Carrying 1200lbs in the bed at all times?

[jfman]

Hello guyz,

I am looking at options to build a budget overlanding type rig and the ranger is on my short list.

I would be looking at a circa 1995 ranger 4x4 with 4.0 and manual trans.

Anyway the bed would be removed and replaced with a spacekap brand cab that weights around 700lbs and would be fitted with bed and a few accessories.

I estimate the truck will be carrying an extra load of 1200lbs on the back at all times. How and can this truck handle it!?

Dunno if this makes a difference but I plan to do a 4-6 inch lift with 33's and a regear.

Not looking to do serious offroading, more like dirt roads and easy trails. Lots of going down the highway to reach camping spots.

What do you guyz think?

Yeah or nay?

 

[saskbill]

I'll let some wiser others add their wisdom.

All I'll say is, adding weight higher up and looking at a lift as well, make sure suspension stuff is stiff enough to prevent too much rockin and rolling when you're going down the back trails.

Its not a good feeling if you feel things wanting to go over on it's side...

 

[4x4junkie]

Shouldn't be a problem.

Rangers were offered with two payload packages around the time of the models you're considering, the lower of which was 1200-1250lbs (the higher was 1450-1650). GVWRs ranged from approx 4200-5100 lbs, depending on cab configuration & drivetrain. The rear axle & frame is 100% the same whether it had the standard or higher payload package (just the springs were different).

Just keep your wheel offset within reason (15x7 or 15x8 wheels w/3.75" backspace or 15x10 w/4.5" backspace are all acceptable). This will help lessen any additional leverage on the axle shafts from the wheels being wider.


Agreed, keep the weight down as low as you can if you intend to be off road with it much.


Hope that helps

 

[RonD]

Yes, I don't think the weight will be an issue with good springs.
Narrow wheel base will be, get sway bar for sure and keep any weight in shell down as low as possible when traveling.
Body lift might be better than suspension lift for this, keeps more of the weight lower

 

[Will]

You might need to put air bags in there like Airlift 59516. My truck doesn't like more than about 700# (12x 60# bags of pre-mix) in the back with Skyjacker Softrides. With 15 bags of pre-mix (900#) on pallet right over the axle I was staring at the sky and it was bottoming on rough roads. Best plan is to get some leaves built for the new way it's going to be and not use lift blocks or off-road type lift springs.

In my experience, short add-a-leafs bust the other springs eventually. If I were doing what you are, I might find some F150 springs and spring mounts and figure out how to make that work. These trucks are like erector sets so it's not difficult to build them how you need them.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

How tall is the little camper setup? With that much lift, id be a lil nervous in a crosswind. But like will said air springs will be a good idea and the weight shouldnt be an issue.

Cant be heavier then what some company used to saddle 1st gens with...

Post pics when you get it built, sounds like a cool project

 

[Shran]

I would at minimum put air shocks in. Airbags would be better. Perhaps Explorer springs as a cheap heavier duty option, or you could contact a company like Alcan and have a custom spring pack built for the exact weight of your truck.