Prerunner advice

[miller white]

Need some help. Always wanted to do a ranger prerunner truck. Looking around now and trying to find the right truck. Really just want to do 2wd. Is there a better year model to buy or anything thats easier to do the suspension on? I know some models had beams and what not. Any help would be great thanks.

 

[AgPete139]

Hi Miller, welcome to TRS.

Another good source of information is Dezert Rangers. They're West Coast sand boys for life.

The most popular & common years to build a prerunner Ranger is 1983-1997.
The updated, smoother body lines are 1993-1997.
The updated interior started in 1995.
The tougher rear 8.8" axles are in 4.0L Rangers.
The slightly revised 4.0L engines started in 1996.
The 2 piston front brakes started in 1996 as well.
All years have extended cabs (which is preferred for the longer 124" wheelbase).
All of those years have the Twin I-Beam front suspension for good travel.


So really, look for a 1996-1997 4.0L Extended cab Ranger for durability, power, strength, and style.


If you really want to dump money to make the Independent Front Suspension work, look into 2001+ Rangers.

 

[Dune Runner]

I agree with agpete139 I had a 1990 Ranger that I built into a prerunner. Very easy to build those and the run smooth when done right. You can get a lot of travel out of that front end.