Hello from Sacramento, Starting a 1997 ranger trail truck build!

[USCGC130]

Hello all from sacramento! Thanks for letting me join this group, i thoroughly enjoy forums and know how amazing and helpful all you knowledge filled folks can be! i just bought a 1997 extra cab ranger 4.0 liter 4x4, which probably needs a new transmission, it has no reverse and no engine breaking in manual 1st. So when i get it ill investigate more to see if its the servo or seals or band but i cant check until i get it down here from seattle, and yes i plan to drive it down!!. I had my dad good look at it and and its pretty close to what i want to build up

*1997 ranger 4.9L 4x4
*Automatic /wish it was a manual but oh well
*TTB front end
*only 121K miles
*got it for 2000 $

My plan is to throw on a Skyjacker 4" lift class 2 (top of the line one for them) with a steering stabilizer, on the skyjacker kit go with either their top of the line M95 shocks or buy it with out the shocks and go with bilsteins 5100, really i would like some foxes, but money wont allow. then replace the 31's with 33's ( may need to re-gear) then replace all the body mounts and if i think it needs it ill add a 1.5 inch body lift.

The reason i am not going with a 6" suspension lift if because of the notorious steering issues with going that high, i want reliability and am willing to make up the extra room with a body lift since i am planning on replacing the body mounts any how.

possibly ass a snorkel for dust mitigation and water crossing of course

then get a bumper or build one and winch, and since i have a welder i am planning on building a bed rack to put my rooftop tent on for camping, and then beat the hell out of it!

i plan to repost this asking for any input and i know ill be back on here seeking wisdom from the ranger gurus!

thanks again