My 97 Ranger XL 3.0 has a bad frame. Anyone know what year frame I can get for it? The body is quite mint with very small specs of rust for being a NY truck. I wanted to use this as my daily driver but I'm going to have to pass on it until I can get this issue taken car of. This is turning into a project which I don;t mind but definitely looking for solutions.

 

1993-1997 would be best match, obviously matching your length, i.e. regular cab or extended cab
But 1998 to 2011 will work

2WD and 4x4 have different axle mounts in the front

2wd rangers used same front suspension, 1993-2011, coil spring

4x4 Rangers changed to torsion bar in 1998 and up and some 2WD EDGE models did as well
You can change it but best/easiest to get what fits right off the bat, so if you have a 1997 4x4 Ranger get a 1993-1997 4x4 frame

Also 4cyl Ranger will have a cross brace up front that would need to be cut out, so V6 frame would be best but not a deal breaker

 

I have a 2WD. I was reading a thread where someone had an 04 and was wondering if a 93-97 frame would fit. Someone said something about 93 and 94 were different in some way than the 95-97. Not sure if that pertains to me. Also I have a long bed. Does the frame have to be for a long bed? Here in NY there are plenty of rangers to choose from and right around $500 and they run and drive but the problem I'm having is finding one with no rust on the frame. I literally paid $20 for my truck. The body is almost pristine. I put $450 into brakes all the way around with new lines. $15 thermostat. Registration was about $140. And countless hours doing all this because I'm not mechanic I just know things.

 

Yes, Long bed Rangers have have unique frame, so it would be unlikely you will find a full match, there were not that many made each year

Yes, any year will have some difference, but outside of the length the overall dimensions are the same, even from 1983
The rad supports had different mounting points, but the cab and bed mounts were the same

The Long bed has the rear axle 6" farther back so rear frame is quite different from regular or extended cab

Have a look here, they are in your neck of the woods: https://weare.americanlisted.com/328..._28257809.html

Frames are 2 pieces front and rear, long bed has different rear
2wd or 4x4 have different fronts