Ranger SAS
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Joined: Sep 2008
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From: raymond alberta
probably an EB of some sort...it would have to be fairly narrow id assume...just put a dana 60 and sterling 10.25 in there...id seriously come drive down there and give you one hell of a hi-five if you made a 1 ton ranger...or exploder LOL that would be sweet...
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Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Joppa, Maryland
Yep, the D44 and 9" out of an EB if you want to keep it narrow, or half tons from 78/79 Bronco, F150 if you want to go full width. The 8.8 disc brake out of a similar year explorer is a common rear upgrade for the rangers.
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From: Olympia
So what about the full width idea? D44 out of a F-150? What years would be best to swap into a '97 ranger?
I like the EB idea, its just damn hard to find anyone parting one out around here.
I like the EB idea, its just damn hard to find anyone parting one out around here.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Joppa, Maryland
78/79 bronco, 77.5-79 F150. Earlier F150's would work, but some are drum brake and less desirable.. but they can always be upgraded to disc later on. However, with the ease of finding these axles it'd probably be cheapest and easiest to go with the right setup first.
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From: raymond alberta
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I'd go with a wagoneer front over an early bronco cause the EB's had real small u-joints.
But me, id retube the long side of an f-150 d44. High pinion, disk's, 1310 joints and way cool point for custom work.
But me, id retube the long side of an f-150 d44. High pinion, disk's, 1310 joints and way cool point for custom work.
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Olympia
We're not going to worry about upgrading joints right now. Its running the stock engine with no intention of going with more power right now. We'll see how it runs on the trails after we get a new set of rubber on it, I really doubt it will break anything very soon running 35's max.
I was tossing around the idea of jeep axles too. I havn't really looked into Wagoneers though. What side differential are they?
I was tossing around the idea of jeep axles too. I havn't really looked into Wagoneers though. What side differential are they?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 5,121
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From: Springfield, VA
If you think about it, even though my ranger has a 78-150 frame, it still has full size axles under the body. They really don't stick out that bad on the 89 body, and with the right backspacing, it would be hardly noticable. The 38.5x11's sitck out about 2" past the body on factory 95 F-150 aluminum rims.
The bonus on the full size axles would be the 5x5.5 lug pattern vs. the 5x4.5 on the ranger.
The bonus on the full size axles would be the 5x5.5 lug pattern vs. the 5x4.5 on the ranger.
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Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Albemarle, NC
I swapped a EB 44 into a ranger several years ago. The spring cups were the same exact width as the spring towers on the frame, was a very simple swap. Had to fabricate a drag link with some DOM and heims.
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Postmaster
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From: Olympia
I'd rather not get into details. It's easier not to tell you all about my projects, because then I get harrassed about them. I sold my mustang and now thinking of building a ranger with a bud.. but final plans are still sketchy, i'm just looking into a good set of axles.
Rangers are always something I like to toy with, so I like to learn as much as I can. If anyone wants to know more specificly you can PM me.. but i'm not going to get into it on the open boards. All i'm saying now is it will just be something that could run with my F-350 on the trails.
Edit:
Two quick questions though;
Is there any specific year of EB that works better than another?
Does anyone know the width/wheelbase of stock '97?
Rangers are always something I like to toy with, so I like to learn as much as I can. If anyone wants to know more specificly you can PM me.. but i'm not going to get into it on the open boards. All i'm saying now is it will just be something that could run with my F-350 on the trails.
Edit:
Two quick questions though;
Is there any specific year of EB that works better than another?
Does anyone know the width/wheelbase of stock '97?
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 18,423
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From: iowa
Here is pics of one of my rangers this one was mounted onto a stretched EB frame and had the 302/C4/D20 in it. Also has 15x8 rims with 31x10.5 tires.
This one is street legal, and I drove it as my daily driver for awhile (sold it a couple years ago to a guy that came back from Iraq and was just dying to have it... how could I tell him no)
This one is street legal, and I drove it as my daily driver for awhile (sold it a couple years ago to a guy that came back from Iraq and was just dying to have it... how could I tell him no)