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TJ's Ranger Log

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Old Sep 7, 2007
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TJ's Ranger Log

Simple title right?

I'll let the pictures do a little talking.

Axles


Front D44 - 76.5 F-250


Rear D70 - Dump Truck


Project cost:
Axles - $150
--------------
Total - $150

Hopefully begin stripping them down tommorow, probably not before or during pictures but afterwards pictures for sure.

-TJ
 
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Old Sep 7, 2007
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how big are you going? low pinion? eh...
 
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Old Sep 7, 2007
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Originally Posted by zabeard
how big are you going? low pinion? eh...
35's, I want the truck streetable yet able to go offroad without having to worry about breaking. I'm not worried about the low pinion, yet. It'll get a skid of somekind once it's on the road but that may be a while. I was willing to pay more than what I paid for just the front, when I found out I was getting a D70 rear in on the deal for the same price I basically handed the money over on the spot. This actually works pretty good since my 8.8 is bent anyways, overbuilding is fun... Any hints, suggestions, personal opinions are all welcome!

-TJ
 
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Old Sep 7, 2007
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I say keep it leaf sprung. run waggy leafs. high steer is a must.
 
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Old Sep 7, 2007
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Originally Posted by zabeard
high steer is a must.


for ease of installation, use leaf springs.....for a better ride on and off road, go with coils....
 
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Old Sep 7, 2007
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That D70 is gonna be a plow with only 35's. I say go with at least 37's. Nice score though, good price on the axles.

Definitely go with leaf springs as well.
 
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Old Sep 7, 2007
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Originally Posted by zainyD
That D70 is gonna be a plow with only 35's. I say go with at least 37's. Nice score though, good price on the axles.

Definitely go with leaf springs as well.
Deffinately not runnin 37's, I have no use for tires that big, 35's are plenty. Besides in PA, I gotta watch bumper hieght... They also have to be shortened too. ::grumbles::

-TJ
 
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Old Sep 8, 2007
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Originally Posted by tjf0288
Deffinately not runnin 37's, I have no use for tires that big, 35's are plenty. Besides in PA, I gotta watch bumper hieght... They also have to be shortened too. ::grumbles::

-TJ
Why do they have to be narrowed? Fender laws? If I were you I'd find a Waggy D44 and sell the full width D44 and D70 to someone else. Convert the Waggy D44 to 5 lug and buy some adapters for the rear axle that you have currently. You already have an 8.8 and that's plenty for 35's. Cheap, easy, tires stay under the fenders and you don't have to go through the trouble of narrowing anything and getting custom made axle shafts. Either that or run Hummer beadlocks with the stock backspacing on the full widths to get them back under the fenders.

I have a buddy who's running a D70 rear with 38.5 TSL's and he still has clearance issues.
 
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Old Sep 8, 2007
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Originally Posted by zainyD
Why do they have to be narrowed? Fender laws? If I were you I'd find a Waggy D44 and sell the full width D44 and D70 to someone else. Convert the Waggy D44 to 5 lug and buy some adapters for the rear axle that you have currently. You already have an 8.8 and that's plenty for 35's. Cheap, easy, tires stay under the fenders and you don't have to go through the trouble of narrowing anything and getting custom made axle shafts. Either that or run Hummer beadlocks with the stock backspacing on the full widths to get them back under the fenders.

I have a buddy who's running a D70 rear with 38.5 TSL's and he still has clearance issues.
Shortening them is no problem, me and a guy i work with are cutting the tubes and welding them, and then hes gonna check around the people e knows for resplining the shafts.

I like 35's and may go bigger, depending on how high I can go on the bumper hieght, and no I'm not making some ugly *** drop bumpers.

8.8 is great for 35's, but not for these:
http://www.4btswaps.com

I really don't want to run a D44 rear either since the front 44 will only be stressed in 4WD, not all the time. From my understanding it is far far safer to run a 60 upfront but I'm gonna risk the 44 since I got it cheap.

-TJ

EDIT:

I guess I'll put up the project plans...

