mud running ranger
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mud running ranger
ok guys here's the deal, I've got an 1985 ranger with 36-12.5015
super swamper tsl's, I want to take a 1/2 ton drive train and swap it in(axles, engine, tranny etc...) and plan to go with 39.5 tsl boggers, what I need to know is do you think that the 1/2 ton drive train in such a light truck combined with 39.5 boggers will hold up to a wide variety of terrain(from mud, rocks, swamps, hillclimbs and sand).
super swamper tsl's, I want to take a 1/2 ton drive train and swap it in(axles, engine, tranny etc...) and plan to go with 39.5 tsl boggers, what I need to know is do you think that the 1/2 ton drive train in such a light truck combined with 39.5 boggers will hold up to a wide variety of terrain(from mud, rocks, swamps, hillclimbs and sand).
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From: N. Florida - The "No 4x4
Originally posted by Texan1983
i think it would hold up. it has been holding up for me fine. and my truck is much heavier. just cut wieght were ever you can.
i think it would hold up. it has been holding up for me fine. and my truck is much heavier. just cut wieght were ever you can.
Oh, and not 40 inch tires either, do you?
I'm not trying to be argumentative, it's just that I have read in a number of places 38 > tires on this (stock) differential break u-joints and stuff. So as you actually own one, and I ~kind of~ know you, I'm trying to get the straight scoop right from the proverbial horses mouth.
Last edited by ctfuzzy; Oct 21, 2003 at 08:03 PM.
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From: Des Moines, Iowa
yes i have the solid front axle.
no i don't have 40 inch tires.
but i have run 35" with no problems and have been getting pretty hard on it off-road. the d44 is very upgradiable to make it handle 40" tires. there is a guy i go wheeling with that has a 79 bronco with 44" boggers and does pretty well. i am not going to lie and say he never breaks a u joint, but i was suprisized at how it held up ok. even with a built 460 and locker up front. as for a ranger with it being lighter and less power i think it would do ok. but i am not the most hard core wheeler either so maybe not. but i know s10s with d44 and a 350 swaped in do pretty good.
no i don't have 40 inch tires.
but i have run 35" with no problems and have been getting pretty hard on it off-road. the d44 is very upgradiable to make it handle 40" tires. there is a guy i go wheeling with that has a 79 bronco with 44" boggers and does pretty well. i am not going to lie and say he never breaks a u joint, but i was suprisized at how it held up ok. even with a built 460 and locker up front. as for a ranger with it being lighter and less power i think it would do ok. but i am not the most hard core wheeler either so maybe not. but i know s10s with d44 and a 350 swaped in do pretty good.
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I know in my 79 Bronco The Stock Axles my 35" boggers loved eatting U-joints and taken the U-joint cups with em. But after I upgraded to the Warn axles they seem to hold U-joints much better. Knock on wood I have yet to blow a U-joint with em yet. With Boggers of that size on 1/2 ton axles will eat axles. Bogger's love breaking parts. Ya might be able to get away with less breakage if ya go with a TSL of that size.
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From: Southwestern Michigan
When I used to drive what is now my mudtruck(78F150) on the road and trails ect I was running 38" tires, I dont remember what brand they were. At that time I had the 3.50:1 gears, a LS rear and that factory trac-loc up front.
I didnt have too much problem breaking parts, I broke a front axle once and blew the front d-shaft off another time but I was pouding on it really hard.
I ran it on the dunes at silver lake MI, Actually getting the front tires WAY off the ground several times and it survived that too.
I wasted a new set of axle joints in a weekend on the dunes. A good hard day of wheeling would tear up a set too, but if you keep the joints good and change them whenever they show any slop you will break less axles while wheeling.
I didnt have too much problem breaking parts, I broke a front axle once and blew the front d-shaft off another time but I was pouding on it really hard.
I ran it on the dunes at silver lake MI, Actually getting the front tires WAY off the ground several times and it survived that too.
I wasted a new set of axle joints in a weekend on the dunes. A good hard day of wheeling would tear up a set too, but if you keep the joints good and change them whenever they show any slop you will break less axles while wheeling.
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Meriden USA
I run 1/2 axles in my 79 f150 with 4:11 gears and a detroit locker and i run 38.5X14.5X15 Tsl SX's and i havent had much probelms with breaking parts although one of my front u joints is going....Figures right before winter 
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From: florida
the key to your set up wpould be WEIGHT. yes, i have seen fullsize 1/2 tons run 44's with out mishaps. and 1 tons have blow outs with 35's. its all a matter of weight and of course your driving stlye. i had a friend with a 95 ranger w/ 302 and d60f and 14bolt rear and 44's, which tip the scales at 6500 lbs. so be carefull of all you add and keep the weight down you should be ok.
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From: Auburn,Al
i have a buddy with an ext cab 87 ranger with 5.0 ho, np435/np205, 10.25 rear axle, solid 44 front with worn 39 boggers. 4.88 gears locked f&r
if you can go with a 60, he only weighs 5 or so and he toasts something on that 44 everytime he goes out
if you can go with a 60, he only weighs 5 or so and he toasts something on that 44 everytime he goes out
Last edited by 85351ho; Oct 25, 2003 at 08:19 PM.
