Kirbys 1991 Ranger Build Up and Solid Axle Swap

[ryan]

1000 percent agree.


but, i dont have a stock powertrain. so running a dana 300 or 205 with a strong box or black box is on my all around list. that way i can keep my 410 gears. its cheaper or close to cheaper than regearing two axles and more options. i can run 31 to 44 inch tires on the road....just dont use overdrive with the big tires... 33-35 is what i usually use for street duty...unless i have military 37s...but 31-33 if i have to tow. the ol idi dont have alot of tow power.

Want to buy my 4 speed atlas? Just need to change the input around...

 

[bobbywalter]

Want to buy my 4 speed atlas? Just need to change the input around...

i would buy a 4 speed atlas for myself ....4500 bux...

i need tires. so a black box with my 205 it is.

if you buy me a set of inner air locks and 4 new 42 in iroks and fresh 16 in wheels, i might could maybe buy you an atlas 4 speed..

the strong box and the 205 isnt too much bigger than the atlas 4 speed....which is nice.


of course...still would like an atlas 4 speed....and a 6r80 or 10r80 with a p400 6.5.

 

[Kirby N.]

I didn’t realize that I didn’t put the final
setup pics on here. I have been driving it since November an I have it some miles on it- both off road and highway.

I got it all installed an the tail shaft seal of the transmission was leaking. So I had to completely remove the transfer case and replace that dumb seal.

That gave me a chance to take pictures of how tight the shifters are:

I got the straight shifters and bobs from behemoth, but the shifters were too big to be that close together. They also didn’t have the shift pattern. A guy at my work has a lazer engraver- so he did the shift pattern. Another buddy milled down the shifters for clearance for me.

All installed and everything clears.

 

[Kirby N.]

Took the wife's Jeep to Moab last weekend. It did phenomenal. It's kind of silly how we used to build trucks for years that would barely hang on these trails- my wife's Jeep is pretty stock and it did everything we were willing to try. My daughter drove most of the time and I spotted. We just had a day so we did hells revenge. It walked everything (escalator, staircase, tip over, hells gate) with out a flinch. I did not have the moxy to try Mickeys hot tub.

I did add some stock Mojave internal triple bypass shocks to the jeep that I got a good deal on. to get them to the right bypass zone for ride height I had to add some shock extensions and 1" spring spacer in the front and 1/2" spring spacer in the rear. Other than that it's stock.

I was inspired by @RaceRanger97 over on TRS to install a modern stereo in my ranger. My old Pioneer has had issues since it got hot idling up hunting this year with the defrost on for a half hour. It also seemed like the pioneer needed a reset every 6 months or so because the BT would stop working. This is pioneer cd deck number 3 or so. I like how they function and perform, but they seem to wear out about every year or two. And I would like to add some modern flare to my truck since my wife's Jeep is really nice with those features. Honestly, I would love a touch screen that would play youtube too for those long journeys, but I haven't found one that would mirror my phone.

This is the one RaceRanger installed in his truck that I put on my truck:

https://www.amazon.com/Pyniro-Universal-6-36-Inch-Microphone/dp/B0F267H4WK/?tag=959media-20

For $60 it was worth a shot- it looks cool and the functionality is pretty rad. I have yet to install the backup camera, but the wiring is there.

But the sound quality is completely awful. I am not even picky, but I can barely get it loud enough to hear over the truck noise. I got a blown kicker speaker, and the rear speakers sound really tin-ie. Like they are only using the tweeters or something. It's too late to return it and I dont know if it has a problem or if it is just garbage. I think I am going to try something else with a bigger screen and keep this one for a spare for my kids Jeep. I put one in her Jeep with similar results.

 

[bobbywalter]

i driven and ridden in stock ranger....jeeps...broncos and scouts through there....stock f150-250-350- gm 3/4 and suburbans...not the complicated shit...the tour loop.

my bronco was actually handicapped. 410 gears and 36 in iroks with a single low in that terrain was hell on the clutch.

alx had his brand new godzilla out there crew cab and i dont think he even had to lock it. i love that place. the whole state has crazy shit to ride on.


the traction is insane when you are from michigan....until it rains. or snows...
ice though......awwww hell no.

 

[RaceRanger97]

Took the wife's Jeep to Moab last weekend. It did phenomenal. It's kind of silly how we used to build trucks for years that would barely hang on these trails- my wife's Jeep is pretty stock and it did everything we were willing to try. My daughter drove most of the time and I spotted. We just had a day so we did hells revenge. It walked everything (escalator, staircase, tip over, hells gate) with out a flinch. I did not have the moxy to try Mickeys hot tub.View attachment 140884
View attachment 140885

I did add some stock Mojave internal triple bypass shocks to the jeep that I got a good deal on. to get them to the right bypass zone for ride height I had to add some shock extensions and 1" spring spacer in the front and 1/2" spring spacer in the rear. Other than that it's stock.

