New to the ranger world

[EABYRD1977]

So i'm new to the ranger world and have purchased a 1985 Ranger XLT 4x4 with the 2.8 backed with a 5 speed and was wondering how well the 2.8 is for wheeling. I'm not independently wealthy but am willing to throw some bucks at it if its a decent platform for wheeling. The first thing i'm looking at is a Ram clutch. I also have an 89 2 wheel drive with 3in. body lift and 4in. suspension i rolled playing in and want to switch it all over and was wondering it will work on the 85 4x4. Thanks for all help and advice,I need all i can get.

 

[wildbill23c]

Welcome to the forum. Not much into wheeling, but overall the 2.8L V6 was a great engine, they're not fast, they were not meant to be race cars, but they hold up well to abuse that offroading will give. The weak link is of course your axles, drive lines, and transmission mostly the clutch which gets abused a lot in wheeling excursions.

 

[Catch22556]

So i'm new to the ranger world and have purchased a 1985 Ranger XLT 4x4 with the 2.8 backed with a 5 speed and was wondering how well the 2.8 is for wheeling. I'm not independently wealthy but am willing to throw some bucks at it if its a decent platform for wheeling. The first thing i'm looking at is a Ram clutch. I also have an 89 2 wheel drive with 3in. body lift and 4in. suspension i rolled playing in and want to switch it all over and was wondering it will work on the 85 4x4. Thanks for all help and advice,I need all i can get.

I've owned 2 84 Bronco 2's with the 2.8 and 5 speeds and i wheeled both pretty hard here in the tight wooded mountains of Southern Oregon, the first choptop and caged b2 more so then the one i picked up 4 months ago. Granted both didn't have anything larger than 31x10.50r15's, but the 2.8 has enough power to get the job done when they are tuned and running right. Just ditch the computer and emissions crap, duraspark it and run a non-feedback 2150 carb. You're motor will thank you and you will be more pleased with the performance. It all depends on your plans for the rig though. Tire size, type of wheelin', driving style etc.

Ram clutch? Common on these is a 4.0 clutch swap, just grab a 4.0 clutch kit, flywheel and starter and you're golden. As far as swapping over the suspension from the 2wd truck, The body lift and rear suspension lift components will probably swap over fine but not 100% on the body lift, unsure on year changes and if cab versions play a role. The front suspension nothing is usable besides maybe the lift coils and shocks, you would have to source the other lift brackets and such for the TTB.

 

[EABYRD1977]

Welcome to the forum. Not much into wheeling, but overall the 2.8L V6 was a great engine, they're not fast, they were not meant to be race cars, but they hold up well to abuse that offroading will give. The weak link is of course your axles, drive lines, and transmission mostly the clutch which gets abused a lot in wheeling excursions.

Thanks for the help.I'm gonna need a lot more advice before its all done.

 

[EABYRD1977]

i appreciate the advice guys and i'm gonna need more before its over. i just want a bullet proof rig that don't have to be fast but has to perform accordingly and be able to handle my foot cause throttle control is something i've yet to learn in 39 years. Thanks again and i look forward to hearing from you both again.

 

[EABYRD1977]

I've owned 2 84 Bronco 2's with the 2.8 and 5 speeds and i wheeled both pretty hard here in the tight wooded mountains of Southern Oregon, the first choptop and caged b2 more so then the one i picked up 4 months ago. Granted both didn't have anything larger than 31x10.50r15's, but the 2.8 has enough power to get the job done when they are tuned and running right. Just ditch the computer and emissions crap, duraspark it and run a non-feedback 2150 carb. You're motor will thank you and you will be more pleased with the performance. It all depends on your plans for the rig though. Tire size, type of wheelin', driving style etc.

Ram clutch? Common on these is a 4.0 clutch swap, just grab a 4.0 clutch kit, flywheel and starter and you're golden. As far as swapping over the suspension from the 2wd truck, The body lift and rear suspension lift components will probably swap over fine but not 100% on the body lift, unsure on year changes and if cab versions play a role. The front suspension nothing is usable besides maybe the lift coils and shocks, you would have to source the other lift brackets and such for the TTB.

What do you mean abouy the duraspark?