I'm not worried about it, It will fit. Ideal set up for me is a carbourated setup 302 but I'm thinking the 200 + pound tranny might be overkill. The truck would no longer be a ranger at that point. It will undergo major frame modifications, cab alterations, and leaning towards a flat bed to make it more useful for me

 

Ok I gotta get this out, so I don't forget what I want. its not spring yet but I've got some plans for the truck. I want some input and opinions of stuff I'm missing. Starting from the rear,, im in the process of design to make a one off specialty rear hitch/bumper. It will fit underneath my stock bumper as a hitch would, but it will be slightly longer, heavy gauge tube and have a bunch of usefull recovery attachments... and a nice swing out spare tire carrier. It will be pretty

bed will come off for a while to remove the spare tire carrier under the bed, and reinforce the rear frame for the new heavy recovery hitch. I may likely do an easy short arm cantilever type setup on my rear springs to give an easier rear flex out,, like '034x4' had done on his ranger long ago (i notice a lot of scary body roll flexing on trails) if the rear flexed easier it would keep the body less tipsy. The rear axle needs to be addressed, my shock setup has some bad angles. I will relocate the shock tabs so I quit smashing shocks, and create a new frame mount for the shocks also which will help give me more droop. I also have major intensions to install an onboard air system on the truck capable of running tools and inflating tires

A skid plate is really wanted for the t case, I gotta find one or make something before I ruin it. I also will reinforce and plate the rails under the cab for making some one off sliders that will double as a running board. I may build a skid plate off of these to tie in the under carriage. The front axle and springs will come off and be serviced. I need a stronger tie rod as I dropped my front on a rock during a trip a few weeks ago. I also have plans for a front hitch with recovery gear. I'll still retain the stock valance but I will do as I need to attach some kind of winch hitch, tow hooks, and tie in a frontal bush guard set up that can take some good hits.

 

any updates? This is essentially my dream truck, and truly an inspiration!

 

Had alot on the go this season, I was going to set it up for the next stages but lost the motivation. New job, new projects etc.. Truck will take over again next year if my new c3 project doesn't take over

 

Saw the pics on FB... what's the plans for the car?

 

I'm going for a full restore and basically get the engine up to speed. Its in pretty good shape but last owner over did it with a new cam shaft, so I gotta go over it and fix it up

 

throw up some pics of the car dan

 

 

Here's a pic of the truck replay weekend... Yea I actually drive out of that hole somehow after and hour ..

 

lol Nice work! How did you manage to get in there?

 

Well what you can't really see is the main trail.. I was crawling down into some ruts and snagged up on the right side. I cranked it hard left and popped up then ended up dropping a front tire off the left side of the bank. I tried to get the tire back up but swung the whole front down the muddy bank into a pile of really soft ground. After cutting the hill up for a solid hour I managed to pop it back up and carry on

 

Sounds like a good time. lol

 

Any new updates on this bad Larry?

 

Look at those RCI skids. They are hella strong. I didn't read and see if you got them and I know it was an old post.

 

I never did do skid plates on the truck.. I never really had an issue where I felt they were necessary. Started getting some sprng maintenance done last weekend.. Full brakes and new u joint in the drive shaft.. next to do is a new steering shaft joint.. One near the box is wayyy due for replacement.

Maybe someone running the 84 yota box will chime in and let me know a part number for a joint to fit the yota rag joint end, because I'm not replacing the shaft.. I know there is a fitting u joint out there but a part number makes life much easier!

I'll probably beef up the steering too. Heims are getting pretty loose and my tie rod is in a few funny shapes from some rock interference..

After that I gotta pull the trans this summer to fix a leaky torque converter seal.. Among some other tlc to be done. The truck has been pretty good for the last few years! But time for maintenance

Looking like a trip to ardbeg this august.. So I want it good and healthy for the trip.

 

Some updates on my steering shaft situation. After an extensive search I found a vendor who supplies the u joint required for the Toyota rag joint intermediate shaft. I was getting measurements of 5/8" across the caps and a number nearing 1-5/8" across the body cap to cap. This was a difficult part to find on its own surprisingly. The 'u joint store' had a supply of 16mm by 40mm u joints for import steering shafts.. But they were the only source I could pull up for these! Part number st1640. After doing dome digging on his part numbers, They look like they come right out of China and my only other option is to go right to the supplier and order their minimum unit quantity of likely 100 or more parts.. Just not overly practical.

I ended up ordering his part for his listed $20... Then another $25 for the shipping.. I'm a little annoyed with that purchase. He refused to send any other way but UPS.