Project: Moose Knuckle; Part III

[PaleBlue90]

so what new things are instore for it?

 

[LittleBigFoot]

Tomorrow I'm picking up two <a onMouseOver="javascript:window.status='chevy';return true;" onMouseOut="javascript:window.status='';return true;" href="http://parrotcoupe.info?v=1%2E26&ss=chevy">chevy</a> small bering spindles, and a pass side flat top knuckle. With this comob, I can use the flat top knuckles, and my aftermarket calipers and rotors (<a onMouseOver="javascript:window.status='ford';return true;" onMouseOut="javascript:window.status='';return true;" href="http://dingalone.info?v=1%2E26&ss=ford">ford</a> style) and keep the 5x5.5 lug pattern. There's a few other little goodies involved, but mitch was the brains on it.

Pickin up steel for a rear bumper, and a second spare carrier that swings off the bumper. Gotta think about a tail gate some time too.

I broke a brake line some how on my way to the bank. I lost some brake pressure but i could still stop. I go in to get some money and after coming back out there was a huge puddle of brake fluid. The fitting tore off the hard line on the rear. Odd, but expected for 30 year old brake lines. I got a new one swapped in in the dark when I got off work and my kick ass girlfriend helped me bleed the brakes. She's a keeper!

Here's some shots while getting some measurements for shocks.

I'm about to update the first post for TOTM reasons.

 

[Andres629]

Truck looks wicked, definitely a build to watch.

 

[LittleBigFoot]

Got some new steering upgrades in the works. A little ass back wards, but taking one step forward.

 

[LittleBigFoot]

Did a compression test yesterday. My rings are shot.

I was having a few issues, thought they were fuel related, my rings are shot.

So rather then build a 3.0, or rebuild a 3.0, why not go big the first time like I should have done.

I'm debating a few different paths for my baby.

1) Drop in a 351 with some mild performance, box the chassis

2) Keep it 6 cylinder and drop in a 4.3 Vortech with a 700r4 and a NP233C

3) Pick up a 1 ton, throw my cab and new bed on it, shorten the wheel base.

The 351w can be stroked to a 427. A friend of mine was a teacher at one of our bigger Automotive schools. He built a 427 SBF and was in the ball park of 550 Ft/lbs and 200 horse power. Basically building a tractor motor.

I've found a few 1 ton 4x4s for under a grand. 60 front and 10.5 rear. That'd be fun.

I like the idea of droppin my cab on it, building the motor, and a suspension swap. Links and air shocks.


Input welcome

 

[Chance]

2) Keep it 6 cylinder and drop in a 4.3 Vortech with a 700r4 and a NP233C

Okay yeah I told you your truck was the inspiration to my build, but that doesn't mean that you can read my mind.

Dick.

Option two has my vote. I was considering this because I'm thinking I actually kinda want to run my toytoder axle and I'm thinkin wouldn't there be alot more options for passenger side drop t-cases with a combo such as that?

So swap it in and have a very detailed build thread so I know what I'd be up against.

 

[86 slo-vo]

i say swap in the windsor...

 

[LittleBigFoot]

I'm debating building a custom frame.

One of my biggest problems in building this truck was doing shit that just wasn't meant to be done. But doing it anyways.

If I got to start from the ground up, that would make it so much easier.

Instead of boxing my frame I'd have one that's already heafty walled rectangle tube.
Instead of modifying a trans x member and dealing with the ranger's frame, I'd have a fresh start.
Instead of dealing with new motor mounts I'd be able to custom fab them on a nice flat surface.

This is the build on the brain right now:

Custom Chassis
351w stroked to a 427 (still looking into trans and transfer case options)
60 front, linked w/ air shocks
14 bolt rear, 1 link (and a trac bar) w/ air shocks
My Ranger cab and front clip
33 gallon gas tank behind the cab
Around a 110" Wheel Base
Flat Belly
New Bumpers f/r



Oh, I've been lookin into a 73-79 F series to pick up as a daily driver / tow rig. Maybe a little budget lift and throw my 35s under it for fun.

 

[86 slo-vo]

1 link for the rear?

 

[jaymegriffiths]

I'm debating building a custom frame.

One of my biggest problems in building this truck was doing shit that just wasn't meant to be done. But doing it anyways.

If I got to start from the ground up, that would make it so much easier.

Instead of boxing my frame I'd have one that's already heafty walled rectangle tube.
Instead of modifying a trans x member and dealing with the ranger's frame, I'd have a fresh start.
Instead of dealing with new motor mounts I'd be able to custom fab them on a nice flat surface.

