wow your truck looks awesome, probably the only 04-05 dark green ranger ive ever seen. That ride height is what Im shooting for in my 2wd too, truck looks really awesome keep it up!

 

Quick question, I finally ordered those center caps that you gave me the part number for like 5 pages ago. Are they the same design as the ones that came with the wheels? I only ordered two so I could do the front wheels, so just wondering if they are all gonna match lol.

 

Thanks! Yea I like the ride height too but have been thinking about a body lift!

Yea it will be the same design as the shorties. They got rid off all of their old design's and all of their center caps are the same regardless of size.

 

Cools, thanks for the info. I appreciate it. Truck looks great BTW

 

I ordered those center caps with the part numbers you gave me and they are the same small ones that don't fit. You sure thats the right number?

 

Got these items from Ruff Stuff Specialties in the mail today! These are very heavy and will be good for the axle. The diff cover will be powder coated silver when I get the chance. Dan your the man!

 

Looks good!

 

that is one awesome rear diff cover. where did you get that thing?

shane

duh i need to read the writing on the wall sorry for the post

 

I bought everything from RuffStuff Specialties. They have a Vendor Thread in the Vendor Section of R/F. They have a lot of great parts for the ranger and hope they keep coming up with newer parts and ideas. But if they didn't offer this or no one else did then I probably wouldn't be doing the swap.

My next stage of plans is to get new Disc brake rotors and pads. Then I need to order up some new Shackles from Belltech and the new Leaf Springs. I may be able to get this thing in by the end of October. It's a long process but I can't wait. My buddy that is in my Reserve Unit will help me install it and weld the perches and spring mounts. He works on Yota's and did a lot of axle swaps on lots of different vehicles. Also built his custom Rockcrawler Yota himself.

 

awesome! that axle swap kit that Ruff Stuff has put together is brilliant. Cant wait to see the expo axle installed!

hey I wanna do this swap to my truck... we should meet up and do both trucks at the same time! lol

 

LoL Hey I'm down. Can you Weld?!

 

hell no! lol, thats why i need some help! id be down to drive up to san jose to do this if you have a shop or whatever and a buddy that can weld for me (I'll pay him)... just kinda throwing ideas out here. I found a 2001 expo sport with a NICE axle that Im considering buying. the junkyard only wants $200 for it, so its very tempting.

 

$200 isn't bad at all. Well maybe we could work something out. If at least I get it installed I could help you through the process first hand.

 

How much did the mounts, cover, and ubolts run you?

 

NICE!!!! I love that we've finally seen pics of the RuffStuff Stuff. Holy cow...now i've got my axle, i need to order that stuff up soon!! How long did it take to get your RuffStuff order after ordering it??

 

He makes a complete 8.8 axle swap kit that comes with U-Bolts nuts and bolts, Leaf Spring Perch and Plate, and Shock Mounts. All for $120 Then you can add a Diff Cover for $105 which alone is normally $125. Go to his vendor thread in the vendors forum and see what he has to offer. He has codes to give you discounts which is great!



Yea he makes some heavy duty stuff. I ordered it on 9/9 and got it yesterday 9/22.

Shane I see 5 extra amber lights glowing from your avatar! I demand pictures of your new MoonVisor!

 

Thanks. Are you gonna be doing a write up on your install?

I'm very interested in doing this.

Oh hell, I just noticed that too. Lets see em.

 

I've seen the pics! haha. Its at paint right now, pics soon probably.

 

What's he getting painted?

/end hack

 

I may not have that much time to do a write up, but I know Shane will do one and be accurate. But if anyone has questions about the process so far I may be able to help. And when I'm done I can always offer some input about the process. But I can at least keep track and show you my process in this thread.

 

The lighted thing in his avatar. I'm not gonna say exactly what it is LOL

 

Well I painted up the Differential cover for the 8.8 and started to work on the axle a little bit. I plan on taking the brakes off and getting it ready to take it to someone who can weld me my brackets. I found a guy in town that can do it. He welds for a living and all he does is custom work on hotrods and 4-wheelers.

I was going to powder coat it but I couldn't find anyone in town so I just decided to get some Krylon No-Rust Paint. It's like an aluminum color. I think it turned out great. Cleaned it a little bit and then prepped the surface using rubbing alcohol. I did 5 coats on it and let each coat dry for about 30-60min.

 

Very nice!

 

Very good!! imo...should have wire wheeled the snot out of it before hand....appears to have boogers from the welding.



I've got my axle completely torn apart except for the pinion. Got my open carrier the other day. Will likely do a one of my huge pic threads showing alot of details. Im planning a ranger/exploder hybrid brake line on the axle...still playing around with ideas for the parking brake....will post thread...definately. And hell...Jordon, i'll hit u up on aim one of these days.



So all this talk about me? lol.

hint hint as of 30mins ago...


trying not to be a thread hack her fellas. lol.

 

Yeah I should have done something about them boogers. But I just wasn't thinking. The paint from the bottle started to shoot bubbles on the top of it. But it will still look good under the truck. Oh yea nice visor can't wait to see it installed!