Steering hitting the oil pan

[alaskaal]

Hello!
Installed a 1989 302 roller motor in my 1989 ranger. The ranger is lowered for racing using lowering front arms.
Pulled the engine to install a 306 i just built and on inspection i noticed the oil pan on the old 302 had a deep gouge in the front bottom of the pan. Checked the steering and found scrape marks on the drag link.
I cant modify the suspension/steering any further so my question is......
Anyone else have this issue? Know of a lower profile oil pan and pump that will fix this prob?
Cant have this issue since I road race the truck
Thanks in advanced!

 

[win]

Which pan?

The OEM Explorer is likely tightest fit to the oil pump.

 

[Curious Hound]

Oil pan

+

= oil pan that fits

 

[Shran]

Can't modify your steering linkage or are not allowed to modify it? I'm thinking you could build a GM style setup with an idler arm on the passenger side... look at GM trucks and vans from the 90's for ideas. Superlift made an aftermarket linkage for 4x4 trucks that maybe you could kinda copy. The center link only moves side to side and will never contact your oil pan or anything else.

Or modify your oil pan. I've got a car/Mustang dual sump pan in my truck and even with the stock steering in place it was miles away from hitting anything.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

+1 on what pan do you have?

Pics?

 

[bobbywalter]

tie rod flip.