Cragar Mag Master from 1974

[cbxer55]

Got these in Monday. Last time I had these, the center stud could not make up it's mind whether to stay in the pedestal or the spinner. So, I threaded them fully into the spinners, put a drop of red Loktite on the threads and screwed them into the pedestal. Hour later, the spinners came off leaving the stud behind. Going to put a coat of wax on them today, then wait out Mother Nature. Looks like a stormy pattern ahead for a few days, including the weekend. DRATS!!

 

[cbxer55]

Hey Str8, if you like my Ranger, take a look at my other truck. Here's a link to a bunch of pics. It has 6.5 rims up front, 12.5 rear. 215/60's and 345/35's. The stock rims are 9.5. These were sent to Weldcraft Wheels in Michigan. Had them remove three inches from two, and put that three inches in the other two. Result, looks like stock, but they aren't.

Pics for Zero Hedge.

Can't post pics there, but can post links to pics. There is a thread on the STUPID new electric LIGHTNING. Showing them what a real Lightning is. Feel free to add pics of yours if you like, Gen. I or II. I use this to post pics of true Lightnings whenever a stupid article comes up on the new...

www.lightningrodder.com

 

[cbxer55]

Took the rims off and installed chrome knock off spinners. Changed the hood scoop from a Roush Mustang scoop to a Boss 429 style scoop.

 

[qorray]

Beautiful..... I'm happy to hear that you'll never sell them. Good luck to any one finding another set of Cragar MagMaster rims in this condition. I'm currently doing my head gasket as previous owner probably over heated motor at some point and I had a cracked head. Good project for me!!! Doing just the top end instead of a full rebuild since my 1997 only has 123,000 miles on it. I'm a little bit further than 1/2 way done, work is busy and keeping me from finishing faster. Gives me a chance to bond with my 6 speed manual FJ, but hate the gas mileage daily driver this truck gets. Keep up the good work. Cory

 

[cbxer55]

I get a lot of "you need to lower it." There's no easy way to lower a Ranger the little I would want to do. No more than two inches. But flipping the axle or shackles is going to be too much, at least for me. So, I'll live with it as is.

 

[Ranger850]

I get a lot of "you need to lower it." There's no easy way to lower a Ranger the little I would want to do. No more than two inches. But flipping the axle or shackles is going to be too much, at least for me. So, I'll live with it as is.

Explorer Rear end will drop the rear 4"-5", with 2" lift blocks on that , it will have you lowered about 2-3". You still have to figure out the front end though, since you don't have the torsion Bar suspension

 

[47str8leg]

Jump on this ad while you can. My son just told me about it. Great shape with center caps too for $150.00 !

 

[qorray]

Wow those are cool, can't believe the unicorn caps are still out there. Crazy thing is the caps "could" be worth that asking price by themselves!!!! Ive thought the same thing CBXER55 on lowering my truck, I can do it but do I really want to do it??? I'm leaving mine alone for now also. Got my new heads finally installed and intake, torque sequence is crazy on these 4.0 OHV motors!!!

 

[2011Supercab]

Explorer Rear end will drop the rear 4"-5", with 2" lift blocks on that , it will have you lowered about 2-3"

Where do you put lift blocks when the springs are under rear end?

 

[JoshT]

Where do you put lift blocks when the springs are under rear end?

Yeah they got the mafs a little off there. Adding "lift" blocks to an axle flip in a Ranger will lower it more. What is needed is extended shackles, that will raise it. Explorer leaf springs will too.

 

[JoshT]

I get a lot of "you need to lower it." There's no easy way to lower a Ranger the little I would want to do. No more than two inches. But flipping the axle or shackles is going to be too much, at least for me. So, I'll live with it as is.

Flipping the axle is 4-5 inches and I can understand that being too much.

Flipping the rear hanger is about two inches. They also offer a little short shackles now that could bring that back up a bit after flipping the hanger, or a 1" lift block could be used. Just throwing out the options.

I personally would have to do one or the other if it were my truck, but it isn't.

 

[cbxer55]

Two inches I could live with. But how to lower the front to match?

 

[JoshT]

Lowering springs? I would also consider possibly using drop beams, then a washer spring lift like the 4x4 would use.

Are the springs original? If so they have probably sagged over time. You could probably install best with NEW stock springs and net 2" drop.

Personally I'd just go shoot for a 3/4 drop. 3" beams in front and what ever got me to between 3 and 5 inches in rear. Raked or level is good for me, just no squatting.