ForOffRoadDriving's 94 Ranger Build

[ForOffRoadDriving]

thanks for the comments guys, im trying to stay inspired as spring approaches. i want to build some tail light guards, add a third light to the brush guard, and fabricate a latch that will hold the tire swing open for driving with the tail gate down. ive got a few recent pics of the truck, mainly one with it as muddy as its ever been since the rebuild, but nothing too inspiring.

i helped a friend move some things and finally got to used the bed extender in conjunction with the tire swing being open during transport. i help it open with a tie down, but a more permanent solution needs to be engineered.

some muddy pics after we got 4 inches of snow overnight and then the 45* weather melted it all during the day

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

look what the parts ferry brought me today!

and i got a new dresser last night

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

got a few pictures when i was messing aroundthe other day, i also decided to remove the roll bar and put in a tool box to see how it looked, but so far im undecided.

i started building a light bar to hold three lights, but im not sure that i really want to drill holes in my cab so im considering a headache rack.

 

[AgPete139]

I liked your light/roll bar, man. *sad face* Never been a big headache rack kind of guy, but it's your truck.

What ratio were your gears? Don't you just love new toys?

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

yeah i think im going to change it back if i dont get any kind of MPG gain. i mainly wanted more storage space so i could put my hi-lift recovery chains in the truck, but theres still not enough room and now i cant carry my hi-lift. i havent changed the gearing yet, i currently have 3.73s and the richmond set is 4.10, but the cost of the gears and the bearings and all that extra crap is about $400, and thats all for an open 7.5". plus im going to want a lockrite so theres another $300 unless i can find a good deal on a used one. i really want an 8.8 that is already geared 4.10 from the factory, but i just have to keep looking and waiting.

 

[Kyle M.]

I think I like it better without the roll bar, but I don't really like the look of tool boxes either.....I am a tonneau cover kinda guy myself.

 

[AgPete139]

You will barely notice any lack of mpg, and may actually notice a slight gain with in city driving. I noticed I got all of my economy back with 4.10's in my 2WD 4.0L Ranger on 33's a couple years back.

I don't think you'll regret the gears, but I agree. Finding an 8.8 with a 4.10 LS would be perfect!

Keep an eye out, man.

I just got my mechanic to install 4.88 in my Explorer disc rear to be used with my 35's. I cant wait to see how it performs after the break-in period.

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

heres a couple more pics of it without the roll bar, it seems like it slips through the wind a little better (its still a truck) without the lights on top, but it could just be my imagination.

 

[MountainMike]

We lost some resemblance! Looks good though dude

 

[mp3deviant721]

Thanks to you, I can see what my truck would look like if I made similar mods. And congrats on the kid. BTW, what is the name of the color on our trucks? You have any idea?

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

i did some after-work fabbing a couple nights ago so that once the weather gets a little warmer all i have to do is get the front of the truck into the garage and then weld and paint.

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

i grabbed some steel at work today to start working on the tail light guards, im going to be using 1/2" round stock for the main frame and 1/4" for the cross bars. by my meausurements ill need 1- 4' stick of each in order to complete one tail light guard, plus a few inches of flat stock for the mounting points.

i cant wait till the snow melts so we can fill the mud hole in the parking lot in with gravel and then i can have a parking spot that wont get my socks wet. but until then ill have to resort to creative parking!

 

[lethal-threat-b288]

cant wait to see!!!! u might have to make me some dude!!

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

i got a piece of 3/16 brake line today so i can bend up the general shape tonight with a spare tail light lens and see what it will look like. if i like what i see i may have them bent up and sitting in paint by monday?

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

i got the rough shape bent up and im happy with the sizing, it will fit a little tighter around the lens once i bend up the 1/2" bar stock for it. now i just need to refill my acetelyne tank so i can get enough fire to bend these things up.