Phase 1: Solid Axles (My favorite way to convert to manual hubs...)
Phase 2: 203/205 or just a 205
Phase 3: Cummins 4BT but still undecided on the tranny...
 

Last edited by tjf0288; Sep 8, 2007 at 06:25 AM.
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Old Sep 8, 2007
  #10  
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looks like alot of fun
 
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Old Sep 11, 2007
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Projects on hold, prolly canceled. I don't wanna talk about it.









-TJ
 
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Old Sep 11, 2007
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just one thing we need to know, is everybody alright?
 
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Old Sep 11, 2007
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Everybody is just me, single vehicle accident, no passengers, and I'm physically ok.

-TJ
 
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Old Sep 11, 2007
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**** dude, glad ur ok. sad sight to see though.
 
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Old Sep 12, 2007
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what in the heck happened?

glad you are ok
 
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Old Sep 12, 2007
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ouch.....glad your ok.....

now is a PERFECT time to do a SAS......espically since your front suspension looks broke.....replace those bags with ones off eBay and then start the SAS.....buy something else cheap to drive....
 
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Old Sep 12, 2007
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First and foremost thank you to everyone for their regards.

Originally Posted by zabeard
what in the heck happened?

glad you are ok
I spaced out doin about 40~45 and missed the turn. Put the truck between 2 trees, both less than 6 inches to each side. Had a branch end up within a foot of my face. Put a log straight through my right front suspension.

Originally Posted by lifted97ranger
ouch.....glad your ok.....

now is a PERFECT time to do a SAS......espically since your front suspension looks broke.....replace those bags with ones off eBay and then start the SAS.....buy something else cheap to drive....
Truck is more than likely totaled. Very very possible my frame is tweaked on the right side. Right front suspension is amost non-existant. After about an hour of winching the wrecker was finally able to lift the front end and the tire was dangling by the tie rods. When the truck was on the bank the wheel was facing straight up. The log ripped out all the joints, the cv was ripped out of the diff, and from wut I could tell the log mangled the torsion bars. Windshield is shot, both air bags went off, right door took some pulling to open. If they total it I'll be removing my grill, bug shield, vent visors, side window covers, and the bed cover. All of those might be for sale along with the winshield visor I never got installed. And if it is totaled I'll be looking at cheap F-150's or 250's, I don't want to go through a dealer again.

Edit:

You can see in the pics the log is still wedged in the suspension. And where the roof line meets the windshield is completely caved in.
 

Last edited by tjf0288; Sep 12, 2007 at 06:28 AM.
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Old Sep 12, 2007
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Glad to hear you are OK....what's gonna happen with the axles?
 
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Old Sep 12, 2007
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damn, I just looked at this thread and was hoping to get updated pics, damn
 
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Old Sep 12, 2007
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Originally Posted by camodown
damn, I just looked at this thread and was hoping to get updated pics, damn
Well there's updated pics... just not the right ones. I'm still waiting for the insurance company to look at it, guess they'll do it tommorow. In the meantime I'm beating the 2008 Malibu they gave me... Poor thing. Not even 5000 miles on it and it's "L" gear gives me gears 1-4 with shifting at the pushing of up or down on a thumb button... But driving this is soooo different, and depressing knowing my truck out performs it in speed, power, and handling...

-TJ
 
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Old Sep 13, 2007
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Damage - totaled.

Truck valued at $14,917, adjuster said he just stopped totaling the damage at $12,000... Where the lower control arm was, ripped a hole in the frame where it mounted at, let alone bending it up. Pics:



































One final look:



-TJ
 
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Old Sep 13, 2007
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that sucks man......i see you got that bed cover off there......wanna sell it

PM me a price and i will more than likely take it off your hands....
 
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Old Oct 2, 2007
  #23  
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Oh my god, dude! Looking at it proper in the light... that's WAY harsh! Glad you came through it ok. Hope all fares well.

-C
 
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Old Oct 2, 2007
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I remember reading this a few weeks ago and thought, "hmm, I'm gonna keep an eye on that."

Crap that sucks dude, but a little duct tape and it'll be fine again...
 
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Old Oct 3, 2007
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What are you going to do with the axles?
 
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