Hey everyone, I'm kinda new here. Been trolling the forum's for a year or so, but don't really post. So here is what I got.
2000 Ford Ranger XLT 4WD 3.0 5spd.

I just bought a used RCD 5.5inch lift.
James Duff Traction bars should be here tomorrow
Also picked up a 8.8inch 31spline rear with 4:10's

My old girl just rolled 222K miles. Still runs and drives great!

So here is what I'll be doing within the next week:
-Painting the lift parts with POR-15, and then coat it with John Deere Blitz Black
-Grind off the leaf mounts on the 8.8, rebuild the brakes with new calipers, rotors, pads, and brake lines.

The truck will be lifted, new rear with 4:88's and a tru-track locker in the rear rolling on 33's by May. So it's gonna be a slow build, but I have to get it done by mid May for my mountain trip.

The rear I'll eventually be running Skyjacker 6' lift leaf packs
The front will be getting:
-HD-Tie rod ends
-Moog upper control arm w/balljoint
-Moog lower balljoint
-Dixon Brothers Racing clevis kit
-New CV axles

The frame and all suspension parts will be coated with POR-15 and gone over in Blitz Black.
And I plan on over gearing. They say 4:56's should be used with 33inch tires, but I have a 5 hour hike up hill with 2 dirtbikes, and a quad on a trailer. Plus I want lockers front and rear so I want to make sure I will be able to spin all 4 tires with ease.I know my gas mileage will suffer but that is not my concern. So 4:88's it is.

Ok now on to the pictures:

My girl now:



Hit a guard rail a while back...


Paint just got here today, and also picked up the 8.8:


More to come..

 

Looks good so far. I was gonna mention something about the 4.88s being overgeared but looks like you know what you want haha

 

Sounds like a good plan... what's the JD green for?

 

I was thinking of painting the rear green, but it is way to glossy for my taste. I was hoping it would be more flat. Oh well, blitz black it is. And yea I know I'm over gearing, but oh well. Wish they made like 4:68's lol

My OLD 7.5 rear..(This one blew a hole out of the pumpkin. So I put another one in. That was before I decided to lift my truck.)

 

Got a package in the mail today!


It's like Christmas, I love it. It has stopped raining for the time being, so I am gonna try and get some of the lift parts painted up.

Also, does anyone run onboard air? If so what size tank do you have and where is it located?

 

Pedro did at one point I think. Ask him

 

Slight update.
Just bought some 4:88 gears for the 8.8. $90!
Working on getting an Aussie Locker for the front.
And trying to get some used (only 4Kmiles) 33's this week.

Also got majority of the lift parts covered in POR-15 and some of them painted.
I'm at work but will post pic's soon.

My buddy should have his lift all set up within the next week or so. After that all I need to do is get in their, and install the lift.

Also should I buy an install kit for the 8.8? My friends dad knows how to do it, as hes done tons. He says he has everything, but what is everything?

 

A rebuild kit usually has new bearings for the pinion and inner axle, new pinion seal, shims, a new cover seal and possibly a few random assorted things. I'm glad I got my rebuild kit. Do you have a LSD in the back? If so I'd get a rebuild kit for that as well.

How did you find 4.88s for $90?! Used I'm guessing?

 

Yea they are used. Less than 10K miles on them, so it's all good. And thanks, I found a rebuild kit for $80 with everything. I'll order that.

I don't have a LSD :/
I was thinking this but I'm not sure. I do DD my truck. My truck is my lifeline and without it I can't make money. I'm new to lockers and wanting one that will work well with me driving 50-100 miles a day, majority city.

Also my water pump gasket blew out while working tonight. Went through 2 jugs of antifreeze in 1 1/2 hours.... Guess who gets to wake up in 5 hours and wait for AutoZone to open? This guy -_-'

 

The thing with lockers and road use is that they can lock up on turn so you get wheel hop and some skidding. Not a huge deal but can cause some problems... If you're planning to do a lot of roading then it might be worth it but if its just the occasional trip I might suggest an LSD with a locker in the front.

