will a 94 explorer front beam setup work on 88 ranger

[Snake PLissken]

As title states would like some input on this setup. plus I can get the rear end from the same explorer with a l/s 3.73 8.8 drum brake for $250.00 for both front and rear.

 

[SenorNoob]

On a 2wd what would the point be? To upgrade to the dual-piston brakes later?

 

[scrapper]

The back would fit, and would be an upgrade. If you want a street truck dont have to do anything to it if not and you plan on a lift or stock height then you have to weld a flip kit on.

 

[Snake PLissken]

I am planning upgrading the front end to bigger an better brakes than the stock ones an using newer mustang wheels and keeping the bigger drums on the back. using an 88 5.0 with lot of race parts plus a well built C4 and tri y headers along with a 2" s/s exhaust set up.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

You have posted in the 2wd section.
Is the explorer you are getting the parts from a 4x4? The reason for knowing is that the front axles housings from a 4x4 don't easily interchange with a 2x4. You would have to change out the frame brackets, maybe more.

Richard

 

[Snake PLissken]

No its a 2 wd set up. That one of the reason I looking at getting it plus I cant beat the price for both complete front and rear set ups. But still concern on the front end about the springs and steering. that why the post on pro an cons of the complete setup. 94 explorer 4.0 auto an 8.8 L/S 3.73

Thanks for any info good or bad.

 

[SenorNoob]

IF I understand right, then it should be a bolt-in affair for stock height in the front and ~5in drop in the rear. You'd also gain the option of 95-97 Ranger dual-piston brakes up front and 95+ Explorer rear discs.

 

[bobbywalter]

will a 94 explorer front beam setup work on 88 ranger

not as a direct bolt in.


you will need to fit a 4x4 k member or mod your 2wd k to bolt it in.



the ttb/tib gen trucks are different from 2wd to 4x4 and the sploder/b2 have only 4x4 k member from what i have seen.

its possible there was some sort of tib set up early on perhaps but i have no memory of that, and i have done many 2wd to 4x4 explorer and b2 conversions.

 

[Snake PLissken]

Bobbywalter I plan on keeping it a 2 w/d. but if I understand your post you are saying that I need to mod the k member in some way to fit the 94 explorer front beams in the 88 ranger. If so, how do I mod k member.

Thanks

 

[bobbywalter]

you would install a 4x4 k member. or mimic it.



so i would just use gen 1 beams. why would you want the explorer beams?

 

[Snake PLissken]

The truck is going to my granddaughter for her 17th birthday and she like hp. The engine is going to produce around 450 hp. and in a light truck like the ranger. I want it to stop as fast has it can go (ha ha ) so that means bigger an better brakes than the stock 88 set up. Will more than likely change the rear to disc also. That why the explorer front end. Was thinking of putting on the sport trac brakes on it. plus I only paid $100. for the whole front end hub to hub and the best part is the boneyard pulled the front and rear end out for me couldn't past it up.LOL

 

[bobbywalter]

hmmmm.

in that case i would get some fat fenders and run full width e series beams and rear axle. takes custom work but you could make it low and wide to handle the power better.

 

[Snake PLissken]

Was thinking of doing the old Shelby trick of override traction bars a pander bar with rear sway bar for traction plus 16 x 7" mustang rims and better tires a lease on the rear can keep it all under stock bed. maybe some pounding on fender lip. if that dosn]t work then ill cut back the hp. to like 375-325hp.

 

[scrapper]

remember to take pictures.