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10-09-2018, 06:00 PM
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slut life
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,031
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Fazda ranger build
So I am a long time member here. Kinda fell off the map for several years letting life get in the way, but I miss some of the forum stuff, and i have started a new build.
There may be a few of you around who remember me, I had a few rangers a while back.
The first was my grey 99 xlt auto 4.0 4x4. Had a few things done, loved it and I seriously miss that truck.
I wanted a 2wd commuter so I picked up this 98 2.5 manual truck and dropped it. And had 2 rangers for a bit. Times were great, and I had the best of both worlds.
I sold the mini when I moved back up into the hills and realized the 2.5 didn't have enough power to be fun to drive, then I traded the tired old grey truck for a solid axled 92 explorer project that turned out to be a way bigger project than I could have ever anticipated...
Over a few years I transformed it from a complete pile of junk with mismatched axle gears, to a pile of junk with 1 ton axles, 5.38 gears, atlas 5.0:1 t case, 40 inch tires, disc brakes and an electrical nightmare. The explorer was a blast. Put it on the trailer, drive up to fordyce 2-3 times a year and drive one of the hardest trails in the country. But then it would sit. Either with broken and worn out parts, or all my other friends had broken rigs.
I decided I wanted something that was street friendly and still capable off road. 50% overland and 50% rock crawler. I decided to sell the beat to hell explorer and this is where my newest project begins.
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99 extended cab, 4.0, auto, 33s, 4x4 lifted with some stuff done
98 2wd 2.5, 5 speed, dropped with some stuff done
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10-09-2018, 06:25 PM
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slut life
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,031
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Re: Fazda ranger build
While my explorer was for sale, I found this 96 Mazda b4000 for sale. Years ago I followed the builders thread on TRS. He did some really cool stuff to it, and the build quality was amazing. He rolled it at one point and did a 2000 ranger body swap, then put an 06 front clip on it.
As far as the drivetrain goes it's a dana 44 hp reverse cut from a f150 narrowed down to early bronco width. 4.88 gears, aussie locker. Rear axle is a 8.8 out of a 96 expo with 4.88 gears and a powertrax locker that has alloy shafts with 5x5.5 bolt patter and redrilled rotors.
Suspension is early bronco coils, and fox 2.0 shocks with james duff long arms and heim steering. Rear is bilstein shocks with Chevy 63 inch springs and stock lift blocks. Sitting on 35 inch Goodyear mtr kevlars.
Custom front and rear bumpers, smittybuilt 8k winch with synthetic line and some off road lights.
The builder sold it about a year and a half ago to a guy who beat on her pretty hard and blew the motor, rebuilt it with new heads and all new bearings. Smashed up the body a little bit, and then sold it to me.
Supposedly the transmission leaked when hot from the front pump seal, so I figured I would be dropping the tranny. Took the ranger into a fab shop to have them modify the panhard bracket and in the process found out the rear main seal was totally shot. It spilled a bunch of oil in the shop, but the panhard bar was fixed. Drove it up to my buddies shop to do the transmission and when we pulled it the flex plate was completely sheared off from the crank. I believe the guy that built the motor didn't put the a spacer between the crank and flex plate and sucked the tq converter to the flex plate which in return caused the flex plate to flex too much.
Well damage is done, having the transmission rebuilt and upgraded this week, and got the new parts to fix the flex plate issue, also threw in a new rear main seal.
I also collected a large pile of parts to throw into it once I get it back on the ground. CB and antenna with bed stake mount. Sub box, amp and wiring kit for an old sub I had laying around. Recovery bag with snatch block, tree saver, and gloves, a distribution block for all the accessories I'll be wiring up. A huge tranny cooler to help keep my new trans in check. Switch panel to run all the stuff I got. And lastly, a new left tail light and left mirror to replace the broken ones it currently has. Oh and I also have a big viair compressor to set up once I get a tank to throw in the spare tire spot under the bed.
The plans for the truck are to use it first and foremost. I missed cruising in my old ranger, and this thing brings back so many memories. Also I'll be making it more street friendly and cleaner. I want to eventually build a flat bed with a bed cage geared towards holding all my camping crap, and I would like to set it up for reliability and do things like dual batteries and a bigger alternator and a solar panel to charge them. Also onboard shower, power inverter and all the recovery gear and spare parts I might need. I like the idea of a swing away or fold down spare tire carrier with jerry cans as well.
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A few more pictures. The new panhard bracket, truck on the lift, and one more of my wife driving the old explorer aka sexplorer.
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99 extended cab, 4.0, auto, 33s, 4x4 lifted with some stuff done
98 2wd 2.5, 5 speed, dropped with some stuff done
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10-14-2018, 03:49 PM
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slut life
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,031
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Re: Fazda ranger build
Got the ranger put back together today. Everything went pretty smooth. Also slapped in the huge tranny cooler and 2 inch wheel spacers. I really dont like the idea of using wheel spacers, but even with the 3.75 back spaced wheel the truck has a tippy stance. We shall see what I end up doing with it. Truck drives great, way better response and it drank a lot less fuel driving around today. Also tightened a few things up while I had it in the air. This week I need to prep the truck for the rubicon trip, and change fluids in the axles and engine.
