Make me a Ranger owner

[adsm08]

Well you want a 4x4. If you find a 4x4 in the body you want it will have the bigger axle, so that shouldn't be an issue.

Not that the 28-spline 8.8 is all that much stronger than the 7.5.

 

[Captain Ledd]

Yeah, gotta keep looking. An engine swap is Ok but I still want the larger axles etc. that comes with the 4.0. If I bought a 3.slow I'd have to swap out the axles too. Anyone want to post up some pics of their short bed just to make me drool please do so.

The 7.5" was really only in the 2.3L powered 2wd's at this point. And is perfectly fine if you don't do stupid stuff with it.

Ranger rear axles all use the same axle shafts and outer wheels bearings (spline/diameter wise - there are some width differences)

 

[ridgerunner]

The 7.5" was really only in the 2.3L powered 2wd's at this point. And is perfectly fine if you don't do stupid stuff with it.

Ranger rear axles all use the same axle shafts and outer wheels bearings (spline/diameter wise - there are some width differences)

I'd like the stock 4.10 gears too, even though I may even change those out when the lockers go in.

 

[Captain Ledd]

I'd like the stock 4.10 gears too, even though I may even change those out when the lockers go in.

You might as well change them. Aside from FX4 Rangers 2003ish and newer, you're really not going to find 4.10 gears in a 4.0L Ranger (at least not counting on finding them).

You are starting to be wayyy too specific. I'd like a particular series of Ranger too, but they're too hard to find, which is why I'm doing a swap to get 4wd on my 2.3L Ranger. Sure 2.3L 4x4's are out there, but I've only seen 2 or 3... ever. I've seen many times more 4x4 2.3L Rangers that have had swaps done to get them there.

Sure neat combo's exist, but finding them is just too difficult to be practical. Getting all of the best of the best of the best components together is going to take some time and effort, and will inevitably lead to at least some swapped parts.

 

[ridgerunner]

You're probably right Cpt. I'll settle for a single cab, shortbed 4X4 in those yrs and do the other work needed. Probly do a SAS with it anyway. Still...gotta find one.

 

[UrbanRedneckKid]

Well hell if your SASing... Get a 2wd, then you won't have the monstrous 4wd engine crossmember to deal with.

 

[ridgerunner]

I've asked that question before about converting a 2WD into a SAS 4X4 and everyone told me its more complicated and expensive to do that instead of swapping out the TTB. So I think I'm sticking with that game plan. BTW how is the power of a 3.slow automatic compared to an inline 4 manual? I've driven a 3.0 auto (very weak) but I did find a 4 banger manual.

 

[Captain Ledd]

4 bangers are ok if you gear the snot out of them. I'm running 29" tires and 4.56 and it actually feels pretty good.

I drove a 3.0L auto for a while, I think it was a 99?, maybe it had some deeper than average gears (I never looked) but it had a LOT more pep than my 2.3L, I regularly squealed the rear tires due to my driving habits adapted to the 2.3L.

the 2wd to 4wd swap is a little trickier because you have to either take apart the transmission to swap the rear output shaft... or just swap to a 4x4 trans and add the t-case parts and appropriate driveshafts. The desirable ones (BW1354) are mostly electric and can sometimes be finikey, the BW1350 has a strange front output but is often manual and requires basically no electronics. Other than that if a SAS is in the future it's pretty much the same either way. I'd probably get a 4x4 in the first place (says the person doing a 4x4 swap)

 

[buckshotmudder]

Something like this? I like the color.

http://images.autotrader.com/scaler...7665.344593119.IM1.MAIN.565x421_A.562x421.jpg
search: AT-148A12DF

Or this?

http://images.autotrader.com/scaler...0251.341040126.IM1.MAIN.565x421_A.562x421.jpg
search: AT-1453DBFE


Are you looking hard enough?

 

[ridgerunner]

Something like this? I like the color.

http://images.autotrader.com/scaler...7665.344593119.IM1.MAIN.565x421_A.562x421.jpg
search: AT-148A12DF

Or this?

http://images.autotrader.com/scaler...0251.341040126.IM1.MAIN.565x421_A.562x421.jpg
search: AT-1453DBFE


Are you looking hard enough?

Yeah, I found the first one U showed last night. NC is a long way to pick one up from N. PA. and they want nearly $7,000 for it. Where is the red one at?

 

[ridgerunner]

OK, i've been eyeballing this 1997 4.0 manual shift ranger for months. Still for sale... It has a single cab, but I'd settle for the standard long bed. It's even white and will match my white Ram 2500. Think I'm gonna pick it up next week. I'm like a little kid, so excited to get it now.

 

[buckshotmudder]

Yeah, I found the first one U showed last night. NC is a long way to pick one up from N. PA. and they want nearly $7,000 for it. Where is the red one at?

The red one is at 914 E Oakland AveBloomington, IL 61701.

 

[ridgerunner]

BAD NEWS...they sold it underneath me! Not friggin' happy! Search continues.

 

[bobbywalter]

i would fly to texas to get the one i wanted

not common.

frames are modular out back anyway

 

[bobbywalter]

dont forget about these guys if you get a deal on one that needs work


http://www.rangerframefix.com/1993-1997-truck-parts.html