Project 4x4 Commuter Mazda

[legoms013]

For my purpose the modified superrunner will be fine tho. If I wanna graduate to sas I'm gonna get a dedicated wheeler b2!

You're whole minibook you just wrote made me think one thing.... What is Nathan gonna use for steering on his ranger custom d54 ttb for steering..

Not sure. He won't have to get too extreme though since he is keeping his lift height to a minimum. So he will be able to keep flat tie rods. I suspect a stock set of y-link steering off the truck the D50 came from would serve him nicely will little fab/custom work.

I like Wahlstoms D44.

I also like this swap:

http://www.therangerstation.com/Magazine/winter2007/chico4544_dana44.htm

He didn't even do highsteer, yet it still looks hella clean.

 

[-Nathan-]

Not sure. He won't have to get too extreme though since he is keeping his lift height to a minimum. So he will be able to keep flat tie rods. I suspect a stock set of y-link steering off the truck the D50 came from would serve him nicely will little fab/custom work.

I like Wahlstoms D44.

I also like this swap:

http://www.therangerstation.com/Magazine/winter2007/chico4544_dana44.htm

He didn't even do highsteer, yet it still looks hella clean.

Not to thread jack, but to answer the question, I will be using a double swing arm crossover type steering system, with hydro assist. This will solve ALL steering issues

Looking good legos, and I know what you mean about needing something on the back burner to tinker with...hence my 54

 

[legoms013]

Check this out:

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/pts/2791110855.html


If I had $1000 to burn I would bough it already, sold the 8-lug stuff, converted to 5-lug 1/2 ton outers and had it narrowed already. Hell of a deal. That's like a $2000 setup right there. In my town too.


Speaking of D44's, I can't find one to save my life. I'm looking for a 76 or 77 1/2 ton and can't find any at the local shops I called today. Only a few more junkyards I can call in my area...other wise I'll just have to keep my eyes peeled for on o craigslist or Ebay.....thats discouraging

 

[legoms013]

 

[legoms013]

Got the tank mounted and all that's left is to hook the wiring up and air line to the horn...

I may have found a line on a 78 F150 axle...

 

[legoms013]

I did it.

I found a 78 HP D44 today...complete axle, with tie rod, rotors, radius arms and lower retainers.



Still deciding if I should narrow it or keep it FW?

 

[Kyle M.]

Stay full width.

 

[kris97ranger]

Full width

 

[legoms013]

Full width eh?

I see the tech library article on narrowing one of these with the cast wedges isn't all that difficult...grind the weld, beat the wedge and c off, cut the tube, press back on and weld...by exactly 6". Is it really that easy?

If it is I'll narrow it and run EB HD 5-760 shafts.

Reason I lean towards narrowing is that the highway patrol doesn't like tires sticking out that far

 

[kris97ranger]

get fender flares, a guy i wheel with is sas'd on 36s and his tires are still covered

 

[legoms013]

I'm not a huge fan of the flare

 

[Bennybooster]

FULL-WIDTH or I will never respect you again.....














































Kinda kidding, but seriously don't narrow it

 

[kris97ranger]

me niether in fact i hate them lol but still id rather have the stabilty and flares then being narrow. not the best pic but heres his ( the bedsides popped out but you can see the front)

 

[legoms013]

I think FW is out of the question right now. I need to drive this thing when said and done and in CA, the tires need to be covered (they won't be even at EB width, but having them completely outside of the body is asking for a ticket).

I'll get the D44 pressure washed off and on stands so everyone can ooo and ahhh and gawk over it soon

I am thinking of ordering a EB passenger side axle shaft (one that takes a 5-760x u-joint) so that when I am narrowing I can have that as a reference to the longer F150 shaft.

I ordered a Hawse. Should be here next week. An offset Viking Winchline black hawse And thimble isolator.

Stopped by the store and picked up some electrical connectors and 12ga wiring to get my onboard air stuff hooked up this weekend. I'd also like to make a bracket and mount my air horn as well.

 

[RangerBoy94]

Go full width dude. What are you gonna run for a rear axle?? I'd get a fw 8.8 out of a 150 or a 9 inch.