I think I have a wrecked 98 Ranger 4x4 coming to my house sometime in the near future, (all depends on whether the deal works or not).
Anyway, this rig is body totaled, no other way of describing it. Has a 4.0 OHV, Ford crate engine with 12,000 miles, from what I have been told, with an automatic that was changed at the same time, the guy has the paper work showing it was done to some 98 Ranger, anyway.
The plan as it sits now, is to completely strip the entire truck out to a metal shell, and get rid of the body and sell the parts that I can't use.
Then strip out my 86 B II and put all the 98 Ranger parts in it. Such as, engine, complete wiring harness, dash, steering column and computer. All the stuff that it takes to upgrade my old B II to newer. A lot of work I know.
What I am not sure of, (I have an 02 Ranger to look at now) is whether I can take the complete front end and transmission cross member out from under the Ranger and put it under the B II. Thus giving the B II torsion bar front suspension.
The frame widths are within an 1/8" of being the same.
The Ranger frame maybe twisted and is 30" longer wheel base than the B II. so changing the body from one to the other is out.
Basically this would be the same as doing this swap on a 97 and older Ranger.
I would like some thoughts and opinions on this.

Ray

 

good idea, hope it works well! Would be cool to see a BII with a "modern" interior lol