Noob ranger owner but not new to dirt.
I need some help. Its probally important to know I'm mechanically inclined to start. I'm building a ranger as a toy and there is going to be 2 stages to this. Right now I want to lift and run 35's. Later I will swap tons and run 40s and sort out all the headaches that would come with that.

So first question, with trimming and a 4in rough country lift will I clear 35s I really don't see the need to buy a 2k skyjacker lift when I plan to solid axle swap later?

Next questions are, what year explorers would have the beefier rear end, I hear they can be found with 4.10s that would be good is it a 9 in axle? And I will find a limited slip or add a lunchbox locker.

Then in addition to that I hear you can beef the front up with explorer parts. So what would I be looking for? Just the diff a d35 with 4.10 or more than just the center part?.


Lastly I hear the auto tranny's don't hold up well off-road. Is there a tranny I should keep my eye out for or would I be likely to have problems with 35s?


Thanks for all the input I wish I would have realized how cool rangers were years ago. But my Cherokees have been pretty fun. I also have a 97f150 on 33s nothing special but it's low miles and gets it off-road, plus she's got a dump bed.