project exotic

[stmitch]

From my first post in this thread:

93 and newer trucks with the short bed have approximately 37 inches from the front of the bed, to the centerline of the rear axle. Not sure about the Lima 2.3, but the duratec 2.3 is 19.5 inches long. That would leave 17.5 inches between the rear of the engine and the stock axle centerline. Totally doable!

I just eyeballed it with a measuring tape, so it's not accurate down to the mm or anything, but it should give you an idea what you're working with. That's leaving no room at the front of the engine, so obviously, finding the shortest distance between the rear of the engine and the axle centerline would be best so that the engine could be moved back a couple of inches.

If you pick the duratec, you could mate it to a VW transaxle using a bellhousing from here: http://quad4rods.com/index.php?page=shop.browse&category_id=2&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=100041

Or if you're feeling frisky, a setup like this: http://www.mambamotorsport.co.uk/racing/johnc23.html

This place offers racing transaxles in 4, 5 or 6 speed options that are super compact:
http://www.eliteracingtransmissions.com/product-category/trans-axle-gearboxes/

 

[littleme13]

thank you mitch, not sure how I over looked that last night. I seen the engine length that you posted but completely overlooked the bed length lol. thank you for the links. ive been looking into the idea of a Subaru transaxle for the available 6speed. I want to try and stay away from anything too fancy lol.

 

[stmitch]

I havent looked into the Subaru stuff much. They would be stronger than most of the VW trans axles. Also, I'm pretty sure they have the same bolt pattern as a Ranger, so you wouldn't have to do special cv shafts or anything which could be a huge bonus. Any idea what modifications would be needed to make it 2wd?

 

[UrbanRedneckKid]

I'm pretty sure there's a company that makes a spool for the center diff, and a plug that welds to the tailshaft.

Sent from my HTCONE using Tapatalk 2

 

[littleme13]

from what I have found so far there are kits that eliminate the rear output and allow use of the front only. I am not sure exactly how they do it but seems they work ok.

 

[Die.Fledermaus]

Website centric to rear engine conversions http://www.subarugears.com/ while I don't know how the 2WD conversion works they list a part and plenty of pictures.

 

[stmitch]

After a little research, the kits that are made, Like the one posted above, replace the center dif with a billet piece that simulates a fully welded factory dif, and a cover plate for the rear output of the trans.
The drawback to the kits, is that the ones I've seen are all for the 5 speed transaxles, which aren't as strong as the 6 speed units. They'd be fine if you weren't planning much power, but why go through all of this trouble to be limited to 300 whp? They do make upgraded gearsets fo rthe 5 spd transaxles that can take more than double that.
If you've got a strong welder and serious welding skills, you could just weld the factory dif and achieve basically the same thing as the kits, but on the 6 speed trans.

I guess it just depends what you want the end result to be here. The 6 speeds are tougher out of the box, but would requires some intricate welding on your part to make work. Plus they're more expensive up front and tougher to find.
The 5 speeds are easier and cheaper up front, plus you could just buy a kit if your welding skills aren't the best. They also have a higher limit if you buy upgraded gears, but by then, you've spent more than you would have on a 6 speed.

 

[Robert_1967]

Don't use the T-Bird, use the Mustang, the T-bird wheel bolt pattern is a 4.25, not a 4.5, and it's much wider then the Mustang, I to would use a vw BUS trans axle, and flip the gear, the clutch can be setup to be hydraulic, and I have seen the cable setup for the gear changes, also if the trans can handle a 350 cheby motor, then a turbo 4 won't hurt it, and I have seen a cheby 350 hanging out of the back of a bug.

Also look up "gwaii " build thread, hes built a few mid engine rangers and Bronco II's, but he has a thing about 460's....

Robert


posted with a green coat of arms, and a set screw.

 

[Die.Fledermaus]

... use a vw BUS trans axle, and flip the gear...

That isn't normally done, for starters bus trans (whatever the hypoids are 003-005-091) can not be flipped, and while one could flip the entire transmission (same effect, loads more work, reduced ground clearance) it is rare even when money is no object

 

[Robert_1967]

That isn't normally done, for starters bus trans (whatever the hypoids are 003-005-091) can not be flipped, and while one could flip the entire transmission (same effect, loads more work, reduced ground clearance) it is rare even when money is no object

yes it can be done, I have seen it done, and know several people that only use bus/van trans in their rail buggies, and also do the mid-engine thing for better weight distribution so they don't do wheelies every time they pull out.




Robert




posted using a gold chain and silver chain.

 

[Die.Fledermaus]

yes it can be done, I have seen it done, and know several people that only use bus/van trans in their rail buggies, and also do the mid-engine thing for better weight distribution so they don't do wheelies every time they pull out...

I would love to see an example, keep in mind they are hypoid ring and pinions in the three rib/five rib/pyramid cases and even the vanagon side shift transmission. This isn't true in the gear reduction era buses

 

[Lee in Texas]

Why not just put a C5 Corvette transaxle under the bed and leave the engine in front? It moves the trans weight out of the front and puts it in back. Get a sealed battery and put it as far back as possible. You would get better weight distribution and it could be a sleeper.

 

[Kenneth S]

Use a Casale V-Drive, or divorced transfer case from a 4wd to run the power to the rear axle rather than using a weak VW transaxle.

 

[littleme13]

moving the engine to the bed right behind the cab will provide the best weight distribution i believe. the vw transaxle was chosen because of availability and cheap cost. they get pricey when buying fully built but they will handle the power i am going to throw at it for a little while at least.


while i was hoping to dd this truck it may become a toy only due to califonias stupid smog laws. i may switch from ranger to a ford courier to allow it to be dd. then once i leave cali swap everything over to a ranger.

currently the focus has been on finding a suitable truck to start with in anyform for a decent price. seems all the rangers in cali have become "prerunners" and not very well built at that.