suspension and drive shafts..

[mornin151]

hey guys... need some input

Im thinking about putting a cummins 4BT 3.9 L in my 1984 ranger... they said they can put out about 500 HP only a couple hundred stock... but i didnt know if stock drive shafts would hold up... looking to keep it a 4x4 as well... also is there a spring kit that would be able to hold up the weight? it cant be much more weight then a 351 or 302...

 

[railman]

it isn't so much the drive shafts at that point as much as the ring and pinions....

500HP deisels have a heck of alot more torque compared to HP figures than gas engines....

so full 3/4 ton ( D60 ) front and rear is what ya gonna need...

and since the 4BT has a Chevy tranny bolt pattern available may be easier to swap in a pre 90's Chevy tranny, transfer case and axles ( with passenger drop ) would be alot cheaper since everyone seems to be lookin for the Ford axles ( with drivers drop ) for their SAS's for Jeeps and newer Chevy's

just a thought

l8r, John

 

[4x4junkie]

The 8.8" rear axle & size driveshaft used in Explorers should be able to handle that motor fine. Same should be true for a D35 front too, although only because it will be in a lighter std-cab truck. A few upgrades on it may still be in order though. Both axles are easy swaps into your '84.

As for weight, unless I'm wrong, I think those motors are closer to 800lbs (I know they're much heavier than a 302). However I would say look for some springs from a 3rd-gen Ranger Supercab. These are quite a bit stouter than what came in your '84 and should hold the weight of the motor better (you might still need some washers (shims) under the coils to be at the correct suspension height for proper wheel alignment though).
Check in the sticky post in the Ranger Axles section for some upgrades that should help a D35 live a little happier with that engine. I'd probably recommend the D44 knuckles swap for it's bigger brake rotors (especially if you're planning on hauling/towing).

Hope that helps.

 

[mornin151]

well i think i might have sold or traded my 84 ranger as is for a deer rifle... 30-06 or 270 or a 308.. but i have a 93 ranger i would still be willing to try it on... so would the 93 hold it up better?

 

[4x4junkie]

If it's a reg cab, and has the D35, I'd say yes. If it's a Supercab, then that engine combined with the cab's weight might be right at the limit for that front axle, although if you were to stay with 33" or smaller tires, it might still be doable.
Above that, I'd probably start thinking about the 1-ton axle hardware.

 

[mornin151]

its a extended cab... short box... 4x4 with a OVH 4.0 that leaks oil.. and a trans thats messed up.. haha! all factory... how do i tell if i have a D 35? i have a LS rear end... dont know what one though...

 

[Toms01PSD]

8.8 if its a 4.0

 

[mornin151]

so do you think she could hand it? it rides like a freaking stick any ways it soo stiff...

 

[Toms01PSD]

I'm not sure if it would or not. There's a member on here with a 4BT in his ranger but i'm not sure if he's got the 8.8 rear in it or not.

EDIT: Nope he doesn't have an 8.8 rear. Here's the article on his truck:
http://www.therangerstation.com/Magazine/Fall2009/cummins_4bt_Ranger.htm

 

[mornin151]

well what the heck

 

[4x4junkie]

4.0L V6 automatically = D35 & 8.8".
The 8.8" in that truck will be a 28 spline unit. It's shafts are very close to D44 strength (what was in the truck linked to above). The 8.8 R&P gears are miles ahead of D44 gears though.

What size tires are you planning on? Like I said, depending... you could still do it no problem.

 

[mornin151]

31 to 33's at the most...
prolly stay stock for a while 235 75 15