7/8 Ton Ranger Build

[marvilusone]

The plans have been changing quite a bit recently and I'm keeping post #4 updated to the current plans. I don't mind constructive criticizm and I'm always open to different ideas so feel free to let me know what you think.


Well here's the start of the new trail/race rig. Traded my F-100 to Brandon(Bullardbs) for this 1985 Ranger and a 1990 B2. I don't have any pics from the day it arrived so we're going to jump to where it's at now.

I've got all the front suspension pulled and I just finished plating up my custom bent D35 arms. Factory pivot locations and bent for 2" lift.

 

[marvilusone]

Next I'm extending the radius arms and adding heims or johnny joints, just havent decided which ones yet. The rear suspension is really simple. Stock Ranger leafs & blocks, removed overloads, opened up the spring clamps and added 2" longer shackles. It will flex the factory bumpstops on the blocks up to the frame and will actually put the springs into negative arch. I'm going to see how long they will last going negative as the flex is amazing. Also has quite alot of droop. Sitting on 33's the rear tires actually hit the massively trimmed bedsides at full flex.

 

[Bullardbs]

looking good cant wait to see it done

 

[marvilusone]

The floorboards have some rust through so I've got them scraped down and I just need to patch them.

The overall plans will NOW be
2000 F250 D50 solid front 3 linked
2000 F250 10.5 Sterling rear leafed
Welded f&r with 5.13's

Stock motor and trans(4cyl, 5sp)
Keeping the 1350 case for now, most likley doubled 1350's in the near future
B2 gas tank mounted in the bed

B2 bucket seats
custom dash
interior cage through the back of the cab
overhead console built into cage for stereo/cb/speakers

Slim front bumper with winch recessed back to the radiator
Sliders of some sort
Slim rear bumper

There's still alot I need but most of it will be more time than money which is great due to my very limited budget.

 

[Reid]

dont forget the bullet hole motiff.

 

[marvilusone]

Yep this is the new driver side trail door

Thanks for all the parts!

 

[1stgenxxx]

The TTB is going to bring the suck.

 

[marvilusone]

Done correctly it is very capable of 20+ inches of wheel travel and able to crawl and handle speed. It doesn't take so much money as it does time and fab. Right now I have alot more time than money. It'll be good for what I'm wanting to do with it.

 

[Bullardbs]

Done correctly it is very capable of 20+ inches of wheel travel and able to crawl and handle speed. It doesn't take so much money as it does time and fab. Right now I have alot more time than money. It'll be good for what I'm wanting to do with it.

I have seen them take a beating and come back for more I think it is a cool build

 

[READYON3]

Awesome build, I can't wait to see the finished product.

 

[redneckjeep87]

this damn thing can flex it out pretty good....and that was without the bed and with lifted ranger springs out front(stiff as hell).....its gonna be pretty BA....so yall watch out in a class for the race!!

 

[Yay!Gurrr]

Done correctly it is very capable of 20+ inches of wheel travel and able to crawl and handle speed. It doesn't take so much money as it does time and fab. Right now I have alot more time than money. It'll be good for what I'm wanting to do with it.

Quoting for future reference...

 

[BIGDADDYF350]

I will pass something on to you from my Ranger build !!!GET SOME FRONT AXLES!!! I had a big problem with the stock D35 shafts. usualy it was the outer and would take out the hub when it broke so get those warranty papers handy and get you a buddy at Advance Auto or the like. these axles dont break like others, it almost looks like they split and splinter off
good luck with it and you are going to amaze many with it the ttb is a well working set up. btw dont worry about the rear springs I ran stock spring on 2 of my rangers and never damaged one, and I beat my stuff harder than most

 

[UnKnownstuntman]

droop

Just make sure you don't have to much droop in the axles,they have a nasty habit of trying to pull the axle nuts back thru the spindal and makes for a fun fix.

 

[seed60]

Nice progress. Can't wait to see how this turns out.

 

[marvilusone]

Well plans for the Ranger have changed. I've ran into a few snags on the TTB and for right now it's going on the back burner. I'm going to find another Ranger to try the TTB out on in the future. Now I'll be running a HP D44 & 9". Just went and picked up the axle donor truck today. 1979 F150, 351M, C6, NP205, HP D44, 9", 3.50 gears and rear tracklock.

The body and bed are swiss cheese but the drivetrain is solid as a rock. It runs like a top. The drivetrain is for sale over in the parts section.

 

[Bullardbs]

nice that is what I was wanting to do with it cant wait to see how it turns out

 

[Bullardbs]

what size tire you going to run

 

[redneckjeep87]

he's gonna run between 36s and 39.5's....and those axles are no longer going in the truck......goin with superduty axles....so technically if its done in time for the race it is still the same suspension design...just a dana 50 ttb instead of a dana 28 ttb HAHAHA

 

[marvilusone]

Well as of now the axle plans have changed again. I'm picking up a set of Superduty axles that I traded the HP44 for. I'm going to run something in the 36-38" range.

 

[marvilusone]

he's gonna run between 36s and 39.5's....and those axles are no longer going in the truck......goin with superduty axles....so technically if its done in time for the race it is still the same suspension design...just a dana 50 ttb instead of a dana 28 ttb HAHAHA

It's not a D50 TTB its a D50 solid axle. Basically a little larger R&P than a D44(10.125" vs 9.5" iirc), larger axleshafts and the same axle joints as a D60. No, it won't be done in time for the race. I need more $$$ and time to get it done by then.

 

[redneckjeep87]

....damn and this whole time i thought we were going to continue with the ttb crazyness, oh well, solid axle just makes everything a lil easier....and the money will come considering im bout to pick up the rustysmurf from you

 

[marvilusone]

The plans for the Ranger have changed again for the axles. I traded my HP D44 straight across for a pair of Superduty axles. D50 solid front and Sterling rear. 3.73's and limited slips, discs f&r w/ two piston calipers on both axles. Odd 8x170mm lug pattern but the axles came with a set of steel wheels. I'm now renaming the Ranger the 7/8 ton Ranger. The D50 strength falls between the D44 & D60. 10 1/8 ring gear, larger shafts than a D44 but smaller than a D60 but the same joints in the shafts as a D60. The only downside to the axles are the unit bearings but the Ranger is going to be pretty light so I don't forsee too many issues.

Front

 

[marvilusone]

Rear

 

[marvilusone]

I also removed the windshield and got to work on the wiring. Stripped the harness down to just a stand alone engine harness and re routed to the inside of the cab. The battery will be going in the bed and I'll be building a custom dash with the "FORD" part of the tailgate integrated into the face of it.

The engine bay looks pretty bare with no wiring and all the misc components gone and inside the cab. I have to fab up a new intake and it will be routed inside the cab as well. I also have a few holes to weld shut from where the heater box was.