STX and High Rider Info!

[85_Ranger4x4]

Sport Rider replaced the high rider then?

I found a second gen at the JY, the engine is pulled out of it so I could see square tubing between the radius arm brackets and the frame, looked factory. Had the STX style stripes but didn't say STX anywhere, split bench seat, angular alloy wheels. What made it really unique was that it was also a std cab shortbox with a 4cyl 5 speed and a manual t-case.

 

[turbo91xlt]

Sport Rider replaced the high rider then?

I found a second gen at the JY, the engine is pulled out of it so I could see square tubing between the radius arm brackets and the frame, looked factory. Had the STX style stripes but didn't say STX anywhere, split bench seat, angular alloy wheels. What made it really unique was that it was also a std cab shortbox with a 4cyl 5 speed and a manual t-case.

Grab a bunch of pictures of it! And a picture of the door tag. If the motor mount brackets that bolt to the frame are still there grab those too.

My '89 brochure says that the "Sport Rider" package could have been ordered on any 4wd that year if so requested. It was just standard for all '89 STXs. I have yet to come across any other non-STX '89 4wd ranger to have said package though...

For it to be factory both the radius arm crossmember & passenger beam pivot bracket under thats under the engine would have to be riveted in. And the drivers beam bracket will be two pieces riveted together.

 

[turbo91xlt]

Edit, seems the 2.9l engine was mandatory in order to spec out the Sport Rider package (see pictures). You sure it wasn't a 2.9 truck originally? My guess is that ford made it an available option across the 4wd ranger lineup that year to use up excess inventory of those parts.

If you crawl under the truck there should be a fix yoke 1350 transfer case & a massive 1 3/16 in front sway bar under there as part of the Sport Rider package

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

It had the 2.3 emissions label

It had been there for awhile (I didn't pay much attention when I was there a few weeks before to the suspension) so it is probably gone now. Phone battery had died so no pics at the time.

Second gens don't have a whole lot of stuff for my first gen so I generally don't pay them a whole lot of attention.

It had mounts bolted to the frame, one had been torn apart and the other one didn't look too hot.

 

[Jim Oaks]

Does anyone know if you can still order STX pivot brackets from Ford?

Autofab sells replacements:

http://autofab.com/c-335653-ford-ranger-off-road-parts.html

 

[holyford86]

I just purchased an 88 high rider, running and moving for 100 bucks, it's a rotten pile but I'll take pics of all the brackets and upload them here before I take it apart, it seems that many of the images posted here are hosted on photobucket, hence the not working... Has all of the factory radius arm and axle pivot drop brackets with the massive sway bar, has some weird frame brackets also, not sure if they're specific to the high rider but I've never seen them on any other truck before. Rear sway bar appears to be similar or identical in design to the rear sway bars used in all rangers but I'll document that also. No brush guard or roll bar, I wish the seats were in better shape as they are the lowback bucket seats with the lumbar and thigh support