Front Cross member, Ooops

[-Nathan-]

Have you guys ever compared the size of our Ranger frames to others? I work on a lot of trucks, and I can tell you this as FACT. The frame on our Rangers are comparable to that of a gen4 chevy HALF ton. The Ranger frames are almost TWICE as large as toyota minitrucks. For a mild build, our frames are more than adequate.

 

[legoms013]

Correct Nathan.

Get this, go over to any Toyota build forum and you will find countless threads about plating their frames. Why? Cuz they are CHEEZ WHIZ. Toyota frames are 5/32" thick! How thick are Rangers? My guess is 1/8" or maybe even 3/16" or 7/32" thick. I have never really measure but my guess its thicker than a Toyota's.

When was the last time you saw someone plate the frame of a Ranger? It doesn't happen very often...

A ranger frame rail is something like 4" tall, the same as many half ton pick ups.

Go take a look underneathe a Toyota and tell me what you think

 

[Boggin]

ive had several rangers/B2s without that crossmember

 

[Boggin]

Have you guys ever compared the size of our Ranger frames to others? I work on a lot of trucks, and I can tell you this as FACT. The frame on our Rangers are comparable to that of a gen4 chevy HALF ton. The Ranger frames are almost TWICE as large as toyota minitrucks. For a mild build, our frames are more than adequate.

Correct Nathan.

Get this, go over to any Toyota build forum and you will find countless threads about plating their frames. Why? Cuz they are CHEEZ WHIZ. Toyota frames are 5/32" thick! How thick are Rangers? My guess is 1/8" or maybe even 3/16" or 7/32" thick. I have never really measure but my guess its thicker than a Toyota's.

When was the last time you saw someone plate the frame of a Ranger? It doesn't happen very often...

A ranger frame rail is something like 4" tall, the same as many half ton pick ups.

Go take a look underneathe a Toyota and tell me what you think

^^^^ everything abotu this.

the frame on my old 93 mazda (pre-ranger years) was like TIN, i couldnt believe how they stay together. the frames on Rangers/BIIs are beef, a couple crossmembers missing or not

 

[ranger_mclaren]

Ill put it this way; on my last ranger I had lengthened rad arms that connected to mounts bolted to the frame. The stock x member for the stock rad arms was gone, as well I cut out my carrier bearing x member when I did my 1 piece conversion. I beat the living P!SS out of that truck, and NEVER had an issue. Why do people think that removing a few non-structural cross members is a problem? is there ANY evidence to back your statements folks?

my $0.02

What he said ^

I don't know how to put it any other way, its non-structural, cut that biotch outta there and be happy you own a Ranger and not something else!

Why are you guys getting so bent out of shape over it, not a single person is arguing with you or saying it's important except the OPs mechanic.
Me and a few others said it helps with protection and it HELPs with strength. Not that it was very important and you couldn't go with out it, or OMG your screwed or anything. Relax.

 

[-Nathan-]

Last time I checked thats welded on. Se picture 2. There's only bolts for the sway bar.

It's not only for protection of the pitman arm, but also for the strength of the frame in an accident. Cut the old one out and weld a new one in.

Next time, pull with recovery points, not from frame components.

SO, not to start a fight, let me get this straight.

This is not structural, neither is the carrier bearing cross member, I've also heard you can ditch the cross member and not need a new one for the stock radius arms when doing an extended radius arm set up. So if I do all 3, my truck will not fall apart? it seems like after those 3 there is no bottom of the frame support and just top of the frame, and there is very few of them on the front of the truck due to engine and transmission preventing there from being any.
Cross members are there for a reason.

If you can't get to the auto wreckers to find one, maybe do what legoms013 suggested and weld in a piece of square tube to replace it.

I think you would want to replace it before you do any more strenuous activity with your Ranger, such as towing or offroading. You should be fine without if for a couple weeks if you take it easy.

Not bent out of shape, simply stating facts, in response to posts such as the above.

 

[ranger_mclaren]

Not bent out of shape, simply stating facts, in response to posts such as the above.

OK point taken.

 

[Ckyllo]

Well thanks for the help and opinions! If i cant find another xmember, then i'll just get something fabbed up or welded in there. In the mean time though, strictly on road till i get it fixed.

 

[superds]

Not bent out of shape, simply stating facts, in response to posts such as the above.

Well, guess I can't be right all the time.

 

[shane96ranger]

My neighbors 2wd has one of those. It looks to me like it would get in the way more than anything. Take it out and recycle it!

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I do like the looks of it.

I really hate charging onto the unknown leading with my steering...

 

[legoms013]

I think it totally ruins the look of a Ranger....but thats just me I guess.


No other Jeep or bronco has a guard in front of the pitman arm that I can think of. Of course in chrysler products the pitman arm is mounted reverse of RBV's...

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I think it totally ruins the look of a Ranger....but thats just me I guess.


No other Jeep or bronco has a guard in front of the pitman arm that I can think of. Of course in chrysler products the pitman arm is mounted reverse of RBV's...

I still don't like the openness of it, I have seen plenty of other stuff that had the steering linkage in front of the axle and has been mangled... it eats as me as I bust snowdrifts that one might have a big chunk of ice in the middle and wreck my steering.