Long Travel Prerrunner project.

[RaceRanger97]

Well I looked though this thread and I have some good safe advise for you. For starters. The beams need more plating, the radius arms should have a gusset in between the tubes (especially if they are made from mild steel),the shock hoops need more bracing (coilovers require and engine cage with triangulation), and the coils should always have 1-2" max pre-load (if not you need to change the spring rate or check to see if they are mounted correctly) You have a good base and from what I can see its all fixable. As far as welding on a ranger frame goes. it doesn't mater how you weld on it. Its a C-channel frame and will crack regardless of what its made of. C-channel frames flex period! The only way to eliminate the problem is to box it in or/and cage the truck front to back with the proper design. Frame flex is what can cause the frame to crack. In this case the tube will eventually crack before the frame does. Adding some triangulation and more kicker tubes will allow it to last longer though.

thanks for the advise...i already have allot of that fixed. I have added alot more metal to the engine cage, I have a new set of coils with plenty of preload, and i am in the process of a new set of beams. once i finish the new beams (i am actually trying to save a bit for set of used threat beams i found on DR lol) I will most likey make new radius arms that are heimed..I build this truck w/o ever really seing another prerunner in person before, living so far north. Now that i know ALOT more and helping friends doing similar builds, doing alot of trial and error, the truck should take a turn for the better really soon.

 

[marcehboy]

thanks for the advise...i already have allot of that fixed. I have added alot more metal to the engine cage, I have a new set of coils with plenty of preload, and i am in the process of a new set of beams. once i finish the new beams (i am actually trying to save a bit for set of used threat beams i found on DR lol) I will most likey make new radius arms that are heimed..I build this truck w/o ever really seing another prerunner in person before, living so far north. Now that i know ALOT more and helping friends doing similar builds, doing alot of trial and error, the truck should take a turn for the better really soon.

I know what you mean I wanna build a prerunner to hammer on out in the northeastern terrain but every single prerunner ever made is on the other side of the country. Ill build mine without ever seeing one in person. Most of the people out here think im crazy for even thinking of building a 2wd off roading truck!!

 

[ckblum]

Same boat as you two, except Im in British Columbia. People think ultimate off road vehicles have to be 4wd with 44 boggers and stacked block lifts lol. They think their lifted Toyotas and monster solid axle trucks could waste in the Baja 1000.

 

[marcehboy]

yep here its the same thing...basically if its 2wd it junk

 

[ckblum]

Haha I need a sticker like that now. Sucks man I can't buy any used parts off of RDC or dramarangers.com (formerly dezertrangers.com), no one wants to ship to Canada, but the parts are soooo cheap and I totally can't afford new stuff because I'm a broke college student. I guess Ill have to just learn to fab my own stuff, Im taking an aerospace structures program so maybe I can stay after class and do some "extra-curricular work".

How much to extended beams typically weigh? A kid said his were 75lb each but it also has spindles and rotors on it.

 

[marcehboy]

Yeah that sound good Boggins for babies

 

[84projectFORD]

Haha I need a sticker like that now. Sucks man I can't buy any used parts off of RDC or dramarangers.com (formerly dezertrangers.com), no one wants to ship to Canada, but the parts are soooo cheap and I totally can't afford new stuff because I'm a broke college student. I guess Ill have to just learn to fab my own stuff, Im taking an aerospace structures program so maybe I can stay after class and do some "extra-curricular work".

How much to extended beams typically weigh? A kid said his were 75lb each but it also has spindles and rotors on it.

you ought to really start talkin to dave about some kits. i have been talkin with him back and forth over what i want for my race truck and for prices, all i got to say is WOW. lets put it this way, the prices you see on RDC and dramarangers for other kits used is pretty close to daves stuff NEW! plus he makes kits kinda geared toward what you will mostly be doin with your truck so you dont pay more for something you dont really need. I know im soundin like a damn sales rep or somethin but i willb e buyin my equal lengh beams, radius arm, brackets, dana 44 spindles and everything from him when the time comes

 

[ckblum]

Yea I talked to Dave and he gave me a quote on a kit that would basically include everything to set my truck up real nice. I would like to shell out the money, just gotta wait until I have a room paid for on campus and I gotta buy some tools still. I will most likely have some money to put aside, Ill just have to see how much cause there is still a few things I would need on my truck like a locker and maybe even another set of tires.

 

[84projectFORD]

ah i got ya. man i knda sucks your so far away cause id love to help you out but im all the way at the bottom of the US in Arizona lol. let me know if there is anything i could maybe help you out with

 

[marcehboy]

Im in the same position, I'd love to buy a kit from dave just dont have the money yet.

 

[84projectFORD]

yeah i hear ya. its funny though, if youlook real carfully or call and get the details on one of those kits from RDC or dramarangers 90% of the time you dont get the radius arms or no hardware or no spindles or brackets so in the long run you pay more. But some times you get lucky and find one for a great price and inclues evrything!

 

[ckblum]

Yea man. It's all cool, I'll see what I got after my tools and maybe a few paychecks I can get a locker and at least some leveling springs and bilsteins to bomb around with for now. I found some decent tires for a good price too, just waiting on a reply.

 

[marcehboy]

Yeah ive got it made since my dad is a mechanic and has so much tolls he doesnt have a place to put them in one of his 5 boxes. Dont know what im going to do when i move out hahah

 

[rangerboy92]

hey love the truck and to those who live in areas . like south carolina in my case , youll be amazed what a 2wd locked tuck and a pair can do

 

[RaceRanger97]

Thanks, I have a much more updated thread tittled Raceranger's Build you may care to check out.