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compleckz
Well-Known Member
COMPLECKZ'S RANGER BUILD 4REAL
***THREAD UNDER CONSTRUCTION***
***THREAD UNDER CONSTRUCTION***
***THREAD UNDER CONSTRUCTION***
i often want to post progress pics, but they are always little small things i'm doing, so i decided to start a thread..
i've already lifted/locked/geared my truck, so i think i'll start at the beginning, and add pics until i'm finally caught up to it's current state..
so check back semi-often, for updates! there will be LOTS of pics and whoring.
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PHASE 1
12/04-8/05
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stock specs:
1997 Ford Ranger XLT Extended Cab 4x4
Engine: 4.0L OHV V6
Trans: 5R55E (5-speed Automatic)
T-Case: BW1354 (Electric Shift)
Axles: D35 (Auto Hubs)/8.8 (28-spline, drum brakes)
Tires: 235/75-R15 Goodyear Wrangler All Seasons
Wheels: 15x7 stock alloys
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MODS:
APC clear corners
gibson 2.5" sideswept catback exhaust
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as near to stock as i have pictures of, (note: i bought it 100% stock):
first little muddin' experience behind the house:
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PHASE 2
8/05-6/06
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MODS:
Skyjacker 6" Lift Kit
--extended radius arms
--using 4" holes in drop brackets
--rear blocks (stacked)
Pro Comp M/T Tires, 33x12.5 on 15x8" Pro Comp Rock Crawler, Series 92 Steelies, in Black.
Pro Comp SS Braided Extended brake lines
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PHASE 2
8/05-6/06
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MODS:
Skyjacker 6" Lift Kit
--extended radius arms
--using 4" holes in drop brackets
--rear blocks (stacked)
Pro Comp M/T Tires, 33x12.5 on 15x8" Pro Comp Rock Crawler, Series 92 Steelies, in Black.
Pro Comp SS Braided Extended brake lines
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only have a few pics from the lift process:
first set of pics, before alignment, and before putting the front tires on:
after tires, still no alignment.
after getting it aligned, the truck was my only mode of transportation, due to a drunk driver rear-ending my mint 1990 vw corrado during the lift process of my truck.
the early days
the time-line gets a little fuzzy in here with the truck being on DD duty and the fact i worked a 12-hr night shift for the next 3 years.. at some point i installed a Pro Comp Pre-Runner Style Light-Bar, with two Hella 500 driving lights, which i put 100w bulbs in (55w stock).
sometime shortly after that my first stuck.
this is when i learned how to use my brandy new hi-lift
check the flex, yo!:
some winter posing:
that first winter, screwin' around in a snowstorm, had to use some throttle up a hill and blew the hubs:
stranded in the garage with no spare hubs
out went my order for the jeep hubs
back in business with the new hubs
installed a drawtite front hitch with d-ring reciver shackle (not pictured)
installed a pair of hella 500 fog lights
swapped in a 1-piece driveshaft, trimmed gas skid plate
cowl snorkel install, 2" abs
spring wheelin', basically my first real trip out--you can see the cap i picked up earlier that winter
before
during (nothing good in the pics)
after
summer wheeling - installed pre runner fenders
somewhere along the line i blew out the rear bearing retainer clip in the t-case. the actual lip that held the clip in busted into a dozen pieces.. the only reason i noticed is cuz the speedo stopped working properly, due to the metal chunks eating the gear. i ended up grabbing another t-case from an explorer for $50, so i have yet to fix my old one.
that fall i busted my front spiders, i think i drove all winter 2wd...
PHASE 3
??/??-??/??
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MODS:
Skyjacker 8" Coils
--using 6" holes in drop brackets
Skyjacker 6" Lift Leaves
Belltech 2" Shackles
BFG A/T Tires, 33x12.5 on 15x8" Black Steel Wagon Wheelz (they were cheap (2nd hand), and are good in snow)
Explorer 31-spline 8.8 rear (95+)
--Powertrax No-Slip Locker
--4.56 gears
Dana 35 upgrades:
--c-clip eliminator
--4.56 gears
--Lockright locker
--760x u-joints w/ full circle clips, clearanced slip joint
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busted front spider gears, trying to go up a rock face on tunnel rd., front end hopped a little too hard (3.27 gears, bald 33s.)
finally in May i replaced the ball joints, relocated front brake lines, replaced wheel bearings, spindle bearings, all new seals, 4.56 gears and a lock-right locker. also 760x u-joints and full circle clips, c-clip eliminator. i really dont have CRAP for pics during this process, i wonder if i even took any... (rear end was still stock 3.27s, so not wheeling yet)
c-clip eliminator (will try and get spring specs if i can dig them up again)
a few bad pics from the skyjacker 6" leaf swap (FR36S), and belltech 6400 shackles
installed skyjacker 8" front coils, and moved the pivots to the 6" holes.
what a mess
man its getting close
sometime i purchased a 95+ explorer 8.8 rear end, 31-spline axles, disc brakes., i cleaned it up, and cut off the perches, i put on new brakes, and a powertrax no-slip locker. i then had a shop install 4.56s gears.
then i painted it up all nicey nice and added more brake parts.
pulled out ye old 28-spline, open diff, 3.27s
how i moved the new beast around by myself
with the weight on it, perches not welded yet
me pretending i knew what i was doing, trying to set the pinion angle. (i completely forget this whole process so dont ask!)
my friend stopped by, and tacked the spring perches and shock mounts in place. then we took the axle to his step dad, a professional welder, for him to finish up. got back home, installed, plumbed brakes, bled, and woohoo!!!! finally had 4wd back, WITH LOCKERS AND 4.56 GEARS! this brings us up to 10/2007
so i finally took it out wheelin
and driving thru this spot, spit caps, despite full-circle clips. but i heard it happen, and saved the shafts..
got it off the trail and home, 2wd..
mmm steering
at this point i think i made sure there was no binding/rubbing in the front end.. clearance the beam window A BUNCH.. and kept with the full-clips.. till i broke an axle on each side, while snow wheeling.. i found out i had egged each and every yoke, from caps spinning.. from this point on i ran tacked caps, with stock clips.. had great success with this for quite awhile..
mmm stiff
after that.. 12/07.. popped a coil.. busted lower shock bolt.. ripped out brake line.. check that flex
fixed in a snow storm
at school
everything held up till march/08.. and this break really f'in sucked cuz the driver side inner axle spline broke off in the diff.. and i had to pull it out and take the locker apart to remove the splines..
extended steering stops
temporary grade 5 bolts
immediately upon reassembly, went and got it stuck LOL
unstuck, messing around
end of march 08, i had my worst stuck yet.. took a 12k winch, double line pull, snatch, jeep anchored to tree.. to get me out.. and at that, it struggled. i hate bfg a/ts.
after that, april 08.. things were going good.. not much new for parts.. a little wheelin
clean truck in may 08:
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