This is the build on the brain right now:

Custom Chassis
351w stroked to a 427 (still looking into trans and transfer case options)
60 front, linked w/ air shocks
14 bolt rear, 1 link (and a trac bar) w/ air shocks
My Ranger cab and front clip
33 gallon gas tank behind the cab
Around a 110" Wheel Base
Flat Belly
New Bumpers f/r



Oh, I've been lookin into a 73-79 F series to pick up as a daily driver / tow rig. Maybe a little budget lift and throw my 35s under it for fun.

you wanna find lots of the parts in one place? how bout a pre-97 f250 powerstroke? can't be much harder than a 351 swap and the extra torque would be well worth it. plus i cant see why in a 4500# truck you couldn't achieve 25mpg with tall gearing, say 4.10's that are probably already in the thing? and free axles come with a written off one, as well as the majority of parts that come with it. i think as far as option 2 goes, if your gonna go that far might as well go 5.3 so much better motor. plus potentially better milage

 

[oatmealman]

I'm debating building a custom frame.

One of my biggest problems in building this truck was doing shit that just wasn't meant to be done. But doing it anyways.

If I got to start from the ground up, that would make it so much easier.

Instead of boxing my frame I'd have one that's already heafty walled rectangle tube.
Instead of modifying a trans x member and dealing with the ranger's frame, I'd have a fresh start.
Instead of dealing with new motor mounts I'd be able to custom fab them on a nice flat surface.

This is the build on the brain right now:

Custom Chassis
351w stroked to a 427 (still looking into trans and transfer case options)
60 front, linked w/ air shocks
14 bolt rear, 1 link (and a trac bar) w/ air shocks
My Ranger cab and front clip
33 gallon gas tank behind the cab
Around a 110" Wheel Base
Flat Belly
New Bumpers f/r



Oh, I've been lookin into a 73-79 F series to pick up as a daily driver / tow rig. Maybe a little budget lift and throw my 35s under it for fun.

This truck will never run again if you do this man.I'm sorry but it never will.You don't understand the ridicoulous work required to do this.On top of that where are you gonna store it? it's gonna take a month to get the frame built and then you gotta build.body mounts,route fuel lines,brake lines,wiring,radiator mounts,tranny/t-case mounts,engine mounts,steering.There's a hell of a lot more to there than just those things.Those things alone are gonna take you 4-5 months if you work on it all the time.Plus you have to drive down to lincoln just to work on it and it's gonna be cold and the shop won't be avaible during the winter.
Thom agree's just scrap the truck and start over or put the ranger body on a one ton chassis and everything is already done.You are getting way over you head man.links? custom frame? your talking about building a comp buggy basically and all for what? to keep a ford ranger body and scrap the rest of a truck? it's a body man just let it go and start with a better platform.

 

[oatmealman]

I also forgot money? what the hell are you gonna do about money? your looking at a few grand to get this thing running again.The 4-5 months was an estimate if you had the money consistently.Linking is expensive man,Especially running airshocks.I don't wanna shit on your dreams but seriously man,this is way way to much work to put into a ford ranger.

 

[LittleBigFoot]

Way to shit on my face.

Either way the cab isn't getting scrapped.

There's a place in highlands ranch you can rent to store/work on vehicals.
I'm looking into that.

And it's not just a ranger man, it's my truck. I'm sorry I don't swap around cars cause I have the ability to. That was my 8 G's. That was my first big thing. I don't expect you to understand. I take one thing and stick with it till the very bitter end. I've still got my first guitar.

Either way I need a daily driver. I'll be able to drop a grand on somethin by Tuesday.

 

[Chance]

I have to agree with him on several aspects (except the just a ranger thing, every truck is just a truck, whether it's your truck or not makes a world of difference. Me, I'd never waste my time on a yj ) But I think you would kick yourself because it would take so long.

I would start on it if you want, build it up, but leave your ranger the way it is (or close to it) so you can have something to wheel while you're building the other rig up because it will take a while... and I dunno about you but I start going a lil crazy if I don't get out into the woods every now and then.

Then, once you get the frame/engine/trans/axles/suspension done and running... then swap your cab on it and sell what's left of the old truck.

 

[jaymegriffiths]

Way to shit on my face.

Either way the cab isn't getting scrapped.

There's a place in highlands ranch you can rent to store/work on vehicals.
I'm looking into that.

And it's not just a ranger man, it's my truck. I'm sorry I don't swap around cars cause I have the ability to. That was my 8 G's. That was my first big thing. I don't expect you to understand. I take one thing and stick with it till the very bitter end. I've still got my first guitar.

Either way I need a daily driver. I'll be able to drop a grand on somethin by Tuesday.

personally i'd love to see you jump into a big projects. maybe it is a little over your head but who cares? if you really wanna do it it dont matter what other people think its you who has to live with your decisions.
make sure you have a good dd first, then go hard