Original Ford Ranger Ralley Bar - Will it fit a Longbed?

[RangerFan2037]

Hi, I have a 1996 Ford Ranger single cab longbed and would like to know if an original ford factory rally bar would work on my truck.
I found 2 of them for sale online.

Here is a picture of the original rally bar in the 1996 Ranger brochure.

 

[RangerFan2037]

Here is one I see for sale online. Is it factory original? Will it work with a long bed?

 

[Bird76Mojo]

The Ranger in the brochure looks to be a long bed to me? Look at the gap between the front of the bed and the fuel door. It's a pretty large gap.

Kind of odd, because other than that, it looks to be a shortbed.

I'd think your only issue might be the mounting point on the wheel wells, IF that was even an issue. Ford might have had them produced so they'd fit either model?

 

[Snoranger]

I know the one from my 89 STX short bed wouldn't really fit a long bed. The back bars landed dead center of the wheel tubs. If you put it in a long bed, they would be 6" forward of center and probably not land on the flat part of the wheel well. You may be able to cheat it back in the bed a little and have it work out where the 2 rear bolts on the rear bars can be bolted in.

 

[Ranger850]

I think this (red arrows) is where it would change for the long bed configuration

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

View attachment 26101
I think this (red arrows) is where it would change for the long bed configuration

The angle of the rear bar would have to change if the leg was lengthened for a long bed.

 

[Ranger850]

The angle of the rear bar would have to change if the leg was lengthened for a long bed.

I was just pointing out where there could be a variable length or bend to get the right location to mount. Where the two pieces are riveted allows for a different piece to be on the bottom part with a different mounting point. I can't see any company that mass produces a product making two completely different roll bars for the same truck just because of bedlegth. They would be one piece for each truck. The fact that there is a two piece section, tells me there is another option for the bottom half.

 

[Snoranger]

That entire thing is 5 pieces.
The front hoop is 2 pieces, the rear upper is #3, and the legs are #'s 4&5. It makes shipping a a lot cheaper.

I guess you could extend it where the front and rear tube attach together.

 

[Ranger850]

I don't know where the back feet land, but with a different bend/length, they could get it to land wherever it needs to accommodate different bed lengths. If you put a short bed rollbarnext to a long bed roll bar, I bet the only difference is #'s 4&5.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

@Ranger850 I see what you're saying.

 

[Ranger850]

@Ranger850 I see what you're saying.

Sorry I'm not very articulate in my typing voice.

 

[RangerFan2037]

UPDATE: I asked for the dimensions and found out the center of the kickers is 34".

This picture shows where the center of the tube would be on the wheel well.
The mounting plates are about 4 inches wide. Does this look like it will work?

 

[Grumpaw]

OK, so I was playing with google and found some spec's on the Ranger longbed vs short bed. It appears that the center of the wheel well is about 6 inches further back from the front of the bed than the short bed.
Rather than try to "extend" the rear legs, which will then not only extend them but also make them "lower" so the bar won't sit right....
Simple way to "extend" the rear legs 6 inches back...get some 1/4 inch or 3/8 inch flat steel stock, as wide as the rear "foot" is, and cut it long enough to make a "plate extension". Drill your holes to attach it to your bar,
And drill appropriate holes to mount it to the wheel well at the center. Basically your just extending the rear leg mounting plate by 6 inches, which would let you mount the bar, and would be just as strong as original. It was only ment to be a light bar, not a "roll bar"
Grumpaw

 

[RangerFan2037]

Well guys, I ended you finding an original ralley bar at a junkyard. It’s a little rough, but after a fresh coat of paint it should look pretty good.

How difficult is this going to be to install?

 

[Snoranger]

The hardest part is holding the bolts as you tighten the nuts. You either need REALLY long arms or someone to help.