Completed Project Kirby's 1991 Ranger Build Up

[Kirby N.]

First scenario. Go fast camper on top. I really want one of those.

 

[Kirby N.]

The camper

 

[BKennedy]

First scenario. Go fast camper on top. I really want one of those.

Those types don't understand what a real trail rig can easily do. I've been warned about trails I cruised through several times by the newer Tacoma and 4 door Jeep crowds. Even a bunch of old folks in side by sides told me there was no way I could get up a 2' ledge they just spent ten minutes spotting each other down. I've taken the Explorer up ledges twice that height.

 

[Stic-o]

Get the shocks back on yet?

 

[Kirby N.]

Yes sir- thank you for getting me squared away and getting those bad boys rebuilt. They look great. I was up until 11 wrenching away because I have been missing driving her!!! I moved the lower mount on the drivers about 2 degrees closer to vertical at full droop- hoping to relieve any bind at full droop. My dad made fun of me and it was a lot of work to cut off the mount and re weld it- so I didn’t do the passenger side, as it wasn’t leaking as bad or as soon as the drivers. 2 degrees is barely anything anyway. I don’t know what the life on seals is- but the rear 12” travel non reservoirs started life on the front and then moved to the rear and the seals are still going strong. Have done a lot more high speed stuff as of lately- so maybe the oil is just getting hot or raising pressure. Idk much about it. I use something called “seal savers” for my moto bike that make the seals last forever. They are like a neoprene cover for the seals- keep the dust and grime out I think. I need to do some research on what causes the failures for truck seals. Dirt bikes it is partially repeated bottoming- but more common is just dirt. That’s wheee the seal savers came in clutch. Unfortunately seal savers doesn’t make anything for truck stocks. Maybe you can make a new product @Stic-o ? Or maybe these didn’t last as long because I now feel confident blasting it around at a high speed and they got real hot and the oil broke down.

While I was at it, I also tightened the spanner nut on the ballistic joints on my trackbar. I was getting some pretty violent death wobble (and it was getting worse) when I had the shocks off the few times I drove it. It was mostly when cornering slightly and hitting a bump with one tire. My jeep experience pointed me to the trackbar with those specific behaviors. Also I just replaced all my tie rod ends so I pretty much had the steering ruled out. They both only tightened 1/4” turn, but it tightened them up significantly.

And what do you know? It doesn’t wander anymore and the clunk on bumps is gone. I could have done that a long time ago. She drives way better. So maybe if you have a clunk or a death wobble or if you have ballistic style joints, give them a tightening sooner rather than later. I highly recommend it.