Started at the Ranger.Here's a few pics............

 

looks good man!

 

Very nice. I love custom metal fab.

 

Good stuff!

[I'd be afraid to tell this fellow below anything different, lol...]

 

lol i agree with n3elz ^

 

Is that a Jeep D30? From a XJ, TJ, or ZJ ? That is my favorite Body Style of Ranger. I I ever hang up my Bronco I am definatly going to get a Ranger in this body Style. I can't wait to see more pictures.

 

Ya its from a 90 XJ.My last build was an 89 XJ.So I had lotsa parts left over.Thought the 30 would be a good mod for the Ranger.Gonna run 4.56's with 35's,302 with a c6 and a 208 transfer.Should make for a nice rig.

Heres a pic of my old XJ.

 

Looks like a good project!

 

what type of welder are u using for that?

 

wow.... can someone say hack job?

sorry, but it looks way to weak for my standards...

are you goign to be welding those plates to the frame or is it just those three bolts?

 

agreed i wouldnt drive it...

 

Actually there is 5 1/2'' grade 8 bolts holding the brakets on,plate is 1/4" thick and the arms are 2x2 3/8ths wall,the bushings are BDS and Skyjacker and the bushings are in DOM tubing.Ya it sounds like a hack job to me.But what do I know!

 

What are your plans for the steering? The stock inverted-Y setup sure won't hack it, lol.

 

can we get a close up of some welds?

 

will you still get a decent amount of flex out of those joints? Also it would be better to brace some of that back on the frame.

4.56s and 302 going to be a permanent trail truck?

 

As long as the welds have good penetration there should be no real problem. If I was doing it I would consider boxing the frame and inserting crush sleeves were the arms attach to the frame. I not sure crush sleeves are the correct term so I am talking about running a piece of tubing in between both sides of the frame. Then you run the bolts threw the tubes. This helps keep the frame/ brackets for collapsing form the frame flexing during articulation. That's just my two cents. If i am on my info please feel free to correct me.

I like the Idea of a 302 The C6 is a stout transmission. The Np208 Is a good case. Just make sure you keep up wit the fluid these t case fail mainly due to lubrication failure. How much horse power and torque are you planning for the 302 to be pushing???? You talking like 300hp then your D30 may puke on you.

Keep up the good work. I like to follow your progress.

 

Hold up you guys!!This project is not done yet!!!I've only just begun.lol!

The steering Im planing to run a Jeep system.
Im not plaining to run big power.Only couple hundred horse.So hopefull the 30 will stand it.
This is gonna be a daily driver as well as a wheeler.4.56's with 35's wont rev that hi at 60mph.
Should flex fairly well with these bushings.Thats what a lot of people are runnen down this way.I'm not looen for a rock crawler so flex is not that imported to me.It will see mostley mud.
I'm also plaining on strenghtening the frame.
Pics of my weld.Ill get some for ya!!

 

Looks like a good start! I hope that D30 holds up well for ya!

 

If the frame is like an early explorer it is not boxed there, just a C. His brackets very closely resemble the James Duff extended radius arm brackets for Rangers and Explorers and they work incredibly well, also 1/4" plate. Known for being one of the best kits available. There are plenty of people out there running kits with dropped stock radius arm brackets, now that is scary.

I personally would throw a trac bar on a get rid of one of the "short arms", or run one of them to the same height on the axle as the "long" arm. The current setup naturally induces bind in the suspension, similar to radius arms on both sides of a solid axle (early Fords). When the wheel droops the axle rotates one way and when it compresses it rotates the other, trying to twist the axle. Get some steering and it should work pretty good.

 

great start..good fabbin man

 

I'm thinking.....if you wheel it.....35s......d30......302......SNAP!

 

what axle do u have in the rear?

 

lol!!!Dana 30 is certainly not the toughest gear set out there.The bigest reason that I went with a 30 is that I had one and I ran one in my XJ with 35's for 3 years with no pbroken axles.Yes I know it was a i6 and not a 302.Hopefully I wont see much "wheely action"lol.

I'v driven the truck for bout 2 weeks now and it seems to work well.Handles well.I used all XJ steering arms in the front except fot the joint that goes in the pitman arm and that joint threaded into the XJ sleeve.I dont have the front shaft in yet.I need to fix a couple body mounts so I dont wantto be tempted until its done.lolI'm runnen an 8.8 outa of a stang!I KNOW I KNOW I SHOULD HAVE GONE WITH A 31 SPLINE EXPLORER DIFF!!This is how I look at it.I had 28 spline 8.8,I've got onein my stang thats got over 500 passes on it with out broken axles.So I thought what the hell.

The 4.56's work well.But If planes were to keep the 2.9 4.88's would be in order!

I did the project the way I wanted to.I didn't want to spend a lot of cash.I did want to make it safe and functional.So far it's worken out.Dont get me wrong I will have kinks to work out.I could have used bigger and better stuff.I don't need the biggest and best stuff around.I need what works.You dont need a 100,000 dog house when a 100 one will do.


Mike

 

sweet any updated pics?

 

A fresh pic!!