Chop, Cut, Rebuild: DB_1's Ranger...again

[DB_1]

Ok kiddies, time for my bi-annual rebuild thread:
This time I won't be messing with the suspension...well, maybe the coilovers.
I may need new coils so I don't have so much uptravel but I'll deal with that much later.

Since i'm barely working progress will be slow since I'll need a few parts and whatnot to get my rig functional again. Main things I need to purchase are new leaf springs. They are totally shot and to have them rebuilt I can buy a new set of Toy springs which i'm gonna try out.

In the mean time, i've been removing stuff that either is damaged and won't be used again or just removing to get it out of the way while I work on stuff.

Here's my list so far:

Front bumper tubework: This will get reworked to accommodate the winch.
Front fenders: Thrashed beyond repair
Rocksliders: Been wanting to build new ones anyways so good as time as any to cut them off.
Rocker panels: Want to get the sliders up higher so they had to go.
Bed: Also trashed beyond repair, tubework will go in it's place
Gutted supercab area: Needed to remove for roof repair but may leave it that way and spray it with undercoating.

That's what i've done so far to the rig and I got my winch mounted today as well. I bought this winch early last summer before the roll and it's a SuperWinch Rock 9.5 short drum with synthetic rope.
I was pondering how i'd fit the grill back on since it sits behind it but i'd still need to access the freespool lever. My plan is to have it on hinges so I can flip it up, i'll just need a way to lock it in place at the bottom...maybe with Dzus fastners.

So on with the pics, i'll start with some before pics of the roof caved in and then with some of the roof almost where I want it. Still needs work obviously.
Other pics show the rockers cut and some general shots of the truck in its current condition. Last set of shots is of the winch install and grill mock up.

 

[IZwack]

LOL CCR time!! I dont think that show on Speed is all that but I'm sure this thread will be! That Ranger always looks so streamlined and clean!

 

[DB_1]

Thank you sir, it won't be quite the engineering marvel that your build is but just hope to get it back on the trails

 

[RangerX]

Front fenders: Thrashed beyond repair

Dave, I still got those fenders for ya, whenever you want.

 

[DB_1]

Thanks Bill, i'll let you know when I need them. I'll give you those James Duff bed supports if you want them.

 

[Stic-o]

Dave, do you still have your factory grill? then you could have a bigger hole to stick your hand in and flip the switch

 

[DB_1]

Dave, do you still have your factory grill? then you could have a bigger hole to stick your hand in and flip the switch

I don't, I had to cut it off the trim piece that's right under the hood so it would never work again anyways. Besides that i'd have to cut out so much of that grill for the winch to fit it wouldn't be worth having a grill in there. I hated the stock grill anyways, that's why I got the one i have now. I like the grill that Bill and Matt have on theirs but same thing, i'd have to cut that one up too.

 

[BKennedy]

Why not just cut a hole in your grille so you can get your hand in to turn the lever? Those hinges might not work when it's upside down:

I say cut the roof off, it will never do anything but keep some of the weather out, and a soft top would do the same thing. Easier to cage the cab with no roof also.

 

[DB_1]

Why not just cut a hole in your grille so you can get your hand in to turn the lever? Those hinges might not work when it's upside down:

I say cut the roof off, it will never do anything but keep some of the weather out, and a soft top would do the same thing. Easier to cage the cab with no roof also.

I was going to cut an access hole in the grill but then I might as well not have a grill. I'm going for the full grill look for no other reason that I can

I thought about cutting the roof off but that would leave the supercab area looking funky...as if my truck doesn't look funky enough already:
I'm at the point where I don't want to do any more work than is necessary to get this thing back on the trail. This will be the final build of any kind for this rig. Hopefully it will last me until I can afford to build a tube buggy.

 

[Stic-o]

I like this direction for the bed

 

[BKennedy]

I like this direction for the bed

All I got were little red "X"'s for the pictures.

 

[Stic-o]

fixed

 

[FROADER]

That thing is for sale on craigslist.

This thing will still look good no matter what you do with it.

 

[DB_1]

So a little bad news and good news. Bad news is my flip up grill idea won't work because the stinger bumper will be in the way. Good news is I can do a reach around and access the freespool from behind:

I put the winch solenoid back on, wasn't sure if i'd have the room for it mounted on the winch in the grill area but it will be fine.

Also worked on a new stinger hoop today, took me a couple tries but finally got it. Looks like I might get lucky and may be able to use the side tubes from my old bumper and weld them on to the new stinger.

 

[blueka]

I love your winch mount... I would love to do something like that to my sport... keep it up!!


Si

 

[RockRanger]

looking good dave

 

[BKennedy]

A true off roader you are, Dave. No one else would roll their truck, then spend a bunch of time working on a winch mount.

I got a little nervous until you explained the reach around bit............not that there is anything wrong with that, of course, if that is what you are into.....

 

[DB_1]

Thanks guys...making progress slowly but surely

A true off roader you are, Dave. No one else would roll their truck, then spend a bunch of time working on a winch mount.

I got a little nervous until you explained the reach around bit............not that there is anything wrong with that, of course, if that is what you are into.....

Yes, i'm into...recovery:

Well the winch mount was there already, just needed to drill holes and redo the tubework to accommodate the winch...plus I have plenty of time

 

[BKennedy]

My poor Explorer has been sitting in the garage untouched since I hit Corral Canyon about six months ago. Had to get another new Optima battery, good thing they are under warranty. I put in a battery cut-off switch so the truck won't drain the battery while it sits.................waiting. Only modification I have done to it in a few years was the mount for the switch.

 

[Stic-o]

My poor Explorer has been sitting in the garage untouched since I hit Corral Canyon about six months ago. Had to get another new Optima battery, good thing they are under warranty. I put in a battery cut-off switch so the truck won't drain the battery while it sits.................waiting. Only modification I have done to it in a few years was the mount for the switch.

That's why I bought one of these

Doesn't help the gas staying in there for a year and eating my fuel pump though