97 reg cab trail rig build

[RangerSVT]

Any coil will bow without moving the lower mounts. You either need to space out the coil buckets on the frame, or move the lower mounts in. I suggest moving the lower mounts in for better flex, out for more stability for on road driving...

SVT

 

[97TrailRigDD]

Air shocks would be cheaper and WAY easier to mount. And I know where you can get some.

 

[97-cobra/ranger]

Air shocks would be cheaper and WAY easier to mount. And I know where you can get some.

Come help me mount them then

 

[97TrailRigDD]

Order dana 44 shock weld on shock mount tabs from ruffstuff or ballistic and I'll bend you some shock hoops.

 

[97-cobra/ranger]

Order dana 44 shock weld on shock mount tabs from ruffstuff or ballistic and I'll bend you some shock hoops.

I'll text u about it. I forgot how much you wanted for them.

 

[97-cobra/ranger]

Alright so I Got a FW '87 8.8 and geared it with 4.88s last weekend. Getting ready to regear my front with 4.88s soon. The guy I bought the axle from said it has a rebuilt track lock "built for 90% lockup". Does anyone have experience with the traclock with extra clutches? I think I want an aussie locker up front instead because I don't think the tracklok is gonna perform like I want.

 

[RockRanger]

I am happy with the aussie in the front of my ranger. It has survived multiple broken axle shafts and blown hubs. My wife has a trac lock in her jeep. It is better then an open diff but when you get in the big rocks it starts slipping to much. For what we use each vehicle for they each work for the intended purpose.

 

[97-cobra/ranger]

I finally started my sas last night. Got the old junk out and the new axle is just sitting under there on jack stands. Gonna knock the rivets off the coil buckets tomorrow and hopefully get the radius arms mounted on the frame and get the new coil bucket location figurer out. So does everyone usually move the axle about 1" forward? Also what pitman arm dies everyone use? I have the GM 1 ton tie rod kit from ruff stuff to make my own steering but I think my drop pitman arm is gonna be too low.

Here's a few pics.

btw it's getting a FW d44 with 4.88s (open diff for now), FW 8.8 4.88s (open diff for now), 63" Chevy springs, extended arms with Johnny joints, and a manual shift t-case

 

[RangerSVT]

When I did SVT I pushed it forward 6", I'd recommend going 2-4", using the 6" drop pitman. If you're gonna stay low or high steer, might want to try either the stock pitman or a superduty pitman....

SVT

 

[rathranger]

Anything new?

 

[97-cobra/ranger]

Yea, I've made the new transmission cross member and radius arm mounts, bought some James duff coil buckets and track bar mount and got them on. I've redrilled the James Duff lower coil mounts buy still need to put them on and get the coils in, make my steering and track bar. I have all the parts, just gotta find motivation. I also bought some 37x12.50x16.5 military tires off a hummer. T hey're like % 90 tread and got 5 of them for $600 so I couldn't pass them up. I know they're not ideal but they'll work for now.

Here's the x-member

 

[97-cobra/ranger]

And here's the tires

 

[merch]

aint nothing wrong with that!

 

[97-cobra/ranger]

Well got the steering and trac bar done and the front of the truck on its own weight. Still gotta tighten everything up, paint the steering and trac bar, put the hubs and brakes on it. Wheels should be here early this week so I can get the front end done then move on to the rear.

 

[97-cobra/ranger]

Oh and the trac bar and drag link are the same angle and are within 1.5" of the same length so hopefully that will mean no bumpsteer.