Raceranger's 4x4 Build

[RaceRanger97]

Threw her straight into the deep end.

 

[Jim Oaks]

This truck was purchased from a good friend that used it for many years as a desert prerunner down in Mexico to aid several different race teams. It had been sitting for a while and was happy to give it a new life as a rock crawler.

1989 Ranger
1992 Mustang H.O 5.0 V8 Swap (CA Smog Legal)
AOD Automatic
Manual Shift 1350 Transfer Case

Front axle:
-Custom MitchMade Inc. 3.5" housing with plate truss and AR500 steel bash plate utilizing 02 F-350 D60 Inner C's and knuckles.
-Knuckles have Artech high steer kit welded on and use factory F-350 brakes and unit bearings that have been machines to fit 35 spline outer shafts with conversion Warn locking hubs
-Axles are chromoly 35 spline with 1480 joints
-3rd member is a Gearworks load bolt High Pinion case and pinion support with 10" REM polished 5.83s and Eaton TrueTrac built by Axle Pros

Front Suspension:
-Custom 3 link designed by MithMade Inc.
-Links are 2" .250" wall tubing with 1-1/4" heim joints
-Panhard and steering linkage is 1.5" .250" tubing with 7/8 heims.
-Currently uses factory coil buckets with 5.5" "Crawler Springs" From Wild Horses for an Early Bronco

Rear Axle:
-Custom MitchMade 3.5" trussed housing with AR500 bash plate utilizing Trail Gear unit bearing pockets.
-Hubs are 02 F-350 unit bearings machined for 35 spline and use Trail Gear drive slugs
-Uses F-350 Rear Brakes
-3rd member is a Strange 3.25 case and pinion support with 35 spline Detroit locker and 5.83s built by Axle Pros

Rear Suspension:
-Deaver 64" Leaf springs with custom mounts and shackles
-2.5" King double bypass shocks with custom bed cage

Body:
-Custom front and rear tubular bumpers
-Fiberglass 4" wide front and rear fenders
-LED Rock lights, bumper and hood lights

Wheels and tires?

 

[RaceRanger97]

Wheels and tires?

39x13.50 BFG KR3 Race Tires and Raceline 17" Wheels

 

[RaceRanger97]

Tremendous articulation is the way to see your skills..you have skills.

Those are some real great pictures. As I look at how those tires are up in those fiberglass panels is superb, and they clear it exactly right. Your crew who measured and remeasured to build your ranger..I give all you guys much respect.

Thanks! yes I was hoping my math worked out to tuck properly. I was pleasantly surprised.

 

[RaceRanger97]

Some steering upgrades. PSC box and ram as well as Solo Motorsports modified pump. Haven’t mounted the ram yet but it feels way better with the pump and box swapped.

 

[RaceRanger97]

This has been such a fun quick build. I dig that this one is street legal, been using it as a daily more than I thought I would. Dragging it up the hill tomorrow for some more trail miles.

 

[RaceRanger97]

Magnificent masterpiece..

Suggestion for the grille, this has always been a favorite of mine. The 91-94 explorer grille would look great on there..more look that flows with this front end. Chrome is OK, yet I like the all black grille and end pieces as the explorer sports had back then. All black to compliment the truck..only a suggestion.

Truck looks great beside your 97.

I’ll have to look into the expo options and see what’s out there. I definitely would like to put a new set of headlights on it.

 

[RaceRanger97]

Some fun in the trail today.

 

[RaceRanger97]

Drug it up the hill for some snow wheelin.

 

[Jim Oaks]

Man, I wish I had the $$$ to do to TRS-2 what you've done to that amazing rig.

 

[SenorNoob]

I'm gonna say that last pic would be best for the calendar for December...

 

[RaceRanger97]

Man, I wish I had the $$$ to do to TRS-2 what you've done to that amazing rig.

Luckily I can pass most of it as a business expense for Axle Pros lol.

 

[RaceRanger97]

I'm gonna say that last pic would be best for the calendar for December...

That would be sweet!

 

[RaceRanger97]

Not much of an update, but I finally polished out the skid plate. Was bugging me how stained it was. Still needs a much more intense makeover.

 

[MT_PLS]

That could be the picture that pushes you over the edge for TOTM!