I have a 97 Ford Ranger XLT 2dr Ext Cab 6 cyl 3.0 4 speed automatic. It belonged to my dad and I kept it when he passed so this truck means a lot me. Last month my neighbor wrecked it when it was parked and totalled the entire rear end. I have to fix it even if it means buying a donor truck if I have to. My question is if there is a difference in the frame on a manual truck with the same engine size or if the frame is the same on the 4 cylinder? Am I better off looking for a truck the same year and extra cab to avoid having to do any modifications? Help me out guys.

 

The 1993 to 2011 cab back frames are the same, same 6ft bed, extended or regular cabs, drive train doesn't matter, i.e. engine size or transmission type
Extend cab frames are of course longer overall, back of cab forward
4x4 frames are different in the front, but the back is the same as 2WD

If you found a front end wrecked Ranger and are good at welding................, frame reconstruction is not easy
Frames can be straightened, and it can be more economical than reconstruction

I would take the bed off and have a look first, just 6 bolts, 3 screws on filler, and try to unplug the tail light wring harness so you can reuse it vs cut and splice

 

Thank you RonD. I will take off the bed and update the post. This truck means a lot to me, thank you for taking the time to help out.

 

I see you are in California
If this was put in for an insurance claim and was totaled there may be issues getting it back on the road, once rebuilt it would need a road safety inspection, which are not cheap, and hard to pass the first time around, so you end up paying twice, lol

So just a heads up to check into that

 

Yes, good looking out. I will check up on it with my insurance agency.

 

Took off bed and realized the frame doesn’t look too bad. Replaced the rear end with a slightly larger one. Everything fit fine except for the stabilizing bar. The ABS light also came on. What do you think?

 

I thought the other side got hit, but this side looks OK

 

 

Here it is now running but like I said... that ABS light is on. Advice?

 

Looks pretty good
Have you driven it down the road at speed?

1997 should only have the rear axle ABS sensor, nothing on the front wheels

The ABS sensor is on top front of differential, 2 wires, check connection and follow the 2 wires as far as you can to make sure they are OK, they run up the drivers side frame rail

Looks like this: https://www.therangerstation.com/tec...r_rearaxle.JPG

 

The drivers side rear leaf spring hanger looks to be bent, but hard to tell

 

Ok I will take a picture tomorrow morning. I’m sure the smart thing to do is replace it but hopefully you can be the judge of that.

 

Driver side

Passenger side

 

Can't wait to see how it turns out. Good luck!

 

 

 

I would be replacing driver side rear hanger, looks like it was replaced before, since I see bolts not rivets so should be an easier job

 

Appreciate the input. My wife wants me to stay indoors for the time being but I’ll use it for researching. I am looking to order the hangar. This is pretty much how I want my truck to look. Any suggestions on where to pick up the same rims?

 

They are called deer hoof rims because they look like a deer's hoof print, lol

Very common on Rangers, used from 1993 to 2000 I think, came in 14" and 15" diameter, so shouldn't be to hard to find

Here are pictures of Ranger wheels: https://www.therangerstation.com/tec..._fitment.shtml
Scroll down

Looks like they were used until 1999

 

 

I just bought a donor truck. I am going to feel bad taking this one apart because it’s pretty clean.

 

HOLD THE BOAT.............................

That's a RED Ranger, you can't part out a RED Ranger

RED Rangers are what Rolls Royce and Bentley aspire to, and NASCAR and Formula 1 try to emulate in performance

Say it ain't so...................




Anyway yes, looks like a good parts truck, but always sorry to see another Ranger being taken off the road

 

I might just fix this one and keep looking for another donor truck. This truck looks too good to part out.

 

I agree and have only seen that one picture

SAVE THE RED RANGER, lol

 

RonD has a sense of humor... what next !

It's only me but I would find a shop and have your frame checked out !

To me the driver's side looks a little off, might not matter but could be a nightmare for alignment and tracking !

RED Rangers are the best !

Ltr