Hello all, I have a 1996 Ranger XLT 2.3L 5-speed, 2-wheel. I'm think about replacing the upper & lower ball joints. My truck has 319,000 miles. I have watched a number of DYI videos on youtube about changing 1996 lower ball joints and they also replace the upper A-arm (with a new ball joint already installed). I'm not a mechanical newbie - I've rebuild many small & big block Chevy motors and I recently replaced the head on my 2.3L (so I kind of know what I'm doing). But I will admit to never having doing any serious suspension work before. :-)

Anyway I just removed a tire and I have no upper or lower A-arm. My suspension looks more like a Ford E-150 van with a spindle type suspension??? if that's what it's called. Am I missing something here??? Other than my mind

My question is simply "If I order parts from my local AutoZone and tell them I need upper & lower ball joints for a 1996 Ranger XLT , 2.3L 5 speed, 2 wheel drive, am I telling them the right parts???"

Advice/info is much appreciated - Thanks
Kevin

 

You won't have upper A arm in 1996, thats was 1998 and later
1983 to 1997 used TIB, twin I beam for 2WD

So you have TIB front suspension, and Ford did use this on most of its 2WD trucks and Vans

Look here at Ranger Front suspension over the years: The Ford Ranger Front Suspension : The Ranger Station

You can rent C-clamp type tool sets for ball joint removal and install.

And there are ways to DIY these tools, Google: homemade ball joint press

 

Hello Again RonD!!
Twin I beam is what I thought - years ago I had a '86 F-250 'Camper Special' with a 390 & C-6 automatic. I remember those I beams as being a whole lot beefier than the Ranger. But honestly had no idea the A-arm set up didn't happen until 1988. There is maybe an inch of play in the passenger side lower ball joint - so I'm not too concerned at this point - but do plan of buying the parts over a couple of month (even though they are pretty inexpensive) and tackle the job when AZ gets a bit cooler - still looking at 100 degrees Saturday.

Anyway thanks for the confirmation. Hope all is well with you and your family.

Best wishes, Kevin