body swap

[krazyk]

so i know its unrealistic to easily do a 4x2 to 4x4 conversion without doing serious work. So my question is, if i get a 4x4 91-94 explorer can i swap my 92 ranger body onto it? the only reason i ask is there is a shortage of 89-82 ranger 4x4's around here

 

[nitrofan1]

I'm not sure if they will swap without a lot of work. Never looked into the frame length, width & body mounts. Considering all you would need to move or modify your best bet would be the 4x4 conversion. Either way your looking at $$$$$ regardless of choice. If it was my choice I would opt for finding a good shape (front end wise) Ranger and use it even if you have to drive to get it.

 

[Mark_88]

Swapping bodies is not impossible...the Explorer frame should be close to the Ranger but not exactly sure...and like the above post...you can expect to pay quite a bit for this conversion...if your current cab is in good shape you might be able to swap it onto a BII 4x4 frame with less work than an explorer or even 4x4 Ranger extended cab...but you didn't say whether your cab is regular or extended...

I was considering something similar and, personally, would go with a rebuit BII with all the goodies that you can do...and if you happen to find one and start the rebuild process you can drive your Ranger until you're ready to mount the cab...

It's been done...saw some nice results...especially with the Extended cab...

 

[krazyk]

thanks for the info, it is a regular cab so i guess the next step for me is to take a tape measure to my frame and then the junkyard or something

 

[Mark_88]

I wanted to mount an extended cab on a standard cab frame...turned out to be too much work and would have required cutting a section out of the back of the cab because the frame rails rise up suddenly on the standard cab frame...

Instead I chose to simply keep the extended cab frame and refinish it...that cost quite a bit with the cab mounts and the work that I had done to the frame itself...

Best results I've seen are mounting the extended Ranger cab on BII frame...nice and short...with the 4x4 and a bit of extra room with the ext cab...but a VERY short box...I think there are pics on this site of one that was done...really nice truck...and a 5.0 litre to boot!

Have fun with it though...it's rewarding when you're done and can enjoy the fruit of your loom...lol!

 

[AllanD]

The front mounts will more or less line up.

where you'll run into problems is the rear cab mounts.

The explorer frmal "flares out" (gets wider) starting just behind the transmission crossmember so the mount that you will need to fabricate will basically need to
go right on top of the frame.

I don't see any insurmountable issues ahead of you.

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