Build a 2WD into a trail runner....need input
#1
Build a 2WD into a trail runner....need input
Well, it has been awhile since I have been on here, because I sold my 2002 ranger. I recently aquired a 1985 ranger for $250. Runs and drives, and I am actually driving it back and forth ot work. It is 2WD, but I am wanting it to take camping, and run some simple trails. My plans are as follows:
3" suspension lift
2" body lift
31x10.50x15 BFG MT's
Chroms crager D window wheels 15x8
8.8 out of an explorer (disk brakes, 4.10 gears, and limited slip)
add power steering (truck has no power steering or power brakes)
This a good start? The truck has the 2.3L motor with 64,xxx miles on it and a 5 speed manual tranny. I will be driving it on back rodes to camping sites, to the lake, etc so it still needs to be street friendly, and I am needing it functional. Any ideas to help me along the way are greatly appreciated. I will start a build thread as soon as I start gathering parts.
This is how the truck looks as of right now. The only thing I have done to it, is tag it and put gas in it. LOL
3" suspension lift
2" body lift
31x10.50x15 BFG MT's
Chroms crager D window wheels 15x8
8.8 out of an explorer (disk brakes, 4.10 gears, and limited slip)
add power steering (truck has no power steering or power brakes)
This a good start? The truck has the 2.3L motor with 64,xxx miles on it and a 5 speed manual tranny. I will be driving it on back rodes to camping sites, to the lake, etc so it still needs to be street friendly, and I am needing it functional. Any ideas to help me along the way are greatly appreciated. I will start a build thread as soon as I start gathering parts.
This is how the truck looks as of right now. The only thing I have done to it, is tag it and put gas in it. LOL
Last edited by cowboy63645; 07-25-2008 at 07:08 PM.
#3
there arent any real steep places that I go for camping, some trails that I used to go on are pretty steep but I am building another truck for that (the chevy in the background of the picture) Just thought it would be nice to have a reliable, fun truck that could do some mild mannered trails
#5
#8
#9
Tall, wide tires with decent tread is all you need with 2wd. You wont need body or frame clearance because you wont be going over things in the first place. 2wd=go around.
#10
I offroad the **** outta my 2wd ranger it has cragar soft 8s and 30 inch bfgs a/ts on it, last week it went thru a mud puddle a 4wd diesel was having some trouble. Of course it cant climb very well. I would say you can have a pretty fun truck with some money. Im not sure how those old 2.3ls do but i know my truc k is a little sluggish with the meatier tires on it.
Last edited by Clay Kann; 07-26-2008 at 01:58 PM.
#12
I have thought about looking for a gen II front end, but they are pretty rare in my area for some reason....I have lived here for 4 years and I have seen a half dozenof them....weaird stuff, but I agree it would look pretty good, and I have thought about upgrading the dash to a gen II as well, but I think it would probably be a little more work than I am wanting lol
#14
I have thought about that, and I am looking into lockers now, as for recovery points, I am looking into a set of tow hooks off of a 97-03 F150, closed loop hooks, and I will be adding a receiver hitch to the rear, for a shackle mount
#16
#17
#19
#21
http://www.jcwhitney.com/ROUGH-COUNT...3409_10101.jcw
This is the kit that I found, and I have run Rough Country stuff in the past, just never on a 2WD, and I liked them on my older 4WD trucks. This build up will be over the course of about 6-8 months, so I might find something I like better between now and then to, never know lol
This is the kit that I found, and I have run Rough Country stuff in the past, just never on a 2WD, and I liked them on my older 4WD trucks. This build up will be over the course of about 6-8 months, so I might find something I like better between now and then to, never know lol
#24
#25
also added to the list is polyurethane body mounts, and replace ALL the bushings and bearings in the front and rear ends....I moved the truck from my fron yard to my back yard today and one of my body mounts was so bad it FELL OFF!! so the truck is getting parked and tore down lol....I guess now as as good a time to start on it as any. Also, I might ahve a lead on a 302/C4 combo should be fun!!
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