Budget prerunner

[Q--Ball--]

Hey, I'm a high school student so I don't have very much money but I would like to build a prerunner. I don't want to build anything crazy, just something that can do a little offroading and that I can rip around in. Does anyone know cheap ways to do the front and rear suspension or ideas of what I could do? And does anyone have any pictures of a budget prerunner? Any information would help, thanks!

 

[straycat]

Yes, you can build it very cheap, and if you don't drive it it will never break on you...lol. Nothing much can be done to build a prerunner cheap, Bro. Suspensions are not cheap unless you want to put in spacers with your coils (if you have coils). What kind of stock suspension do you have on your truck now? You can add different leafs (Explorer leafs) for some more ride height. You can buy used leafs. Just make sure they are good so they will last. Are you buying prerunner fenders too? Those add up. You can buy good used prerunner fenders. I see them every once in awhile.

 

[Q--Ball--]

I don't have a truck yet, I'm looking to get information first so I can see if I can even afford to do it or what kind of truck I want. And is there anything I can do to stock suspension to make it handle some off roading and just ripping around and to cut costs?

 

[Heavyfire14]

get a 1997 or older ranger for a budget prerunner build cuase 1997 and older ranger 2 wheel drives have tib suspension (twin i beam) and 4x4s have ttb (twin traction beams) those are the cheapest to build!

 

[Bennybooster]

Buy a 93-97 with a 4.0 preferably (although they are all good motors) a 5 speed is required (learn how to drive one if you don't know how, autos are crap) and 2 wheel drive (way cheaper than 4wd.) Then hang out on here and dezertrangers.com for a while and read every build thread you can until you have a headache then keep reading, try and talk to some people in person who have built trucks and ask what they like about their truck and what they would change. Try and get on with a race team to pit for them or be a shop monkey. Then cruise the classifieds on dezertrangers and by this point you will know what parts you need to buy and you can get good deals on parts. Don't rush it, take your time. Oh and get a job if you don't have one. Also focus on school and buy a dirtbike because they are way cheaper. oh and lastly rep me because usually people like you get a really smartass answer from me

 

[Heavyfire14]

Buy a 93-97 with a 4.0 preferably (although they are all good motors) a 5 speed is required (learn how to drive one if you don't know how, autos are crap) and 2 wheel drive (way cheaper than 4wd.) Then hang out on here and dezertrangers.com for a while and read every build thread you can until you have a headache then keep reading, try and talk to some people in person who have built trucks and ask what they like about their truck and what they would change. Try and get on with a race team to pit for them or be a shop monkey. Then cruise the classifieds on dezertrangers and by this point you will know what parts you need to buy and you can get good deals on parts. Don't rush it, take your time. Oh and get a job if you don't have one. Also focus on school and buy a dirtbike because they are way cheaper. oh and lastly rep me because usually people like you get a really smartass answer from me

haha this is true^^

 

[brother rat]

I don't want to build anything crazy, just something that can do a little offroading and that I can rip around in.

And is there anything I can do to stock suspension to make it handle some off roading and just ripping around and to cut costs?

The factory suspension can handle that. Buy a truck and leave it stock for a year until you really learn to drive it and really learn the type of offroading you enjoy and have available in your area (mud, snow, dunes, two-tracks, fire roads, rocks, etc.) and learn where the stock setup actually needs help. You will be disappointed if you buy a truck with the sole purpose of throwing money at it, especially if you are trying to build a prerunner and don't really have the right terrain to use it.

 

[nb11]

The factory suspension can handle that. Buy a truck and leave it stock for a year until you really learn to drive it and really learn the type of offroading you enjoy and have available in your area (mud, snow, dunes, two-tracks, fire roads, rocks, etc.) and learn where the stock setup actually needs help. You will be disappointed if you buy a truck with the sole purpose of throwing money at it, especially if you are trying to build a prerunner and don't really have the right terrain to use it.

Repped. Just get a truck and have fun. If you find weak links, they will likely break and you can rebuild it stronger.