Looking to build a multiuse truck, Could use help?

[PhunkyMunky]

So, I'm looking at building a decent all around 4x4 truck out of my 2000 Ranger 4x4 XLT. It's got a V6 4.0L Engine, automatic. This is my daily driver as well as general 4x4 fun. Not building a race truck, but the ability to handle most anything, with in reason, I want to do is important here.

Things I've looked at so far is an axle swap, a 6" lift, and 35" tires. That should get me to be able to roll over and clear most things, yeah?

I'll want to get a beefier transfer case as well, and I'm thinking of adding a ford small block to it, although undecided as to if I want to go for a 302 or a 351W. And, I know I'll have to swap the transmission out for a C4.

So, what I'm asking here, is does this make sense, or should I do something different? What other things should I consider?


Here's the front of my truck

An Oblique Angle

My 60/40 into buckets conversion

Rear bumper I'm looking at having made, as this one is a trail ready and they're not made for Rangers.

Front Bumper I found, similar to a trail ready design that someone fabbed. I'll want to add in the ability to mount a winch however.

 

[bcost882]

that sounds more like a more devoted wheeler, if you want that much you will want to look into a solid axle swap. good luck with finding the rcd lift for it which is the only 6incher i know of(and its discontinued) other wise there is a superlift 4in which is pretty expensive. if you will go through the pain to get a small block and beefier tcase in there go for a solid D35 or D44.

 

[PhunkyMunky]

You still have to get a Ranger lift even if you swap out the axles? Or could you just do add a leafs?

I was looking at doing D44's. I'll have to see if I can find some at the local pull a part.

How much fabrication are we looking at?

 

[Ranger44]

Quite a bit, but versus the SLA suspension, it'd be better for a dedicated wheeler.

Another option, and I would kill for a SLA Ranger setup like this.........

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=72092&highlight=prerunner+4x4

Go through the thread, he has the Dixon Bros. kit ( I think?). This would make a good moderate off-roader with excellent travel. Good for high speed off-road, trail-riding, and as a DD.

But if you have a money cap, SAS may be the way to go. But why stop at a D44? Do what's right the first time.........D60.

 

[Irokranger93]

My 60/40 into buckets conversion
same thing for me
found that the place is nothing like in 60/40

 

[Tractorman]

Wow, that's a ton of work, and then expect it to be a DD? I wouldn't do it.

For a basically wheeler, here's what I would do:

1) Body Lift
2) 35's with 4.88 gears
3) Manual Hub conversion
4) Chop the fenders to fit the tires
5) Powertrax No slip out back, maybe a lunchbox locker up front too

I think that would be one tough trail rig.

 

[Boghog1]

Agreed if you are looking for an all around stick to simple and reliable, small lift and 33s maybe 35s lock the rear. you will be surprised at how far you can get with 33s. Also get armor

 

[Ranger44]

My point is:

When all the work is done to the SLA, such as lockers and gears (TTB is usually a different story), 9 times out of 10 it ends with the person swapping in a straight axle up front or modifying the SLA to perform better(like the dixon bros. kit). At least out of the build threads I've seen. Stock SLA just doesn't cut it for most......

Though a stock SLA truck, locked, with a winch, 33's, and a little armor would get you a nice trail-rider/DD, it'll lack in the rocks, and on any fast pace off-roading.

Maybe be a little more specific? Making a truck good at EVERYTHING, takes alot of work and $$$$. Designing it for a couple things, or even one specified thing is easier.

 

[PhunkyMunky]

1) Body Lift
2) 35's with 4.88 gears
3) Manual Hub conversion
4) Chop the fenders to fit the tires
5) Powertrax No slip out back, maybe a lunchbox locker up front too

No suspension lift? Is that enough clearence for most trail riding? We're not talking about racing here... But, I don't feel like being limited too much either. Dixon Bros. is entirely too much for me to spend for this truck.

I think it's too much to make this thing good at EVERYTHING. Running trails on the weekends, creeping into good hunting areas, these are what I want to build the truck for. Putting a 302 in is just to make sure I have enough power for whatever it is I wish to do, with in reason. Still looking at a 351W just for the balls rumbling power. But, meh.

I've just been reading around, and looking at some of the trails around here and thinking that I need to nearly completely rebuild in order to get out there and bull through some of that. Those are some tough trails. Which is one reason I was thinking of getting 35's, to have a big enough tire to roll over the small crap, and not have too much of a tough time rolling over some of the bigger rocks and such.

I'm still thinking at least a 4" superlift with some body lift to make sure I can use the tires I want. Maybe 35's aren't nessisary. If I do those, however, I'll be getting cut out flares anyhow.

As far as Body Armor.... Do they make sliders for Rangers? I haven't seen any. And I don't want a full pre runner, I think I'm going to have to have it fabbed. I like the trail ready type.

Thanks for the input guys. I'm completely new to modding a truck, if you can't tell LOL. Like I said, I need to truck to do ok in mud, trails, daily driving, and creeping down very old roads when I find them. Sometimes they lead to good hunting, but most times they're unmanaged and overgrown. Skid Plates and diff covers will be a big thing to put on here, but then, I think most ppl look at that as common sense eh?

 

[Boghog1]

I come from a jeep backgound so take this for what itt is worth. I built my 88 Cherokee as a hunting truck, trail runner daily driver and what I ended up with was way overkill and it was only sitting on 3.5" of lift and 33" tires, I could have done everything including the tough trails here in New England on a 2" OME lift and 31" tires, so that is how I built my grand cherokee. I plan on building a similar vehicle out of a Ranger since I really hated putting a tick covered bloody deer carcas in the back of the jeep. I am leaning towards a mild t-bar crank and a 1" body lift a set of 255/85R16 tires in a TrXus mud terrain. I have built and wheeled several vehicles including a samurai with 7" of lift and 33" tires and a full size chevy with 33" tires. If you are sure you need 35" tires I would say sell the 2000 and get a 97 with TTB