 

Here are a few pics. Sanded and painted these Blitz Black. Saw someone else do it and thought that they looked much better. More pics to come when I can find a new cable to hook up my phone with.

 

Well, changed the water pump only to sprout another leak, and this time it's coming from the heads...
Luckily the coolant is pissing OUTSIDE the motor, and not in. Oil is not even slightly discolored and no other crazy issues. So this coming Tuesday/Wednesday when I have off work I will take the heads off, have them re-surfaced and then put it all back together.

Also, anyone trying to do a water pump on the 3.0, there are FIVE(5) bolts that hold the AC Compressor bracket/PS Pump on.
The top on is obvious, then there are two on the right hand side behind and below the PS pump. The other two are behind the tensioner and the other one is right below that in the next channel/grove space thing.

Got the gears:


And the water pump before I started:

Got the alternator, fan clutch, and AC compressor off:

Alternator bracket off along with AC compressor bracket loose:

New water pump!


Now the fan is bouncing around. Everything is tight, except the fan clutch moves up and down. I am praying it is not bad bearings on the shaft of the water pump, so gonna try a new fan clutch Saturday. It's scarry to rev the truck over 3.2k as it just shakes violently.

And to remove the fan clutch, do not waste your time renting that damn tool. Useless. Adjustable and vice grips. You mark up your pulley, so put something over it to avoid that.

Was gonna drive up to Long Island this weekend to get a Tactical Armor winch bumper, but that has to be put off until I get these heads done.

 

Welcome to the club!

They do look much better without the 'chrome' - I had mine powdercoated.

 

that stuff is bound to happen with that kind on mileage. sounds like a nice project!

 

Here is a picture of mine from back in the day with the RCD kit and 33" tires to give you motivation. Good luck with the build, you will enjoy the RCD kit. It works really well.

 

Yea, I think it's your thread I saw it on. I liked it so I copied your idea

AGH. I have to pick up another job! So bad I want to get moving faster on this, but the motor is a bit of a set back. I think I'm going to get a crate motor bored .30(.030?) over, do roller rockers, headers, screaming demon coil pack, and drop it in. Yes I am replacing it with a 3.0. I like my 3.0. I do NOT need any more power, I have already gotten 3 speeding tickets in the worlds slowest truck. Plus it is the most reliable motor I have ever had. Hours upon hours it has spent off road pegged at 5.5K RPM pulling out trucks 3 times it's size. Then always gets me home.


For now...head gasket sealer! Worst stuff ever, but it will by me a few months.

 

I replaced the fan clutch with another new one. Still all over the place. Still goes crazy and bounches around sending crazy vibrations. The water pump is good. Everything is tight. So screw it, I took it off. It's cold enough. From my understanding the fan serves two purposes.
1. To pull air through the radiator while in traffic/standstill
2. Obviously once it starts to get hot the clutch engages cooling the coolant.
It's cold enough it has yet to have an affect. Plus the truck has more pep?

E FAN TIME!

So I have talked a lot about suspension and exterior stuff, but have yet to talk about interior. I Had a 60/40 bench seat that i recently hacked up. I am going to build a center console and is going to have a layout similar to this. (Yay paint)


The numbers are switches. The switch panels are going to be laser cut. I am going to be running OBA. Also I am going to build a SFF PC and hook up a 7inch touch screen where my passenger airbag was. I'll be piecing together an onboard GPS/Byonics tracker.

So many plans, so little time. Working 65+ hours a week, 3 jobs, all while seeing the GF everynight. Good money but I literally have no time to even look in my garage. Hopefully soon. I am ordering all new front end components soon. STILL waiting for my buddy to get his lift slagged into the ground.

Also, and I know I asked before, is anyone running OBA? If so what system and how do you like it?

 

Can't wait to see it done!

 

Ok so some updates.

Bought an Aussie Locker and a 200amp alternator. Both are on their way. Also tried to install my traction bars but my drill burnt out after the first holes.

