Well guys after a little over a year without a ranger I got another one.
I went with the mentality that I will buy cheap and build what I want and so far that has been going good.

So here is what I started with A 1996 2wd 5 speed m/t xlt super cab. with a 4.0


A very plain and boring truck nothing special about it. Slow and horrible gas mileage with the 3.08 rear end. On a positive it has power windows, mirrors, locks and air conditioning so that pretty decent too.

So first thing is first get that 3.08 out of there. I got a good deal on a 3.73 with a L/S I wanted a 4.10 but there went any reasonably priced available in my area but I am satisfied with it so far.

Axle out


Clean up the new one


Threw on some new tires. I dont know what was up with the old ones I am pretty sure they were junk yard car snow tires. Anyways got a good deal on a set of 30x9.5 DYNAMIC MT RT03 great tires so far. if you wonder why I went so skinny its due to snow and ice driving.
http://www.tiretrends.com/tire_info.php3?detailID=30078 more info on the tire


I really wanted to lift my last ranger but didnt so this time around I got it done right away.



The process of lifting the truck was horrible and I did not enjoy it at all. They used too many rivets on the front suspension brackets very annoying and I was not able to figure out how to remove the pit arm so i sent it to the shop and they finished it.

Now got it back lifted and goo to go


I also put the topper in my storage locker as I hate them. I feel like I am driving a van with it. I also did a few other things here and there but nothing too special. I sanded down my headlights so they are clear again and removed the oxidisation. Added a deck so I can play my iopd and got future shop to put in a remote starter that they cant seem to get working for longer than 3 days.

So I do enjoy working on my truck and car my original though process was to build this into a trail rig in the future. My plan was to SAS the truck and my reasoning behind buying a 2wd was they are cheaper to buy 2wd and that would give me more money towards the SAS as a 4x4 transmission and transfer case can be found pretty easily.
Is my thinking out to lunch or not.

 

not at all, since you would just be toss'n most of the stock stuff anyways. And if you plan on going coil sprung SS I believe you can still use your 2wd coil buckets as well. Just need an axle, some arms,a t-case, and a front driveshaft. and probably cut and balance your rear driveshaft to make up for the t-case.