converting a 88 2wd ranger to 4wd

[jeeptj]

I inherited a ranger and am new to the post boards and would like information on converting the heep of parts in my garage. i have a full cab ranger frame and cab that was 2wd and i have all the parts to make it 4wd my question is the crossmember in the front is it different the front end seemed to be having clearence issues. also i intend to take the 4cly junk out of the ranger and put the 2.9 in which i also got for free. basically i have 3 rangers in my possession. 1 4wd short cab that is completely shot which i can get misc. parts from, the one i described and enufff parts to build another minus a frame. Please help i am experienced with jeeps and full size work and lift kits but never took a ranger from the grave and made it a truck again!

 

[Kris Guilbeaux]

Not sure if this applys to the 88 Ranger but from my Experince with the Explorer you can bolt every thing up with no cutting. I did this twice on 92 Explorers 4wd and 2wd were the same.

 

[Brian_B]

They say the 4X4 front crossmember was heavier than the 2Wd version of the same truck in the older ones (circa late 80s). I cannot confirm that, but that has been posted on another ranger board many times.

 

[jeeptj]

anyone in the allentown, pa area feel like lending a hand reassembling the ranger i mean it is definitly in pieces?

 

[rookieshooter]

Sounds like a nice project. Have you considered a 4 or 5.0 engine instead of the 2.9? You said you got it for free and I guess that's a good reason to put it in. But now would be a good time to take it a notch futher. Later on you might have wished you did. Good luck

 

[jeeptj]

Photos im only lookin to build this for a work truck and a daily driver i want gas mileage my 99 jeep has 10 inchs of lift and 36 inch tires not much milage there and im currently puttin 60's under it so i am without a ride and my 67 firebird is not worth driving needs motor work and it sux gas!