looking to build a 4x4 runner

[red_ranger93]

well i've been lookin and doin lots of research over the past year and im thinking about building a prerunner. what im lookin to do is build a 4x4 considering that is what my truck is already and i still want to be able to haul and launch my boat. plus im puttin a 302 in it im gonna be losing as much body lift as i can maybe have an inch all said and done what do you think about that or should i get rid of it completely. next ill be doing my front end im gonna run the 44 beams so i dont have to cut the 35 up im gonna run a coil over and a resi shock or would a good coilover on its own be good enough im not gona be launching this truck huge just lots of trail running if i do this. now in the back im just gona do the 64" swap and flip my mount and shackle with a gas shock most likely would make up a bed cage and brace my frame up good im just curious if so far im heading in the right direction .
thanks

 

[freeride]

it sounds like your on the right track so far. ditch the body lift unless you need it and get resi shocks. resi's let you get the most from a shock, they contain a piston that seperates the oil and n2o. without the resi, the floating piston goes in the shock, which means it has to have a shorter shaft for clearance

 

[red_ranger93]

im gonna build the set up in my spare truck than just swap the bodies over so i still have a truck to drive for school and work.

 

[emptyTTB]

sounds like a good plan so far. just dont let your fab work turn into a pile of shit like a lot of other people do. take your time, prep the metal, and dial in the welder. dont permanently weld anything until you have cycled the suspension many times. if you're trying to keep this a budget build, i'd look at the AutoFab D44 kit for Rangers. it's good inspiration if you plan on doing the work yourself. AutoFab is pulling 19" of travel with coil buckets. of course coilovers are ideal to get more travel and more tune-ability. if i was on a budget, or time frame, id run cut & turned d44 beams, custom coil buckets that allow 2.5" threaded body resi shocks, and extended radius arms with 1.25" heims. strap it at 16" of travel and call it good. as far as the rear, build a bed cage and use 2.5" threaded body resi shocks. the chevy 64" leaf spring swap is only good for about 16" of travel anyways. imo, theres no need to run any more travel in the front if your rear cant keep up... this is a great starting setup with the option to spend far less $$$ down the road if you ever decide to step up to using the threaded body shocks as coilovers, ie: full bumper to bumper cage, front LT suspension, and 3/4 link rear end..

 

[dusto2]

If you really want to be 4x4 which is really cool check out this post about doin a ttb 44 way better price than autofab and lot better quality
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=74039&page=6

 

[emptyTTB]

^ x2
copykat has a great d35/d44 ttb beam bracket kit.

 

[CopyKat]

^ x2
copykat has a great d35/d44 ttb beam bracket kit.

x3 especially when yours is free but pics dont do no justice until you see them in person, makes the old brackets look like a dog turd or a jeep

 

[red_ranger93]

ya i was lookin at the brackets i wouldnt mind buying a set hopefully he makes more

 

[CopyKat]

ya i was lookin at the brackets i wouldnt mind buying a set hopefully he makes more

the only way i know of that happeneing is if there was another 10 guys that put cash down at the same time, but then who konws if even that will be the case for he is also waiting on feedback from people to put their set on and vehicle through its paces

 

[94xcab4x4]

Also check out camburgs website. They have stuff for 4x4 in different kits and prices.

 

[red_ranger93]

hey got an update just bought an l/s 8.8 from an explorer with discs gona be rippin the back of the truck all apart and seein what we can come up with gona be runnin the ex leafs for a bit till i can buy a set of good leafs and gona try to mock up a bed cage also body lift is coming out.

 

[red_ranger93]

what would you prefer running spring under or over and for the chev 64" leafs what is a respectable number to have them arched to and has anyone used a bilstein 5150