dhkonrad's 93 ford ranger

[stiluv]

ha dayne got stuck today

 

[dhkonrad]

That's what I get for trying to show off by going through where you almost got stuck

 

[dhkonrad]

The lift I put on originally was only about a 4 inch lift, and with how settled in the springs were already, not to mention being an extended cab and 4.0, I probably ended up less than that. After putting the extra weight up front and because of the more extreme of kick on my wheels, my front end is sitting even lower than normal. This leads me to deciding that I should probably get some different coils for the front to gain a little lift back, while also maybe gleaning some better off road performance. I have been seriously considering the EB 3.5 coils, after seeing quite a few members here use them with good luck, but I wonder with my weight if I should try the 4.5 coils. The brackets I have are the style that are for 4-6", so I don't think I would end up too tall, and I could always cut coils out if I need to. Anyone have any thoughts about that?

My Heims joints in my Radius arms are now making a ridiculous amount of noise, so much so it sounds like my truck is falling apart. Is this common with Heims, or can I oil them in some way? They are not greaseable or rebuildable to my knowledge..

 

[YooperSteeze]

Subscribed! For ideas when I pick up my third RBV friday...

 

[dhkonrad]

Subscribed! For ideas when I pick up my third RBV friday...

Thanks! It'll be nice to have you around

 

[YooperSteeze]

I'm excited for it. Second gen, 4.0 35/8.8, fully running driving, new brakes and exhaust, guy I know just wants to get rid of it. $400. My neighbors are gone til april and gave me full access to their garage and driveway for whatever I'd like so I actually have place to work on it. Plans are a budget build, parts I have lying around or that I'm trading for. Rear: chev 63's, beltech shackles, and my buddy has some fox 2.0's lying around that'll probably end up under there. I have an explorer 8.8 with 4.10's and a trak-lok chilling in the yard that'll go under if the stock gears don't cut it. Front, unknown drop brackets from my friend's truck once he sas's it. I have some 4" rbv lift coils but I'm gonna try and find some xj or eb coils for better flex. Shocks, unknown yet. Have 250 shock towers in my garage. Extended radius arms are in the plans too. 32" Maxxis bighorns, race cuts from Johnny Greave's pro lite, welded front and rear, tow bar-ing it to wheeling spots. Sorry for the lengthy post and thread jack but I'm excited and want to talk to someone who actually cares about it (unlike my girlfriend)

 

[dhkonrad]

Been a long time since my last update, but Im still plugging along on the truck.

I was pretty excited to get a tubing bender

And promptly put it to work on finishing my front bumper

started with a stinger, which, through a long story, ended up being a bit bigger than I meant it to be, but its size is growing on my and I think I am just going to run with it

It also looks worse in this picture than in person.
Started adding some bumper to the stinger

lots more to come...

 

[YooperSteeze]

You'll definitely be deflecting trees with that stinger!

 

[dhkonrad]

Haha, that's the plan. Deflecting Trees, rocks, and Priuses.

 

[dhkonrad]

Got more tube added to the stinger:

as well as some tubes that go further back on the frame to support the stinger

and the best part of the whole thing, its removable

All that is left is to add some tabs for lights, and I might add a support that goes from the end of the sides to the frame, just in case of hitting a rock/tree right by my headlight.
I got a little body damage on a rock

so I think it is time for sliders. I was already planning on some in the near future, and I have the steel for it, so I guess its happening sooner than later, given I have the time.
I also bent the bottom piece of the c-channel of the frame because I landed on the skid plate, and it pushed up on the frame, so I guess I need to box the frame there, as well as on my drivers side radius arm mount which I overlooked boxing...

 

[stiluv]

your rocker looks like mine now

 

[dhkonrad]

I haven't got a whole bunch more done, but I did add some spacers between the two tubes on the sides of the bumper

also added some lights behind the bumper where they should be protected

also had some fun in the mud

Tried to go thru in 2wd, but got high centered on my diff so I had to get out and lock the hubs...
and the aftermath...

 

[dhkonrad]

Finally washed it



I also added a couple more lights to the bumper. Doesn't look so good in this picture, but I think they look pretty good.

The only thing I worry about is not having enough air flow for the radiator. I guess Ill just have to wait until summer to see if its a problem...

 

[dhkonrad]

picked up a 78/79 hp d44 1/2 ton a little while back.

Almost complete except that its missing most of the components outside of the knuckle on the drivers side. One of my friends happens to have just done a SAS on his dodge dakota, and opted for 3/4 outers, so he had a few goodies lying around

that was most of the parts I need, except for bearings, brakes, caliper, hub, and lockouts, but bearings and brakes I would have replaced anyway while Im doing the swap, so not too bad of a deal.
Thus, the great collection of parts begins...
The SAS definitely wont be happening immediately, or even very soon for that matter. Goal would be by the end of the summer, because I am leaving for school, but it will probably more likely happen come winter break.

Pulled the bumper off and painted it. I'm pretty happy for how the bumper came out, seeing as that was my first real experience with a tubing bender.

(Sorry for the crappy cell phone pic, I can get out a real camera and take a better picture if anyone wants)

 

[kris97ranger]

That stinger is huge!! Id never be able to rock that i wouldnt make the corners lol