Ranger SAS
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,995
Likes: 0
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...
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 8,147
Likes: 1
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.
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,092
Likes: 0
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
Posts: 8,147
Likes: 1
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.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,995
Likes: 0
From: raymond alberta
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 490
Likes: 0
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.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,092
Likes: 0
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
Likes: 1
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.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,424
Likes: 2
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.
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,092
Likes: 0
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
Likes: 9
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)