97 ford ranger big block 4x4 project

[Ford78]

Here's a pic of my steering box

 

[Tisdale]

What did you use to go from the steering colum to the gear box?

 

[Ford78]

Made a custom steering shaft,
Here are the joints and shaft I got, think they were around $200 got everything from jegs.


FR1716
Is the u-joint i used on the cab side. Its a
3/4 x 3/4 DD

FR1781
Is the u-joint that i used on the toyota steering box side. It is 1" DD x 11/16-36 spline

Part #450024 is the 24" telescopic shaft. one side is
3/4 DD and the other side is 1" DD. I did have to trim the shaft a little.

FR1810
Is the support bearing that i used to support the shaft.

 

[Ford78]

Pic is upside down the support is next to the cab,

 

[Tisdale]

So where did you hook up that support did you mount it on the fire wall somewhere?

 

[Ford78]

Just made a mount from the frame

 

[Tisdale]

Oh okay, thanks for all the information on how to do that swap

 

[Ford78]

Any time, maybe after I get my ranger going too we can do some wheeling!

 

[Tisdale]

Definitely, are there any good trails around where you are?

 

[Ford78]

I'm with a local jeep club and their go on runs threw out the year, they usually let members bring some one if their interested in joining. Plus it's always nice to show a few jeeps how it's done.

 

[Tisdale]

I finally got the truck rollable the other day and got it out

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And I got the 460 for it today

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[Tisdale]

Well I got the engine in, but I had to take the heater box out cause it ended up being in the way

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[Ford78]

Tight fit! Just going to make your own heater box?Plan on trimming mine down just in case.

 

[Tisdale]

Yeah I plain on making one for it, cause the factory one there isn't anyroom for it

 

[bobbywalter]

I hope you've inspected and reinforced the frame... No way my 97 would handle the torque from a BB engine. It'd end up like a cinnamon twist, only less tasty.

you would have to define that for me....because a stockish power big block is no issue for a ranger chassis for sane use.


of course beefing the frame for off road use is always a great idea. 110hp or 1000.

Well I got the engine in, but I had to take the heater box out cause it ended up being in the way

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looks like plenty of room to modify a factory box to me.





please do not take my comments as insults or condescension in any way....



i dont know if i am puzzled more by the definition of the floor mods as being extensive some how....the hvac being difficult in some way, or the fact that a guy that can and will do a sas and big block swap, does not have a solid understanding of steering systems.

your obviously no stranger to a junkyard, so i would suggest you study all systems "here and there" when you have a few moments when scrounging parts, then tear into the how and whys of those various systems out there from jeep to benz to chevy and so on.....

where i usually shop you can handle the steering portion of this for 30-90 bux safely and properly with solid oem parts.


i would consider using a cut to fit wrangler setup from firewall to gear if you can find one along with an over rail box of some sort. but if what you have will work start there by all means. my reason for this has a few points. one is freeing up room inside the rail of course, the main one is making a longer drag link. longer links are easier on angle change thru suspension cycle. this can be a non issue on a mud racer, but can pay dividends for a soft suspension street driven machine that sees trail work as well.

there is always compromise with a build of this magnitude, so goals need to be known in order to keep from wasting time and resources. but mistakes are great instructors to say the least and can be as valuable as they are dangerous.


i am pretty busy or i would keep watching this to possibly add advice when you want some other perspectives... but you are doing great so far. dont see you really having any need of help with what you have done to this point.