View attachment 140882View attachment 140883

I was inspired by @RaceRanger97 over on TRS to install a modern stereo in my ranger. My old Pioneer has had issues since it got hot idling up hunting this year with the defrost on for a half hour. It also seemed like the pioneer needed a reset every 6 months or so because the BT would stop working. This is pioneer cd deck number 3 or so. I like how they function and perform, but they seem to wear out about every year or two. And I would like to add some modern flare to my truck since my wife's Jeep is really nice with those features. Honestly, I would love a touch screen that would play youtube too for those long journeys, but I haven't found one that would mirror my phone.

This is the one RaceRanger installed in his truck that I put on my truck:

https://www.amazon.com/Pyniro-Universal-6-36-Inch-Microphone/dp/B0F267H4WK/?tag=959media-20

For $60 it was worth a shot- it looks cool and the functionality is pretty rad. I have yet to install the backup camera, but the wiring is there.

View attachment 140880View attachment 140881

But the sound quality is completely awful. I am not even picky, but I can barely get it loud enough to hear over the truck noise. I got a blown kicker speaker, and the rear speakers sound really tin-ie. Like they are only using the tweeters or something. It's too late to return it and I dont know if it has a problem or if it is just garbage. I think I am going to try something else with a bigger screen and keep this one for a spare for my kids Jeep. I put one in her Jeep with similar results.

My stereo sounds pretty tin can-ish also. I blamed it on the speakers and didn’t realize it might be the head unit. I will have to investigate lol

 

[Kirby N.]

I sold the rtt and rack. Seemed like the right time. I got a little more than I paid for the setup. Going to need to replace that. What should I replace it with?

 

[Jim Oaks]

Tent wise? I like my RapidTent.

 

[Shran]

I really like my ARB awning and tent room. You’ll need a rack for that though.

Topper? Contractor topper with a rear door?

Kids have a Walmart cheapo ground tent that I love, very easy to set up. Wife and I have a 6 person one that we got on clearance for like $35, I think it’s Coleman brand but can’t remember. Pretty happy with it too.

Hammock???

 

[sgtsandman]

I sold the rtt and rack. Seemed like the right time. I got a little more than I paid for the setup. Going to need to replace that. What should I replace it with?

It depends. Are you looking to truck bed camp? Tent camp? Use a roll up swag?

As far an awning, if you are thinking about one, Slumberjack makes a nice one that can be setup as a stand alone or attached to a roof rack cross bar on the back of the truck. It packs up pretty small. So, fot truck bed camping, it's kind of an ideal compromise from having a hard mounted awning.

 

[Kirby N.]

I am thinking a wedge camper. Those are pretty sweet. You can utilize the space in the bed as well as the sleeping space, there is a port for a heater available for the cold weather.

I would need to seal up the bed. I think currently there is lots of opportunity for dust to come up between the steel bed structure and the bedsides. I am considering removing the bedsides and glueing/ sealing them down to the structure. I don’t want to mess up the paint- but it isn’t that nice anyway and I think it would be important to keep dust out of the camper if possible. I also might run some wires for the 3rd brake and power back there while I have it apart

 

[sgtsandman]

I am thinking a wedge camper. Those are pretty sweet. You can utilize the space in the bed as well as the sleeping space, there is a port for a heater available for the cold weather.

I would need to seal up the bed. I think currently there is lots of opportunity for dust to come up between the steel bed structure and the bedsides. I am considering removing the bedsides and glueing/ sealing them down to the structure. I don’t want to mess up the paint- but it isn’t that nice anyway and I think it would be important to keep dust out of the camper if possible. I also might run some wires for the 3rd brake and power back there while I have it apart

Yeah, sealing a truck bed to be dust proof is a pretty tall order. Not impossible but there are a LOT of entry points. Some people have gotten vents to just ram air into the bed, creating a lightly pressurized environment and greatly reducing dust intrusion, if not eliminating it. They mount the vents on the cap so it doesn't mess up the sheet metal of the bed itself.

 

[SenorNoob]

That actually sounds like a cool idea. I fiberglass hood scoop in the top of the cap with a home style air filter accessible from inside.

 

[Kirby N.]

The lone peak has a filter like you suggest. It’s under the mattress and provides positive pressure in the cap while you drive to keep the dust out. I am really liking the thought that has went into the lone peak. The gfc is probably my second choice.

I worked on sealing up the bed the other day.

Firsr I lifted the bed off the frame:

Drilled out all the rivets first and unbolted the fenders off the inner bed structure.

Then I did a little body work. A few years ago I backed the rear drivers corner and popped the rivets on that side and tore the fender a little. As a result I pulled out the bed but it never felt solid when I closed the tailgate.

So I pulled it out again and found a seam popped on the steel structure. I got that all welded up and the other side too for good measure.

Then to the car wash to clean the structure. I only primed it on install, so I did some grinding, more primer and more paint.

Then two layers of glue. White is power grab. It dries hard and hopefully will provide some structure. The black is polyurethane and is the same at rhino lining. Hoping it will seal the dust out