Explorer Body On Built Ranger

[cambo]

Hey guys,
New to the forum, I already put up an introduction and I thought I would start my first thread here. I have an 86 Ford Ranger that is nicely built, but I need more room for the kids. I have a 93 Explorer I would like to swap onto the frame of the Ranger. I don't want to stop there though. I would also like to cut the Explorer body after the back seats, weld up the back and add a shortened Ranger bed to it. I did a search, but found nothing out there like this. Has anyone seen or done this before? I am hoping it won't be too terrible. I know the wiring has me worried. Anyhow, please let me know what you think and I will post pics of the rig soon!!!

Link to pics
http://s486.photobucket.com/albums/rr221/camifa00/1986 Ford Ranger/

 

[02RangerXLT]

Everything can be done with fabrication! Do it!

 

[MountainMike]

I'm sure it could be done. I know the Explorer frame it wider at the back but not sure if that's after the axle or before. Another thing I would do if I were you doing all this customization... use your first gen front clip! They looks killer on the BroncoIIs and I've never seen and Explorer with one. Looking forward to seeing how this one goes!

 

[James86]

...I would also like to cut the Explorer body after the back seats, weld up the back and add a shortened Ranger bed to it. I did a search, but found nothing out there like this...

Like this?

I think there's a name for these things...


sorry, had to

In all seriousness, I think it would look cool as hell, and I have seen something similar done with the XJ Cherokees, but here's a pic of a ZJ that looks kinda cool too:

 

[cammeddrz]

search 'explanger' a guy did the opposite, a ranger body onto an exploder frame but the principle remains the same

 

[cambo]

Like this?

I think there's a name for these things...


sorry, had to

Just like that!!! But in the cooler, gen I body!
As far as the Ranger early grill I really want to keep that, but the ranger has a groove in the fender and the explorer is all smooth so it wouldn't match up. Now that I type this I realize I will have the sme problem with the bed now. I guess that is the least of my worries!!

 

[MountainMike]

Just like that!!! But in the cooler, gen I body!
As far as the Ranger early grill I really want to keep that, but the ranger has a groove in the fender and the explorer is all smooth so it wouldn't match up. Now that I type this I realize I will have the sme problem with the bed now. I guess that is the least of my worries!!

Exactly, matching is a non-issue!

 

[kozak]

I have seen a few around.
I have a 1st gen extended Ranger cab on a 1st gen 4 door Explorer frame, I know first hand that the front clip, and the set of mounts on the front floor boards under the dash area line up. I had to make custom rear mounts for the back of the cab.
With a Ranger frame, I am pretty sure, someone correct me if I am wrong, but I am pretty sure that the frames are straight at the back, where as the Explorer after the rear seats the frame goes up, which might cause you problems mounting the bed.

 

[MountainMike]

He plans on using the Ranger frame so mounting the bed won't be a problem, it will just be shortened. Now depending how the floor of the Explorer kicks up there may need to be some interesting body mounts made to keep everything lined up.

 

[Harrison_Bergeron]

The wheelbase/frame length is going to be an issue. Your Ranger looks like a short bed regular cab, which is 108" wheelbase, and a 4dr Expo is 112". If you put the Explorer cab on the ranger frame(and cut it down) you'll only have room for like a 1' bed.

If it were me I would just use the Explorer Frame, or better yet find an extended cab Ranger frame.