Completed Project Kirby's 1991 Ranger Build Up

[Kirby N.]

With my coils at roughly 18" at ride height, my fender to center of hub is is about 23.5. So I am going to be quite a bit shorter than you are Brian.

 

[BKennedy]

Its not how short it is, its what you do with........never mind.

Maybe raising the ride height a little over an inch will give you the clearance you need?

 

[Kirby N.]

You just keep telling yourself that...

Haha!

I think I am going to at least try the 6" springs since I have them and I paid shipping. I could lower the coil buckets for another inch, but at this point it seems like it's worth a shot.

 

[Kirby N.]

I pushed the axle back 3/8". So it is at 1 5/8" forward. Pitman arm and tie rod clearance is much better.

Then I made a makeshift draglink out of some tube. The steering stops will hit before the box is fully turned by a pretty significant amount. So in that case I have plenty of room. I think I will leave the radius arm mounts where they are. I think this is as far bar as I would ever want to be. After I get track bar and draglink made I can cycle suspension and see if I can get away with further forward. That way I can adjust the heims if I want to push it forward.

 

[Kirby N.]

Working on the track bar today. I hacked off the stock mount. This will give me an inch more of track bar length and also the bushings on my buddies bronco spit out due to rubbing on that c the way it is shaped. The might help that.

 

[Kirby N.]

I think I settled on trac bar mount locations or atleast close. So I ordered drag link an trac bar. The tb is 24.25. Dl is 23.25. I will likely tilt the axle mount less, but I will have to see how the bar clears the diff/ crossmember. The upper mount had to be tilted too to clear the tierod, so I may need to run a ballistic joint instead of a poly joint since the mount isn't ventricle there may be a bunch of lateral movement required.

I also installed the new power steering pump and plumbed it. The pulley was a pain in the butt! All new power steering now.

after getting the pump off it looked like it had been leaking so I think it was a good investment. It was quiet though, I hope the new one doesn't ford whine.

 

[BKennedy]

I think I settled on trac bar mount locations or atleast close. So I ordered drag link an trac bar. The tb is 24.25. Dl is 23.25. I will likely tilt the axle mount less, but I will have to see how the bar clears the diff/ crossmember. The upper mount had to be tilted too to clear the tierod, so I may need to run a ballistic joint instead of a poly joint since the mount isn't ventricle there may be a bunch of lateral movement required.

I also installed the new power steering pump and plumbed it. The pulley was a pain in the butt! All new power steering now.

after getting the pump off it looked like it had been leaking so I think it was a good investment. It was quiet though, I hope the new one doesn't ford whine.

Looking good. That was the favorite part of my build was when I had the axle located, radius arms in and it started looking like a driver again.

I always use Mobile 1 ATF in Ford power steering pumps, kills the whine. Wish it was that easy to do with other things..........here honey, drink this..

 

[5spdman]

I always use Mobile 1 ATF in Ford power steering pumps, kills the whine. Wish it was that easy to do with other things..........here honey, drink this..

Hahahaha!!

 

[BKennedy]

If you haven't filled the reservoir yet, tape a note to the steering wheel. Running them dry for just a few seconds can cause damage.

 

[Kirby N.]

Good advice I went and got some valvoline today. I will return it for Mobil1.

 

[BKennedy]

Good advice I went and got some valvoline today. I will return it for Mobil1.

I also run Mobil 1 ATF in the transfer case and transmission. I only need to carry two types of oil with me on the trail, engine and Mobil 1 ATF.

 

[Kirby N.]

So you use mobil 1 ATF in the power steering? I thought you meant Mobil 1 power steering fluid. I have heard of brake fluid in a power steering pump but not ATF.

 

[BKennedy]

So you use mobil 1 ATF in the power steering? I thought you meant Mobil 1 power steering fluid. I have heard of brake fluid in a power steering pump but not ATF.

Ford recommends using "Type F" or compatible ATF in power steering pumps for the 91-94 Explorers, and I bet it the same for the Rangers. I have been running M1 ATF for years with no issues, other than a very clean, quiet pump. Before I flushed my original pump with M1 ATF, it used to scream at me whenever I turned the wheel. Quieted it right down. New pump is nearly silent. Mark (Maniak) does the same with the same results.

Never heard of running brake fluid in a power steering pump.

 

[Kirby N.]

Huh. Sweet. You made a believer out if me! Thanks for sharing that info. I can always here a ford coming by the tone of the pump. Hope this will change my tune!

 

[RockRanger]

.

 

[Kirby N.]

Haha! Lloyd Christmas.

I am working on starting a tranny crossmember/ belly pan. I got some things out of the way so I could work.

 

[Kirby N.]

 

[RockRanger]

Are you installing a doubler? Dropped of the mount today at the post office. Should be there Tuesday or Wednesday I would think.

 

[Kirby N.]

Thank you for making me a transmission mount! I am super pumped to weld it up and install it!

No doubler in this one. When I did the doubler in my explorer I told myself next time I would spring for the atlas. When it was all said and done I almost could have done an atlas. I did do the same on clearancing on my doubler for explorer sport gas tank clearance.

This time for the multipurpose vehicle the ranger will be I expect 5.13s to be adequate with the stock tcase. We will see though.

 

[Kirby N.]

The mail came today! That was fast! Thanks Matt!

I am working on my belly pan today.

Counter sunk bolts to clear the radius arms