RockRangerII refresh

[RockRanger]

Finished up the rear bumper. I still haven't figured out why when the ignition key gets turned on I get 8 volts sent to the brake light circuit. I will deal with that issue later.


Untitled by dresselhausfc, on Flickr


Sold my old front and rear bumpers. I am committed now to having to build a new one.


Untitled by dresselhausfc, on Flickr

Then I started on my new lower link mounts/ transmission mount/ skid plate. My goal is to make the bottom of the truck smoother and thus easier to slide over rocks. At some point I came down hard on the passenger frame and bent it up between my lower link mounts and the skid plate. I did the same thing on my 86 ranger as well. Hard to see but it goes up about a 1/2" in the middle of the speed square.


Untitled by dresselhausfc, on Flickr

Here is part of the driverside mount. I added some angle in the mounts to help the Johnny Joints work at a better angle.


Untitled by dresselhausfc, on Flickr


Untitled by dresselhausfc, on Flickr

Here it is mocked up on the frame rail.


Untitled by dresselhausfc, on Flickr

Start on the passenger side tomorrow.

 

[RockRanger]

Cut, assembled, and installed the passenger side frame rail bracket.


Untitled by dresselhausfc, on Flickr

One thing I did on my last build was add a spacer to the link mounts when I built them. I have found if you weld a bracket with just a joint installed it it can be a bear to get the joints in and out after welding. What I have found that works perfect is a piece of galvanized roof flashing from Home Depot. I bought a roughly 8"x12" piece for $0.79. I think it is 24 gauge. It is just enough to make it easy to slide a joint in and out but when you tighten the nut and bolt it pulls in and still stays tight. I just tossed it on the plasma table and made a quick cut. I have never cut the material before so I just guessed at it. For its purpose it will work fine. Maybe later I will try to dial in however I don't see cutting much 24 gauge in my future.


Untitled by dresselhausfc, on Flickr

 

[RockRanger]

Started on the main pan of the skid plate. Got this far till I ran out of steel. Once i get more steel I'll cut the rest of the pieces and get it all welded and installed. I am thinking about putting some HDPE plastic on the the bottom of it. Does anyone know where to get it? Need a 24x29" piece.


Untitled by dresselhausfc, on Flickr

 

[RockRanger]

Picked up the tube for the bed, steel for a new front bumper and to finish the skid plate yesterday.


Untitled by dresselhausfc, on Flickr

 

[RockRanger]

Started adding braces to the skid plate. It is all 3/16 plate the outside is 2" tall and the inner braces are 1" tall. Any opinion if it will be strong enough?


Untitled by dresselhausfc, on Flickr

 

[RangerSVT]

Thats plenty strong enough, but your adding some serious weight to this thing. I'd of built it out of 1/8" steel with hdpe...

SVT

 

[RockRanger]

The factory skid plate I folded flat. My last skid plate was built out of 1/8" plate and 1" box tubing. I bent it. Now trying 3/16 so hopefully I can keep this one strait.

I am concerned about the weight a little but at least it is low. My BroncoII tank has a skid made out of 3/16 and I have smacked it numerous times and it is still strait.

 

[RangerSVT]

Its a little more costly, but have you tried/thought of dimple dying 1/8" with the hdpe/uhmv bolted to that?

SVT

 

[prerunner]

I think for most of us 3/16" is overkill. But since you can fold 1/8" then we'll have to see how it does. Amazing workmanship and concept you have going on here.
Subscribed.

 

[RockRanger]

Its a little more costly, but have you tried/thought of dimple dying 1/8" with the hdpe/uhmv bolted to that?

SVT

I don't have any dimple dies yet. Hopefully down the line I will skin it with plastic to help it slide on rocks better.

I think for most of us 3/16" is overkill. But since you can fold 1/8" then we'll have to see how it does. Amazing workmanship and concept you have going on here.
Subscribed.

Thanks. I have been wanting to make these changes for years just now have the chance. One thing for sure is the plasma table makes life so much easier. Just draw it on the computer and hit "print". Nice thing is it is easy to duplicate again.

 

[RockRanger]

Got the skid plate finish welded today. Tomorrow get it painted and hopefully installed.


Untitled by dresselhausfc, on Flickr

 

[forgey4x4]

Why the bronco 2 tank, you doing dual tank setup or you just wanting more weight in the back? Thought about doing duel setup, since I have 89 bronco 2 sitting here but dont know if I want to tear it all apart yet, and not sure how to do it, would have to run two fuel pumps or if they make kits, havent done much research. Any way cool project

 

[RockRanger]

When I put the doubler in and pushed the transfer case back the stock tank would no longer fit. The extra weight in the back made a huge difference as well as going from 14 gallons to 23 gallons. The extra cab trucks can swap a short bed standard cab tank in and make it work as well when doing the doubler.

 

[miller time]

it would be a good ideer to drill hole in the skid plate for a drain you dont want to take it off every time to wash it

 

[RockRanger]

After about 10 different variations I came up with some new shifters for the Transfer cases. Still need to get a shift boot and some handles. Will see how it works when I get it on the trail.



Untitled by dresselhausfc, on Flickr


Untitled by dresselhausfc, on Flickr


Untitled by dresselhausfc, on Flickr


Untitled by dresselhausfc, on Flickr