Ok, so I didn't post teaser pics. I know, I suck. But today I installed the axle out of a '96 Exploder in my '05. Almost bolt in, but I did have a couple of problems. On to the pics!
I don't know what was up with my camera today, but some of them came out kinda blurry.

First, Off with his bed!!



92extcab from RPS drove up to help me out.


old axle out, new one ready to go in.


the price must be paid!


Getting there


In!




The driver side e-brake cable comes a little close to the tire.

I had to tie it back with some bailing wire.

It's not the best pic, but here you can kinda see how the shock is pulled a bit to the side by using 2 driver side expo spring plates for shock mounts. It kinda works, but kinda doesn't.


Trying out the TracLoc.


It works!


This pic makes my truck look tiny, but I like it


Hopefully 92extcab will get me his pics when he gets home. He has moar!.

Any questions about doing this on a dropped Ranger, I think I can answer them now. All I have left to do is figure out the sway bar link mounting.

 

Looks good dude. So, did you use the expo leafs?

 

lol you should leave the bed off

 

X2.

It looks like you did to me. i like it!

 

So, if you used the expo leafs with the expo rear end, will it be at the same height as stock?

 

Looks good

 

NICE!!!


Gotta love flipkits!


What rotors are those??? Got a link?

 

The easy answer is no, you'll still be about 3" lower.
I didn't use the Expo leafs, and once the bed went back on, is sat back down to normal (for me) height.

The rotors are Centric Power Slot rotors. The are Cryo treated and cadmium plated for corrosion resistance. I got them through my local ABC Auto Parts. List price is about $136 each. clicky!

Oddly enough, they don't list the Ranger or Explorer applications on the web site, but you can order them from a distributor.

 

look like powerslot rotors to me, same as stoptech.

 

Thanks man. It's not that I need new rotors, its that I want new rotors for my expo brakes that'll go on my L2 axle.

 

Dam nice. How is teh clearance between the wheels and the fenders? That is my only concern really. and get more pics!

 

and no Shane, you want to do mustang brakes on the rear, no wimpy expos...

 

Looks good man! I 'm a little Jealous lol

 

Clearance is great. I must have done my math right, 'cause with the stock 17X8 Cobra rims, the offset is just right with no spacer. When Zack gets his pictures uploaded, I'll have some with the bed back on.

Oh, and I give a negative on using 2 driver side Expo spring plates instead of adding shock mounts. You can bolt it up, but it puts a bind on the shock bushings.

 

Cool. i'll be looking forward to new pics.
I have 99 cobra rims, not sure on offset, but i am pretty sure i'm too close for my liking.
No worries about the shocks, if i go expo, i can weld. But with the looks of it, i'm getting Shane's old 8.8 and work on that.

 

Moar PICS!

 

I'll get moar pics when the sun comes back up.

 

This was completed with no Shiner... i am shocked... looks good tho John

 

If you can weld, it's easiest to make mounts & mount the shocks straight up from the front to the original Ranger crossmember..........
Mounts made from flat stock & 2X4 rectangular tubin cut in half:


Installed:


I ground out the rivets, welded the mounts to it, and used grade 8 bolts to reinstall it.............OR in hindsight, I could of used a piece of 1/4 X 6" flat stock and totally replaced the crossmember after weldin the mounts to it, as with the mounts I made, I had to reinforce the original crossmember with 1/4 X 4" flat stock.

And if you haven't noticed, this is my Rat Ranger Project that I put an Explorer type rear suspension under, and I don't have any tire clearance issues!

 

Part of my problem is a lack of a welder, but I'll prolly just run it up to a shop and get it welded. That, and somebody said it would work, but I hadn't seen anybody try it, so I was the guinea pig.
And no, No Shiner was consumed in the making of this thread.
Well thats not entirely true, I did drink a pint of Shiner with lunch.

 

looks good, nice job

 

Got the sway bar hooked up, and got the parking brake issue resolved.
The parking brake line on the driver side was hitting the tire. Note to self, use Expo cables and the Ranger equalizer next time.

On the sway bar, I used the Expo endlinks by pressing out the stud and turning it around, then mounting the links upside down to clear the frame, using a pre-existing hole. That rear sway bar makes a world of difference!

Now pics!




And for those of you wondering, Here's how the tire clearance ended up. Fits perfect!



MMMMMMm, SEX!

 

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