My 99 Ranger Build Thread

[Bronson]

I love how your truck seats on those huge wheels. Cut-out fender flares will definitely make it look good, I guess the wheel travel is not very huge. Otherwise, I would look at the bulge style fiberglass fenders like they do on the desert truck.

I am looking forward to starting my own Ranger project and convert it into an entry-level prerunner. I'll try to fab my own control arms because the premade kits are pretty expensive. This black Ranger is my ultimate goal: http://4x4projects.com/ford-ranger-prerunner-cheapest-ticket-to-the-desert-racing.html

 

[RJLougee]

This black Ranger is my ultimate goal: http://autocarspec.com/ford-ranger-prerunner-cheapest-ticket-to-the-desert-racing.html

That's a sharp looking rig.

On mine, wheel travel calcs are so far down the list of what needs cutting....

Once it's all measured and put together I'll figure how much the tires will stuff, it's just a long way away yet.
Joe

 

[RJLougee]

And on the subject of modified arms, this was yesterdays project. Lots of cutting, grinding and welding to get these ready for the next stage.

Onn the top a stock Montero arm, in the middle the cut down section visible. The bottom how it all fits together.

The main question, is whether to use the Johnny Joints or the heims?

 

[RJLougee]

And the front bumper, from a Jeep, but doesn't look too bad...

And I got the hydro-boost mocked up. I still need to modify the push rod and I need to get to the Parker store and have the right hoses fabricated.
Joe

.

 

[Jim Oaks]

Update?

 

[RJLougee]

Update

Things are slow going, just too much work and projects to complete as I'd like. I'm in San Diego working now, had to wait till I got here to even have a minute to sit down and update...

Got the hoses made to use the Hydroboost with the Explorer Serpentine setup, as well as bolting the Explorer brackets on to check for fitment. No issues...
Joe

 

[RJLougee]

Got the upper and lower track-bar brackets mocked up and tacked on. Lower will use a 3/4" heim, the upper will be a bushing since I'm going to have to bend the bar to clear the oilpan under compression.

Bump steer should be pretty minimal with nearly inline mounting points.

Not that you can see it well in the pics, but I also received a longer Toyota pitman arm so I have enough throw and moved the Xterra PS box forward to fit. When I was at the yard I grabbed two boxes and the other will be back from West TX Off-Raod getting rebuilt, ported and the ram for it. That'll give me something to do when I get back home next weekend.

 

[RJLougee]

Most of the steering column parts are in. I'll end up using the stock joint at the PS box itself, welded to a collapsible shaft I ordered, into some nice steering U-joints, and topped off with a Grant steering wheel on a removable stub.

And some more interior stuff with the switch panel and the OBA pressure switch.

 

[RJLougee]

The Other Project

And "The Other Project" that's taking what little time I have from work. Hoping to have it done by mid-June to camp for the summer. I've got a few weeks off and plan to roam a bit...

Totally redoing the interior, engine, trans, wiring, EFI, etc...

 

[Jim Oaks]

Man, I'd like to see the build on the Coachman as well!

 

[bammbamm]

^^^^agreed. Definitely want to see the build up of the coachman.

 

[RJLougee]

Been a while, still plugging away, although it seems to take forever to get stuff done.

Started figuring out where all the lower link mounts will go, as well as how to get the trans/transfer case mounted up.

Started with this:

Then added a couple spreader bars for the lower links to mount to:

 

[RJLougee]

Once the link mounts were planned, I could get the track-bar mounts mocked up and adjusted where they need to go:

Got the track-bar in place and bent up a bit to avoid all the parts in the way:

 

[RJLougee]

Built a roll bar/mount setup for the back end:

Building that in, meant I had to cut the parts off and clearance them so the vertical bars fit within, so the outside will weld directly to the round tube:

Set the chassis on a set of 35" tires so I could move arounf it and see how things were looking:

Thinking of how to mount the rear tire:

 

[RJLougee]

Pulled the cab off and hoisted it up so I can get underneath and weld/visualize a little easier: