91 Ranger Project. Help/advice?

[91TheHoff]

NOT exactly sure where this thread should be so please let me know if it belongs elsewhere!


I have a 91 ranger 4.0'4x4 160k . It's got a rough country 4 inch suspension lift (springs not blocks) , 265/75/15 all terrains, black painted rims, new red paint, aftermarket radio and speakers, tsc toolbox, it's a nice little truck. I plan on putting some money into it. It needs a few things and then the rest of the money will go towards mods ( better shocks, tires, exhaust ect) .
What it needs: front end rebuild ring and pinion. And a fan clutch. A battery will be necessary soon also. I will be putting 3-4 into it. I wanna hear some ideas on what I could do with it. I thinki might just find a used TTB dana 35 and swap it out? it might save money because I can install an axle but i wouldnt want to do the rebuild.
ALSO:
My ranger has an 8.8 Rear end and A4ld(all stock) trans. If i wanted to do a 302 swap would swap parts be available from a 95 f150 302 Adl4? Same trans as my truck and same rear end. Id keep the rear end in the ranger though and only take motor, trans, t-case(maybe?) and anything it would need to operate computer wise. The f150 is mine and runs great 140k miles old man truck but the body is rusty, but a healthy powertrain and should run for a while! So, could this swap be done? Thanks!
Thanks

 

[swynx]

Easiest swap is from the early 5.0 explorers. Its all made to fit into your engine bay already. Rebuilding the front end on these is simple. I'm 21 my ttb was the first front end I ever rebuilt. I just did this a month ago. Now I can pull it all apart very fast. If I go all the way to the ball joints I can have the steering knuckle off in a half hour ish.

Get a trans cooler. There like 80$ and it'll save you 500+ later.

If you just bought the truck. Don't mod it. Drive it a few months find out what's all wrong. Drove mine 5 months and gathered a list of stuff that needed done. Now I've put almost all new sensors new clutch and junk drive shaft rebuilt front end new tires and wheel a lift fixed some wiring gremlins and the truck now has 300k+ miles on the original running gear. And id drive it across America.

Go order a bulk of parts from www.rockauto.com I did and saved myself ALOT my Tps was 170 at the auto parts store got it for 40$ on that site...

 

[swynx]

Also if you want flex ditch the rough country drop plate buy one from a different company and throw in some eb 3.5 coils. Then let your coil drop out and use a limiting strap then put Chevy 63s on the rear. Although ranger leafs flex pretty nice. That'll give you the flex tokeep up with a straight axle rig. Find out if your rig has open or limited slip then buy lockers front and rear. That'll get you further than tires.

Also better look into your gear ratios. James oak enterprises (parts tab at the top) will have great prices on most of what you want.

Lastly GO READ THE TECH SECTION. Read it all. You will learn SO much. Alot more alot faster than just browsing the forum. It has almost everything.

Welcome to the forums

 

[91TheHoff]

I bought the truck last may. I've figured out most of what it needs. Other than the front end, the fan clutch which ill replace with an e fan, and the trans vac modulator it should be good to go. Motor seems healthy and runs good. But while the engine was burning trans fluid, I wonder if the lack of trans fluid was causing damage to the trans? Hopefully it will still be fine.

 

[91TheHoff]

Ill be selling the f150 I mentioned above for funds.

 

[swynx]

It might have but it also might be fine