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Frame Rebuild/swap not sure where to go

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Old Jun 23, 2018
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From: Michigwn
Frame Rebuild/swap not sure where to go

I have a 93 ranger with 100,000 miles the body is in pristine condition. The frame not so much. The frame bolt holes under the cab have rusted away so the bolts are not connected. Need a little help from fellow members what I should do. Option A, Find a similar cheap ranger and take the best parts from each. Option B, try to find a frame in good shape (not sure if I just have to look at ranger frames or if explorer frames would work) and do a frame swap. Option C, sell the vehicle. thanks in adavance.
 
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Old Jun 23, 2018
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Welcome to the forum

What to do would depend on the rest of the frame, does it have other areas with rusted out sections?

Is the frame bent?

Rusted out frame areas can be repaired with plate steel and welding

No, on the explorer frame it is different

1993 to 1997 frame matching your model, i.e. regular cab or extended cab, 2wd or 4x4, 6ft bed or 7ft bed
Will be OK to use

1998 and up would be usable but some new holes would need to be drilled, there were slight body changes, again it would have to match your model Ranger
 
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Old Jun 23, 2018
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From: Michigwn
I did find a 99 ford ranger complete rolling body, it just doesnt have an engine for pretty cheap. So another question would be, whether to swap the engine and non rusted parts of my 93 instead of doing a frame swap. The mechanical question that I have, the 99 had a 4cycl 5spd manual, my 93 has a 3.0 L Auto. Would there be any issues besides the having to swap the trans over? Thank you for your help.
 
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Old Jun 23, 2018
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1995 and up Rangers used a different computer system

You will need to remove the engine bay cross brace, needed for 4cyl engines
And swap transmission cross brace.

You would need to bring over your 3.0l computer and wring harness, basically most of the engine bay wiring and transmission wiring, i.e. fuse box and inner fender relays

Some wiring splices for cab wiring.
1999 dash uses electronic speedometer which should still be intact since it used rear ABS sensor and GEM module behind the radio, you would need to tap into that GEM modules speedometer wire to send to your 1993 computer.
Also change some other instrument cluster wiring for check engine light, oil and temp gauges
 
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Old Jun 23, 2018
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From: Michigwn
Man no part of this is going to easy.
 
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Old Jun 23, 2018
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Well it is the FRAME, lol, its like the foundation of a house
 
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Old Jun 23, 2018
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That, that it is. So many decisions
 
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