97RangerXLT
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- Joined
- Sep 18, 2007
- Messages
- 7,313
- City
- Anderson, IN
- State - Country
- IN - USA
- Other
- 2020 Ford Edge Titanium
- Vehicle Year
- 1997
- Vehicle
- Ford Ranger
- Drive
- 4WD
- Engine
- 4.0 V6
- Transmission
- Automatic
- Total Lift
- 2"
- Tire Size
- 31"
She wasn't hurt and no one else was involved, which in itself is amazing since it was on 465 in rush hour traffic. basically the cars in front of her came to a sudden stop and when she realized it, it was too late and she panic stopped and slid right into the guard rail. hooked the trucks bumper right on top of it.
Prognosis:
After unhooking it from the guard rail, the truck drives fine, but the steering wheel is now canted at a 5 or 6 degree to the left while driving straight. it does not pull to any one side and drives fine. A/C even still works
The bumper is bent. not bad, but definitely bent and pushed in on the passenger side. valence panel is in the bed of the truck, basically in one piece but probably not worth trying to reattach. license plate frame is gone...but not needed as IN does not need a front plate. part of the core support on the passenger side is slightly tweaked. frame rails look fine. the bumper is up against the frame rail on the passenger side.
And now, before I show the pics and mayhem, a request for those that have a 93-97 4wd Ranger (stock) can you take a look at the pics of the steering linkage and tell me if the drag link or inner tie rods look bent more than they should be? maybe post up pics of yours for comparison..
The pic the wife sent me:
Core support is bent just a little bit, can barely tell.
Driver side frame rail:
Passenger side frame rail:
Passenger tie rod:
Driver side tie rod:
So what do you think on the steering? just take it to an alignment shop and hope for the best? replace the tie rods and drag link? The steering other than being off center seems to work fine, but I am probably going to wear teh tires out if it is off...
AJ
Prognosis:
After unhooking it from the guard rail, the truck drives fine, but the steering wheel is now canted at a 5 or 6 degree to the left while driving straight. it does not pull to any one side and drives fine. A/C even still works

The bumper is bent. not bad, but definitely bent and pushed in on the passenger side. valence panel is in the bed of the truck, basically in one piece but probably not worth trying to reattach. license plate frame is gone...but not needed as IN does not need a front plate. part of the core support on the passenger side is slightly tweaked. frame rails look fine. the bumper is up against the frame rail on the passenger side.
And now, before I show the pics and mayhem, a request for those that have a 93-97 4wd Ranger (stock) can you take a look at the pics of the steering linkage and tell me if the drag link or inner tie rods look bent more than they should be? maybe post up pics of yours for comparison..
The pic the wife sent me:






Core support is bent just a little bit, can barely tell.

Driver side frame rail:

Passenger side frame rail:

Passenger tie rod:

Driver side tie rod:

So what do you think on the steering? just take it to an alignment shop and hope for the best? replace the tie rods and drag link? The steering other than being off center seems to work fine, but I am probably going to wear teh tires out if it is off...
AJ
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