progress is looking real good man..keep up the good work

 

how much lower is the rear than the front? if it is only 1-2 inchs lower then you can get the belltech 6400 shackles and that will put it back up that 2 inchs. and that is of course if you aren't planning to lift the truck.

 

put in an AAL?

 

Would an AAL correct this???

 

Well I cleaned up the 8.8 today, coated it with a few coats of flat black, and attempted to bolt up a sway bar, with no success.







I'm concerned with the pinion angle. I think the low height of the truck and the pinion angle are attributed to the Ranger shackles.

 

Nice progress.

 

I think the addition of the Explorer shackles will fix that odd pinion angle. Does anyone know the specified pinion angle for the Ranger?

 

i love how you post a crapload pics of your progress, keep up the great work

 

Lol...I mentioned that a while before I ever started this project...I've got a good camera, and love taking pictures.

 

looks good!

 

Well I'm getting the explorer shackles cut out tomorrow, to fit the Ranger's riveted hangers. If that doesn't cure the pinion angle problem, I'll use the hangers along with a flip kit.

 

Looking good man! This is awesome that you are taking so many pics! It will help out anyone that wants to do this in the future!

 

pinion angle looks good to me. wont really know until you get the shaft installed

 

Stupid Question, But in the 3rd picture, what is the black canister looking think toward the back? Evap Canister?

 

That is the charcoal canister, which is part of the Evaporative Emission Control System (EECS).

Fuel vapors are transferred from the fuel tank, throttle body, and intake manifold to this canister where they are stored when the engine is not runing. When you start the truck, the vapors are purged from the canister by the purge control solenoid, which is right behind the canister.

 

thats what i thought. but i just didnt know it was there....

 

I decided last night to get the Explorer shackle ears trimmed up to work with the Ranger hangers. This will bring the rear back up, hopefully enough to correct that 'saggy bottom'. I got my neighbor to cut them out on the plasma today, and when he gets home with them, I'll clean them up on the grinder before spraying a fresh coat of paint on 'em. Pictures to come this evening!!! (as usual!)

 

ok, first its really hard to tell how much or if the rear is sitting lower than teh front without a bed and fender references. For the pinion angle it isn't a set standard for rangers, just measure the angle at the back of your transmission and parallel it with the rear end. Rather than having to try modifying the odd explorer shackles, the belltech 6400 or other generic chevy drop shackles will give you the added height. The problem with the explorer shackle is it does not have the bushing setup like the ranger shackles. Once you decide what you are going to do with the shackles, then get that setup and measure the pinion angle and if it is too far off you can get simple shims that go between the spring perch and the springs to tilt the axle back to where you need it. I would not look into getting an AAL as the explorer leaves are already going to be a good bit stiffer than you are used to, and an AAL will just make that MUCH worse.

 

Exactly my thoughts on the AAL also. Too stiff, considering I've already added another leaf to my rear!

Once I get these Explorer shackles done, I'll take some measurements and put the bed back on for reference photos. I'm going to have to take some measurements today, also...

 

I got the shackles cleaned up a re-painted last night. I'm waiting on the weather to warm up some this morning before I go out and bolt them up. Based on my measurements, this should be the solution to my problem of a saggy rear end!