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Ranger44's build: Project FAZDA
- Thread starter Ranger44
- Start date
Deal worked out with PlumCrazy. Sent the stock Radius arms and cost to him yesterday. Hopefully I'll be staring at a set of extended RA's and a crossmember by the end of next week. 
Suspension Plans!
After going down the dark addictive road (and expensive) of "FLEX", and actually had a setup worked out.......I decided against it.
My research:
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77479
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77831
I actually got to thinking about what I wanted to with my truck, and what I do with it daily. I drive on paved roads and highways, dirt/gravel roads, I would like to be able to play in the sand, and do some trails. What suspension would caress this with all the care of a nurturing mother? Here's what I came up with:
Extended Radius arms: Any performance TTB suspension NEEDS a set. These combined with 3" dropped bracket will more than double wheel and spring travel. I've already got a set being made by plumcrazy.
3" drop brackets:
Going to ditch the whole "buy the first set of 2.5-3" drop brackets I find thing" and go with a Stage I James Duff lift......their brackets are tough and will take the abuse.
Springs:
I'm using duff springs. I was told to insist for the 2wd springs since they spec them out at being longer. They'd lift my s/c at an actual 3" and flex a little better than the normal 4wd springs. Even though many consider them to be a nasty spring, these will work great when I'm using it as a "go fast" truck on sand, etc. (I'm kinda quoting Will)The top coils in the spring are closer together, but not touching. Therefore these would be awesome for a "crash landing" or rough terrain since they won't allow the suspension to "bottom out" per se. From what I hear they over a pretty good amount of usable 'flex' on moderate trails with extended RA's....so these should work fairly well.
Steering:
Since steering is always a sore spot on most people's suspensions I'm going to the most viable option for me: Superlift's Superrunner "K" link steering. This will follow the suspension better than stock steering and prevent the nasty toe changes/bump steer. The kit is actually designed to run a standard drop pitman arm. If 'you' didn't know the standard drop arms for all the lifts are based off the arm used on the highrider STX Rangers. This lift was 2.5". SO, It wouldn't need modified in order to work with my 3" lift. It should actually work pretty damn well with it. This also offers "stock" TRE's and all the parts are solid pieces. I could make my own, but that requires ALOT of work and welding. I'd rather not worry about craftsmanship, design, joints, and welds when I'm driving down the interstate at 70 mph.....catch my drift.
Shocks, and mounts:
I looked and looked and it seems that people liked Bilsteins. I decided, for a part time "go fast" truck, that the Bilstein 5150's would be a nice shock to use. They offer 2 ratios, the 255/70 and 170/60. The 255/70's are better suited for single applications and the other for dual shock aps. They are a fixed aux. res. shock. This won't affect the ways I can mount them. The top mount on the shock is adjustable, to the res can be positioned out of the way. As I'm thinking right now though, a single mount should suffice, and the buckets will be cut and a F250 shock tower will be added. Not only to insure enough travel, but offer a double eyelet mounting for more shock options and just to rid my truck of the top stem mount. These just don't perform on rough terrain but help off-road as well: http://www.pirate4x4.com/articles/productreviews/bilstein5150
I'm liking the idea of 255/70's at all 4 corners.
Now, If by some miracle, I can just convince Duff to sell me just the parts I need, then I'll be set, but something tells me they'll stick to their policy of only selling RBV stuff in a kit or just to those who already have a kit. If i have to buy the kit.......there will be shocks, bushings, RA drop brackets, and coil spacers up for sale soon.
After going down the dark addictive road (and expensive) of "FLEX", and actually had a setup worked out.......I decided against it.
My research:
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77479
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77831
I actually got to thinking about what I wanted to with my truck, and what I do with it daily. I drive on paved roads and highways, dirt/gravel roads, I would like to be able to play in the sand, and do some trails. What suspension would caress this with all the care of a nurturing mother? Here's what I came up with:
Extended Radius arms: Any performance TTB suspension NEEDS a set. These combined with 3" dropped bracket will more than double wheel and spring travel. I've already got a set being made by plumcrazy.
3" drop brackets:
Going to ditch the whole "buy the first set of 2.5-3" drop brackets I find thing" and go with a Stage I James Duff lift......their brackets are tough and will take the abuse.
Springs:
I'm using duff springs. I was told to insist for the 2wd springs since they spec them out at being longer. They'd lift my s/c at an actual 3" and flex a little better than the normal 4wd springs. Even though many consider them to be a nasty spring, these will work great when I'm using it as a "go fast" truck on sand, etc. (I'm kinda quoting Will)The top coils in the spring are closer together, but not touching. Therefore these would be awesome for a "crash landing" or rough terrain since they won't allow the suspension to "bottom out" per se. From what I hear they over a pretty good amount of usable 'flex' on moderate trails with extended RA's....so these should work fairly well.
Steering:
Since steering is always a sore spot on most people's suspensions I'm going to the most viable option for me: Superlift's Superrunner "K" link steering. This will follow the suspension better than stock steering and prevent the nasty toe changes/bump steer. The kit is actually designed to run a standard drop pitman arm. If 'you' didn't know the standard drop arms for all the lifts are based off the arm used on the highrider STX Rangers. This lift was 2.5". SO, It wouldn't need modified in order to work with my 3" lift. It should actually work pretty damn well with it. This also offers "stock" TRE's and all the parts are solid pieces. I could make my own, but that requires ALOT of work and welding. I'd rather not worry about craftsmanship, design, joints, and welds when I'm driving down the interstate at 70 mph.....catch my drift.
