Our Chile forum member Patov6 (Patricio Leguia) is the owner and builder of this 1997 Ford Ranger 4×4. Like most people, Patov6 started out with a stock Ford Ranger with a basic suspension and body lift. But the more he wheeled it, the bigger and tougher he built it. There is an amazing short video at the bottom of this page of him crawling with the Ranger. It gives you a really good idea how well it crawls and low low the crawl ratio is.
Specifications:
- Dana 60 solid front axle (35-spline), 5.13 gears & E-Locker
- GM 14-bolt rear axle, 5.13 gears & Detroit Locker
- 42-inch Iroks
- 7-inch TR beadlocks
- Custom front and rear 3 Link suspension + Panhard
- Early Bronco 5.5-inch lift coils
- Winch
- 351W V8
- Custom doubler made by a NP205 and a BW 1356 + ZF S542 (An amazing 155:1 crawl ratio)
- 3-inch body Lift
- Interior roll cage
- Shortened Chassis to 115-inches + shortened bed
- (2) 9-inch HID XENON 55W lights
Patov6 was fortunate enough to take part in the Twisted Andes Adventure 2013:
More photos:
To see more photos and ask questions, check out his Forum Post.
About The Author
Jim Oaks is the founder of The Ranger Station, one of the longest-running Ford Ranger enthusiast communities on the web. He has spent over three decades owning, modifying, repairing, and driving Ford Rangers on the street, trail, and cross-country routes.
Since launching TheRangerStation.com in 1999, Jim has documented thousands of real-world Ranger builds, technical repairs, drivetrain swaps, suspension modifications, and off-road tests contributed by owners worldwide. His work has been referenced by enthusiasts, mechanics, and off-road builders looking for practical, experience-based information rather than theoretical advice.
Jim’s hands-on experience includes long-distance overland travel, trail use, drivetrain and axle upgrades, suspension tuning, and platform comparisons across multiple Ranger generations. The content published on The Ranger Station is grounded in first-hand experience and community-verified data, not marketing claims or generic specifications.