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99 extended cab, 4.0, auto, 33s, 4x4 lifted with some stuff done
98 2wd 2.5, 5 speed, dropped with some stuff done
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10-29-2018, 11:51 AM
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slut life
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,031
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Re: Fazda ranger build
Been slow to get things done, but I wired in more rock lights, actually they are single row 6 inch led bars one at each corner then a few small waterproof led strips under the front end. If I flip the truck at night, you will see me from outer space. Got this cool switch panel with everything pre wired to relays in a box. Just have to put power to the main harness, ground it and I'm going to wire up the acc. Wire to a switch so I can leave the switch panel on with the key off. Hoping to get that installed tonight so i can test it out tomorrow on a nice day trip in the mountains.
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99 extended cab, 4.0, auto, 33s, 4x4 lifted with some stuff done
98 2wd 2.5, 5 speed, dropped with some stuff done
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10-29-2018, 07:12 PM
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slut life
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,031
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Re: Fazda ranger build
Got my switch panel wired in and threw the switches next to the cb radio. I covered the unused switches in electrical tape, cause the lights without the decals are really bright. Have the panel wired up to a switch that I can turn off and on instead of wiring to the acc. Now i can turn the switch panel on even with the key off.
Rock lights work pretty well. Need 1 or 2 more under the center of the truck and under the bed towards the rear, but its plenty for now and adding a few will be easy later on.
Taking the truck up into the mountains tomorrow to unwind and get lost in the woods for a day. And then back to the grind.
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99 extended cab, 4.0, auto, 33s, 4x4 lifted with some stuff done
98 2wd 2.5, 5 speed, dropped with some stuff done
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12-01-2018, 07:10 PM
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slut life
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,031
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Re: Fazda ranger build
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99 extended cab, 4.0, auto, 33s, 4x4 lifted with some stuff done
98 2wd 2.5, 5 speed, dropped with some stuff done
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12-09-2018, 10:36 AM
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Ford Ranger Driver
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Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,172
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Re: Fazda ranger build
Looks like a fun trip! Trucks looking good as well!
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2002 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4, ext. cab, 4.0L v6
Superlifted 33x12.5 Duratracs
1995 Ford Ranger STX 4x4 ext. cab 4.0l v6 SOLD
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12-09-2018, 06:55 PM
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slut life
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,031
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Re: Fazda ranger build
__________________
99 extended cab, 4.0, auto, 33s, 4x4 lifted with some stuff done
98 2wd 2.5, 5 speed, dropped with some stuff done
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12-31-2018, 02:15 PM
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slut life
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,031
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Re: Fazda ranger build
Got all the beadlocks mounted up. What a long process... they are pretty well centered but definitely not perfect and a few of them leak even after putting rtv around the bead. Didnt air down but I did take the truck and do some mild wheeling. From 35-50 the truck has some minor death wobble then it mellows out above 50. At about 70 you can really feel the tires vibrate from being unbalanced. I'll get them balanced asap and see if that helps at all. May look into a light all terrain to put on the old steel wheels and keep these for more aggressive wheeling outings. 20181224_110029.jpg20181227_094552.jpg
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99 extended cab, 4.0, auto, 33s, 4x4 lifted with some stuff done
98 2wd 2.5, 5 speed, dropped with some stuff done
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03-04-2019, 02:11 PM
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slut life
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,031
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Re: Fazda ranger build
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99 extended cab, 4.0, auto, 33s, 4x4 lifted with some stuff done
98 2wd 2.5, 5 speed, dropped with some stuff done
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04-02-2019, 11:03 PM
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slut life
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,031
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Re: Fazda ranger build
So I ordered a set of Tom's bronco parts chromoly axle shafts today with spicer 760 joints. Hopefully I can make these last a while. No word on the behemoth doubler yet which is concerning me but I will call tomorrow and ask for an update.
Tomorrow I want to pull the ranger into my shop and clean some interior stuff up and start building some storage in the back of the cab as well as a carpeted platform for my 50+ pound dog to hang out on since my wife will be riding shotgun.
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99 extended cab, 4.0, auto, 33s, 4x4 lifted with some stuff done
98 2wd 2.5, 5 speed, dropped with some stuff done
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04-05-2019, 09:11 PM
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slut life
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,031
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Re: Fazda ranger build
So I got ahold of behemoth, told another week. Hoping he comes through. I really want my doubler.
Came home from work today to my new chromoly axle shafts from Tom's bronco parts. They look great, and I got a new shirt that the dog likes.
Installed drivers side tonight and tomorrow I'll do the passenger side. Way more beef and it inspires a little bit of confidence in the front axle. Plus now I have a set of stock shafts as trail spares! Also gave me a chance to look my front end over and check my handy work since tearing it apart for the ball joints. Everything is looking good!
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99 extended cab, 4.0, auto, 33s, 4x4 lifted with some stuff done
98 2wd 2.5, 5 speed, dropped with some stuff done
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05-10-2019, 10:03 PM
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slut life
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,031
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Re: Fazda ranger build
__________________
99 extended cab, 4.0, auto, 33s, 4x4 lifted with some stuff done
98 2wd 2.5, 5 speed, dropped with some stuff done
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06-05-2019, 07:56 AM
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slut life
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,031
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Re: Fazda ranger build
__________________
99 extended cab, 4.0, auto, 33s, 4x4 lifted with some stuff done
98 2wd 2.5, 5 speed, dropped with some stuff done
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