CHANGE OF PLANS

[HIX]

OK. I decided to go big. Instead of 33s I am going to put on some 35 inch meats. I bought the 5.5 inch superlift and another powertax No-Slip locker. All I have to do now is put it on and Maybe trim a fender or two. I was planning on putting 15x8 inch rims but I think I will try to fit 15x10 standard offsets on there to widen the stance a bit. If I do that I might have to put on a 2" body lift.

What do Ya'll think?

 

[Ray Lobato]

Do it

I think you will have to put at least a 2" body lift on.
I think it will look very good. Go head on!
What kind of gears do you have in your truck?

 

[HIX]

I am going to go to 4.56s and hope they are low enough. Ranger-x is running 35s off-road and 38s or something unreal like that on the street w/ just a 2.5 inch rancho and a 3 inch body lidt w/ fender trimming. I hope I can slide by w/ a little trimming.

 

[RangerX]

HIX, I'm a big fan of trimming as much as necessary vs. raisng the center of gravity, for obvious reasons!(Rolling!) I raised my truck twice, first with the body lift, then the suspension. Each time the functional visibility was noticably reduced, both over the hood, and in the mirrors. As a daily driver on the freeway, that sucks! (Although I have adjusted my driving style).
I suggest trying driving and wheeling with just the suspension lift, and then decide on a body lift or not. Rubbing doesn't really hurt anything, anyway.

I'm happy with the 4.56 gears, although I put them in for 33" tires, originally. Have you looked at a ratio chart?

What kind of tires are you thinking about getting?

 

[HIX]

Most likely I will stick w/ the BFG M/Ts But those Thornbirds just look too cool. I am just afraid that they will wear out quickly. The BFGs are the standard measurment for me.

I was going to do the 2 inch new coils/add-a-leaf and 2 inch body that I had on my Exploder but my truck is lllloooonnnnggggg. 125 inches! My break-over angles suck! One thing about having a long truck is that it doesn't roll quite as easy(give me time, you know it will happen).

 

[HIX]

Here is what the gear calc said

Gear Ratio From Tire Size Change - Find A New
New Tire Diameter: 35
Old Tire Diameter: 31
Current Gear Ratio: 3.73
Actual Differential Ratio w/ 35s 3.34


Ratio
Hi Ratio: 3.87
Ideal New Ratio: 4.26
Lo Ratio: 4.64


I like the close to low 4.56s

 

[FROADER]

HIX,
Just get the suspension lift, front fiberglass fenders and pull the bed sides out a bit. You'll be able to fit 35's no problem. Especially with a 5.5". I agree with Bill on the trim what you need instead of lifting it more. As long as you can't see the triming from the outside, who cares.

 

[HIX]

My problem w/ glass fenders is the fact that i have a Mazda B-4000 and the front clip is not the same as the rangers. It looks like I will just have to trim the fenders and flare the bed a tad

 

[Perry]

Hix,
I will try and get pictures of my fenders when I cut them. I haven't finished them since I just added the #118 coils.
I hope to weld them up and finish them this weekend since I'm not rubbing anymore.
What I did is cut a pie shape out, then leave the factory edge on. Then push it back and reweld it.


[Edited by Perry on 12-22-2000 at 07:26 PM]

 

[HIX]

I like the 15x10 rims! I think I will just chop back the fender then re-attach the fender flares over the chopped part. I am STILL waiting on picking up the lift so that is on standby. I got a mig welder for X-mas so new front bumper is in order as well as rocker protection....THANK YOU SANTA!!!!!

 

[Perry]

Hix,
Here is the picture of my Explorer that we cut back the fender. What we did is take a pie shape out behind the factory edge, then pushed the factory edge back behind the fender. Hope to finish welding it up now I know I'm not rubbing anymore.
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=1166116&a=9194647&p=36024566

By doing this I think you get a good edge to weld and it will look factory when you are done, or as close as you can get.



[Edited by Perry on 12-23-2000 at 07:35 AM]

 

[HIX]

I kinda like the way these guys have their's set up.

http://www.codasranger.homestead.com/first.html

Dead Link Removed

What do ya think?

 

[FROADER]

Looks pretty nice. Hey they do make glass fenders for the Mazda 4000. My buddy has one. He got the fenders from Glassworks Unlimited here in Huntington Beach, CA.

 

[HIX]

REEEEAAAALLLY? That changes everything. I went to thier site and it says only 84-93. You sure it's 94+?

 

[FROADER]

I'm not sure, but I thought Tim made some for the newer mazda. I'll call him tomorrow and find out if he has any or is ever going to make some.

 

[FROADER]

HIX-
What year exactly is your truck. I guess they changed the body again recently, let me know andI'll find some fenders for you.

 

[HIX]

it is a 94. I love the look of the new mazdas so if you can find the fenders for them I might swap in a new grill/headlight assembly.

 

[FROADER]

HIX-
I talked to Justin from Perry's Fab and he said that the body lines are the same so the Ranger fenders should work on your truck. Check it out.

 

[HIX]

The rangers have a cutout for the headlight/turnsignal the Mazda has the turnsignal on the air dam. They not quite the same.

 

[FROADER]

Just found out, your '94 Mazda is the same fender as the '98 Ranger, they are the same all around lights, mounting, door everything. Check those out. My buddy called around everywhere that make fenders, baja race shops everywhere and they said '98 ranger fenders are the same as the '94 Mazda. Good luck!