My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger


5speedin2.3

May 2012 OTOTM Winner

OTOTM Winner
Solid Axle Swap
Joined
Dec 6, 2008
Messages
437
Points
3,101
Age
39
City
Livonia, Mi
Vehicle Year
1997
Transmission
Manual
I'm sure a lot of the members on here have seen me around on other forums, I figured I would move what I can find of my build thread over here.

It is finally complete and has been well tested haha.

Specifications: 1997 Ford Ranger XLT, 2.5L out of a 99 with approximately 50K miles, Black ext/Royal blue Int, Reg cab, Long bed,Explorer OHC, PIAA 520 ion crystal driving lamps, 6000K HIDs, M5OD, 1350M (STX), Jeep YJ D30 Front axle, 8.8 Rear axle, 4.10 gears, 33x10.50x15 BFG KM2's, Monroe monotube shocks, James Duff traction bars, RE YJ front leafs, RuffStuff brackets and 5" shackles, lots of audio equipment, custom body damage and scrapes from trees. Lots of other stuff I'm sure I'm forgetting.

From another thread.. On a website where people are treated like crap..


"i went and picked up two d30's tonight, both are HP axles.
they are both out of 90's yj's.

one has 3.07 gears and the other has 4.10's.

im going to make one good axle out of the best parts and go from there.

i have to get an axle shaft from a tj d30, but thats nothing.

tomorrow im going to go pick up the 4" or 4.5" lift leafs.

got everything for $120.

on with the pictures, i will get more as soon as we get the parts up to my dads work."

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger
 
Last edited:
"more updates, im picking up an 8.8 tomorrow along with some lift blocks.
7.5 with 3.73 gears is going byebye."

"i still have to install the 4.10 gears in the axle, then it will be installed along with the 2" blocks.

i guess the cover is leaking, its one of the stupid composite covers, one of fords better ideas.
glad my dad had a spare laying around. "

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger
 
"got the 8.8 finished and installed today.

finished the 4.10 swap, this thing has 3.08's in it, yuck!

first torch the axle out

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger


just kidding, had to heat the brake line fittings up a tad.

un bolt everything
My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger


drop 7.5 on floor, just kidding again
My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

removed axle
My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger


next muscle 8.8 on jack stands.
My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

installed
My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger
 
sorry for the crappy pictures, i forgot my camera and had to use my phone.
My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger
 
picked up the leafs tonight from the same person i got the axles from.

i was told they are 4-4.5" lift leafs.

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger
 
i picked up the tj axle shaft today and put more money in my bank account so i can buy shackles.

the axle shaft was only $50, most places want $75 for just the inner shaft without the joint and outer part.

getting close!

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger
 
we tore down the spare axle but we aren't going to use it.
i thought we were going to needs parts from it but the pinion nut was loose and the pinion bearing is fine.

im not sure what the cover is made out of, i think its stainless steel but my dad seems to think its aluminum.

the last picture of the axle on the bench is the axle we are using, the empty axle is the spare.

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger


----

the d30 is done.

now we just need to get a welder and a few parts/brackets from ruffstuff.

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger



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heres more pictures, we got two of the 32's mounted today and put everything in my truck to take to my dads house.

im stuck with the 16's till we get the other mastercraft m/t because i sold my old a/t's to a guy from greatlakes4x4.

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger
 
well, i got the parts from dan at ruffstuff today, the box was a little messed up and kinda freaked me out, but everything was still in the box.

then i went to a u-pull and got some spring plates, what a freaking pita...

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger
 
well, we got everything cut off today, it only took a few hours.

tomorrow we are going to get ubolts and put the axle under the truck.

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger


as the truck sits now.
My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger
 
the picture of the bike is my transportation right now.

the truck is going to be 2-3" taller then it is in the pictures once its done.

evan also came over today to pick up the parts for gumby.

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger


this is what $60 in ubolts look like
My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger


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My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger


----

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger
 
Last edited:
well the front is almost done, all we need at this point is the drag link.

as of right now the rear only has a 2" block, we are going to put in an AAL and see if that levels it out, if not im going to get some shackles.

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger
 
its getting closer every day!

we got the rear done today and painted everything with primer. (after the pictures.)


My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger
 
SHOCKING NEWS!

got some super duty shock mounts today.

had to mod them a lil

plus we spray bombed everything

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger


had to drill a top/third hole in the brackets after cutting them down.

next used some 1.5"x4" steel and made some spacer/mount brackets then welded them to the frame.

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger


My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger


finished product
My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger



cheap curb flex
My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger

My 97 2.5 SFA Ranger
 
Looks good bud, nice 4x4 swap.

Only critique I got is grind everything down to bare shiny metal before laying any weld.
 

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