kxrida

[extremeblastr]

i've been driving around an 86 ranger 2.9 5spd with a 4 1/2" lift and 33x12.50s, i would like to go up to a slightly larger lift and a set of 35x12.50s and was wondering if it would be able to handle regular use like that with just gearing or if i should just hold out and do an sas, i was also wondering if you've come across any good info on swapping in a cummins 4bt as far as how well it fit and how much of a nightmare replacing the fuel system was. anyone else that has some quality info feel welcome to post.

[snacob14]

therangerstation.com

[KXRida]

with a first generation ranger such as ours I imagine you have the stock d28 and 7.5 axles. 33's are so so on them, but I tore both axles apart with 35's. In all honesty, a mild d35 is almost just as strong as a d44. The d44 sas is just the hot swap to do on them. When done correctly you can wheel just as good with a ttb as you can an sas'd rig. Regardless of axle selection, you're going to have to regear. I'm running 4.88's in my ranger and it probably wouldn't have hurt to actually go up to 5.13's if you're retaining the 2.9. I have a few 302's, 351's, and 4.0's laying around so the 2.9 will be bound to come out at some point in time. Can't say I have much info on the diesel swap. TRS will be your best bet for that information. After I get a little better motor in my ranger I'll be working on my LT project. Just need to get some money saved up and start buying a lot of parts. I have a 6'' suspension lift and 3'' body and it clears 35's pretty well.

I can keep d28's in it if I drive sensably off road. No hard accels with the wheels turned or it breaks the shafts. Also, put 4 tack welds on the caps of you u joints in the axles. The caps love to walk out on them and when they do, that's what breaks your axles. Happens 9 times out of 10. The 7.5 did ok until I came around a high speed corner off road, it picked the rear wheels up off the ground while I was still on the gas and when it landed it made a bad sound lol.

http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/29/l_4fffd5f3b32095db34099dc38287033a.jpg

http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/127/l_b4fe33621fb245818c536f5b6bee21d6.jpg

Now just time to get my front glass conversion on, finish my D35 swap, and suspension work.

[extremeblastr]

lets just say you have a whole lot more clearance then i do and she does just fine for what i do so i think i can get away with just the 6in suspension. i just like having a lifted truck for as often as i don't get to use the 4wd it doesn't matter to how functional it is offroad as i really only do slow cruises on easy trails. so if i'm not misunderstanding you i can get away with the stock axles and a regear with 35s as long as i take it easy and well if it breaks i'll fix it the right way lol. trying to put as little money into the truck as possible as i picked it up for $350 and it has nearly 300k miles on it lol, she still runs like a champ though. i'll try to snap some pics tomorrow to toss up. you wouldn't happen to know if anybody sells a conversion kit for the 302 like they do for the smallblocks in the S10s for those of us who are lazy. also if anyones bored i'm looking for color options that fall under the "tan" category just so i don't have to go to the dmv and change the color on the title.

[KXRida]

as far as a conversion kit, I don't think they have one, but I could be wrong. TRS has lots of info on engine swaps. You can retain your stock motor mounts, just modify them and they work. My brother has a stroked 351 in his ranger.

This is my brother's ranger...

this is what's in it
http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/47/l_7d11a081ab8044248fab71834791fc63.jpg

http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/53/l_ab5fdfbb31ad41629d5c37657b990847.jpg

full size chevy leaf swap
http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/32/l_6e77ef373a044cfd8ee474a4de5783ad.jpg

http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/62/l_ee898ca443ed43bcac231258cf4aaee3.jpg

and one with the old 33's
http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/28/l_895eae2adaf64712989373b5989251ac.jpg

[400exrider707]

Go to www.competitiondiesel.com and there is a section dedicated to diesel swaps in all sorts of things. The 4bt has been put in a few different trucks.

There is a 97ish body style F150 on dieselbombers.com with a 4bt in it for sale right now.

[honda400ex2003]

explorerforum.com is also a pretty good place for info on lifts and such. that is where i found the info on doing my torsion crank and the shackle lift info. i made my own shackles for my 97 explorer and cranked up a bit. i added 1.5 in the front and 3 in the back which evened the back and added an extra inch. once it leveled out though it is perfectly leveled and looks alot better. i guess you probably dont care about my explorer but it seemed like a good site for rangers and such also. steve

[KXRida]

Originally posted by honda400ex2003
explorerforum.com is also a pretty good place for info on lifts and such. that is where i found the info on doing my torsion crank and the shackle lift info. i made my own shackles for my 97 explorer and cranked up a bit. i added 1.5 in the front and 3 in the back which evened the back and added an extra inch. once it leveled out though it is perfectly leveled and looks alot better. i guess you probably dont care about my explorer but it seemed like a good site for rangers and such also. steve

Explorers are a RBV (ranger based vehicle) so most of the same mods apply to them. T bar cranks are ok but will kill your ride if they're cranked too much. A lift is the way to go on the older explorers. Any bronco II, ranger, or early model explorer all share the same concept and mostly the same drivetrain/suspension components. I'd like to do a shackle flip on my ranger and snag up a set of 61'' deavers for it but I've kinda lost interest in building my ranger so it more or less just sits.