Need help with parts list...

[Phrog]

So here in about two weeks I'm going to dive head first into a 347 stroker and SAS for my 98 ranger...Been doing tons of reading and there are just so many different options available it seems...I'd like some opinions as to what would be my best bet.

For the engine, that will be fairly simple...Going to pickup a 302 and completely rebuild it into a 347 stroker.

However, someone mentioned I should look for a later model 302 (late 90's) because supposedly they came with a roller cam from the factory...Any insight on that and what years I should look for? I will be using EFI, not a carb setup...I believe there is a wiring kit that can be purchased for engines w/out the computer/harness.

For the SAS is where things are a bit foggy...What I'm going to try and do here is find a rig for cheap that contains nearly all the stuff I will need...Explorers are out as I understand that the 4x4 setup on those used Twin Traction Beams and not solid front axles...What old rig would be best to dig up to get the most useful parts out of?

Also, not positive as to what tranny/transfercase setup would be best...I want to stick with a standard transmission though.

Transfercase, these seems to have so many options available, not sure what would be best...Obviously I want durability and some performance, but the engine will be built for long life with good performance.

I know all that covers a very broad range...However, I want to get everything that I will need and go hunting for stuff ASAP...I plan on being very photographic with the project, same with the documentation...Hopefully by the end of this, will be a very useful guide!

Thanks,
PHRoG

 

[bmxking5]

It all depends on how big you want to go with the front axle. Dana 30 (you better not choose that...347 under the hood + d30 = lots of broken parts), dana 44, dana 60, etc. What size tires do you want? Is it gonna be a street queen, rock crawler, trail rig, daily driver, etc. All of these will decide what axle is best for you(not just the type of axle, but also high or low pinion, leaf springs, coils, or coil overs, width, bolt pattern, etc.)

 

[Phrog]

It all depends on how big you want to go with the front axle. Dana 30 (you better not choose that...347 under the hood + d30 = lots of broken parts), dana 44, dana 60, etc. What size tires do you want? Is it gonna be a street queen, rock crawler, trail rig, daily driver, etc. All of these will decide what axle is best for you(not just the type of axle, but also high or low pinion, leaf springs, coils, or coil overs, width, bolt pattern, etc.)

Well, she is gonna be both a daily driver (only for about the next year) and a trail rig...I like to play up in the mountains alot (mud, gravel, water)...I do a little bit of everything, doubt I will do rock crawling at all though.

 

[bmxking5]

Well what type of suspension do you want? If you want leaf springs, a Wagoneer low pinion dana 44 is about as easy as it gets (already setup for leaves and fairly strong). Low pinion would be fine for you since clearance isn't a real big deal. Also, what width do you want? Full width? (I have full width axles and love the stability. I have f150 axles so it's 6 inches wider than stock) Stock width axles? The Wagoneer axles come in wide trac and also a regular width. Wide trac would be about 3" wider than stock, while the regular ones would be closer to stock Ranger width. How difficult of trails are you wanting to do (now and after it is no longer your DD)?

 

[Phrog]

I like wide and some of the trails up there have been run with big tires, so I would like as much clearance as possible...I'm pretty daring...However, there is tons of stuff I say no to now that I would like to be able to try...I don't wanna go TOO big on the tires...Below 40's definitely...It's looking like I will probably have a budget of about 2200-2500 for this...The stroker build is going to take approx $800-$900 of that...Figured budget might help as well

On the suspension, I have nooo clue...However, looking at DB_1's coil over front end...Don't think that's something I can tackle during this build...I have the ability to custom fab the stuff as he did, however I don't think time/funding is on my side for that one.

 

[bmxking5]

Ok, well the clearance from a high vs. low pinion axle is just the front driveshaft and a little bit of the front housing. You just have to decide how wide you want to go. Are you only wanting to replace the front axle or replace the rear too?

 

[Phrog]

Well, I'd like to replace the rear as well...That's the reasoning for me attempting to purchase a whole parts rig...Hoping to get both front and rear axles...If I can manage to get the standard tranny and xfer case at the same time...That would be a huge bonus.

Also, on the engine part...Do you know what year ford started putting roller cams in it's stock 302's?

 

[bmxking5]

A 76-79 F150/78-79 Bronco would be a very nice donor for you. A 302 was available in them also. If you scored a 76-79 (76-77 had weld on c-wedges; 78-79 had cast/built-in c-wedges; other than that it's the same axle from what I know) w/ front and rear axle still in there and then also a manual trans and t-case that are in working order, you'd be able to much more easily stay within your budget. They had a high pinion dana 44 front axle and a ford 9". I have a d44 from a 77 f150 up front and a 83 f150 9" in the back. If you want coil springs, you can run any front axles from 76-79 f150/78-79 bronco. If you want leaf springs, it'll be easiest to get a 76-77 f150 front axle because of the welded on c-wedges instead of being built into the housing. (BTW, 66-77 Broncos are the smaller ones, so you'd have stock width. Also the front is low pinion instead of a high pinion, and the rear is only 28 spline instead of the big bearing 31 spline found in 76-79 f150/78-79 bronco)

Oh, and I don't have an answer for you about the motor. Sorry

 

[Phrog]

Well, it took awhile, finally went through your 42 page thread ...Main question here though, what's the benefit of going with the coilover in the front instead of springs?

 

[bmxking5]

More articulation mainly. Also, you can get different spring rates, etc so you adjust ride height/stiffness/etc.