Ultra-budget prerunner build ideas?

[Clycks]

Hey! for starters, I'm a beginner to the offroad/truck building world but I've got a manual, 4wd, 1994 ranger extended cab. It's got the slowest 3.0 known to man becuase of a misfire that I don't know how to fix. its got minor body damage so its a good platform for a cheap prerunner build. I don't need to race or do anything crazy I just want to be able to hoon around with friends and do desert runs nearby so an overthetop build isn't needed. I would like to know though, what is the bare minimum I need to do to make my truck fun offroad?? I want to be able to take small jumps and basically get the best bang for buck out of it. Any ideas?? thanks in advance

 

[Clycks]

my bad didn't realize this was engine tech.... i dont know how to delete it though!!

 

[RadoNoah]

Hey! for starters, I'm a beginner to the offroad/truck building world but I've got a manual, 4wd, 1994 ranger extended cab. It's got the slowest 3.0 known to man becuase of a misfire that I don't know how to fix. its got minor body damage so its a good platform for a cheap prerunner build. I don't need to race or do anything crazy I just want to be able to hoon around with friends and do desert runs nearby so an overthetop build isn't needed. I would like to know though, what is the bare minimum I need to do to make my truck fun offroad?? I want to be able to take small jumps and basically get the best bang for buck out of it. Any ideas?? thanks in advance

Just depends on your budget. Could just start with a lift and some 2.0/2.5 shocks along with some longer radius arms, find some cut&turned beams for the front or extended ones used. Then coil overs up front.

Rear is easy, could do the 64” spring swap off of a chevy. You can find a thread on it on therangerstation. Or deavers if your feeling spendy. Bedcage and some good shocks

 

[Clycks]

Thanks so much for responding Noah!! so my budget hasn't completely been decided yet, I'm a broke high school kid but i've got 1500 or so to use rn, and that will get bigger over time but how much would that cover as far as the parts you said go? also, I've heard going up to the ford 9" axle is good because its not cast like mine so easier to fab mounts, do you know anything about that? are the chevy 64" springs softer or firmer? my truck has a big problem with bucking anytime I hit a jump or bump and I honestly don't know what the problem is...

 

[RadoNoah]

Thanks so much for responding Noah!! so my budget hasn't completely been decided yet, I'm a broke high school kid but i've got 1500 or so to use rn, and that will get bigger over time but how much would that cover as far as the parts you said go? also, I've heard going up to the ford 9" axle is good because its not cast like mine so easier to fab mounts, do you know anything about that? are the chevy 64" springs softer or firmer? my truck has a big problem with bucking anytime I hit a jump or bump and I honestly don't know what the problem is...

Budget will depend on how you end up with parts. If you can score some used parts you can make your budget go pretty far

The 8.8 out of a explore will be a good upgrade, will most likely be cheaper than a 9”, plenty for 33” tires and can probably find one that already has matching gears for the front.

The 64”s will net you more travel and at a liner rate without the overload. People pull 16” with a bedcage and shock setup. Your bucking most likely because you are slamming bumpstops and thats pushing the rearend up. You need uptravel and shock.

Spending some of your budget on a good welder and fab tools will go farther in the long run. Teach yourself to fab, its not hard just time consuming. Your first projects wont be pretty but you will learn from them. Definitely the way i wish i went when starting my project. You will save tones of money in the long run.

 

[Clycks]

Thanks so much again! And the 8.8 is a great idea! Can it handle up to 35 and 37s ya think? I’ve seen Tensor dsr tires (35x10 r15) for 750 off fb marketplace that fit my wheels and are good for pre runner stuff but they only come in those sizes.

I’ve heard 63, 64, and 65 Chevy springs recommend, what would the difference be between those and is it worth just cutting the bed to fit a small cage for extra travel and going with some taller f250 shock towers in the front?

As far as shocks and front coils go, how do I figure out how long of shocks to get all around and would you get coil overs in the front? I also need to buy new bumpstops….

As for fab expirience, how would you suggest I get started learning? I have a tech college that teaches welding but it’s sooo hard to get in. Is there any other way to learn?