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Old 09-13-2016, 06:27 AM
Diesel YJ Diesel YJ is offline
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Default Ranger Trail Rig Build

Hi guys I just acquired a 99 Ranger Ext cab with a 4.0, 5spd 4x4 to convert into a dedicated trail rig. The idea is to build a cheap rig that is capable and work my way up as funds and parts become available or repairs force it. I picked up the truck for cheap it needs a fuel pump but got it running to verify it was a good motor since the truck has only 76k miles.

I am not so sure this is a good base with this year having a IFS front and a electronic TC selector, thoughts? The plan is to remove the bed and cut the frame after the rear perches and build a bed for the fuel cell, spare and misc. Keeping the rear suspension setup for now but thinking of converting to leaf springs in front with a d44? Tons would be great but I will hold out to see what I find as I get the truck together and see what I really have in my hands.

The reason I am building this truck is I did a frame off restro a 89 YJ from being a 4cyl and manual steering into a 6.2 turbo diesel with D44 front and rear on 35's, it has got gobs of power and is great off road but I put way too much time into it to destroy it off road so I want to keep it as a fun driver and trail rider.
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  #2  
Old 09-13-2016, 10:41 AM
ranger_ferd ranger_ferd is offline
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Originally Posted by Diesel YJ View Post
Hi guys I just acquired a 99 Ranger Ext cab with a 4.0, 5spd 4x4 to convert into a dedicated trail rig. The idea is to build a cheap rig that is capable and work my way up as funds and parts become available or repairs force it. I picked up the truck for cheap it needs a fuel pump but got it running to verify it was a good motor since the truck has only 76k miles. I am not so sure this is a good base with this year having a IFS front and a electronic TC selector, thoughts? The plan is to remove the bed and cut the frame after the rear perches and build a bed for the fuel cell, spare and misc. Keeping the rear suspension setup for now but thinking of converting to leaf springs in front with a d44? Tons would be great but I will hold out to see what I find as I get the truck together and see what I really have in my hands. The reason I am building this truck is I did a frame off restro a 89 YJ from being a 4cyl and manual steering into a 6.2 turbo diesel with D44 front and rear on 35's, it has got gobs of power and is great off road but I put way too much time into it to destroy it off road so I want to keep it as a fun driver and trail rider.
you'll want to change the rear axle the same time you do the front, so it's the same strength and gearing. There's no problem with the electronic t case, if it does fail, you can take the motor out and switch it manually iirc.
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Old 09-13-2016, 11:43 AM
Jimmyspy Jimmyspy is offline
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Join Date: Feb 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Diesel YJ View Post
Hi guys I just acquired a 99 Ranger Ext cab with a 4.0, 5spd 4x4 to convert into a dedicated trail rig. The idea is to build a cheap rig that is capable and work my way up as funds and parts become available or repairs force it. I picked up the truck for cheap it needs a fuel pump but got it running to verify it was a good motor since the truck has only 76k miles. I am not so sure this is a good base with this year having a IFS front and a electronic TC selector, thoughts? The plan is to remove the bed and cut the frame after the rear perches and build a bed for the fuel cell, spare and misc. Keeping the rear suspension setup for now but thinking of converting to leaf springs in front with a d44? Tons would be great but I will hold out to see what I find as I get the truck together and see what I really have in my hands. The reason I am building this truck is I did a frame off restro a 89 YJ from being a 4cyl and manual steering into a 6.2 turbo diesel with D44 front and rear on 35's, it has got gobs of power and is great off road but I put way too much time into it to destroy it off road so I want to keep it as a fun driver and trail rider.

You're gonna want a solid front axel. IFS gives less travel, is weaker, and is more expensive to lift. I wheel my lifted IFS ranger pretty frequently, but it's far from a dedicated trail rig. If you really want to make a reliable and capable trail rig, SAS is the way to go.
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