Ranger frames the same?

[Chris muncey]

I have an 1988 4x4 short bed 2.3 5 speed that got rearended and bent the frame bad. What year frames will interchange with a 88? Will 83 to 88 work or will some of the 90s models work to? Any information appreciated.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

You are stuck with a 1998 and up frame. That is when they changed it and used that frame until 2011 when they stopped making the Ranger. The earlier front part of the frame is definitely different.

Sorry, but that is incorrect for his 1988 truck. 83 to 97 should work except for the front bumper. There was a change in the mounting of the front bumper around 88, I'm not sure exactly when they added crumple zones to the front frame members. All cab mounting points should be the same. 98 the cab had an additional 3" added to the length. I don't know if that affected the cab mounting points.

 

[Snoranger]

Sorry, but that is incorrect for his 1988 truck. 83 to 92 should work except for the front bumper. There was a change in the mounting of the front bumper around 88, I'm not sure exactly when they added crumple zones to the front frame members. All cab mounting points should be the same. I think 93 the cab had an additional 3" added to the length. I don't know if that affected the cab mounting points.

They added 3” to the length of the cab in 98, not 93.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

They added 3” to the length of the cab in 98, not 93.

Thanks. Noted and my post changed to reflect your info.

 

[sgtsandman]

Sorry, but that is incorrect for his 1988 truck. 83 to 97 should work except for the front bumper. There was a change in the mounting of the front bumper around 88, I'm not sure exactly when they added crumple zones to the front frame members. All cab mounting points should be the same. 98 the cab had an additional 3" added to the length. I don't know if that affected the cab mounting points.

I misread the year of the OP's truck and stand corrected. My post is deleted since it is bad information.

 

[Chris muncey]

Ok, I was pretty sure the 83 thru 88 were the same but I didn't know about the 89 thru 93 im looking at a 91and a 85 parts truck right now not sure which i will end up with thanks guys I appreciate it.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

The 91 will most likely have strongerr front and rear axles; d35 and 8.8" vs d28 and 7.5"

 

[Chris muncey]

Im going to use my suspension and drive train mine was ordered with M3D heavy suspension and F6 7.5 Trac-lok posi.

 

[Plan B]

Hi all, been lurking around your site on and off for a while, decided to join and just came across this thread.
Not to sure if it may have been posted anywhere else but does anyone have a plan view with frame rail dimensions for a 2001 2wd ranger.
In particular the width across the front frame rails at the spring/suspension area.
A group of us looking at an off road racing project and a picture or two of these measurements would help or directions to the correct thread or a site where I may be able to get them.
Cheers and thanks for any help.

 

[HighMileage93]

So what if I wanted to do a back-half to a 93 ranger using a 98' & up rear frame section? Would the newer frame section slip over the older frame at the crossmember/front leaf spring mount area?

 

[don4331]

@Denisefwd93 tried it and I believe the consensus was the rails didn't match hand in glove. And if they don't match perfect you will have a stress concentration which will fail.

 

[adsm08]

So what if I wanted to do a back-half to a 93 ranger using a 98' & up rear frame section? Would the newer frame section slip over the older frame at the crossmember/front leaf spring mount area?

Well your 93 is a solid 1-piece frame rail, not the modular setup found in the 98+, so this ends up being one of those "if you have to ask it may be over your head" deals.

 

[Shadowrider6661]

If you need frame dimensions and specifications, contact KLM. This company makes crash books for every vehicle on the road, the pages are detailed drawings of frames, measuring points, every specific bolt, rivet, alignment pins and holes to allow you to build a solid straight frame. You could also stop at an autobody and frame shop and ask them if they would copy the pages you need. This is just a thought on how to build your truck. I hope it helps. One other thing, welcome to TRS.