So I picked up a 03 Mazda B4000 for my new driver son to run around and he rear ended a Prius withing the first year. Nobody got hurt, thank God but he managed to blow both front air bags and make a pretty good mess of the right front end. I was going to scrap it but he was so upset I figured I would look into fixing it since the engine bay was ok and it started after I figured out the inertia fuel cut off switch bit. I got really lucky and found an 03 2x Ranger Edge with a bad motor in pretty good shape. Got it home and started in on the front end. We decided to go Ranger hybrid with all the badges and a new body color. Went ok until I decided to pull the bed and discovered the heavy rust on the frame. Luck has it the frame on the Ranger is in good shape. I have the back end of the Ranger pretty well stripped and am working on getting the 16 rivets out of the frame clean. The Ranger came with a 5 leaf stack and a torsion bar on the back diff that I am probably going to use. The Mazda only has a 4 leaf stack, no torsion bar and an open diff. The Ranger has an LS diff so I will probably use it. Leaf shackles and shocks have to be replaced for sure but that is easy with the bed off. Working on this truck has got my motor head juices flowing again after many years of doing the Husband, Father and home owner thing. My son is in college and my home is about and done as I am going to get it so this little truck is keeping my busy and out of trouble. Problem right now is it is getting cold up north but no rush.

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FrankB4KtoEdge4x4.0

2003 B4000 4.0ltr 4x4 rebuild after right front end hit.
Using 2003 Ranger Edge 3.0ltr 2x donor truck.

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Frank, welcome to FRF. It is definitely easier to replace the rear leaf spring hanger & shackles with the bed off the truck. I did them a few years ago on my 2000 Ranger & pulled the bed off to make it easier.

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2000 Ranger Extd Cab XLT, 4X4 Off Road, 4.0L, Auto, 8.8 - 4.10's, 01 grille & lights swap.
69 Mustang, modified 5.0, & 5spd.(project)
99 Explorer Sport, 4.0 SOHC, Auto, 8.8 - 4.10's, PW, PL, PM, Cruise, Tilt. (Wife's DD)
05 F-150 2WD Regular Cab. ( My DD)

Finally got all the rivets out. Found the best method is to center punch the rivet head, drill through the rivet with a 3/8 cobalt drill, grind off the near side head and then pry the back side head with a cold chisel.

Attached Images

IMG_0743.jpg (93.8 KB, 5 views)

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FrankB4KtoEdge4x4.0

2003 B4000 4.0ltr 4x4 rebuild after right front end hit.
Using 2003 Ranger Edge 3.0ltr 2x donor truck.