New pre runner project

[Nick998]

So I bought this 1993 Ranger 2wd 4.0 v6, got the truck for $750 under the impression it only had a blown head gasket. Tore into to replace the head gasket and noticed the number 5 cylinder got really hot cleaned away some of the crud and found a cracked piston and cracked cylinder wall... So I got a 94 explorer engine from a junkyard for $400 got that all cleaned up and swapped in and now she is running like a champ. As far as pre runner stuff goes it has flared stock bedsides, some fabtech springs up front (seem OK) and that's about it... Never had a pre runner with beams.. Not quite sure why beam long travel parts seem to be just as expensive as long travel IFS?

 

[grumpyguy]

I like it! looks good.

Autofab beams with 4 inch springs?

 

[willy]

The beams are just as expensive because of the small market for them

 

[Nick998]

I guess the fabtech springs in it now are already around 4"... What is the difference between the autofab beams and the stock ones? Seems like I could get a lot better ride and travel if I just had longer control arms, does anyone know of a kit that's just longer control arms and a new cross member? My buddy built his own equal length beams for his dodge d50 and he has the template for doing it... But going that route I'm re doing everything anyway and pretty much have to run coil overs..

 

[grumpyguy]

I think what you looking for can be found at Autofab.

http://autofab.com/c-335591-suspension-kits-1983-97-ranger-2wd-truck-suspension.html

Are you running stock arms?

 

[grumpyguy]

I meant stock beams...

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

 

[grumpyguy]

Here's an example I've always enjoyed.

http://www.therangerstation.com/Magazine/winter2008/NAT-PreRunner.htm

 

[Nick998]

I would love to find a fabtech 5.5 kit used... but that seems near impossible, even if i could just find the beams i could do the rest myself.

 

[grumpyguy]

I'd buy this if I were close...

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=161696

Shitty stock trucks in my area go for 3 large. It would be a steal here.

 

[hoosier1104]

Should have done a 5.0 swap. Definitely worth the time, money and effort.

 

[grumpyguy]

Should have done a 5.0 swap. Definitely worth the time, money and effort.

Why?, because that's what everyone else does.

Nothing wrong with a eight swap but not everyone has the time, knowledge etc.

I applaud people who do something different.

I've owned my truck for twenty plus years and all I ever heard was "you need six inch SAS v8 blah blah blah"
I dropped Skyjacker leveling coils, 32s and 4:10's and it does everything I need and more.

Sorry for the rant, recovering from surgery and get kind of testy. No offense meant.

 

[willy]

Im with grumpy on waiting on the 5.0 swap sure the extra power potential is nice but the extra weight isnt you could make almost the same power with a sohc 4.0 and that is much simpler to drop in than a 5.0 and a bit cheeper

 

[Nick998]

I feel like this bone stock 4.0 has plenty of power in a little 2wd ranger even with 32" tires... Maxes out the 85mph speedo no problem and keeps going spins the tires no problem too..