I am thinking about building a tow truck on my 1998 chassis.
Have it been done before?
I have seen this video on Youtube



I want to box the rear frame rails and build new crossmembers, add heavy duty leaf springs and air shocks to the rear.

What are your opinions on this?

 

Sorry for the double video posting. Dont know how it works

 

That looks to be an international Ranger so more of an F-150 than Ranger, also it will have a diesel engine not gasoline.

No matter what you do to the frame or anything else the legal towing limit comes from the VIN and Drivers Door sticker.
In some states you can get an engineers inspection and get upgraded weight limits but it is costly.

This is not a "can" you do it, of course you "can"
It is a "may" you do it, assuming you want to charge people for towing, then you need the legal "may" part to get a license.

So I would look up your '98's legal numbers, it is based on engine size and transmission, and then decide if it is worth the effort.

 

Agreed that rig alone would probably put you at or over the legal limit. They are solid steel bolted to the frame and having towed 4k with my 3.0 i can tell you your 2.5 will not like you at all. My dad had a 2000 with ext cab and 2.5 it was a dog if the a/c was running. Even with engine/trans upgrades our frames just couldn't handle it. And like stated here in the states our trucks really are "light" but the european model is more of a full-size. Also cars are much smaller over there you'll never tow and of these heavy pigs of cars here in the states with a ranger chassis.

 

Sorry for the confusion. I live in Denmark in Europe and we have other regulations on towing.
And yes our cars are small. So I plan to tow these small micro cars. I think the weight of the towing rig would be around 700 lbs. The weight that I should lift will not be more than maybe 1000 - 1500 lbs. So that will keep me in the original allowed payload.

The truck is an american built Ranger.

Right now I tow a 3000 lbs. car trailer, legally in Denmark.

The frame is proberly the same for all Rangers in 98. So the different GVW is proberly based on the engines , axels and springs

 

North American Rangers are smaller.

The wheel lift devices are probably your best bet.

Google: tow truck wheel lift

The repo guys use the hidden type wheel lifts.
Back up to car, lift slides under car, self-loading units have back bars that fold out to capture tire, lift and drive away.

Repo = repossession, what happens when you miss a few car payments

You don't need self loading, lol, unless you plan on doing quick and sneaking tow aways.

The wheel lifts also allow a lower profile truck so you can get into parking garages that have low clearences

 

Definately wheel lift device. That could be so cool. Thanks Ron :-) I will have to look into that.

 

Building a towing truck is itself a great work after that when you built a towing truck. You need to be proud of yourself you did great work. I'm also the owner of Rebello’s Towing Services. You remind me of the early stages of my Towing Company.