I've been researching for a long time on this project. I've started ordering parts and the truck will be going under the knife shortly. A good buddy owns his own fab shop and he is doing most of the work for me as I lack the skills and time.

Here is a rough list of the basics that will be going in the truck.

Front Suspension: New Stock 7 leaf Wagoneer Springs, SOA
Rear Suspension: 6" SkyJacker fr36 Softride Springs
Front Axle: 1987 Grand Wagoneer D44 completly rebuilt, hi steer arms/knuckles, all new joints, Riddler Diff cover, lock-right locker, Warn premium hubs, 5.13 gears
Rear Axle: Ford 8.8, 5.13 gears, already locked with a lock-right.
Tires: 35x12.5x15 BFG All-Terrains
Rims: 15x8 Ultra Rogue 175 Machined Finish 6 x 5.5
Wheel Adapters: 5 x 4.5 - 6 x 5.5 for the rear axle. This will also push the tires out a little more so the front and rear will be about the same width.
Shocks: Undecided
Steering: Toyota box

My girlfriend and a few buddies have always called my truck Clifford (the big red dog). I guess it's living up to its name.

I'll have my stock 16" wheels (5 matching, 1 stock spare) for sale along with all the front 4x4 parts except transfer case. The project should be completed by the end of September. He has a lot of other stuff going on and he is working on mine on the side.

The Wagoneer that lost it axle

My new axle

Tires/Wheels



He is a volunteer for the local Sheriff's office and this is the buggy he built. It has changed a lot since these pictures were taken. He is running Rigid Industries Led lights and some new kind of police lights as well. The tube is painted a tan instead of the white.


His website:Arizona, Tempe, Fabrication-HunterOffroad Fabrication, steel tube fabrication for offroad vehicles and more!

One last picture of my truck with no lift running 31's.


Updates will follow at a slow pace as this is not a 1 week build.

 

Gonna be sick!

 

Good Luck!

 

5.13s for 35s? Gonna be a sweet build!

 

save some cash, skip the riddler cover and get a ruffstuff. Its cheaper and stronger.

 

I thought 5.13s were a little deep as well, but the shop that is rebuilding my axle really thinks they'll be a good match. In a few years I plan on turning this into a trail rig and not my DD/fun truck. I'll probably jump up to 37s then too and I'll be all set-up. I've read where most guys who are running 5.13s and 35s says it's a little too deep, but I'm not too worried about it. If it's that bad I can always go to 4.88. With the weight of all the gear and extra crap (camper shell, hi-lift, full size spare, tools, compressor, chains, straps, d rings, etc.) I always carry around I'm thinking it'll be fine.

The Riddler cover is already paid for and on. I'll keep that in mind though. I'm not going to be bashing the crap out of this truck so it should be fine for the next couple of years.

 

If you have a constant weight with you at all times, 5.13's should be ok, especially if you plan on a 37 in the rangers future.

Gonna be a sweet build!

How much is the shop gonna charge? How much do you have in it right now?

 

The shop is charging roughly $2k-$3k for the SAS. That includes shackles, basic hardware etc. I'm providing all of the major parts, axle, leaf springs, tires/wheels, steering box. He is making the steering so that will be all custom. He has local hookups with shocks, brake lines, and other small things like that so he can get me a good deal on that stuff. He is extending/upgrading front and rear brake lines, extending axle breather tubes, and all that small stuff as well. Basically, when I get it from him it'll be ready to roll except the rear gears and driveshaft.

I picked up the axle for $250. The rebuild total for the axle is around $1,500. That includes gears, locker, all new joints/seals, diff cover, fluid, etc. I want almost everything to be new so I'm not replacing crap all the time. That is why I ordered all new leaf springs, remanufactured/rebuild steering box etc.

I ran into some money so that is what is funding this project. It works out nicely, as I need new tires soon, need new fluids all around, shocks have 55k on them, and all ball joints are still stock. Nothing needs to be replaced but it's all coming up so the timing is nice.

