93 ford ranger single cab 4x4 (Questions)

[KalebRay]

Have done ton's of research on the front end, cut and turn, extending, etc. Im just wondering what you guys are doing in the rear? I've heard of the deaver leafs, chevy 63's, linking could be an option in the future. For now I just wanna stick to somewhat of a budget. Also what rear end you guys running? The stock ranger rear end? I've seen a couple posts about the explorer 8.8? Sorry for all the questions, just want to have everything together so I can get started on it this Fall. How much lift does the cut and turn on the ttb account for? I know for a fact 4 inches, but will I be satisfied with only 4in of lift? Last and final question how are you getting the width in the rear, is the 8.8 Explorer rear end wider? Thanks in advance!

 

[J.Karrar]

Have done ton's of research on the front end, cut and turn, extending, etc. Im just wondering what you guys are doing in the rear? I've heard of the deaver leafs, chevy 63's, linking could be an option in the future. For now I just wanna stick to somewhat of a budget. Also what rear end you guys running? The stock ranger rear end? I've seen a couple posts about the explorer 8.8? Sorry for all the questions, just want to have everything together so I can get started on it this Fall. How much lift does the cut and turn on the ttb account for? I know for a fact 4 inches, but will I be satisfied with only 4in of lift? Last and final question how are you getting the width in the rear, is the 8.8 Explorer rear end wider? Thanks in advance!

8.8" or 9" from a 80-96 f150 seems to be the go-to. 61" from face to face i believe, not sure exactly how much width you'd gain but it would be a good amount wider than a stock ranger axle.

 

[J.Karrar]

8.8" or 9" from a 80-96 f150 seems to be the go-to. 61" from face to face i believe, not sure exactly how much width you'd gain but it would be a good amount wider than a stock ranger axle.

I will say if you have thoughts of a 4 link in the future it would be wise to get a 9 inch over a 8.8 for the aftermarket support. diy offroad has files for all the link tabs and truss for a 9"

 

[KalebRay]

Picked up this 8.8 rear end today for cheap i believe it measured close to 66" from drum to drum. 1 step closer! I believe I'll be going chevy 63in leafs for now, unless I find a nice set of deavers close to me thats reasonably priced. Thanks for the help!

 

[KalebRay]

Picking up a whole d44 ttb front end tomorrow, what's involved in swapping the whole front end over? Is it worth it?

 

[Tree trunk]

I could be wrong, but I think you may need to talk to @Giant Geoff about some ranger to d44 beam drop brackets.

@Bpbuilt started doing this years back to his ranger and he had the giant drop brackets

 

[Bpbuilt]

Yes I used the giant motorsports ones. Or go fast explorers sells a weld it yourself conversion mounts

 

[Tree trunk]

You’re gonna get bigger components and more track width. but I don’t think it’s just a quick slap and tickle swap. Radius arms and mounts are the first thing that comes to mind.
Then steering and extended break lines. I’m sure there are some pretty good write ups around the internet on swapping in d44 ttb into a ranger

 

[WW_RANGER_X]

I could write a book about my ranger, but to keep things short i ran a 8.8 out of a 2001 ford explorer sport. Disc brakes, ford racing gears with posi, 31 spline axles, 3" overall wider than ranger 8.8, and i added a Artec Industries axle truss. Moved rear shackle hangers back, old Deaver f23s out back, 14" 2.5 king triple bypasses, cut and turned stock width TTB up front with 2.5x12" coilovers with GIANT motorsports engine cage. My transmission x member was where the extended radius arm pivots were with heim joints. Truck worked amazing. If i build another one im going this same route. Truck surprised a lot of people.

Oh, also look into Autofab drop down brackets. They were pricey, but well worth it.

and im an idiot and just read youre going d44 lol.

 

[KalebRay]

I honestly just bought the whole front end for the knuckles, he didn't want to sell the knuckles and break assembly only. Had to buy the whole front end. Thats where the d44 swap idea came from, To be totally honest I'm from California and always wanted a prerunner as a kid. Around 2010 I was moved to Tennessee and there's no real riding out here unless you have a RZR. This was supposed to be a "budget build" but its slowly snow balling into a giant money pit lol. But I'll probably end up going with the Go Fast Explorer mounts, 800$ for the autofab mounts just seems crazy to me. Thanks for all the info and help ill try and update this forum with my progress and probably alot more questions, again Thanks guys been a dream for a long time!

 

[Giant Geoff]

If you're doing a C&T to the stock D35 beams just run the Ranger rear axle. The Explore one is wider.
If you do the Dana44 that are 6" wider, I have the conversion pivots and Radius arms and then you what the 80-96 F-150 8.8 axle so it will match the 5on5.5" bigger lug pattern of the D44 front.