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Ranger Frame Dimensions       #: 2152
 Moderated by: NoPower, Mike69, MaDMaXX,
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 Posted: Mon May 25th, 2020 11:36 pm
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VelociRanger
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 I've been trying to do a lot of research online about the Ford Ranger frames and really all I've found is the wheel base of them. Does anyone know or happen to own a first gen single cab short bed Ranger and know the frame width at the front? Also, does anyone with a 98+ truck with the coil spring suspension know the dimensions of the frame at the front? Doing a lot of planning and research for my future project, and that's the main bit of information I can't seem to find. Maybe I'm not looking in the right places though, I don't know.

Last edited on Mon May 25th, 2020 11:37 pm by VelociRanger



____________________
knowing when to quit is wisdom, being able to quit is courage.

1983 Ranger, reluctantly taking apart. Donor/project vehicle.

1997 Ranger Ex Cab Manual 4.0 2wd, dead on arrival. Hopefully reviving for a daily driver.

1984 Ranger, currently in ≈861 pieces. She’s donating what’s salvageable.
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 Posted: Wed May 27th, 2020 02:20 pm
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Scrambler82
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 A quick question, "Are you planning a 1st Gen Ranger for a project ?

If so, keep the TTB Suspension, ssssoooo much easier to modify than the newer stuff, and there are TTB D44s available for the front end; they are wider but that not bad !



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Ltr,
2003 EDGE, Std Cab, Steppie, E4 Red, 5sp, 4x
5" SuperLift, 33" x 12.50 x 15"
Hurst Shifter
Mod'd Backrack to fit Steppie
Front and Rear Bumpers by Custom 4x4 Fabrication, OK; now Mike's Welding and Fabrication.
Working on more Mods, just need more time, longer days would work !
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 Posted: Wed May 27th, 2020 09:38 pm
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VelociRanger
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 Really? In what ways?



____________________
knowing when to quit is wisdom, being able to quit is courage.

1983 Ranger, reluctantly taking apart. Donor/project vehicle.

1997 Ranger Ex Cab Manual 4.0 2wd, dead on arrival. Hopefully reviving for a daily driver.

1984 Ranger, currently in ≈861 pieces. She’s donating what’s salvageable.
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 Posted: Wed May 27th, 2020 11:19 pm
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Scrambler82
Old Bastard !


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 Lift Kits are far easier to do, the TTB lends itself to lifts far better than the '98 up Ranger, also fitting a 5.0 W in a 1st Gen is motor mounts and a three wire harness.
No special headers, no special computer mods, no GEM, no, no, nothing else.

You can buy shorty headers for the swap, L&L Products makes the best one, trans mounts is the same for the Auto as the original 5 speed.

Radiators are available that bolt in and work great, if you use a manual trans computer and a non computer controlled trans, it works out great.

If you stick to TTB, they come with Locking Hubs, with a lot of replacements out there.

Also, I found the frame, is more adaptable to a Solid Axle Swap, (Not sure what you are going to do with the truck after it is finished but I have seen a lot of the 1st Gen rangers lifted and running trail without any problems.

Everyone to their own but if I had to do it again and could find another 1st Gen in great condition I would go that route with a 5.0L-W, AOD Trans, and a FoMoCo three wire engine harness.

Oh ya, the 1st Gen Rangers have a separate engine and Cab harnessing, easy to take out the engine harness computer and all and just use the FOMoCo harness with computer and Wham Bam you have a running truck.   Only problem I found was the Fuel Pump, but it was easily sorted out.

Two days was all it took, I did have a lot of friends helping me, and one with a LOT of Ford Wiring knowledge, that did help with the Fuel Pump, but the three wire harness made it easy.


Good Luck on your next project... keep it simple.

I'm not really the person to get into details, I did my swap a long time back, it was a good truck as new but under powered, after the 5.0... WOW made to order !



____________________
Ltr,
2003 EDGE, Std Cab, Steppie, E4 Red, 5sp, 4x
5" SuperLift, 33" x 12.50 x 15"
Hurst Shifter
Mod'd Backrack to fit Steppie
Front and Rear Bumpers by Custom 4x4 Fabrication, OK; now Mike's Welding and Fabrication.
Working on more Mods, just need more time, longer days would work !
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 Posted: Fri May 29th, 2020 10:00 am
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VelociRanger
I’ll probably do it tomorrow


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 Who said anything about lifting? :D

I've been reading about the TIB suspension and really it is a great design, less moving parts and in general just much more durable. But, lifting and prerunning is really where it shines. If you're looking for a more road performance oriented suspension the a SLA set up is the way to go, at least from what I've been reading. But, the articles I've read have been biased in one way or another because really everyone is saying how great THEIR suspension is and not really anyone has just done a more in depth comparison really. But, we'll have to see. Really it all comes down to a couple things:
1) if I can get a cab and bed complete or mostly complete on the CHEAP

2) if I can find a frame that's not bent. Most of the trucks in the junkyard have been wrecked in the front or the back, and the beginning of this build will be super budget oriented. As time goes on the budget may increase, but for now it's super tight. I plan to do all of the fab work and body work myself, paint included. Mainly because I want to learn how, and I like challenges. But, I bet no one can guess what direction I'm going with this one. There will be some things I do that I've never seen done on any other truck, except for one. But, this may not happen soon. A lot of stuff going on and like I said, CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP. Lol. We'll just have to see.



____________________
knowing when to quit is wisdom, being able to quit is courage.

1983 Ranger, reluctantly taking apart. Donor/project vehicle.

1997 Ranger Ex Cab Manual 4.0 2wd, dead on arrival. Hopefully reviving for a daily driver.

1984 Ranger, currently in ≈861 pieces. She’s donating what’s salvageable.
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