'nother Ranger build

[99RangerKrazy]

Well, I knew I wouldn't be out of the Ranger scene for too long. Went to look at a Ranger this morning and came home with this:

1992 Ford Ranger, 4.0L, FM146 (started its life with an A4LD, a manual was swapped in -- I'll put in a M5OD once this one lets go), manual t-case, three inch body lift, Rancho lift (drop brackets and springs). Nearly new 35x12.5x15 Toyo Mud Terrains (the main reason I bought the truck, brand new tires and wheels) with 15x10 Dick Cepek wheels. Drives great down the highway, held 70 no problem.

It has a stacked block in the rear so that will be getting changed out for some 63" Chevy leaf springs. Also will probably change the front springs out with some 6 or 8" lift Skyjacker springs so I can get rid of the coil spacer.

The driver's seat needs replaced (not a huge deal).

Hardly any rust, and the rust present is just surface rust (Washington truck).

More pictures -

Got a lot planned for it (new bumpers and whatnot). My first priority is to get it street legal (mud flaps).

I am amazed at the power of the 4.0. Even lifted with stock gears (3.27) I had no problems getting up to speed. Pretty sure I'll never go back to the 2.9.

 

[nate09]

35's and 3.27's? is that the reason the a4ld died? looks like a good place to start from. good luck with it.

 

[86 slo-vo]

looks pretty decent...what did you give for it?

 

[99RangerKrazy]

I'm sure 3.27s with the 4.0 didn't help the A4LD out any. And I gave up $3,500. I thought the price was fairly fair (the seller was asking $4,200), considering a stock 4.0 5 speed in this area goes for about $2,000.

It's definitely a great starting point, I can't wait to get started on it.

 

[99RangerKrazy]

Well, I got rid of the window decals today and I fixed the driver's seat. I found a guy parting out a 94 Chevy 1500, so hopefully tomorrow I'll be picking up a set of leaf springs. I also found a set of Belltech 6400 shackles (slightly used) on eBay for $20..I'll try to grab those up come Monday when the auction ends.

 

[ozziemo27]

Looks like a great start man, I threw up a little when i saw the rims, though, Lol.

 

[99RangerKrazy]

Haha yeah, they're not quite my style either...but I can live with em.

 

[meatheaded nucklebuster]

sweet man I just got an 89 with the skyjacker 8in lift in it and it has stacked blocks too. Im planning the chevy spring swap too but my buddy put a ladder bar on it so im good till spring. Ive only got 31s on mine but I have a 2.9 I cant wait to put my 302 in and dana 44 front. Nice and clean truck compared to mine.

 

[99RangerKrazy]

Been busy the past few days working on this:

The main boxed steel is 10"x3"x0.25". It was initially going to be the base for a bumper/tire carrier/tailgate, but I decided against the tire carrier (figured it'd be too heavy). So I ended up with this.

Hopefully before too long I'll get some new leaf springs ordered to replace one of the blocks. I think I'm going to go with 4" Explorer lift leaf springs. I heard they're a little stiff, but that would be alright since I'll be hauling hunting stuff come winter time.

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

wow cool truck man!! looks beasty
cant completely pass the mudflaps, but if u need em to be legal, its ok

 

[99RangerKrazy]

Yeah I agree. I didn't want to put flaps either..but the cops are sticklers for it here. I'm still worried about the front...but I'm going to wait a little til I put some on the front.

 

[99RangerKrazy]

Ok, so I have about $1200 to redo the suspension and whatnot.. here's what I'm thinking, I'm open to suggestions/critique/opinions:

Front end:

New axle beams
Tuff Country 4" pivot brackets
6" Skyjacker coils
Extended brake lines
Fully adjustable camber bushings
FA600 pitman arm
Shocks

Rear (I want to get down to only one block (no blocks would be ideal, but I don't know if I can do it):

4" Explorer lift springs by Superlift
Belltech 6400 shackles
Shocks
Extended brake lines

I'm undecided on what coils and leaf springs to use. I was thinking the 6" Skyjackers for a Ranger, but maybe lift coils for a Cherokee? As for the leaf springs, I haven't decided on the 4" Explorer leafs, or getting 91-94 stock Explorer leaves and weaving in some Ranger leaves, or 63" Chevy leaves.

Any suggestions?

 

[trusted_expert]

the jeep coils will def sag with the ext cab and 4.oh. maybe skyjacker softrides?

 

[99RangerKrazy]

Yeah I was thinking of getting the 6" Ranger Skyjackers in hopes of achieving about 4-4.5" of lift. I'd would most likely still need a space under the coil to fit 35s. That is what I was also pondering the though of using 8" Skyjacker leaves to get about 6" of lift or so.

And I saw the SJ softrides..they're spendy though.

 

[Chance]

Are the RA's already extended on that? If not that would be my first priority then gears...

Although I gotta say, that is the burliest roll pan I've ever seen. I like it