Completed Project Kirby's 1991 Ranger Build Up

[BKennedy]

I'll remember this if I start hearing a new clunk from the front.

 

[410Fortune]

trying to figure out why Duff would put bushings in there????
sheesh
Their shock mounts really need a double sheer

 

[BKennedy]

Solid arms bind because the bushings do not allow much flex. With the extra set of bushings behind the axle, it lets them flex more without taking away strength. It also helps with softening vibrations on the highway since the rear mount is a giant heim joint.

 

[Kirby N.]

I saw the arms duff is selling now are double sheer.

 

[BKennedy]

I had to go look, the shock mounts. Now I get it. I thought they had them with that tube single sheer configuration so you could mount double shocks to them, one on each side. Guess they figured hardly anyone is running dual shocks up front anymore.

 

[Kirby N.]

Extended Long Travel Radius Arms - Early Bronco | James Duff Inc.

Own a 1966-1977 Ford Bronco and looking to take it to the next level? Consider these extended radius arms from James Duff!

dufftuff.com

that's exactly how I am going to mount the new ones, but I will make them mount a little lower.

 

[Kirby N.]

I had to go look, the shock mounts. Now I get it. I thought they had them with that tube single sheer configuration so you could mount double shocks to them, one on each side. Guess they figured hardly anyone is running dual shocks up front anymore.

oh no, there is still some sort of adapter to mount them with dual shocks. I am with you though- dual shocks are so 1995. I had their ttb kit with the extended arms on my explorer and I didn't go with dual shocks. but my buddy did on his ranger a few years before. Probably 1999 or so. It was this huge tube bracket up over the coil bucket.

 

[Kirby N.]

I got a lot of work done in the last couple days. I have been pushing to get some things ready for hunting.

Last year before hunting I did the front wheel houses. Basically building plastic wheel wells between the stock ones that were trimmed and the wider fiberglass fenders. I planned on doing the rear too, but I just never got to it. It will protect the inside of the fenders and the bed from mud and snow and also provide some structure.

I was waiting on the new ARP bolts, so I decided to tackle the wheel houses. It can get really muddy while hunting, so it would be a good time to get these done.

I used the same process that I did for the front. I saw this process on *****in Rides. Start by making a masking tape template. Tape the hole shut.

Then trim and remove the masking tape, and flatten it for a template.

Then cut it out of the plastic with a grinder.

Heat it up with a heat gun to form it and push it into place. I had to do some trimming too. They came out great and do a wonderful job of filling the holes. Should accomplish the goal well.

I also made brackets out of 3/16" 1" strap. Welded them on to the fender supports and riveted to them to hold the fender liners in place.

Then my parts came for the 8.8. Thanks @BKennedy for stressing me out about my ring gear bolts backing off! I torqued them to 85 foot lbs and cleaned the holes really well before being really generous with the locktite. Should be good to go.

I installed the diff and checked it a few times for leaks along the way. Works perfect with 0 leaks. I also used bearing glue on the bearing caps to ensure the races do not spin. A little insurance I was told to try by a professional buddy. Cant hurt. I only used them between the caps and the races.

On to the drivers radius arm. That was a bigger job than I thought.

The bushings were wore out!

They were sloppy and nearly coming apart.

The new bushings fit really tight. I had to use a bolt to press them intighening the nut with washers until the bushings slid in.

I also welded on a new lower mount for the Fox Shocks and gave them a coat of paint while the arm was out.

They turned out well and clear the tires perfect. They actually align with the upped mounts better. I also have 3/4-1" more up travel available between the two setups and more down travel as well due to it being a longer shock.

They are definitely bigger bodied than the bilstiens and look nice and vertical in the wheel well. It drives well, and is way quieter. I can't wait to do the other side. Perhaps Saturday. I also have 2 new 35" BFGs to have installed this week before hunting. My front two tires are pretty shot.

 

[BKennedy]

Looks great. Make sure that shock shaft doesn't contact the radius arm, those are flexy arms. Is that just ABS sheet you are using? I need to do something to keep mud and rocks out of the back of the front fenders. Not too worried about anywhere else.

 

[Kirby N.]

I don’t think they will- but yeah I need to cycle the suspension and be sure. Also need to make sure the tire doesn’t contact. I used artec brackets and they are the longest version which are 2+ inches on center for that reason.

 

[Kirby N.]

Yeah I think it is 1/8” abs. I would have to look back at the thread from last year be sure. The heat gun is the secret. You hear it up and it becomes pliable then cools hard.

 

[410Fortune]

wicked good results! Nice double sheer on the shock mount
Now I need to go back and re do my wheel arches with the ABS and heat gun
My wife would kill me if I used up that much masking tape at once, ill use some cardboard AND tape....shhhhhh your secret is good with me

Im still not so sure I like bushings in there. Everything aftermarket that uses those bushings = I am always replacing bushings...the wifes FJ cruiser her rear links (two upper, two lower and drag link) were all rough country, all used those bushings and I swear they need new bushings each year...so we upgraded to arms with johnny joints. Same is true with our Polaris machines, all of the A arms use bushings and those things wear out every single season, so I upgraded to brass bushings.... WAAAAY BETTER
For your radius arm situation there maybe some actual bearings or brass bushings can be had?

 

[Kirby N.]

I don’t think brass bushings would be ideal- there needs to be some flex in there or it would defeat the purpose. I think it is a decent design- I don’t know how many miles and how many years since installed these but I would guess 5 years and 70k miles roughly. So that is a pretty good life span. My truck is at 280K + miles now. I have put a full 100k on it. I do think mounting the shocks somewhere else would decrease wear as well- but I am pretty committed to this shock setup and I think it acceptable for now.

 

[Kirby N.]

I got the other side done today. The bushings were not as bad as the drivers side. Shock looks good!

Also a new set of 2 bfg all terrains.

 

[Kirby N.]

She performed flawlessly on the hunt. Towed my moms sxs on a dual axle dump trailer the whole 4+ hours there and home. Got it really dirty. Arb is still sealed up nice and tight.

here are some pics after the trip

the rear inner fender wells did a great job keeping the mud out of the inside of the bedsides even though mud got everywhere else.

 

[Kirby N.]

You probably guessed by the coolers in the back that we had a good hunt. I killed a bull and a cow opening day. I feel really fortunate.

We killed 5 animals in this hunt. Everyone is happy to fill the freezers.

this was my first bull ever- so I am so excited to have a wall hanger

 

[410Fortune]

well heck yeah! way to go!!

The elk around here are too smart for the local guys.... every year so far I see everyone get skunked... and then the elk season ends and the huge herd of elk are all over our field.... like 80 of them, every morning.... it is pretty funny to watch!!

I really like that bathroom setup with the fireplace between bath and bed, but there really should be a transition at the carpet to tile!! Whomever installed the carpet just tucked it up to the tile, and although that works okay for a nice place like that we would use a transition there
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA Ranger looks awesome!! two elk! does not get much better........

 

[Kirby N.]

yeah yeah yeah. Critiquing my tile job! I did use a Schulter transition there when I installed it. I’ll take a pic and see if you approve. Haha!

 

[fordpickupman]

That is a super sharp Ranger. Classy.

 

[Kirby N.]

Thank you @fordpickupman

yesterday was a really tough day.