Project Trail Authority (Official Build Thread)

[MountainMike]

Denny, the rig is starting to look positively badass! Keep up the good work!

 

[Bennybooster]

I'm still having a hard time finding a good 8.8 that's in my budget. Most people around here are asking $350-450 for one with LS, and disc. The funny part is; when I didn't have the funds, they were all over CL for around $200..... At one point I found one for $150!! what happened Luck of the Irish I guess...

The good news is, I have the gears for it when I do find a deal, and I don't have any wheeling trips planned for the next few months anyway.

http://medford.craigslist.org/pts/2275240771.html

 

[Viva*the*Ranger]

i wanna swap in at least the d35 when i put the lift in, since everything will already be apart. i just need to install the upper ball joints in the knuckles and do my diff protector and that'll be ready to go in.

problem is, my bronco is still over at our old house, i need to get it over to the new house, then i need to build my workbench so i can find all the tools i might need. i'm gonna try to get it done this weekend

Yeah, it's definitely worth it to wait till the D35 is ready to do the lift. Just get it all done at once. Don't forget to ask questions is you have any about the gears, or lift for that matter. If you need, you can PM me, and I'll give you my number. it's a little easier to explain things verbally.

Awesome looking truck man I wish I still had my 88. There ain't nothing like throwing a lift on, such a cool feeling ya I'd def get the adjustable 3* bushings cause you know ur gona want to go bigger lol

Thanks man! I'm really glad to be back in a first gen. Doing the lift was a blast too. I really get a kick out of it. Any plans to get a first gen again?

Denny, the rig is starting to look positively badass! Keep up the good work!

Thanks Mike, I really appreciate it. Positive feedback is always nice to hear from another ranger dude! Many more pics and updates to come in the VERY near future. Your rig's looking pretty bad ass too! Love the stance of it Nice and stout!

http://medford.craigslist.org/pts/2275240771.html

The posting was deleted.... Was that one of those screaming deals that I couldn't find for so long? Ha ha

 

[4.0B2]

'scribed!

completeoffroad is usually the cheapest i could find on gears...

 

[SAY789]

Ya i def wanna get another 1st gen super cab if i can talk the Fiancee` into letting me buy a 3rd truck lol Maybe throw the running gear outta my 78 into it and have a BB 4spd 1 ton ranger i wish

 

[MountainMike]

Thanks Mike, I really appreciate it. Positive feedback is always nice to hear from another ranger dude! Many more pics and updates to come in the VERY near future. Your rig's looking pretty bad ass too! Love the stance of it Nice and stout!

Thanks man, back at ya!

 

[88_Eddie]

Yeah, it's definitely worth it to wait till the D35 is ready to do the lift. Just get it all done at once. Don't forget to ask questions is you have any about the gears, or lift for that matter. If you need, you can PM me, and I'll give you my number. it's a little easier to explain things verbally.

i went and got the wood to make my workbench yesterday. i'm gonna try to knock it out today after work.

and luckily, i found a D35 pig with 373's already in it. so all i have to do is install my 373's in the 8.8.....but yeah, i'll for sure pm you if i need any additional help.....and i'm about 99% sure i will. thanks man

 

[Viva*the*Ranger]

'scribed!

completeoffroad is usually the cheapest i could find on gears...

Noted! Thanks man

Ya i def wanna get another 1st gen super cab if i can talk the Fiancee` into letting me buy a 3rd truck lol Maybe throw the running gear outta my 78 into it and have a BB 4spd 1 ton ranger i wish

That would be quite the rig! At first I wasn't a big fan of the ex-cab's as a wheeling truck, but I've grown to love mine. It's gona be really nice for keeping spare parts and tools. It's kinda nice to be able to fold the seat back, and take a snooze too! Ha ha

Thanks man, back at ya!

Word!

i went and got the wood to make my workbench yesterday. i'm gonna try to knock it out today after work.

and luckily, i found a D35 pig with 373's already in it. so all i have to do is install my 373's in the 8.8.....but yeah, i'll for sure pm you if i need any additional help.....and i'm about 99% sure i will. thanks man

Sweet deal. Good find man! I wish I could have found a 8.8 with 5.13's and a locker in it

Have fun building the workbench. I need to expand mine (badly) it's only 32"x4'. It doesn't take long to run out of space at all. another 4' would be perfect. Do you have a good vice to mount on it?

Here are some other pics I took. Figured I'd post em for the hell of it...

Looking at the pics really makes me realize how bad I need to finish the bed and bumpers, so I can paint them! That's starting to look BAD!

 

[88_Eddie]

i've got a small vise. my brother got it from lowes a few years back. i made it work, but i need to get a bigger one. i'll probably get one from harbor freight, i cant spend $100 on a vise.

 

[Viva*the*Ranger]

Yeah, they get really spendy. I've had some cheap ones, and usually wind up breaking them. Ha ha. I try and look for good brands like a Wilton or something on CL. Sometimes you get lucky.

 

[Viva*the*Ranger]

Got some tires!

35x13.5R15 Toyo MT's. Got em from a member "Wakingtowinter" for $600. Screaming deal if you ask me. Tires are about 60-70%

I also wired in the brake lights. 6 LED 6" ovals. They are right about where they will be once I finish plating the back. Almost done, just need to pick up some diamond plate

Time for some fender trimming!

Fenders trimmed:

Splash guard trimmed: It looks almost just like it on the other side.

Pretty sweet ehy?

 

[88_Eddie]

awesome man, looks badass. i like the tires too

 

[Viva*the*Ranger]

Thanks man!

I ordered the skyjacker braded stainless brake lines for the front on thursday, through Jim Oaks Enterprises. All I gota do is shorten the front driveline, finish the 8.8, and I'll be wheeling

 

[Blacked-Out FX4]

I wish I had the time/space/money for a project. being at work and reading nothing but build threads makes me really jealous. This is another reason why i want a 2nd gen like yours to build or an exploder! I love the build!

 

[Viva*the*Ranger]

I wish I had the time/space/money for a project. being at work and reading nothing but build threads makes me really jealous. This is another reason why i want a 2nd gen like yours to build or an exploder! I love the build!

Thanks dude. Having project separate from your DD, is totally the way to go. All my previous trucks have been DD's and it made it really tough to get anything big done. The cool part about the 1st-3rd gen's, is the inexpensive lift kits. The TTB kits are really easy to install too!

You should keep your eyes open for a few hundred dollar rig, that has like a blown head gasket or something. I see pre 97 4x4's all the time for $200-500 with blown transmissions or head gaskets. Neither of which take much work to get rolling again.