V8 Solid Axle Ranger

[Raceranger97]

Got it outside today. Pretty excited how phase 1 went. From Prerunner to crawler in 5 weeks.

 

[Raceranger97]

Sliders up next.

 

[Raceranger97]

Buttoned it up and put some miles on it. Drives pretty good for being a 3 link with no sway bar.

 

[DesertGoat]

man this thing looks dope. I'm anxious for your fiberglass hitting rocks & trees but damn that stance is wicked.

 

[Baconcreekmetal]

I love gutter Ranger builds.
That front axle is beautiful.

 

[Raceranger97]

man this thing looks dope. I'm anxious for your fiberglass hitting rocks & trees but damn that stance is wicked.

Thanks! Really hoping the fenders survive, because I like the look too.

 

[Raceranger97]

I love gutter Ranger builds.
That front axle is beautiful.

Thanks! I was planning on converting the front end to a 97 to match the race truck but the square body look totally grew on me.

 

[Raceranger97]

 

[theycallmeWALLY]

That's the correct math right there to offroad garage dreams.

 

[Raceranger97]

Haha. Thinking a low one with a bunch of power would complete my Ford Ranger needs.

 

[TTBDORA]

Is that fiberglass hanneman?

 

[Raceranger97]

Is that fiberglass hanneman?

I’m not sure to be honest. What was on there when I bought it.

 

[Raceranger97]

Little test session before the trail next weekend.

 

[Kellyex1450]

Why did you stick with coils instead of coilovers in the front? I'm doing the same due to budget and I feel like they body roll less, just curious if you had other reasons.

 

[Raceranger97]

Why did you stick with coils instead of coilovers in the front? I'm doing the same due to budget and I feel like they body roll less, just curious if you had other reasons.

I honestly Just didn't want to mess with building an engine cage. With the 5.0, all the smog stuff and A/C its so cramped. But if it seems like this setup is limiting the truck much, I'll probably add coilovers this winter. I wouldn't do it on a desert truck, but for a hoopty crawler I'm hoping this will work.

 

[TTBDORA]

I’m not sure to be honest. What was on there when I bought it.

Right.
I can’t tell either, & the bedsides almost look like those advanced fiberglass stuff?.. not sure.. glass looks great though, I have rain gutter as well & like that way better then what I have currently…Thing is coming out sweet though!

 

[fl0w3n]

I honestly Just didn't want to mess with building an engine cage. With the 5.0, all the smog stuff and A/C its so cramped. But if it seems like this setup is limiting the truck much, I'll probably add coilovers this winter. I wouldn't do it on a desert truck, but for a hoopty crawler I'm hoping this will work.

What coils did you go with?

 

[Raceranger97]

What coils did you go with?

They are the 5.5 crawler coils for an early Bronco.

 

[fl0w3n]

They are the 5.5 crawler coils for an early Bronco.

I assume you’re using the factory buckets and location on the frame then? Looks like that worked out well for axle location. Stock shock mounts too?

 

[Raceranger97]

I assume you’re using the factory buckets and location on the frame then? Looks like that worked out well for axle location. Stock shock mounts too?

They are stock buckets with the shock mount welded up and over to get something longer in there. That's how it was when I bought it. Most likely have to redo all of that if I go to a nice shock.