Ranger EV Frame to normal version Swap

[krzysztof_86]

Helo Friends from the States,

I'm from Poland and I have a problem with my Ranger Truck, I will tell you the situation:
I bought recently Ranger 99 Regular Cab 4x2 3.0 XLT Short bed,
but frame is in a terrible condition, repair it's not possible. The easiest way is buy other frame and instal to my truck.
And here comes the problem... Ford Ranger is very popular in US but in Europe this model is scarce. I found in Norway
Ford Ranger EV from 99 hence my question; FRAME from normal version is the same as EV version? Someone had contact with EV version?
Can I used my suspension? holes, handles/fixing some the same? Please help me, Norway is A bit of a road but is my the only option for rebuilding Truck

Norway auction:
https://www.finn.no/bap/forsale/ad.html?finnkode=58146452

Foto. My truck before dismantling/ and rust frame:

 

[Captain Ledd]

I want to say they're different, but I don't know for 100% sure.

If it makes you feel better, here in the American Mid-west, that looks like a perfectly normal, good frame. Unless there are some holes I can't see in the picture.

Here's mine just over the winter. And yes, I drive it around for a few months with it like that...

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

It isn't going to help your cause that the US Ranger EV's were kind of an experimental thing. Just about all were returned to Ford and crushed with the program ended. I think only one or two survived.

 

[RonD]

About 400, out of 1,500 EV Rangers made, survived, but they are fading fast, mostly collector car status now, and a very specific collector is needed, lol
They are up to about 80 miles on a charge now, with newer style batteries, originally they were about 50 miles.
They were made from 1998 to 2002 for the Calif. 0 Emission mandate, lease only for fleet service but some leases were bought out.
Any returned to Ford were taken out of service...........CRUSHED

Stock Ford Ranger Regular cab chassis were used, so it should work fine for gas models.
Might be some extra support brackets under the bed for the battery packs but all the holes and mounting points for gas tank and spare tire should be there, rear axle was the same as far as I know

 

[JoshT]

If it makes you feel better, here in the American Mid-west, that looks like a perfectly normal, good frame. Unless there are some holes I can't see in the picture.

I'm with Captain Ledd on that one. Frame rust isn't much of an issue where I live, but based on the photo you posted I've seen a lot worse here on the forum that were repaired no problem.

Possibly some rust through on the left side rear spring hangar and shackle. It almost looks like your left rear spring hangar might be broken? Can't tell for sure from the picture you posted. The hangars and shackles are both are available as replacement parts. They can be purchased online, but I do not know how much shipping would cost to Poland.

The rest of the frame looks like the typical surface rust you could find anywhere here in the States. I think if it were mine I'd wire wheel the frame, or possibly get it sand blasted if I could for a reasonable price, then paint it with POR 15 or similar rust killer paint. Not sure what products of that type are available on that side of the Atlantic.

As for the truck in Norway, it's in a costal town with I would assume a similar climate to your own. It's entirely likely that the condition of the frame on that truck is the same, if not worse, as that of your own truck. If you have no rust holes in the frame or extremely severe pitting, I think you would come out ahead to clean up what you have.

 

[krzysztof_86]

Thanks for all opinion. There are good people in the world. I suppose someone form this forum has a diagram with frame EV.
I read on the wiki that wheelbase is the same 2,835 mm (111.6 in) as in my Ranger 2,835 mm (111.6 in) but they write the height, lenght and width is diffrent.
or is a fake information?

Maybe you don't see it on picture but back of frame is weak and with a lot of rust. At first came cleaning by sand but it will weaken frame. I was asking mechanic.
After sand I must weld it. So I think easier and cheapper will be change frame. If it can't used EV frame I will do as you say.
My car I bought in Germany but first owner was from Florida.
Body is in good condition it looks better than frame. I don't know why.
I think EV frame from Norway is in better condition as my. Seller send my this photos. What You think about it?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Shock mounts are very different, I am not sure I see the place for your charcoal canister and it is probably minor it won't have a exhaust hanger.

It looks like it is in really nice shape though.

 

[Captain Ledd]

It's got some extra bracketry on the inside of the rear frame rail, but it appears the shock mount holes are still there and is largely a basic Ranger frame. You'll have to cut some stuff and get some other misc brackets but it seems doable.

If it was from Florida, it may have launched a boat and gotten the back part into the salt water a few times. That salt is a killer.

 

[1996xlt]

If the EVs are 2WD I thought they'd be coil-sprung? That torsion bar frame will ride a bit different than what the OP is used to.

 

[Captain Ledd]

krzysztof_86, could you post more pictures of the back part of the frame where it is bad?

Because looking at these pictures more, unless it is rotted behind the spring perches, I just don't see how this frame is bad?

 

[RayInStl]

Your frame looks good to me, too. Unless there are parts that are significantly thinner than original or so crusty you can like holes in it, I would do as others suggested and wire wheel it and then paint it with a rust encapsulate.

Either way, you should make a build thread. It's interesting to see Rangers in other countries get saved!

 

[Shran]

Agreed with the others, I have seen frames much worse than yours still in service. Shackles and leaf spring hangers are available new.

The EV Ranger frame looks usable, just expect there to be a significant amount of fabrication and time/money spent on what you'll need to use it.

If the price is right on the replacement, I'd do it, but I have a shop and everything I'd need, I don't know what you have available.

 

[JoshT]

If its just the portion above the rear springs that is beyond repair, you wouldn't even need the whole frame from the EV Ranger. Both of those 99 frames are two piece frames, a forward section and rear section that rivet together right at the rear spring hangar. Just attach the rear section of the EV frame to the front section of your frame, then you would only have to worry about modifying the rear section to work.

From what I understand an angle grinder and flap sanding disk make quick work of frame rivets. Sand/grind the head off, knock out the rest, then replace with appropriate hardware. Have not yet tried this myself, but I plan to do it soon. Over here we would use grade 8 hardware of the right size to bolt it back together, I believe that would be about class 10.9 in metric hardware.

I really wish you would post some better pictures of your existing frame. I'm not going to try to convince you that you do not need a frame swap, but from the pictures you have posted it really does not look like you need to. I'm not there to see what your mechanic sees, but the photos of the frame that I see are no where close to needing replacement. Frame rails usually long outlast spring hangars and shackles, but both on your truck appear original and surprisingly intact for the condition the frame is supposedly in.

 

[krzysztof_86]

If the EVs are 2WD I thought they'd be coil-sprung? That torsion bar frame will ride a bit different than what the OP is used to.

1996XLT thanks for your sugestion it was very helpfull!

Ranger EV must be build on the frame 4x4!!! I found at the forum something like this:

If i good understand it font of the frame is diffrent.

I really wish you would post some better pictures of your existing frame.

I think i must change this frame because i want do this car for many year to my self. Thick layer of rust take out so if i will clean my frame by sand it will be very slim and weak after this operation. there are some places where frame is in good condition but i wont do it high quality. Thanks for help guys!

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Your frame doesn't look that bad, you just need new brackets for the springs (around $30 apiece here)

I did not know they used torsion bar front suspension for the EV's, they did use it on a few 2wd's (Edge and Trailhead packages are kind of common) and they do use some 4wd parts which makes it possible to convert to 4wd.