Ranger-Forums - The Ultimate Ford Ranger Resource - New member with one truck and three frames

Greetings, My name is Chris. I recently purchased my first Ranger, a 2000 2WD 2.5 Supercab. I bought it under some duress, needing a truck on short notice , so it's something of a rolling project as it earns its keep. I specifically looked for a 4 cylinder with a 5 speed, since I had borrowed a friend's base model zero-options '97 over the years and loved it's no-nonsense utility and 25-30 MPG.

Unfortunately, in my haste (and the rainy, muddy day I bought the truck) I missed some of the nastier bits of frame rot in the rear. This was no surprise for a New England truck, but I was happy with how it ran and drove, so I looked for a replacement rear frame. What I ended up with in short order was TWO complete frames, a 1998 4WD and a 2005 4WD, both in decent repairable shape. I'm currently working on combining the best of the two rear sections into the beefiest, most salt-resistant uber-frame possible and will save one of the front 2/3 frames for the future. I also found a replacement bed for cheap, so I won't have to re-install the rotted original after the rear frame swap. The cab is surprisingly solid.

This is, and will always be, a workaday truck. All modifications will be to improve utility, safety, or fuel economy. I have owned slower vehicles than this (like an '87 Vanagon) so I'm fine with traveling in the slow lane. My long-term plan is to slowly refurbish the 1998 front frame to the same overkill standard as the rear and swap it in the future. To that end, I have a question: The frames are bare, so what front suspension parts should I get? The 4WD had torsion bars, and I understand the Edge models had the same. Are the 4WD and Edge frames the same? I want to keep the truck 2WD, albeit with snow tires plus a front hitch and a small winch for winter driving. Will the non-torsion bar parts fit, or is the torsion bar setup the more desirable option? I want to keep the ride height stock or slightly lower than it is now. The suspension question is for the sake of a shopping list for future salvage yard and swap meet trips. Sensible aftermarket upgrade suggestions are welcome.