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

This was a bad IDEA

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Old 02-19-2011
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This was a bad IDEA

Hi I am new to the forum and thought I would share my build.

Parts Purchased: Early Bronco dana 44 and 9 inch, 4.56 ring and pinion, lockrite locker, skyjacker 6 inch rear springs, upgraded shafts front axle shafts, James Duff 5.5 inch coils, coil buckets, coil retainers,7 degree bushings, 15 inch wheels, 35 inch BFG KM2's and who knows what else all I know is it cost a lot of money.

I started on 2/18/2011 at around 9:00pm and did not get very far all the bolts but one were rusted in the bushing and called it a night at around 11:00pm.

2/19/2011 6:30am It took a while to figure out what I was going to do. Tried the saws all what a waist of time. Up next was the cutoff wheel worked great but the 4 inch grinder was to small went to the hardware store and bought a 5 inch grinder 30 minutes later the rear springs were on the ground. Installed new rear springs and 9 inch rear axle { HOLLY CRAP} The early bronco spring plates would not work with the ranger springs said a few choice words went in showered and NAP TIME. Worked my way back out to the garage what to do. Well I put the 8.8 back in for now just to get it in the ground 4:PM so I can start working on the front.
 
Attached Thumbnails This was a bad IDEA-ranger-009.jpg   This was a bad IDEA-ranger-010.jpg   This was a bad IDEA-ranger-011.jpg   This was a bad IDEA-ranger-014.jpg   This was a bad IDEA-ranger-013.jpg  


Last edited by 93gpt; 02-20-2011 at 12:40 AM.
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Old 02-19-2011
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Sounds like you know what you are doing LOL
 
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Old 02-19-2011
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Originally Posted by Masteratarms93
Sounds like you know what you are doing LOL
x2, I guess this is sort of a project thread lol idk but um looks good so far
 
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Old 02-19-2011
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hope your fab skills are better then your spelling skills..
 
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Old 02-19-2011
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just curous what make you think that the spring pads were going to be the same on the 9in?
 
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Old 02-19-2011
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The new perches measure 2 1/2 inches same as the ranger springs.
 

Last edited by 93gpt; 02-21-2011 at 11:41 AM.
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Old 02-19-2011
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I will work on that Sorry.
 
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Old 02-19-2011
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Originally Posted by 93gpt
I will work on that Sorry.
Sounds like a sweet project. Going to look awesome when you are done.
 
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Old 02-20-2011
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good luck, welcome to the site.
 
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Old 02-20-2011
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Well I got the James Duff coil buckets mounted along with the James Duff track bar bracket. The front went a lot smother than the rear. I am hoping to get the front coils radius arms and axle in today well that is after I get some sleep.
 
Attached Thumbnails This was a bad IDEA-coil-buckets-001.jpg   This was a bad IDEA-coil-buckets-004.jpg   This was a bad IDEA-coil-buckets-008.jpg   This was a bad IDEA-coil-buckets-009.jpg   This was a bad IDEA-coil-buckets-010.jpg  

This was a bad IDEA-coil-buckets-011.jpg  
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Old 02-20-2011
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welcome to the board, good luck on your build
 
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Old 02-20-2011
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I saw the title and expected maybe seeing someone who got their truck hella stuck, or wrecked it doing something stupid.

This works though. Good Luck.
 
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Old 02-21-2011
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Sittin on the coils
 
Attached Thumbnails This was a bad IDEA-front-axle-001.jpg   This was a bad IDEA-front-axle-002.jpg   This was a bad IDEA-front-axle-003.jpg  
  #14  
Old 02-21-2011
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I'VE CREATED A MONSTER
 
Attached Thumbnails This was a bad IDEA-tires-002.jpg   This was a bad IDEA-tires-003.jpg   This was a bad IDEA-tires-004.jpg  
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Old 02-21-2011
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You have redeemed yourself. Nice work!
 
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Old 02-21-2011
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Looks great! I was worried for a minute that you had zero idea what you were doing haha.

What's with the tape on the fender flare?
 
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Old 02-21-2011
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HA!!! This was awesome.

Short and sweet.

end thread lol
 
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Old 02-21-2011
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The tape was to hold the plum bob to center the axle in the wheel well
 
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Old 02-21-2011
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so it really is that easy to sas with JD parts
 
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Old 02-22-2011
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Originally Posted by Downey
so it really is that easy to sas with JD parts
Taking the old suspension off took longer than installing the James duff suspension.
 
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Old 02-22-2011
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I thought i knew where this thread was going, but I guess I was wrong...

It looks like its too tall to get out of the garage. Now that would be hilarious.
 
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Old 02-22-2011
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Originally Posted by iplayloudly
It looks like its too tall to get out of the garage. Now that would be hilarious.
Thats exactly what i was thinking looking at the pics.

I didnt even know anybody made kits for a ranger.
 
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Old 02-22-2011
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That thing is sick.

Nice work.
 
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Old 02-22-2011
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Dang what took trevor so long??? Hahaha

Good work looks great!

Action pics meow
 
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Old 02-22-2011
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She looks just right. I love the width, looks like it came from the factory! I hope I can find me a EB D44 when I go to SAS.

So install looked simple enough, how was steering setup?
 


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