IFS to TTB

[badmts]

I love these ranger/b4000 trucks but with everyone lookin for 94-97 manual everything 4.0 5spd they are going fast! I want to start my search for next rig now ,so is TTB swap easy or even worth it? is straight axle swap a bolt in or would it require welding.the reason behind this is I work in a big shop (11 bays 8 techs) where engine swaps and gear changes are fine and some small amount of welding is ok but we are NOT a FAB shop and we can't tie up a rack for days or push it in and out everyday -btw i don't work on cars i just break them and then ask for HELP!

 

[dangerranger83]

There will be alot of fab work involved when going from IFS to and other type. Doing a SAS would be easiest but will involve alot of fabbing work such as putting a steering box on (many choices there), coil buckets (if you plan on running them), etc....

This is something that will take alot of time and planning to do. The truck will be tied up for awhile to get this kind of thing done. And yes there is alot of welding.

 

[4.0B2]

sas w/ leafs is the easiest option IMO

 

[4x4junkie]

Unless you have a good reason to want the TTB, I would suggest swapping to a solid axle on a A-arm IFS truck, it'll be a lot easier.

As said, none of this is anything close to being bolt-on, there will be quite a bit of fabbing & welding for a project like this. Probably would be a good idea to do some searching on '98+ axle swaps just to see what you're getting into.

 

[legoms013]

There is alot of good solid axle swaps done on the IFS sploders and rangers over at http://www.ranger-forums.com/index.php

Here is a good one:

http://www.ranger-forums.com/showthread.php?p=1868889#post1868889

http://www.ranger-forums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=111

Nothing about what you asked is bolt on nor easy. Will require lots of fab and expect some significant downtime [more than a day or two] (if you have it all planned out and parts all bought beforehand). Probably not gonna work out for your given situation.

Better to park it at home and do the SAS little at a time (spend many many hours on the internet first, taking notes, writing down part numbers, sourcing parts, and planning each step.

 

[badmts]

well it won't be tommorow or 6 mos from now but I love this off road thing and I have already destroyed 1 truck and #2 took it on the chin sunday (bent axle,shock ripped APART,tore off mirror ,spring came out and dented bed) so I will need a replacement in a year or less 'cause we wheel 3-5 times a month -maybe a tiny flatbed?

 

[dangerranger83]

I did a year of research before I did anything to my truck, finding the best way to do stuff and deciding on what parts to use and what not. After that I ordered what I needed and fabbed a few things while doing it. Puts a whole new meaning to the word "custom" when doing something like this, no two are alike.

 

[Endoverend47]

but I love this off road thing and I have already destroyed 1 truck and #2 took it on the chin sunday (bent axle,shock ripped APART,tore off mirror ,spring came out and dented bed)

how did you bend your axle?
you can wheel a truck hard with out beating the piss out of it, just have to be smart, know the trucks limits and pick good lines. your truck should last you alot longer than a year. you can solve the coil poping out issue, its common with rbvs, all you have to do is make a new upper coil retaining bracket seeing as how the stock little tab sucks. its super simple i will take a picture of mine tomorrow (if i remember)

 

[badmts]

well i went up 311 and had no problem and then i did 520 519a still good then i took off down this one trail that had lots of roots and trees -i was drivin like a PRO BABY WHEN IN DOUBT POWER OUT!! I had both front wheels off the ground more than once ( NOT like a power wheelie but literally bouncing off of roots @15 mph) smacked my head inside cab and almost broke a thumb when wheel jerked out of hand -but you know what -the truck never quit ! I am thinkin about havin you guys build me a flat bed like SASQUATCH-RYDA ,just big enough for tool box spare and winch

 

[dangerranger83]

Sounds like you need to run rockwells