Hello, obviously I'm new here. So I'll just introduce my self. Name's Jake, I live in NE Ohio, and currently own an 98' extended cab 4x4 Ranger with the 4.0l. And I hope to be able to keep owning, which is why I'm here. :/

 

What dire advice do you need?

Welcome to R/F

 

Well, this past Sunday, the unthinkable happened. While cruising down 71, returning home from a weekend of camping, my tensioner pulley broke off. Now this by it's self is not much of a problem for me. I noticed the lack of power steering and rising temp gauge before it even began to get anywhere near hot. What did me in was when I turned off the motor I turned the key too far I think and locked up the steering, causing me to clip a highway lamp. Now it didn't do any body damage, but it just hardly caught the tip of the front tire and nearly tore it completely off. After looking everything over, I'm essentially going to need a new frame and whole front end suspension.

 

Opps forgot to really ask what I needed help with. I've got a friend telling me that I would have to find an exact match for this truck for a frame. Meaning I need to find another 98 extended cab 4x4 frame. What I need to find out is if this is true or can I use a frame from another year? And where is the best location on the forums to find this information?

 

Welcome!

 

thank you

 

Welcome to the site! I would imagine you would be able to use any 4x4 frame from 98+. Its alot of work though swaping the frame over though.

 

Any 98 or newer frame will work but there are some differences in wiring, brake lines and fuel lines. The easiest is a 98 frame without a flex fuel motor and the same brake configuration as yours(4wabs or rabs) Next would be the 99-00. 01 and newer will require the frame harness to be swapped. Pobably the easiest way is to pick a lightly rolled trauck and swap your body on.

 

Welcome to RF

 

I ended up buying another ranger that at first I was going to use the frame off of but I've had a good number of guys tell me that I might be able to straighten out, and if need be reinforce the 98's damaged frame. So I might actually come out of this with two decent rangers. :P The one I bought is a 99' 4x4 super cab with the 4.0l ohv and an automatic. It needs a bit of work but for 800 bucks I can't complain.

 

Hi from Wisconsin.
Sucks about your ride hope it all works out

 

Hello, Thanks.

 

Sorry to hear a local Ranger took a beating.

I live in Tallmadge, not to far from Parma Heights.

Good luck with the rebuild!

 

Cool beans. I was looking though pics and noticed that in cchsbuzz19 pictures he replaced his rims, do you know if he still has his originals? I need a replacement for my wreaked baby. And those were the style that he removed.

 

Welcome to R-F! Yeah, I sold my stockers when I got my new wheels unfortunately. If you like the look of aftermarket wheels you can get Crager steel wheels for pretty cheap.

 

Darn, I had thought about getting a set of decent aftermarkets though.
Also the windows that open on the back doors, was that stock or aftermarket? I would love if mine opened.