irs suspension for 94 ranger drag truck.

[freakranger]

i have been researching for my soon to be project, 1994 ranger street/strip truck. i am torn between either a ladder or 4 link suspension, or adapting an independant rear suspension from a mustang cobra. i will be mostly using it on the strip but also want to cruise some on the weekends. so my question is, which one of the 3 is the best for my needs? i am taking this project slow,to get everything right the first time. my hopes are to obtain a 10 second ranger. after my test fit for the engine,tranny,suspension, i will be getting it as a roller, i have put a 2 yr tops build limit to get it race ready, i dont tend to think it will be 10 secs right after build, but am hoping to get it at least 12 secs. i will be runing a bigblock ford. and tips and statements are appreciated. thank you

 

[3.0ranger1227]

probably going to want to run a 9" or bigger solid axle. a lot of the cobra guys swapped the IRS out of their cars because it wasn't as quick in the drags.

and a 9" should hold the power from the big block.

 

[Psychopete]

There was a low rider I'd seen somewhere that had IRS swapped over from a t-bird. I think it might have been on RPS, but could probably find it with some searching.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

What about a bodyswap onto a 02+ Explorer frame?

IS all around, factory disc brakes and a boxed frame.

 

[JohnnyO]

probably going to want to run a 9" or bigger solid axle. a lot of the cobra guys swapped the IRS out of their cars because it wasn't as quick in the drags.

and a 9" should hold the power from the big block.

+1
A lot of the Cobra drag racers swapped in a 9'' or build 8.8'' because it's stronger. The IRS is better for road racing than a solid axle.

 

[3.0ranger1227]

+1
A lot of the Cobra drag racers swapped in a 9'' or build 8.8'' because it's stronger. The IRS is better for road racing than a solid axle.

That being said that's the only way I would do a lowered ranger... that IRS would make the twisties so much fun

 

[freakranger]

this would possibly be a good idea, will the ranger body of a 94 fit properly on the expo chassis?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

this would possibly be a good idea, will the ranger body of a 94 fit properly on the expo chassis?

No idea, it would be neat though...

 

[baddis]

they put in an irs in a mazda 2300 with a 4.6 on trucks

 

[freakranger]

yep, thats were i got the idea from

 

[chvlfrk]

Imo>>

If your gonna spend the time & money, 4 link is far better than ladder bar setup.

I didn't wanta backhalf my 94, so went with the cheaper bolt-in setup: I used 2 right side axles, narrowed the rearend 3", centered the chunk, as I have a fuel cell in the bed, and then I moved my springs to under the frame like an Explorer. I'm runnin 15X12 Weld Draglites with McCreary 28X15.50 Pro Street style tires INSIDE the wheelwells.

Here's a few pics & you checkout the build via the link in my sig:

 

[freakranger]

i am opting to just get an expo chassis since its boxed already, but i need to do some measurements to see if the ranger body will sit down on it properly with just some new body mounts made.

 

[Andres629]

Not meaning to offend here, but if you're worried about doing some fab work on the cab to fit an Expo chassis, are you sure big block, linking, or IRS swap is a good idea? Just curious. Will be a cool build though nevertheless.