SAS including front axle. Mine is leaf sprung though instead of the typical Radius arms and mine doesnt see any highway use so I got by with alot of stuff that would have to be changed if I planned to street it.