Solid Axle Swaps General discussion of solid axle swaps for the Ford Ranger.

My Dana 30 Build Thread

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Old Feb 18, 2013
  #76  
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Originally Posted by ranger4.0
you have made some great progress! do the coils lean out at the frame?
The coils only lean on the driver side but thats mainly because i still need to move the axle over a bit so the axle is perfectly even under the truck. Im not done yet, I just wanted to see what the truck looked like on all 4's to see if any adjustments need to be made. It'll be done in a few weeks I hope.

Originally Posted by seed60
Looking good.

Planning to add assist?
And Im going to see how well my 5.0 power steering pump does first. If It struggles then Im going to have the pump sent down and have it modified and rebuilt. We will see. I just want to get it drivable right now before I do anything else.
 
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Old Mar 3, 2013
  #77  
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Just got some work done today... Wont get to work on it until next weekend unfortunately. Here's what I got done today though:



I have 2 options here, either relocate the runner or reposition the steering shaft:


Finally was able to get the frame sleeved and plated for the yota box:


 
Attached Thumbnails My Dana 30 Build Thread-bb20e86e-e627-478f-87d2-096d1e18e1a0-7928-000004405c890a35_zps69d87216.jpg   My Dana 30 Build Thread-b442354c-c889-4bbb-9b6d-82e71c8e15ee-7928-0000044055a4cc6c_zps9f9c497e.jpg   My Dana 30 Build Thread-5546b11b-c89b-4ff0-8294-eea7ffd09fd6-7928-00000440594f9543_zps8c81ae9e.jpg   My Dana 30 Build Thread-8ab85d52-650a-4821-a7f8-026ae81d5bbc-7928-00000440621378a1_zps9aafedbf.jpg   My Dana 30 Build Thread-3693397f-059e-4d8b-8cfd-92cb1bd8dd97-7928-000004405f174ff5_zps32fc844d.jpg  

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Old Mar 21, 2013
  #78  
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The track bar mount I used was wider than the bushing that was used for the track bar. In order to fix this, I bought a tube adapter, drilled out the threads in the track bar, placed the tube adapter in, welded it and now im running a heim joint instead a bushing:





I also installed the brakes, brake pads(not pictured) and brake lines:

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Test fitting the steering shaft(thanks to Zach Beard):


Ranger shaft taken out ready for modification:

Done and ready for install:

As you can see on the driver side, I need to adjust the coil in the coil bucket to straighten out the spring:

Pass side wheel well:

Driver side wheel well:


BallisticFab:

Here I had to ream out the pitman arm to fit my chevy tie rod end for the drag link:

 
Attached Thumbnails My Dana 30 Build Thread-img_1232_zps40dbf0c4.jpg   My Dana 30 Build Thread-img_1233_zpsd5083584.jpg   My Dana 30 Build Thread-img_1234_zps6d57d82a.jpg   My Dana 30 Build Thread-img_1235_zps35a65ba5.jpg   My Dana 30 Build Thread-img_1236_zps9248192d.jpg  

My Dana 30 Build Thread-img_1270_zpsa7f33c5a.jpg   My Dana 30 Build Thread-img_1237_zps2352e43a.jpg   My Dana 30 Build Thread-img_1239_zpsc2350708.jpg   My Dana 30 Build Thread-img_1240_zps2b802e7c.jpg   My Dana 30 Build Thread-img_1241_zps031392c9.jpg  

My Dana 30 Build Thread-img_1242_zpsdb0fde06.jpg   My Dana 30 Build Thread-img_1287_zps545595ef.jpg   My Dana 30 Build Thread-img_1216_zps0f36f1c3.jpg   My Dana 30 Build Thread-img_1217_zpsb9fefee2.jpg   My Dana 30 Build Thread-img_1218_zps7d3503b9.jpg  

My Dana 30 Build Thread-img_1221_zpscd94ff88.jpg   My Dana 30 Build Thread-img_1222_zps3ea5fec7.jpg  

Last edited by MudSlanger; Mar 21, 2013 at 01:38 AM.
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Old Mar 21, 2013
  #79  
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Nice progress
 
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Old Mar 23, 2013
  #80  
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Build looks good, but those welds are absolutely horrible. You should really consider grinding that ALL out and re-doing it. The welds are too cold and they look like bubblegum. I'm not trying to be a dick, just concerned for your and those around you's safety.
 
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Old Mar 23, 2013
  #81  
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Got done making the drag link and painting it:



I also had to modify the header to fit my new steering shaft:


 
Attached Thumbnails My Dana 30 Build Thread-img_1302_zpsb865f024.jpg   My Dana 30 Build Thread-img_1303_zpse56c86a7.jpg   My Dana 30 Build Thread-img_1304_zps91796935.jpg   My Dana 30 Build Thread-img_1305_zpsfe2c3918.jpg  
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Old Mar 24, 2013
  #82  
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Damn. Nice job on the header. Can't wait to start on mine. Nice to see you doin All the nice details and not cuttin corners.
 
