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

[DB_1]

Installed some shackle hangers from Dresselhaus Fabworx...ok i made that up...got them from Rock Ranger to get a little lift at the rear end.
With my combo of Tacoma springs, oddball shackle hangers and shackles, it was a real crap shoot what height the rear suspension would end up at.
It was an inch or so low compared to the front so I just lived with it until Rock Ranger came up with a snazzy hanger design.
It would have been nice to just bolt these on but with most everything on my truck, that is not to be. Stock or even the 1/4 wall shackles that Matt offers work fine but I have 3/8 wall shackles and had interference problems so out came the grinder.
Almost hated to cut up Matt's fine work but it had to be done. In the end it turned out great now the truck sits level.
A few pics showing before and after hangar modifications.

 

[Tbars4]

Nice......

 

[RockRanger]

Looks good Dave. I am going to modify them to be how you cut them so that they will clear shackles like yours in the future.

 

[DB_1]

Thanks guys...i cut it a little close to the shackle bushing but I don't see it being a problem. Just need to get out and wheel it now...c' mon October!

 

[DB_1]

Took the truck out for some much needed wheeling yesterday with RockRanger and had a blast. It's just too bad I can't do it more often.

Yesterday was a reminder of what a constant maintenance issue this off road hobby is. Sometimes it's minor, other times it will be major or sometimes both.
Up until now, I've accepted it as a price you pay to have fun. I've owned this truck since it was new in 97 and it's been a great learning experience taking it from its days on ttb lift kits to what it is today.

I've taken this truck as far as I want to take it, ultimately I would rather have a buggy but financially it would take me too long to build it the way I want it. Quite frankly, I'm over putting money into this hobby in general.
Don't get me wrong, I still love getting out to wheel, camp and enjoying the comraderie of it all.

With that said, it's time to retire the Ranger. The plan is to sell off the major parts and the rest will go to the big junkyard in the sky. I'll be getting a for sale thread going after the new year.

 

[Stic-o]

Well that sucks...

 

[RangerX]

 

[BKennedy]

Well that just plain old sucks. The inspiration for my SAS can't retire.

If I have the space, you are welcome to ride with me.

 

[FROADER]

Bummer, but I get it. I wish the timing was different, because I'd buy it!

 

[MidnightRebel07]

Oh damn. I completely understand though. I don't even have Battle Born done yet and I'm not sure when it'll get done now that I have another son and life keeps getting in the way. LOL. Hopefully your truck stays in the EF family like a lot of other rigs have.

 

[DB_1]

Well that just plain old sucks. The inspiration for my SAS can't retire.

If I have the space, you are welcome to ride with me.

Thanks Brian, your dog Sasha can sit on my lap to make room lol

 

[josh40601]

sucks to hear, but I've been there. Hopefully you can sell it as a whole truck. I think people would pay a decent price for a smog legal magazine featured off-road truck that can hang with all the jaheeps out there.

If Brian has a full cabin, you're welcome to ride with me :cheers:

 

[jobunn]

Sorry to hear this Dave, your truck has been a staple rig on the runs since I have been going and always fun to watch. Is there something major wrong with it right now, or just lots of little stuff? I would love to buy it but have to keep feeding my kids for now.

 

[DB_1]

If Brian has a full cabin, you're welcome to ride with me :cheers:

Thanks Josh, I appreciate that

Sorry to hear this Dave, your truck has been a staple rig on the runs since I have been going and always fun to watch. Is there something major wrong with it right now, or just lots of little stuff? I would love to buy it but have to keep feeding my kids for now.

There are things I would like to do to the truck that wouldn't make it street legal anymore. I can't afford a to get a trailer or do anymore mods so I'm gonna cut my losses. In the past couple years I've been using it less and less so keeping up the registration and insurance seems like a waste. I have other life issues taking priority so that's the way it goes.

 

[FR-425]

Heard about the dismantling of your Ranger over on Brian Kennedy's thread.

That rig needs a 21 gun salute and full honor guard at it's burial.

Dirt Warrior Down!

 

[DB_1]

Heard about the dismantling of your Ranger over on Brian Kennedy's thread.

That rig needs a 21 gun salute and full honor guard at it's burial.

Dirt Warrior Down!

Yeah, it's time to throw in the towel. If I can ever afford to get back into the sport, I'd build a mild wheeler/expedition style rig. Something with more creature comforts and drives nicer. At this point I'm happy to just hit the dirt and go camping.

The Ranger is somewhere between that and a more hardcore rig. I'd rather be at one end of the spectrum or the other. If money was no problem, I'd build a rock buggy to do hardcore trails. My Ranger could do a couple of trails at the Hammers but it's still basically a full bodied rig that I have to drive home.

 

[BKennedy]

Maybe you could get a trailer, tow the Ranger with your Silverado, and beat it until it dies...then part it out.

 

[mounty71]

My friend has a trailer that he will be selling for really cheap soon.

 

[BKennedy]

Problem solved!

 

[DB_1]

I don't have the money to keep the ranger going let alone get a trailer. A trailer wouldn't fit on the side of my house anyways without reconstructing the gate opening.