76 and 77 had disk brakes.

 

here is an ebay link the seller is in PA he has a pile of eb dana 44 axles 325.00 + shipping pick up is free
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/66-77...Q5fAccessories

 

That seems like a good way to go with it. I would personally go with a late 70s F-150 D44 and just pay to have it shortened. But then again I would be running an Expo 8.8 that matched it so I would only have to pay for the one axle opposed to the 2 you would have had to. $400 isn't outrageous really.

Once you move up in years on the EB not only do they start to get beefier (discs, better ujoints, reverse cut) but they also get wider so it you have to weigh: Do you want to get an early axle that is the width you want but needs built up? or Do you want to get an axle that is already ready to go but will either need shortened or you will have a wider stance then you want?

 

**** thanks man for the link once the new job comes its time to get parts around

 

Why not just run a waggy up front and the 6 lug shafts for an expo 8.8 out back? Or convert the waggy front to 5 lug with a couple cheap ford parts. Instead of going through a **** ton of crap just to get the same basic thing...

Just an idea. Waggy's are everywhere. I picked up a 90' front and rear with 38" tsl's w/aluminum wheels for $150. People are always looking to get rid of crap they have laying around. Just have to keep your eyes open and have other people looking out for you too. That's how I got my deal.

 

HOLY CRAP!! Thats a lot of axles!

 

because with the james duff "kit" its basically a bolt in kit. the waggy axles are leaf springs not coils

 

^^^^ Didn't even think of that

 

Ok so this kit is a bolt on, Other than not having the upper coil buckets what stops one from using this on an IFS truck? Yeah I get Id have to drill my own holes but still it would work wouldnt it?

 

The biggest problem with the newer Rangers is the steering. Since the 98+ trucks use rack and pinion you have to convert it to a steering gear box. That creates a need for custom mounting of the box, custom steering shaft from the box to the steering wheel, and custom power steering hoses.

 

Id just swap over all the older ranger stuff. I have a JY full of it

 

If it were that simple everyone would be doing it, but you're more than welcome to give it a shot!

 

Oh it is that simple, Its just a matter of not being afraid lol. I highly doubt I will do this but its fun to speculate on the idea. My ranger is my DD/gas saver so if I want something with a solid axle I can go play with my one tons or my bronco

 

The frame is not the same. You'll have to fab radius arm mounts, you'll have to do fab work to make that trac bar bracket fit, you'll have to fab the buckets to fit, you'll have to fab the steering setup. There is nothing about that duff stuff that will just fit a newer Ranger. You'll have to modify everybit of it except maybe the coils and radius arms themselves. For the amount of work to make it fit there are much better options out there. Oh and good luck mounting up a gen3 Ranger steering box on that 98+ frame.

 

Its not a big deal to drill some holes, the contour of the frame is the same so all I am fighting is not being bolt on. Ive also take a few measurements on older rangers to check the steering and honestly its just getting the box, drilling the holes, and plumbing it in.

 

Who will be the first to test the coil spring buckets on a '98 up Ranger ?

Duff did state they were working on it.

 

I have a ton of free time and a junk yard to play in. I can see what I can come up with. Granted I dont wanna tear down my ranger to test fit but we can have a good idea.

 

^^^ seems like you need to read a bunch of the build threads the 98+ trucks are a lot different. way more than you think

 

Cause you have one to know that??

 

Why are being so combative? People are telling you out of experience, not trying to show you up. Get under a TTB Ranger and a Coil Spring Ranger, do some thinking, measure some stuff, compare the frames, and come back and think over what you've said so far. Trust me, the outward appearance of the 93-97 similarities to the 98-03 is very deceiving.

 

actually i own a 94 ranger and my mom owns a 05 sport trac which has the same front frame a suspension as the ifs rangers.


so yes smart *** i do have one to know that. i dont understand why you think you know so much more than everyone else

 

I have been under them and looked, They are different but not to the point a few measurements and rethinking of things wouldnt solve

I dont know more than anyone else, But if someone could give me a reason vs just saying no it wont work that would be great

 

How about this. Do it and then we can all say I told you so when it doesn't work.

 

Im gonna start another thread, I feel bad running this guys down like this

 

How about a comparison, anyone willing to take a good look.
Someone near a JY, one that would let them do some measuring.

For me and if accurate, that would be great, I would appreciate your time.