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Old Mar 25, 2013
  #83  
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Header all finished:



 
Attached Thumbnails My Dana 30 Build Thread-269d6603-583d-43ed-809d-9eb6c613cd6b-10077-0000064db9c447e6_zps3af32d42.jpg   My Dana 30 Build Thread-b920b5ab-9201-43ee-a06b-e8e2748d5b0c-10077-0000064dc77579e4_zpsfe4e3d6e.jpg   My Dana 30 Build Thread-53e8bb63-bc25-48f1-9d24-906bf8e953ae-10077-0000064dc28462dc_zpsdda196f2.jpg   My Dana 30 Build Thread-9250661f-28b3-47f2-becb-7bf74ba9f631-10077-0000064dd6205f63_zpsa5237e3e.jpg  
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Old Mar 31, 2013
  #84  
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The final stretch:



All I have left is to finish making my transmission crossmember, tighten all the nuts and bolts, and align the front end the best I can so I can get it professionally aligned.
 
Attached Thumbnails My Dana 30 Build Thread-148f2229-d5f4-4030-b18b-add5bc17a8d7-570-0000002a755f15ed_zpsd7a480cd.jpg   My Dana 30 Build Thread-76bb8871-5b02-43cc-ad14-50a3a85229b9-570-0000002a72753230_zps4f1e7263.jpg  
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Old Apr 2, 2013
  #85  
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Drove the truck to work today. Shocks on order and should be dialing in the suspension and working out all the kinks within the next few weeks. With no shocks, it drives like an old caddy with blown struts lol

 
Attached Thumbnails My Dana 30 Build Thread-dbd7f30d-5dc6-48c1-9098-52ab115961c3-5764-000002d24f6098ae_zpsb60b9fa4.jpg  
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Old Apr 2, 2013
  #86  
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love it.
 
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Old Apr 2, 2013
  #87  
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Looking good!!!
 
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Old Apr 2, 2013
  #88  
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Originally Posted by Ford78
Looking good!!!
Dude, your truck is awesome.
 
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Old Apr 3, 2013
  #89  
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i like it! im also a bit concerned with the welding, I probably would have done alot more plating and support work, especially around the steering box and spring mounts. im sure it will be fine for your needs though. good work!
 
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Old Apr 3, 2013
  #90  
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Originally Posted by 06RangerXLT
i like it! im also a bit concerned with the welding, I probably would have done alot more plating and support work, especially around the steering box and spring mounts. im sure it will be fine for your needs though. good work!
Why there is zero plating done to my steering box? All I have is sleeved bolt holes and even running substantially larger tires on a D60 on trails I have had zero problems with it. Front section is boxed that is not were the issues arise from.
 
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Old Apr 3, 2013
  #91  
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ive just seen boxes rip from ranger frames, thats all.
 
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Old Apr 17, 2013
  #92  
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Hey what are you running as far the lines for the steering and fittings??? I love the braided lines
 
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Old Apr 17, 2013
  #93  
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Originally Posted by mlw20lu
Hey what are you running as far the lines for the steering and fittings??? I love the braided lines
I used an assembled -6 hose Fragola P.T.F.E Hose. 1 side is 90 degree and the other side is a straight. See if this link works. Just pick the length you need.

http://www.summitracing.com/search/s...gola%20P.T.F.E
 
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Old Apr 17, 2013
  #94  
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goes right into high pressure side direct from steering pump to yota box? no adapters or anything?
 
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Old Apr 17, 2013
  #95  
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Originally Posted by mlw20lu
goes right into high pressure side direct from steering pump to yota box? no adapters or anything?
Ok, if you are using the Toyota steering box then you want one of these for the PRESSURE side: #6 JIC x 16mm-1.5 I.F. Pressure Adapter for Toyota-SF06 : Steering Hose and Fittings, Fittings Only | PSC Motorsports - performance steering components, power steering

If you are running the same 5.0L engine as me then you will need another one of those fittings for the power steering pump in the engine bay. So you want 2 of those fittings in the link above. 1 for the pump and another for the box.

Ok here is the problem I ran into with my box and my AC. On the 5.0 the AC compressor is in the way so I couldn't use this fitting that was meant for the RETURN side: #6 JIC x 17mm-1.5 I.F. Return Adapter for Toyota-SF07 : Steering Hose and Fittings, Fittings Only | PSC Motorsports - performance steering components, power steering

Now to fix this problem, you will probably want to cut the frame and mount it lower on the frame. OR do what I did. Trim the **** out of your AC compressor and use this fitting and bend the barbed fitting to clear the AC compressor: Toyota Steering Box Low Pressure Return Tube Fitting

It fits the same size hose that goes in to the PS reservoir on the 5.0 engine. I just bought the right size fuel hose and some clamps and no leaks.
 
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Old Apr 17, 2013
  #96  
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Just got caught up on the build. Truck is looking really good Chris! ...Now gimme yer headers!
 
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Old Apr 18, 2013
  #97  
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awesome thanks!!
 
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Old Apr 19, 2013
  #98  
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Originally Posted by INT3RC3PTOR
Just got caught up on the build. Truck is looking really good Chris! ...Now gimme yer headers!
Thanks buddy.. The headers are sweet huh

Originally Posted by mlw20lu
awesome thanks!!
No problem. Any more questions, just ask.
 
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Old May 19, 2013
  #99  
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Getting some alignment done and cutting some more frame for more clearance:


First Flex pics since the swap:


 
Attached Thumbnails My Dana 30 Build Thread-img_1777_zpsf56b9ae1.jpg   My Dana 30 Build Thread-img_1778_zps76f446b9.jpg   My Dana 30 Build Thread-img_1781_zps82885462.jpg   My Dana 30 Build Thread-img_1774_zps168663e1.jpg  
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Old May 20, 2013
  #100  
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Looks real good!!! Did a very good job on her!!
 
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