The guys on both ends are hardcore wheelers, with custom buggies, custom Jeeps, custom beaters etc. I like pictures so here are a few pics of them wheeling last week and some are older pics. I never expect to do the more difficult trails, but they're a blast to hang out with, talk to and ride with. I trust them with my Ranger as it's a piece of cake compared to some of the fancy buggies/rigs.

This is the man behind my axle build. If you can't read his shirt it says "Some people rolls 20s.....I just roll"



















Here is the Ranger guy for this hardcore group.


Ok, back on topic to Clifford growing up.....

 

Very nice man! Can't wait to see build progress pics and the finished product of course!

 

sweet

 

Sweeeet! I am jealous, but I'm not jealous of the money that's gotta be forked out. Can't wait to see it finished.

 

i'll buy the knuckles from u once u get started. pm me with an offer

 

those police trucks are awesome, love the buggy

 

Right now, I'm dealing with Robin Hood who is local to sell all the 4x4 drivetrain to (except transfer case). If it falls through, you'll be first for those knuckles. I'll be stopping by his shop Thursday or Friday next week as most of the IFS should be off the truck. I'll take a bunch of pictures. I'll keep you posted.

It's costly but well worth it in my opinion.

 

wtf my post last night didnt show up?


Ive seen that police buggy before, pretty sweet rig, i like the tube work.. Looks like it used to be a toyota? 6 lug axles, frame in the front comes back down etc..


how do you like AZ? looks like some sick wheelin. I want to get out of Texas and debating AZ, NM or CO.

WHERE did he get that shirt??? I want it!!

i love how that tires hanginh so low and the limit strap isnt tight yet haha

 

good stuff, but you had to keep the all terrains didn't you

 

For now, yes I'll be running all terrains. This truck is still my DD for the next few years. I haven't been wheeling yet and wished I'd had mud terrains. It'll be locked front and rear and wheeling the desert aired down to around 15psi or lower it's all good. I never really run into mud and when I do my rear locker has always helped get me out. My desert stucks have been in sand and getting high centered. It's all about compromise.

 

lol trust me i'm not backing out. i want all the 4wd stuff. now i just got to find me a 1354 transfer case. and a tranny. hehe

 

I thought he told me it was an old Chevy frame, or maybe he used Chevy leafs? I don't remember.

I like Arizona a lot. I've grown up here so I'm used to it all and like it all very much. You can be in Phoenix and then up in the snow in 2 hours in the winter. There is a ton of public land compared to other states. There really aren't any OHV parks, but there are tons of trails to ride on. Arizona has a huge mining past/history so there are tons of trails that go all over the state. New Mexico has a smaller population so that is neat, but I don't know much about wheeling in that state. Colorado would be pretty awesome with Ouray and a lot of other fun trails. If I were you I'd see where I could get the best job and what location has the best job opportunities for what you're into.

 

yep. all pending a job.. or if i can get my **** together and go to a real college somewhere outside texas .. ha

I guess it could be chevy, thats a 10bolt or d44 front then i guess?

 

oh damn, gona be sweet!

 

damn another members SAS ranger to grool over

 

Any progress?

 

He got some of the ifs taken out before he left for his businees trip. He is in Milwaukee for three weeks on a sponsored trip. The Sheriffs buggy above has custom armor (flexible Kevlar type stuff) put in by some comapny (I forgot what company) and they're paying for him to tow it up there for a national LEO expo. I need my truck by the end of Sept. for my elk hunt so I said do what you can before you leave to help make sure I'll have it for my hunt. I'll give him a call Sept. 1st and see what is going on and check on the progress. If my axle didn't have to wait three weeks for a high steer knuckle it would have already been done, but that is another story.

 

Gonna look badass when it's done. i didn't know that wagoneer axles were chevy 6 lug pattern, guess ya learn something new everyday.