95-97 4wd Short Course Tuff Truck Build

[bronco2guy]

Well this is all new ball game for me or at least trying to setup truck to handle jumps well, little background have built several crawlers, but looking to get into local tuff truck series in Missouri that started last year with a group that does Figure 8 racing also.

This will be my official build thread, Im, currently still gather parts:

Truck will be 4wd Reg cab, short bed, 95-97 Ranger- searching for good body, not rotted frame doesnt have to run -LOL

Allready purchased used James Duff front kit, price was extremely right and will be decent start till I can learn more about Coilovers

The front will consist of Duff 5.5 I beam drops, Longarms with heims, there progressive rate coils and dual shocks

Rear thinking about buying Deaver Race series Ranger springs 2 1/2 in lift springs

Unsure on rear shocks for now

Truck will run 97 Explorer 5.0, 5spd and Manual 4406 transfer case -Have everything allready just need radiator, engine mounts, and headers...

Truck will sit up about 5.5 inch in front and 2 1/2 rear

Running rear 98 explorer 8.8 disk brake axle, will have 4.10 and is LS

I have 265-75-16 Pro Comp Extreme Allterrains (31s) that gonna run for now, for the course that should be fine

******Side note and what got me hooked was running one event last year in very worn 94 Ranger, with stock suspension and took 1st made $500 so that was what got me addicted******

 

[bronco2guy]

Looking for advise- TIPs -tricks, been reading PreRunner section for awhile now.


Side note this is my crawler: Still needs bed completed

 

[bronco2guy]

 

[bronco2guy]

The blue truck was allready little beat up, cause my brother ran it couple day prior and broke steering column and did this dmg, when he noise dived from like 7ft and of course stock suspension -luckily he was ok

 

[bronco2guy]

Videos

 

[bronco2guy]

The reason if your wondering why 95-97 vs 93 or 94 Cab is, that wiring for the V8 swap is so simple on the newer cabs and the computer goes in same factory location like on explorer, under the hood on the cowl, so simple simple

 

[bronco2guy]

Does anyone have experience with Corbeau Baja Ultra Wide Suspension racing Seats? Ive been looking around trying to decide on seats and like those quite a bit -any opinions???

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

First, I hope your going to cage your truck.Then you can attach your seat to the cage. Trust me, if your racing to win, you WILL flip.
I know people like using suspension seats but they can be dangerous even if you have your belts tightened properly. There are a few threads on various forums, here is one;
http://www.race-dezert.com/forum/sh...er-425-Suspension-Seats?highlight=seat+safety

Here is a link to Hooker Harnesses, they have a ratcheting lap belt. I'll be buying that as soon as I can afford it, because I can't get my regular belt tight enough without help;
http://www.hookerharness.com/racingpullup.php

I use a Kirkey alum. seat;

with padding I put in, it's anti-fatigue floor matting;

two layers on the bottom, one on the back;

Do some more research on forums where they race before you make a decision. I don't know how fast you are going in your truck but if your strapped tightly in a non suspension seat you won't feel it to much, I don't, and IMO you'll be safer.

A link to my low-buck short-course race-truck;
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=79003

Good luck in your racing ventures,

Richard

 

[doyouquaxu]

how much weight are you going to have in the back of the truck? the deaver race pack is designed for trucks with a big fuel cell, spare tires, a jack, tools, and other weight over the rear of the truck. you'll probably enjoy the ride with the deaver pre-run pack a lot better. the part numbers are f-31 for the new pack, and f-23 for the old one. they're essentially the same leaf pack, just a few tweaks.

 

[bronco2guy]

Yes truck will be caged forsure..

I'm gonna run Bronco 2 tank in the rear, and will have spare tire mounted on rear, battery in the rear. Rear bumper., So figured the Race pack is whats needed since tank is in the rear??

Progress is being made, my purple crawler is donating its cab and headers, L&L Mounts, Oilfilter kit, radiator. The rest of it will reincarnate into explorer sport LOL

 

[bronco2guy]

Super excited, found great deal on 97 Reg cab short bed 2wd Ranger for $325with blown engine, allready manual tranny. Going to get it tommorow, I will post pics soon of all my stock pile of parts , the build should begin pretty soon.

 

[bronco2guy]

Update-will get pics asap, but I have purchased the 97 Ranger platform to build from also few other small parts. Im very close to starting, just wrapping on engine tranny swap on v8 explorer that is getting sold, then starting on this truck.

 

[bronco2guy]

Update, ordered wheels today, took advantage of Black friday specials and free shipping.

 

[bronco2guy]

Not sure why, I thought the engine cross member on 2wd and 4wd were same, but there not lol, my frame is 2wd, but have located cross member from 4wd, my engine allready out so gonna swap cross members hopefully tommorow so I can get this thing rolling.

 

[Bennybooster]

post some pics