Getting Ready to Join the Ranger Crowd

[zhanx]

Ok, its almost official I am joining the ranger crowd...



I miss my explorer that is sitting in michigan while i am stationed at Fort Lewis. So Ranger time!

I am shopping for it still want to get it around next weekend or the week after.

93 or newer up to 97. I found a few different ones to go look at trying to keep the price of it under 2 grand for purchase.

My plan that i need help with to get it right

Body Lift = 2" (PA) (at first i i wanted a 3" but changed my mind)
Suspension Lift = 4" (tuff country)
Lights = El cheapo ones
Winch = Harbor freight baby (unless someone has a cheaper one)
Rear fogs (aka back lights) = el cheapo wal mart baby!


I did find a 91 with a manual transfer and 5speed. which is what i am looking for in the 93-97.

when i go out to look at these trucks any special areas for the rangers, that i may not know about. Cause I plan on buying it lifting it and wheeling it all before christmas if i can get it done. . Cause i really miss wheeling and camping right now like a mo fo.

oh and this will be a cheap lift truck project, I want the most travel and lift possible to run 33's and no gear change, just dont have the tools here or the time to do.

Oh yea bumpers you local Washington guys I need help (ie the tools) with a winch bumper unless i just order order from someone.


Lets get this build started off right!

 

[RangerX]

Not to talk you out of your plan, but wouldn't it be cheaper to have your Ex shipped out to you?

 

[zhanx]

ya but my sister is driving it right now due to her hitting a telephone pole with her x. and i dont want to wait basicly.

Besides i lost my pickup truck in the divorce and need another one, thats for sure.

 

[Tbars4]

...When you are looking at the Rangers remember they also have the hybrid Dana 35 which can be spotted by it's smooth, rather than ribbed, pumpkin...Not much you can stuff into it...Maybe try to find stock rangers with 4.10 gears, kind of common...

 

[RangerX]

Oh, I see.
If you want 33s with no gear change, make sure you get a 4.0.

 

[zhanx]

whats the door code for the 4.10s?

 

[Tbars4]

..Here you go...

87 - open 7.5" 4.10
97 - open 8.8" 4.10
F7 - L/S 7.5" 4.10
R7 - L/S 8.8" 4.10

...But don't be shy if you find ones with these codes...

98 - open 8.8" 4.56
R8 - L/S 8.8" 4.56

 

[zhanx]

..Here you go...

87 - open 7.5" 4.10
97 - open 8.8" 4.10
F7 - L/S 7.5" 4.10
R7 - L/S 8.8" 4.10

...But don't be shy if you find ones with these codes...

98 - open 8.8" 4.56
R8 - L/S 8.8" 4.56

oh i wont shy away from them, hey me a blee are on the chat right now

 

[Tbars4]

...:shifty_ey ...I knew someone was talking about me...:

 

[zhanx]

well join us then and it wont be behind your back

 

[Dannyboy]

if you are just going 33s and not regearing I would really look at just adding coil spacers or the 2" lift coils and then running 33x10.5s.

My explorer came with 33x9.5s and besides looking a little on the narrow side, they were REALLY lightweight. I had a set of 10.50s that I picked up and were on a little wider wheel and those didn't seem nearly as narrow.

Just my 2 cents vs. all the trouble of installing and then dealing with a drop bracket lift. Save some weight, help your fuel economy and the 10.5 won't rub at that ride height. Otherwise why not just go 6" suspension lift and avoid the body lift install?

 

[zhanx]

if you are just going 33s and not regearing I would really look at just adding coil spacers or the 2" lift coils and then running 33x10.5s.

My explorer came with 33x9.5s and besides looking a little on the narrow side, they were REALLY lightweight. I had a set of 10.50s that I picked up and were on a little wider wheel and those didn't seem nearly as narrow.

Just my 2 cents vs. all the trouble of installing and then dealing with a drop bracket lift. Save some weight, help your fuel economy and the 10.5 won't rub at that ride height. Otherwise why not just go 6" suspension lift and avoid the body lift install?

cheap build and i was talking with tbars in the chat, i think i am gonna do the coil spacers and 10.5's, i dont want to worry about rub and the BL will take me what like 2 hours to install, not like it s my first one or even under 10 on it

 

[Dannyboy]

I'm sure Ted can chime in here, but STX packages sit a bit higher to start off as well, maybe find one of those and budget boost it???

After seeing how much "Ford" stuff autofab sticks with, it makes me that much more impressed with these trucks in stock form with some tweaking.

FYI, autofab(what my truck has) has Ranger STX beam brackets and then relocates the lower ball joint outward, approx 6" of ride height adjustment and 16" of usable wheel travel. If you can find a STX, add spacers and run 33x10.5s you'll have one hellova wheeler.



let me know if there is any ttb parts you are looking for, I've gathered quite a selection lately.


and thanks for your service to the country

 

[zhanx]

I'm sure Ted can chime in here, but STX packages sit a bit higher to start off as well, maybe find one of those and budget boost it???

After seeing how much "Ford" stuff autofab sticks with, it makes me that much more impressed with these trucks in stock form with some tweaking.

FYI, autofab(what my truck has) has Ranger STX beam brackets and then relocates the lower ball joint outward, approx 6" of ride height adjustment and 16" of usable wheel travel. If you can find a STX, add spacers and run 33x10.5s you'll have one hellova wheeler.



let me know if there is any ttb parts you are looking for, I've gathered quite a selection lately.


and thanks for your service to the country :salute

found one go look it it wednesday, not an stx but in great shape

who's got the link for the cheapest on the coil spacers and aal?

 

[Tbars4]

...Like Dannyboy said, Keep an eye out for the STX brackets even at the jy...for the coil spacers and the cheaap prices, click the "How to" in my signature and go to f150 coil spacers...

 

[zhanx]

ok scratch that, they just moved me units and i am leaving a whole lot sooner than before. So yea that sucks.

 

[Tbars4]

...That sux...I was hoping to see a new writeup darn it...

 

[zhanx]

sorry tbars and you know how i love to take pictures of everything i do from 3 angles when i do a write up..