My 96

norcalbronco · 02-09-2009, 01:48 PM

I thought I'd start a thread showing my fun little Ranger. It is a 1996 Super Cab with the 4.0 and automatic. I currently have some 30x9.50 Dean Mud Terrain's on it. It started out life with me as a work truck, and I discovered it did pretty well on some basic offroad trails stock. I like to take it camping and explore around northern california when I can. I built a carpet kit similar to tbars and it was probably the best mod I have done. It makes storing gear and keeping everything organized really easy, and provides a nice flat surface to sleep on and for my dog to hang out. Anyway, here are some pics!

By norcalbronco, shot with DMC-FX7 at 2009-02-09

By norcalbronco, shot with DMC-FX7 at 2007-12-05

By norcalbronco, shot with DMC-FX7 at 2008-09-11

**Tbars4** · 02-14-2009, 12:28 AM

...I just seen this thread...I'm glad you finally started one over here...

norcalbronco · 12-13-2009, 08:27 PM

Removed the ghetto Pro Comp runner bar and ditched the green shell in favor of one with more room in the back (I sleep back there while camping all the time). Added fake gutters to the shell, yakima towers and bars, and a safari rack. The lift is composed of Superlift brackets, Skyjacker 4" coils, Duff 3" leafs and Rancho Shocks (ug). The wheels are 15x10 Soft 8's. 33x12.5 bfg AT's. I cut the front bumper a bit to help with clearance for the tires. I may go with fiberglass fenders to get even more room since the truck is already part white :p The cool part is everything was a craigslist find except for wheels/tires and coils. I did originally get all of that off craigslist as well but wanted the stuff that is currently on it instead. I also did the overhead console mod on the inside.

The silly TTB is already out of alignment after less than 2 months, so I need to get it aligned again. I plan on getting it some nice Bilstein shocks and a single piece driveshaft. I have some 4.56's paid for and ready for installation, but I'm contemplating going with a Explorer rear axle first.

*Scott B.* · 12-14-2009, 06:25 AM

Nice improvements!

I would highly recommend swapping the rear end for an Explorer one - get a disc brake version, too. It makes a world of difference.

You might think about changing your wheel size to 15x8. The 10s you have are quite wide, and could be the source of your rapidly "changing" alignment.

Also, have you changed ball joints lately? Whenever mine get loose (every 120K miles or so) I change everything at the same time. That way, old components aren't causing the new ones to wear out faster.

norcalbronco · 12-14-2009, 11:13 PM

Hey Scott, thanks for the compliments

The ball joints seem fine. I originally couldn't align it after the lift, so I went through the whole front end. I replaced the axle pivot and radius arm bushings at that point, along with some wheel seals and readjusted the wheel bearings. I was then able to align it. I had some used baja claws on it at that point. I ended up getting the new at's, and that is when it went out of alignment again. Now that the suspension has had some settling time I think it will hold for a while.

I went with the 10 inch wide rims because I wanted the most stability on the street. I agree I probably should have gone with 15x8's, but oh well.

02-09-2009, 01:48 PM	#1
norcalbronco Wannabe Elite Explorer Sebastopol, Ca 1996 Ranger XLT Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 31 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	My 96 I thought I'd start a thread showing my fun little Ranger. It is a 1996 Super Cab with the 4.0 and automatic. I currently have some 30x9.50 Dean Mud Terrain's on it. It started out life with me as a work truck, and I discovered it did pretty well on some basic offroad trails stock. I like to take it camping and explore around northern california when I can. I built a carpet kit similar to tbars and it was probably the best mod I have done. It makes storing gear and keeping everything organized really easy, and provides a nice flat surface to sleep on and for my dog to hang out. Anyway, here are some pics! By norcalbronco, shot with DMC-FX7 at 2009-02-09 By norcalbronco, shot with DMC-FX7 at 2009-02-09 By norcalbronco, shot with DMC-FX7 at 2009-02-09 By norcalbronco, shot with DMC-FX7 at 2007-12-05 By norcalbronco, shot with DMC-FX7 at 2007-12-05 By norcalbronco, shot with DMC-FX7 at 2008-09-11 By norcalbronco, shot with DMC-FX7 at 2008-09-11 By norcalbronco, shot with DMC-FX7 at 2008-09-11

02-14-2009, 12:28 AM	#2
Tbars4 Offroad Moderator anaheim hills,california 95 ranger 4x4/ 91 X 4x4 Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 21,957 Vehicle Specs	...I just seen this thread...I'm glad you finally started one over here... __________________ I have Rocks in my head. What's in yours? '95 ranger xl 4x4 2.3L std cab, 2 sticks Ranger RegistryThe Squirrel '91 4x4=To much to list, much more to add.. Project "X" and more Pics & Mod's List How to: Wheels,Tires, & Lifts... Buy Explorerforum.com Items here

12-14-2009, 06:25 AM	#4
Scott B. Elite Ranger GA '93 Ranger XLT, 06 FX4 L2 Join Date: Feb 1999 Posts: 2,457 Vehicle Specs	Nice improvements! I would highly recommend swapping the rear end for an Explorer one - get a disc brake version, too. It makes a world of difference. You might think about changing your wheel size to 15x8. The 10s you have are quite wide, and could be the source of your rapidly "changing" alignment. Also, have you changed ball joints lately? Whenever mine get loose (every 120K miles or so) I change everything at the same time. That way, old components aren't causing the new ones to wear out faster. __________________ Scott NRA Life Member EMT-I, UFWDA Chief Instructor 1993 Ranger XLT V8, Modified 2006 Ranger FX4 Level II, Modified

12-13-2009, 08:27 PM	#3
norcalbronco Wannabe Elite Explorer Sebastopol, Ca 1996 Ranger XLT Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 31 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Removed the ghetto Pro Comp runner bar and ditched the green shell in favor of one with more room in the back (I sleep back there while camping all the time). Added fake gutters to the shell, yakima towers and bars, and a safari rack. The lift is composed of Superlift brackets, Skyjacker 4" coils, Duff 3" leafs and Rancho Shocks (ug). The wheels are 15x10 Soft 8's. 33x12.5 bfg AT's. I cut the front bumper a bit to help with clearance for the tires. I may go with fiberglass fenders to get even more room since the truck is already part white :p The cool part is everything was a craigslist find except for wheels/tires and coils. I did originally get all of that off craigslist as well but wanted the stuff that is currently on it instead. I also did the overhead console mod on the inside. The silly TTB is already out of alignment after less than 2 months, so I need to get it aligned again. I plan on getting it some nice Bilstein shocks and a single piece driveshaft. I have some 4.56's paid for and ready for installation, but I'm contemplating going with a Explorer rear axle first.

12-14-2009, 11:13 PM	#5
norcalbronco Wannabe Elite Explorer Sebastopol, Ca 1996 Ranger XLT Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 31 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Hey Scott, thanks for the compliments The ball joints seem fine. I originally couldn't align it after the lift, so I went through the whole front end. I replaced the axle pivot and radius arm bushings at that point, along with some wheel seals and readjusted the wheel bearings. I was then able to align it. I had some used baja claws on it at that point. I ended up getting the new at's, and that is when it went out of alignment again. Now that the suspension has had some settling time I think it will hold for a while. I went with the 10 inch wide rims because I wanted the most stability on the street. I agree I probably should have gone with 15x8's, but oh well.