Shocks, and mounts:
I looked and looked and it seems that people liked Bilsteins. I decided, for a part time "go fast" truck, that the Bilstein 5150's would be a nice shock to use. They offer 2 ratios, the 255/70 and 170/60. The 255/70's are better suited for single applications and the other for dual shock aps. They are a fixed aux. res. shock. This won't affect the ways I can mount them. The top mount on the shock is adjustable, to the res can be positioned out of the way. As I'm thinking right now though, a single mount should suffice, and the buckets will be cut and a F250 shock tower will be added. Not only to insure enough travel, but offer a double eyelet mounting for more shock options and just to rid my truck of the top stem mount. These just don't perform on rough terrain but help off-road as well: http://www.pirate4x4.com/articles/productreviews/bilstein5150
I'm liking the idea of 255/70's at all 4 corners.
Now, If by some miracle, I can just convince Duff to sell me just the parts I need, then I'll be set, but something tells me they'll stick to their policy of only selling RBV stuff in a kit or just to those who already have a kit. If i have to buy the kit.......there will be shocks, bushings, RA drop brackets, and coil spacers up for sale soon.
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This truck is going to be lifted ALOT sooner than I thought. I've got a line on duff drop brackets and coils thanks to destroyer000 ( Cody ) and have the extended RA's. All I need now Are bilstiens and a dropped pitman arm.
I'm not going to be as ambitious with the steering at first, so a dropped arm will sufice for now. Stay tuned! Progress is surely on it's way.
I'm not going to be as ambitious with the steering at first, so a dropped arm will sufice for now. Stay tuned! Progress is surely on it's way.
Grunizzle
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how much lift are you planning on?
thanks for posting up! I'm more than likely going to be running 3". Not a big fan of huge lifts. I believe in small lift ( just enough to run extended radius arms) and cutting fenders if you want to run large tires. It's easiest to realign steering at this level. Once above 4" it gets shady.
Btw, just got a hook up on a 4.10 true D35 diff! Now thoughts of running a front locker are present. He he he.
Btw, just got a hook up on a 4.10 true D35 diff! Now thoughts of running a front locker are present. He he he.
- Joined
- Aug 7, 2007
- Messages
- 2,243
- Age
- 53
- City
- Farmington Il.
- Vehicle Year
- 1988
- Transmission
- Automatic
I just put the Assie Locker in my exploder, works pretty good.
Yeah. I had a lockrite up front, then traded it for a 4.10 hybrid diff, then found a true 4.10 diff I'm paying for Friday from AllanD, and...........
......just recently found another lockrite for sale nearby. It's brand new in the box for $150 o.b.o. Going to pick it up friday!
Then I'll be locked front and rear.
I'm also planning on reinforcing a set of D35 beams. That way i won't have to worry about cracks, etc. Here are my test dummies
:
I'm thinking now that u-joints need upgrading to 5-760x joints and maybe some jeep hubs.
......just recently found another lockrite for sale nearby. It's brand new in the box for $150 o.b.o. Going to pick it up friday!
Then I'll be locked front and rear.
I'm also planning on reinforcing a set of D35 beams. That way i won't have to worry about cracks, etc. Here are my test dummies
:
I'm thinking now that u-joints need upgrading to 5-760x joints and maybe some jeep hubs.
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PARTS SCORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1). D35 lockrite for $124. Brand new in the box! Local. Only had to travel 40min to get it. Now will locked front and rear
2). Paid for my 4.10 "TRUE" D35 diff through AllanD. Being shipped out by Monday.
3). 3" James Duff Brackets and coils should be here today from Destroyer000. Thanks again Cody.
Now just figuring out what to do to improve the rear:
1). Looking at swapping on 94-00' Mustang disc brakes onto my 7.5. Just the GT versions. Dustin, they have that parking brake system that mechanically actuates the caliper. They are 10.5" rotors. It's almost a bolt on affair. Why not when Ranger drums have a constant problem of "not self adjusting".
2). Would be nice to make a heavier duty diff cover, or at least a protector of some sort.
3). Longer shackles- Belltech 6400's.
4). Would like to rid the rear suspension of that nasty block, and just have straight leaf.
Ryan
1). D35 lockrite for $124. Brand new in the box! Local. Only had to travel 40min to get it. Now will locked front and rear
2). Paid for my 4.10 "TRUE" D35 diff through AllanD. Being shipped out by Monday.
3). 3" James Duff Brackets and coils should be here today from Destroyer000. Thanks again Cody.
Now just figuring out what to do to improve the rear:
1). Looking at swapping on 94-00' Mustang disc brakes onto my 7.5. Just the GT versions. Dustin, they have that parking brake system that mechanically actuates the caliper. They are 10.5" rotors. It's almost a bolt on affair. Why not when Ranger drums have a constant problem of "not self adjusting".
2). Would be nice to make a heavier duty diff cover, or at least a protector of some sort.
3). Longer shackles- Belltech 6400's.
4). Would like to rid the rear suspension of that nasty block, and just have straight leaf.
Ryan
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