Project: Moose Knuckle

LittleBigFoot · #1 05-25-2009, 01:33 PM

So it started out as a 2000 Ford Ranger XLT. 3.0l V6, 4r44e, Bw135 electric
SLA D35 front, 28 spline 8.8" rear. Stock as hell.

I picked this truck up in the winter of 06. Tested out the 4wd with a buddy at some trails in CO. It did well for a stock rig but it was lacking much in the power/ground clearence/articulation areas.

SO IT BEGAN!

I picked up a set of 33x12.5r15 ProCome A/Ts for wicked cheap. Threw them on with no lift what so ever.

Then I cranked the torsion bars to level out the front. Stiff and jarring ride, but the rear made up for the front's stiff-as-shit-ness on the trail.

Here she is in the Yankee Road trail systems in Idaho Springs:

After that, a 3" body lift sounded logical because the damn IFS is so expensive to lift.
3" body lift and 35x15.5r15 Swamper TSLs:

LittleBigFoot · #2 05-25-2009, 01:43 PM

Around Thanksgiving of 07 I picked up a parts truck. A 79 Bronco with a 400m. I parted it out and kept the axles and tires.

These axles worked their way into a jeep project. About 8" of lift and the axles swapped into a 92XJ I picked up from a buddy.

Due to many police visits and death threats from the HOA I had to part it. I decided, "Fuck it, I'll SAS the Ranger."

We began with the rear:

The old suspension came out, and a set of 1/2 ton 2wd 63" long Chebbies went in with extended shackles, and the factory 2" block. Along with a 31 spline 9".

Here's an old progress shot:

Don't worry, the brake lines were eventually zip tied down in appropriate places.
I eventually went to a 4" block to level her out after doin the front.
I stretched the wheel base about 3" in the rear and comp cut the rear fender cause why the hell not.

When rebuilding the axles, I came across MOLLY SHAFTS and it was allready geared down to 4.30:1. I got lucky.

The 63" leaves flex really well IMO.

The rear drive shaft ended up too short so I fabbed one up using parts of the current ranger DS and a International 1/2 ton DS.

Shock mounts were made with square tube with a grade 8 bolt running through it welded to the axle tubes. Cheap and effective.

LittleBigFoot · #3 05-25-2009, 01:46 PM

I'll post the front tonight.

ThatGuy · #4 05-26-2009, 11:00 PM

nice truck, keep 'em coming.

Tom · #5 05-27-2009, 12:38 AM

Truck looks great, and that looks like an absolutely amazing place to wheel... very jealous.

LittleBigFoot · #6 05-27-2009, 12:15 PM

I'm feelin lazy and you all can get the gist from the avitar. I got the front in.

HP D44 from a 79 Bronco
Molly shafts, 4.30 gearing
3/4 ton Chebby knuckles
Driver side high steer
3/4 ton ford fan PS box, drop pitman arm from somethin at the junk yard
3/4 ton chebby leaves (52" inches ish) Extended shackles (4 leaves pulled)
5/8th " U bolts
Home brew shock towers and shocks too short

It works. Still need a front drive shaft but it still rhomps hard.

Here's a shot of the front end:

LittleBigFoot · #7 05-27-2009, 12:20 PM

Colorado is a great place to be a wheeler. Here's some shots from previous wheelin trips, nothin much since the SAS but I'll post a video of some back yard mud fun

These are taken at Red Cone / Montezuma Pass / Radical Hill in CO

LittleBigFoot · #8 05-27-2009, 12:25 PM

Here's from Argintine Pass / Guenella Pass / Mt. Mecullin

LittleBigFoot · #9 05-27-2009, 12:28 PM

And this trail is China Wall near Tin Cup

not much scenery but it's a great trail.

LittleBigFoot · #10 05-27-2009, 12:33 PM

This is around the Yankee Road trail system in Idaho Springs CO

There's been more trips but these are just a few of my favorite shots. CO wins.

LittleBigFoot · #11 05-27-2009, 12:37 PM

Oh and mud.

This is behind a local high school. They abandoned a park project and cops gave us the OK to play back there.

This is with an open diff and no front drive shaft.

Hittin the deeper side in 2wd Video by Adam Ellis: Naked and Famous - MySpace Video

And this is just a fun little hill climb. Nothin much but it's fun.

2wd hill climb (testing grounds) Video by Adam Ellis: Naked and Famous - MySpace Video

bobbywalter · #12 06-24-2009, 06:20 PM

this thing is familiar

LittleBigFoot · #13 06-29-2009, 11:49 PM

Yeah, I've got a 20 page gay joke of a build on TRS too.

cody_ranger · #14 07-18-2009, 07:22 PM

so the truck has a 3" lift and those cool tires or is that what u added?

LittleBigFoot · #15 07-21-2009, 10:01 AM

Ha, no.

It started out a bone stock A arm truck on 29s or 31s. They came off real quick.

Then I cranked the T bars and ran 33s.

I gave her a 3" body lift and ran 35s.

I hacked out the IFS cross member and replaced the SLA Dana35 with a solid axle 44. Threw a 9" in the rear to match.

I'm still runnin 35s cause they had plenty of life left and I'm broke.

Purely it comes out to be 8" of suspension lift. 3" of body lift. And 3" of lift from tire size. 14" some odd inches of lift but I'm sitting 15" wider with the full width axles, tires and wheel combo.

It's a bit more then a 3" lift and cool tires.