Hey guys,

The frame is bent on my 2001 Ranger Edge, and I just need to know if it can be straightened or it is history?
It got pushed in bad enough to where it's touching one one of the cats and putting pressure on it. It knocked the exhaust flange loose and there's a pretty good exhaust leak now and it kinda has the oil filter pinned too.
How much space is there between the cat and the frame when a frame is not bent?
I already have to cut the frame horns off the front and replace them because they're bent up so badly, so I was just wondering if it would make more sense just to buy another frame from a salvage yard and how much does the JYs usually charge for a whole frame?

(I wasn't sure which category to put this in, so please put it in the right one if this is out of place)

Here's some pics of the frame.

 

that doesnt look too too bad...looks fixable

 

It's going to be a lot of work to replace the frame, but then again it's going to cost a lot of money to have the frame straightened. If you are down for the work then just replace the frame. I don't know how expensive your junkyards are, but over here you can get a complete frame for $150.

 

upper control arm kinda looks bent hard to tell tho. what in heck did you do ?

 

If I can get a another frame for $150, I'm up for the work.(The bed has to be replaced anyway) What kind of tool could they ever put on there to straighten it?
The truck pulls to the right real hard when I drive it, and I know a front end alignment won't fix that.
I didn't hit anything, the guy's son that owned the truck before me hit a telephone pole and some other things. He really hit that thing hard. He swung around and hit a tree with the bed, that's why it has to be replaced.

Look how he peeled the fender back

 

Some body shops have a special machine for pulling bent frames. They strap the truck to the ground. Then the machine attaches to the frame and pulls it out. But from what I've been told to have a frame pulled straight can be anywhere from $1500-$3000.

 

You should change the frame. By the time you pay for the frame to be straightened and change the front frame horns you will have time in money into it. Look at it this way, there is only10 or 12 bolts holding the body on the frame. Then its easy to swap all the mechanical parts. Check craigslist for a parts truck.

 

That's exactly what I was thinking wvcat ... thanks for helping me make my decision.
Now I need to find a torsion bar frame.
This might be a silly question, but I'm gonna ask it anyway.
Is there any difference between a 2 WD torsion bar frame and a 4WD torsion bar frame?

 

I was hoping John would post up. He most defiantly got the most experience swamping frames on Rangers.

The only difference between the Edge/Sport Torsion frame and the 4x4 Torsion frame is Edge doesn't have the mount for the front diff.

Besides that they are identical.

The mount is just a big tab. You can fab one up in a jiffy. I would go take a pick for you but I am coil sprung

There is a few guys around that have converted there Edges to 4x4 and they just add the mount to there frame.

 

Kevin has it right on the money. Any 98 up 4wd or edge 2wd will work.

 

Thanks for the info ... I actually don't want to turn my Edge into a 4X4 but that would be nice.
I was just wondering if I could use a 4X4 frame and from what I've read so far it sounds to me like I would just need to cut the mount off for the front differentail if I found a 4X4 frame.

 

It shouldn't be in the way of anything. Leave the mount on there is you get a 4x4 frame, you might use it later

 

Yeah I have heard some of the 2wd Edge's have the mount. Its not in the way of anything.

 

Ok, I'll just leave it on there if it's not going to be in the way.

 

I may be off base here, but I'm thinkin that you can use the 4X4 frame on an Edge, but you have to swap over the complete front suspension, as the spindles & all are different from 2wd Edge & 4x4............

 

Well, I'm not trying to be a smart a** or anything, but 4WDs have steering knuckles and I'm sure if I bought a 4X4 frame from the salvage yard they probably wouldn't leave the steering knuckles or any of the front suspension parts on there because they try to sell everything they possibly can.

 

all you need to say is you need a complete frame...some JYs wont take anything off the frame

 

Yeah, that would be nice if I could find a JR that would leave most of the parts on the frame ... especially the rack and pinion unit.

 

How far are you willin to travel to get one?

I've got a customer that has a 2wd Edge Supercab frame, LF lower control arm is damaged, but the rest of the frame is SOLID.

It's located in Sweetwater, TN off exit 60 off I-75..........

If your interested, PM & I'll give ya his contact info....