Coyote Ugly:97 Ranger build

[RockRanger]

Not sure on the spacing of the axle mounts. I think mine are angled out 5 degrees of I remember right. I built it three years ago so I am a bit vague on the details

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[out cast]

I angled mine at 5* too, figured that looked pretty close, maybe I'll slot those too .

Update though, she now has matching tires and wheels! Picked these up for $80

 

[out cast]

Not huge progress but as far as getting it driveable daily... it was all I needed. Been pre occupied with trying to get my CDL so I can get out of landscaping altogether.

Replaced the tailgate handle internals to get away from this redneckedness

Replaced the radius arm bushings and passenger bracket

Previous owners had 2" spacers for front lift... and washers for shock spacing. lol

Destroyed my coils. Notice how the coil is inside itself?

This is standing straight up.

Also did the fuel filter, basic tune up, and fixed the drivers side front fender a little bit better.

 

[out cast]

Been busy target and range shooting a lot so I haven't been working on the Ranger. My wife and I got our Magazine Madness mags from Springfield for our 9mm's.

Now back to my regularly scheduled build. I hammered out the driver front fender as much as possible and didn't need any filler. Not that I'd use any anyways because trail truck.

Then I stripped it to start painting. Its gonna be Ultra flat Sand in the long run, then bedline the flares and lower bodyline.

Progress of truck shows in this side by side

 

[swynx]

those springfields are the shit. i shoot one, and i really like it. theyve got good balance compared to alot of the others, and there pretty damn accurate if you can shoot straight. popped a bunny in the head at 30 yards with one.

 

[out cast]

I love it. I had the Springfield XD 40 and it was off balance and too powerful for a carry/target gun. I switched to the Mod 2 9mm and it's night and day. Your hand sits higher on the grip and with the shorter barrel it's perfect

 

[out cast]

Coyote Ugly be looking all fly and shit with a single color paint job. It's rattle can but she don't care. Lil tougher from body line down with bedliner. Almost road ready so I can stop driving the Subaru Forester

Parting shot for now

 

[RockRanger]

I like it. If I ever paint my truck I am thinking the same color.

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[out cast]

Thanks bud, after looking over your thread and a few others I decided to trash the D30 idea, go straight to 44. Semi rare to find decent axles here for under 1000 so I'm gonna keep my eyes out. In the meanwhile, I'm gonna look at building a bed like yours or Grunizzles. Looking to focus on the basics of rock crawling. Approach, breakover, departure and protection. Then I think over axle under engine like Clampy will work out for me.

 

[RockRanger]

I wish I would have started with a 60 for the front. Though so far sense going to alloy shafts and warn premium hubs I haven't broke anything. I have wheeled alot but probably not as hard sense I did the alloy shafts.

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[BlackBII]

Nice color choice. It does make it look like you need a 20mm cannon mounted in the bed though.

 

[out cast]

Thats coming later on, haha. Nah but I am building an AR to match my truck in due time.

 

[prerunner]

Thats not right. This is a Ranger. All the gun toting mini trucks I've ever seen were Toyotas.
Toyota is the official truck of the Taliban. And maybe Isis...

 

[out cast]

I'm changing the game!

So I've come across a 79 Quadravan frame, low pinion 8 lug Dana 44 front and I think a 60 rear(?) are they fairly strong?

 

[prerunner]

I'm changing the game!

Outstanding!

So I've come across a 79 Quadravan frame, low pinion 8 lug Dana 44 front and I think a 60 rear(?) are they fairly strong?

As Dana 44's go they're strong but I wouldn't recommend using a low pinion version as they use a closed knuckle. Ford used these axles until 1977.5 (mid year they changed to open knuckles and high pinion.) http://77cj.littlekeylime.com/Dana44_2.htm
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Dana44.shtml
A Dana 60 is a stout front axle and an adequate rear axle.
If you're gonna build a rock crawler a 60 rear is probably okay if it has a decent spline count. Earlier ones were coarse spline and lockers are hard to come by.
I'd suggest finding a better front axle.
(I've been where you are. Believe me. Your life will be easier if you start with at least a high pinion 44. A 60 would be better yet. Starting with mediocre axles is a good way to waste money. The 44 from a Bronco or F150 also has the advantage of being easier to swap into a Ranger based vehicle than, well, anything.) Note early Bronco's are low pinion, open knuckle, drum brakes until 1976.
Bolt one in: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums...to-early-bronco-style-solid-axle-swap.236289/