I dont get on here much, but decided to start a build thred here

well.... started building a rear axle, picked up an 8.8 from an 96 explorer...mmmm disk brakes


started seting up the perches for sping over and shocks mounts (with help from a fellow ranger driver)


some where during this I decided that I was going to do every thing to this axle I could
while I had it at this stage so I would not have to come back and do it later
so I got the tubes welded, decided to throw a truss on there and ordered the superior 88 c-clip eliminator kit










ment to get more pics of the 88 kit prosses but didnt, also got the yukon 4.88 ring and pinion
and aussie locker installed (with the help of another fellow ranger driver)
and got a solid diff cover, and threw some paint














then threw it under the truck



found a great place to mount the e-brake the hole was already in the frame, works perfect







for the front:

I picked up a 78-79 D44 from another fellow ranger driver (it used to be under his truck)
I got it complete with 5.13's and a spool and pretty much every thing to mount it
radius arms and mounts, coil bukets/coils, tranny crossmember, all steering linkage ect.
just needed a new ball joint and maybe a u-joint, It realy didnt look to bad
but I decided to take it apart clean it up and paint it








im getting used to this prosses....cleaned up the calipers and backing plates, threw some caliper paint on them









and some where in the middle of that I decided to go all out on it
rcv shafts, high steer, extended arms, ect
it will take me a couple months to get every thing done on the front
but I wanted to get a thred started and say thanks to the guys that have helped me so far (all people I met on the forums)

I will get better pics as the rest of the front end comes togather
I want to get every thing 100% ready befor I start to tear the front end apart

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looks damn good

thanks

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this is going to be killer. already a bad ass truck!

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Those welds on that ford 8.8 look very nice man, I wish someone would help me learn to weld good. I have a welder, just kinda like the rest of my knowledge, got a good foundation, just need a few people to help me finish off my skills and learn alil more. totally digging that cover for that D44 as well. so are you going to be puttin the D44 up front, and keeping that built 8.8 in the rear or is that just for the time being? thanks, Zach.

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2006 Ford Ranger Supercab 4x4 XL. 4.0 5spd. To much to list-SOLD!

Ill be back

not trying to be a dick or anything, but I thought you said you didn't want to do a SAS? Did that just change because you figured that was the best option for the type of wheeling you do? Like I said I'm just curious.

Watching your build. Looks like really good work so far!

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08 XLT 4.0 V6
Awaiting 3" Body Lift + 33/12.50 MTs

what kind of rear leafs are u using? and what size tires are u running?

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2001 XLT 4x4 V6 4.0L auto
SAS'd D44 and 8.8. dual lockers, 38s, 12 bolt h1's, some other odds and ends

my cusin did all the final welding I wish I had the skillz
I actually got a 9 with the d44 in a deal geared and locked
but its 28 spline with drums, I started building the 8.8 befor I decided to sas it
its 31 spline with cromo axles, no c-clips, the bearings that come with the kit
are the same bearings that are in the big bearing 9's and d60's and gots disk brakes
so I see no reason to use the 9 over the 8.8, the superior 88 kit also has 5 on 4.5 or 5 on 5.5 (like the D44)
and it also make the 8.8 an inch wider on each side making it about 61" wide
so if I throw 2 inch spacers on the back that makes it 65" (same as the D44)
but I could still change my mind...lol

dont remember ever saying i didnt want to I had planed on adding the dbr kit to my rcd
but was afraid it wouldnt hold up after braking all the cv that I have
almost wish I would of thoe this is going to cost me alot more money and work
but I will be happier in the end I think

thanks

rite now I have 6 inch sky jacker leafs and 35x12.50x15 inch tires
hope to throw a 4 link on the rear and run 37-38's

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ah, ok...I just remember you thinking about trying to put the 8.8 front in, its all cool....although I am quite jealous that you are SAS'ing

awwww yes that was in the new ideas section...lol just throwing around new ideas
I actually priced it out and it was going to cost

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I ordered some C gussets from balistic a few days ago
and for the hell of it some shock mounts from blue torch that also go on the C's
going to see if I can make them work togather (Im going to run coil overs)
but Im wondering if puting the lower coilover mount so far out might be a bad idea?
the tires might rub them when flexed, any body want to chime in on that?
I looked on pirate and found people that mounted them on top of the radius arms where the coil retainers go... I was talking to Aaron at DBR about making me the upper hoops and he was convinced that he needed to make hoops that come farther off the frame so the shock wouldnt be tilted in at the top but I thought that may be a bad Idea because of the potential tire rub at flex?

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this is what I was talking about

first off, I got some C gussets for my D44, had to do a little massaging to get them to fit
here is a picture of an un-molested upper C gusset next to an abused one



you can see why below





I know the gussets are a good idea... but then I decided to add these shock gussets (plan on runing coilovers)







Befor I weld every thing up, I am wanting to know if it would be better to put the lower coilover mount here or on top of the radius arms?
Im worried about the tires rubbing the coilovers at flex, there is only a few inches difference in the two mounting spots
but sometimes a few inches makes the difference

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finaly decided to get them burned in... havent done much else
I have been held up due to unforseen money issues

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ah yes, unforseen money issues are a bitch....just screw everything up