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2000 Ford Ranger

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PhunkyMunky

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So, I've got a 2000 Ford Ranger as my first project. It's my DD/Hunting truck/wheeler. So I've got to keep it street legal and stuff.

My plans for it are currently:

Jeep Cherokee D30 front, 4" lift coils
Block and chevy lowering shakle, and add a leaf in the rear completeing a 4" lift.

33x12.5 SSR's
heavy duty winch bumper, and a heavy duty rear bumper
I want to put a 302 in, along aith a c4 tranny
then lock the rear.

I've got a bunch of cosmetic stuff I wanna do too, but none of that matters much. Wheeling this thing, I know I'll beat it up anyhow.

Ultimately, I'd like to get a yota and make a truggy out of it, maybe a 4runner, so I can put my whole family in it :cool:

My truck is currently still stock, other than the fact that I cut the 60/40 bench into buckets. But, here are some pics.


Front.jpg


Oblique.jpg


And my hacked up seat.
6040tobuckets.jpg
 
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Ok. Got ya. I was going for a cheaper build, D44 is quite expensive. My origional plan was to go for D44 front with a ford 9" rear, and then put it up on 35's. Maybe I ought to just take more time saving up and go that route LOL.

As you can see, I'm an FNG to this sort of thing. From reading around, an axle swap on 98+ Rangers is a PITA. My other thought was just go with a superlift and coilovers on 33's. From reading, the current stock suspension won't take much heavy use, and an axle swap is the way to go. It'd be good to hear your opinions and advice, however.

I've been looking over on TRS a bit already, good spot. Thanx
 
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Hadn't thought of that. Might be the best idea yet. I was thinking of just cutting down a D44, which, well, would screw it up if not done right.
 
If you think swaping to a dana 44 is expensive and difficult ... tell you what, Just throw a body lift on that thing and some 33's along with a locker in the rear and go beat the **** out of it. Dont wast your time with the 302 swap, the stock 4.0L is a great motor. Build something for the trails and save the time and your time and money for it if you want to make a wheeler.
 
ranger 8.8s also bring the suck.
consider swapping that pos out for the 96+ exploder one if you do it. bigger shafts and disc brakes...
 
Toy axles = different transfercase because the drop is on the wrong side.
Click to expand...

Yeah, just found that out yesterday. A guy said something about having to rebuild the axle or something.... IDK

If you think swaping to a dana 44 is expensive and difficult ... tell you what, Just throw a body lift on that thing and some 33's along with a locker in the rear and go beat the **** out of it. Dont wast your time with the 302 swap, the stock 4.0L is a great motor. Build something for the trails and save the time and your time and money for it if you want to make a wheeler.
Click to expand...

Actually, I've come to that conclusion. I think I'll just do a 4" superlift, skid plates, and 33's, powertrax in the rear, maybe a lunchbox in the front, and start planning out a wheeler. That way I can wheel some, but it's still a DD.

I was thinking of getting maybe an explorer body (Sport trac maybe) and making a truggy out of it. That way I can wheel it harder after gaining some experience, and with room to fit the whole famly, we can all enjoy those trips. Not to mention the fact that I'll be less likely to screw up my DD LOL.
 
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Good call building a trail rig, save your dd for logging roads and snow. I wheel an older explorer sport, well whats left of an explorer...

The only differance between the 8.8 under your ranger and the explorer is the spline count (28 vs 31) and where the spring pads are welded on, in 95 they came with rear disc... The 8.8 is a good axle, only seen a few borken 28 spline axle shafts over the years on a friends rig (37's and welded).
 
whitetrashfab said:
The only differance between the 8.8 under your ranger and the explorer is the spline count (28 vs 31) and where the spring pads are welded on, in 95 they came with rear disc...
Click to expand...

front and rear disc is nice. especially if a shaft breaks. caliper bracket should hold the wheel in for a little while:redneck:
i wouldnt lunchbox both axles if you drive in snow on freeways. unless you enjoy the challenge...
i know i do.
:beer:
 
im partial to front lockers for wheeling, but in your case-
whats up front? most likely an aluminum d-35 center section:puke:
waste of $ either way in the long run, but whatever it takes to get out and wheel a little:awesomework:
 
Yeah, generally LOL. Think I'll lock the rear with a Powertrax Lock Right. At least something will be locked then eh?

Basically, for this truck, I'm going to be shooting for this I think, ultimately:

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3865172

This link is to my cardomain thingy. If I'm not going to have this truck as a dedicated wheeler, it may as well look decent, and other than that, be set up for the way I use it. While I'm working on this one, I can research all I need to for a truggy, so that I can build it right, then it won't be any biggie.
Or, begin planning to buy a Jeep that's already set up. Might be the better way to go to be honest. I think Jeep Wranglers have back seats.... Not sure.

Likewise, meanwhile, I can use my truck for moderate off roading and learn how to read the trail, and learn about approaches and such. Much better to do, I think anyhow, when wheeling moderately than to learn while hitting the toughest spots. Likewise, I'm sure there'll be other folks to ride with once in a while, I can learn from them, and have fun :D
 
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How'd ya do that? I immagine that you had to rebuild the axle for a driver side swap. How much was the work?
 
I would say dont lock the front of a Ranger if you are going to use it as a DD. It will drive like sh*t. Lock the rear lift and have fun. The Ranger dies good offroad for what it is. I have used my 04 for some light snow wheeling and it out did an XJ on 33's while I was on Toyo 32's with no lift or lockers. Drive past stock TJ's all day long in the snow also. I was going to build my Ranger but now with the new born I have to find a rig to DD that I can put a car seat in:booo:
 

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