Here is a list and cost of everything getting replaced on my truck.

Drivetrain
Rear
-Master Bearing Kit = $87.79
-Ruff Stuff 8.8 Swap Kit = $127.50
-Rear Calipers = $30.79 each
-Parking Brake Shoes = $22.79
-Rotors = $22.79 each
-Brake Pads = $22.79
-Hard Brake Lines = $5? If that

Front
-Yukon Master Overhaul Kit = $197.07
-4:88's = $229.99

Transfer case Overhaul Kit = $73.89

---$846.19
Still need a new front driveshaft. And either a LSD or locker. Probably since it's my DD a LSD.
Also going to convert from live axles to manual locking hubs. That will run about $500. New hubs, CV's, and the kit itself. But all that needs to be replaced anyway.



Steering & Suspension
-Rack and Pinion Complete unti w/Inner Tie Rods = $90.79
-Power Steering Pump w/Reservoir = $42.79
-Spring Hanger = $40.99 x 2
-SkyJackers 6" Leaf packs = $440
-DBR HD Shackles = $120
-Limiting Straps = $?
-Moog Lower Balljoints = $80
-Moog Upper Control Arms w/Balljoints = $165
-Front Sway Bar Bushings = $20
--$1039.58

I don't know what kind of wheels and tires I want still. Thinking either some Mickey Thompsons or Goodyear Duratracs.

Also traded some of my computer know how for some time on another friends lift. So all I have to do is call my buddy who is a good welder and get everyone together.

 

That's a lot of parts! And coin $$$$$

 

I know. And then there is the stuff I WANT. Skidplates, front winch bumper, rock sliders, winch, Spare tire carrier, OBA. I made this list tonight at work. I know I'm forgetting a bunch of stuff to.

Remember the truck has 223K miles on her. The past year or so she's been neglected. Just started going out with the gf, blew tons of money. Then lost my job so no money to even changed the oil until 900 miles overdo... So now I am paying for the neglect lol.

Here is a question, can I run 35's with minimal rubbing with the RCD lift?

 

So another update...
I maybe sorta kinda skipped some of the stuff I listed up there and bought this...


No no, not a vise...

An Aussie front locker! From Pooleo over at ---(he may be on here?)

Also have a 200a alternator on the way, mines shot after 224k and makes sounds.

The weekend of the 12th I may do one of these 3 things...

1. Get this lift on that I have had sitting in my garage..
2. Go fishing with a friends
3. Go camping in Trevorton and ride dirtbikes and break jeeps. (seeing how my front end is in no condition to go offroad....)

Either way I have the weekend off. After this weekend (after Monday) I'll be ordering all the components for the rear so I can toy with that. Still need gears, install it, and a few other things for the front diff.. I want to move faster but money is a factor. Working everywhere I can but it's not enough. Only 2 months left until the truck has to be finished! (Big trip end of May, beginning of June)

 

So truck never got done for the trip.
BUT...I'm back on track.

Already got everything lined up for this weekend. Starting on the lift Saturday morning at 8.

I do have a few questions:
1. Do I NEED limiting straps?
2. How hard is the power steering rack to replace?

Got $800 worth of parts on order. Everything to re-gear, and most of my list above but the transfer overhaul kit.

4:88's with 32's! Burnouts for days... Can't afford 5 new 35's with wheels this week....

Also how do you weld the rear? What kind of welder, rods? Can you go fast, or do you have to do it bit by bit? I have access to both a Tig and Mig.

 

Got the lift on!

Took two days. First day got everything off and a few brackets on. Probably could have finished it on Saturday if we didn't start so late. Sunday my buddy was still drunk and I was hung over, but we finished it.
Day 1




Day 2




Didn't even need to get it aligned! lol it is perfect. Still need to install the bump stops, and still need to lift the rear. Doing the rear tomorrow, and have some parts still on order.

More updates soon. Oh and the ride is awesome.

 

Looks good! Now get some new shoes on that thing!