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can you build a prerunner for 5k?


1987surfranger

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Aug 12, 2008
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so do you guys think its possible to change a stock 87 ranger into a respectable prerunner for 5 grand? I know every body will say "talk with dave at threat" lol and i will once i have all the cash... but i wanted to know before i bugged him if 5k can get everything i need for front suspension and rear and wheels and tires.... everything but the engine and drive stuff...
im looking to something where i can take it out to ocotillo wells and still drive back home... thanks for any help you guys have

peace :icon_cheers:
 
I don't know for a beamed Ranger. If was an a-arm ranger, I would say definitely not (I have over 5k just in the front suspension on mine). My guess is that if you found everything used and did all of the work yourself, you might be able to do something for 5k minus engine and drive line upgrades and cage work. Check out the classified sections on dezertrangers and race-dezert to get an idea what is available and what things cost used.
 
I'd say yes for a beamed truck, one that'll make a good DD and a reliable weekend playtoy.

But to get a great working truck that is properly tuned, and caged it's gonna cost money. You could build it decent to start and go from there, but I guarentee in the end your gonna spend more.
 
I'd say yes for a beamed truck, one that'll make a good DD and a reliable weekend playtoy.

But to get a great working truck that is properly tuned, and caged it's gonna cost money. You could build it decent to start and go from there, but I guarentee in the end your gonna spend more.

you probably could with used parts if you do the work yourself but they are not cheap to maintain and you will ALWAYS want a better set-up once you are hooked on the sport. therefore you will end up spending much more imo.
 
If your looking to race...5k wont get you there. If you want to do some dezert driving and hit a few jumps then maybe. It all depends on what you want.

I have been researching stuff about the sport so i can build a race truck but everyone says "Buy an already built one its cheaper".

Complete suspension from Dave for my 95 ranger is $6000.
Complete cage (engine,cab,bed) 3500-8000
Shocks 2000
Lights 1000
Fuel cell 300
Suspension seats 150-700ish
rims & tires 1200 (beadlocks) 600 BFG
Seat belts 150

I hear you, im saving to get into the sport too i want to so bad! Take a look at this site its where i spend my time on the comp.

http://dezertrangers.com/
 
you could have a very nice prerunner for 5 grand, if you can do a little fabbing your self.
-send your beams to dave @threat and tell him you want 4" added. then get his engine cage and radius arm kit. that will be around ($1500-2000)
-order some deavers ($550)
-flip your shackles and extend them 2" (free)
-get some front glass from perrys ($300)
-rims ($400)
-32" tires ($600)
-FOA 2 1/2" coilovers for the front ($600)
-FOA 2 1/2" smoothies for the rear ($400)

that gets you a lot of truck for just under $5000. i just have bent beams w/ coils, deavers and cheap shocks front and rear. i've beat my truck hard for 6yrs without any major problems. a cage is a great idea for both safty and strength but it is not something that has to be done. i don't have one and i drive my truck much harder than most non racers.
 
don't forget that if you want to run 32 33 tires you will need to re gear your rear end and a bed cage for the FOA for the rear.

complete re gear 500 on the high side
simple bed cage 300 on the low side
 
don't forget that if you want to run 32 33 tires you will need to re gear your rear end and a bed cage for the FOA for the rear.

complete re gear 500 on the high side
simple bed cage 300 on the low side

those are things to consider but.....

a bed cage is pretty easy to make, i guess i was just thinking that would be part of the minor fab work i was talking about. i made mine in 5-6 hrs.

as for gearing, i run stock 3:73s. i understand thats not for every one but most people shit there pants when they ride in the truck. they don't believe it's a stock 3.0. i think that moving the truck in sand has alot to do with running the right tire pressure and some bald a/t's. sand is were i drive it most.
 
for the rear is there a way to run leaf springs? i really dont want to cut up the bed or put a cage in there if i dont have to, but if i have to i will sacrifice that... and thanks for all the posts, its really helping me get a grasp around everything :)
 
the bed cage is for the shocks nothing to do with the leafs
 
the bed cage is for the shocks nothing to do with the leafs

Actually, if you build a bedcage correctly, the cage will tie the frame latter together and you can get better tuning out of your springs. This is of course if you build it correctly.
 
I am in the same boat actually, I am looking at getting the Camburg Suspension but be REALLY cheap on the body (pulling the fenders if I have to). Is there a reason I souldn't go cheap on the body?
 
I am in the same boat actually, I am looking at getting the Camburg Suspension but be REALLY cheap on the body (pulling the fenders if I have to). Is there a reason I souldn't go cheap on the body?

you'd be much better off spending money on your suspension rather than fiberglass and paint. but camburg is a little pricey, not bad stuff just cost more than some others.
 
Oh, ok. I was thinking that. I love Camburg and their warehouse is about 45 min from me so I am going to have them install it. That way I don't screw it up, the people who deal with the product will!! :D
 

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