Just a thought, since the R1 andf R2 use the same shifter stub in the transmission, can you just use a shifter from a 1995+ ranger on the R2? (i beleive 95+ so the pinch bolt is left and right)

 

I think Bob did exactly that to help with the shifter position and to shorten the throw. The place it comes through the floor is very far forward so I am guessing I will end up modifying a shifter arm so I don't need a new radio everytime I hit 3rd gear.

 

Finally took a few minutes tonight to take some pictures of the progress, hopefully this weekend will yield alot of work as I should have all of the parts I need by Friday.

4406 installed... not quite in final position, but not alot of clearance.



Spent alot of time coming up with a trans crossmember that didn't interfere with the front driveshaft or exhaust, and ended up making it part t-case skid plate. Will lose about 1 inch of ground clearance below the lowest point of the t-case.



Spent a night working out the shifters. The t-case shifter arm was modified so that it no longer rotates, just slides front to back. I reused the F150's shifter boot to seal up the tunnel. For the M5OD shifter I cut, turned, shortened and rewelded to arm so that it didn't hit the dash, sat lower in the truck, and had a comfortable shifting position.



Started on the exhaust tonight. Took several hours to get the front crossover piping cut, fit and welded. Since I can't buy anything off the shelf I made it out of pieces I ordered from summit. Fits good now and the rest of the exhaust should be alot easier.





Finished up the rear traction bar last weekend, only 1 pic, but the front pivot point is inline with the front leaf spring mount and uses a johnny joint and shackle so it won't bind while articulating.


And one picture from before the bed was installed of flexing out the front end. Was checking clearances on the shock and arms with the floor jack maxed out. Still plenty of shock travel to allow more droop and compression. Will be fun to test when its back on the road.

 

Lookin good brah!

 

hell ya rob!

 

Nice work! I really like the F150 shifter boot.

 

Thanks guys. It's getting close to being back on the road, which is good with less than 3 weeks to the dunes. Picking up drive shafts tonight and hopefully the clutch kit.

 

awesome! can't wait to see it with the new tires on too!

 

Used your truck for a quick mock up for a friend. nice truck

 

The truck had a roll bar like that when I bought it. Might b able to find a pic.

As for the build I finished the exhaust last night, put the interior back together and tied up some loose ends. Only thing left to do is bleed the clutch which I am not looking forward to. If all goes well tires and an alignment by the end of the week.

 

Well bleeding the clutch didn't go very well. Wasted a night and had to replace the slave cylinder. Took 3 hours to pull the trans and reinstall with the help of my buddy Aaron and some advice from Justin. Won't be able to test til tomorrow night once the RTV on the exhaust has dried, but it looks like alot of clutch throw and a decent pedal feel without out bleeding anything on the vehicle, only bench bleeding the slave and master. Hopefully its good to go now... I want tires.

 

Well finally got the clutch worked out... had to make a different arm to connect the clutch pedal to the master. The arm that came with the master wasn't long enough to fully disengage the clutch so I made a longer, adjustable one. Now it goes in gear without any problems.

I drove the truck for the first time last night and all the suspension worked well. No vibration or shaking so far, and the t-case, locker and trans are all working good! Today I am hoping to get the tires installed and the front end aligned.

 

YAY! It's alive!!! Awesome to see a different shot instead of the flat driveway ones I've become acustom to.

 

Sick! Nice work man!

 

Awesome work!

 

Looks killer Rob!!

 

that thing is nice.

 

Shes come a long way! Can't wait to see the tires on

 

Thanks guys! It's in the shop right now getting tires mounted and the front end aligned. After a wash I will get some more pics.

 

It is beastly! And hard to climb into when your 5'8" lol.

Truck grabbed when you left me. Hard.

 

Haha I got a few bad looks from the neighbors for that one... Mario was looking out his window so I figured a quick 1st - 2nd stomp was appropriate. It sure does hook hard with the 33's, might have to get a video of it launching. I will try and take a bunch of pics this afternoon with the 33's and I need to adjust the caster.

 

I babied the throttle when I left, I didn't want to be associated w/ a bad ***...

 

Well took the truck to Bundy Hill today for a shake down run before the dunes. Trip went pretty well no major issues. Blew the gaskets out of the collectors again, and dropped the coil out of the bucket. Will have to make a better spring retainer tomorrow. Barely took any pictures as I was having to much fun and unfortunately I didn't come home unscathed. Caught a log going around a turn a dinged up the passengers side good. Oh well I guess.

 

Looks like a completely different truck now Rob! Cant wait to do some real wheelin with you now!