adsm08's Ranger build up

[adsm08]

So I've been thinking the last few days, and I'm contemplating dropping the lift kit from my plans. I know it would look awesome, but realistically I'm probably never going to get this truck into a position where I will need it and it will cut more than $1500 off the build. That is money I can put towards finding and buying a B2 for my next build. Gonna call it "Lil' Big Time".

What are the biggest tires a stock height Ranger can fit?

 

[Boggin]

my 89 b2 had 32s when stock with barely any rubbing. but she had brand new leafs and coils so she wasnt sagged. id put 31s or 245s on it

 

[adsm08]

Well I haven't done too much with the truck lately. Been busy and broke. Got the center console and shift boot collar attached to the floor last weekend, gonna get the last exhaust gasket in and tighten up the wheel bearings for inspection tomorrow or Monday.

More importantly, I got myself a new radio today.

Sony CDX-GT34W, AM/FM, HD, CD, MP3/WMA, Satellite ready, and MP3 controls with Aux input port on the front and a pretty awesome remote. My old radio had a remote too, but I only ever used it at the drive in when we were sitting in the back seat.

I have some picks of it out of the truck, I'll post them up with the install pics tomorrow night.

 

[adsm08]

Ok, so As promised, pics of the new radio:

The remote:

And installed:

It sits back in the dash kind of far, but the sound quality is great, and the CD player works. I haven't played with the HD (not many HD stations around here) or the MP3 player control, but I'm happy with it so far (hasn't even been in for an hour and I only have a 1/4 mile on the truck since then though).

I love you Grandma and Grandpa :

EDIT: Looks like I need a separate HD tuner for the HD function to work. I guess that will just have to come later, like I said, not many HD stations around here.

 

[adsm08]

Well, I know its been a while since I posted anything here, but it's not dead. I've just been busy and trying to save for a few larger/more expensive parts.

Since my last post I have acquired a 3.73, LS Explorer rear end.

I've also gotten these:

Working on the wiring right now, once that is all figured out and done up I'll be ready to throw the PW/L system in.

 

[feellnfroggy]

You shouldnt need an HD tuner if its HD ready, bt you do need an HD antenna due to digital signal as opposed to analog, same as the tv.s The newer tvs have digital tuners built in, but need a digital antenna. Sony makes the best head units in my book.

 

[adsm08]

See that's what I thought too, but then I was flipping through my input options and HD wasn't in there. So I went back and read the manual and it said that I need a separate tuner plugged into the RCA jacks in the rear for the HD to work. I think it's just a ploy to sell more stuff. Not too worried about it since there are about 3 HD stations close to me and I prolly wouldn't listen to any of them.

 

[feellnfroggy]

You wont have an HD input neccesarily unless your gonna listen to an external HD source such as sat radio. The HD antenna will use the same plug as your analog so no probs there, If it says HD ready on the front of the radio then It will pick up with an HD antenna. Now if someone told you it was HD then its bullshyt.

 

[adsm08]

I know its been about forever and a day since I've done anything with the truck, but I've been saving for one of the other larger expenses, and I finally got the money together.

Dropped off both of my 8.8s at the 4x4 and fab shop today.

The 31-spline is getting flipped, but since it isn't complete enough to put in the truck yet I took the 28-spline down too so that they could use it as a template.

Now I just need a new diff cover. The 31-spline's cover was already pretty crappy from rust, but it went sliding in the bed and got crushed right over the ring gear. I'm thinking one of the HD ones from the TRS shop.

 

[-Nathan-]

I love my Great Lakes Offroad cover.....yep thats 1/2 inch plate

 

[adsm08]

Yeah, That's the one that I want. How much did that run you?

 

[Boggin]

those great lakes ones are $110 shipped:
http://www.greatlakeoffroad.com/diff.html

 

[bobbywalter]

that glo cover is an excellent deal.




for your intended purposes, i would leave the truck like it is and maybe cut the fenders to run 33's for wheelin. if your really power hungry then the effort for a d35 and 8.8 are warranted.


with the 4.0 swap and say 410 gears...
likely i would run 150 coils and radius arms and 2wd 150 leaves in the back with trimmed fenders. easily fit 35's when you wanted them, run 33's for daily driving and that would be perfect.

 

[adsm08]

Actually, this is gonna be a street truck. No fender trimming. If it gets any lift at all it will be from ex leafs and 150 coils.

I am doing the 8.8 swap mostly for disc brakes. That and the fun of ripping my truck apart.

The D-35 came as a set with my 28-spline 8.8 for like $100. Too good of a deal to pass up.

My front axle is just getting old. It is showing it's age and needs a good working over. On top of that I want the dual piston calipers because my truck sees tow/haul work more than any of my other vehicles. As long as I need to rip an axle out and rework the whole thing to keep it going, I'm gonna put a D-35 in. It's not any more work, stronger parts, and I don't have to disable the vehicle for 3 weeks while I work the axle over.

 

[adsm08]

Well, after hours of mulling over wiring diagrams, splicing, headaches, mulling, and then melting my zippo to a tarp, I just performed my first full system bench test on the windows.

Wired up my window cross harness, plugged it into my door harnesses, plugged in the motors, then applied power and ground with my PowerProbe III, and had the wife hit the window switches. Both motors worked as did all three switches.