how good of a wheeling platform?

[jeepxj2007]

How good are rngr based vehicles as wheeling platforms...i just picked one up 2 turn into a wheeling rig...i have had 2 rangers and a b2 and this is my third ranger...i never really wheeled my others because i have always had jeeps. How good do they hold up strength wise...im replacing all the leaf spring mounts and rear cab mounts because they are rotted out bbut everything else looks pretty decent im probably going 2 lift it 6 inches and a 1 inch body lift and some 33"s or 34s and 4.10 gears...how good are the frames...from what i have heard c channel frames dont compare 2 boxed frames but i have never personally seen or known anyone with problems with them...how do they compare 2 similar build of jeeps and what not to me they seem like a great platform but whenever i tell someone what im doing im told just 2 buy a jeep...lol but im a ford an...so how well do they perform primarily just for trail rides with mud and ruts and logs..2 tracks...how good are the frames...do they have problems or are they pretty strong..and any areas i should focus on first...im in the process of swapping in a 31 spline 4.10 ls 8.8 and getting a large belly skid made and the suspension lift around christmas.

 

[martin]

It's not what you buy it's what you build but having said that the ford frame is definately better than the jeep frame, especially if you want to make major modifications. Did you ever try bolting anything to a box frame or unibody.

 

[CJREX]

Frames are good.

Axles (D35 front and 8.8 rear) are better than Jeep axles.

Install a 31 spline 8.8 like you mentioned and you are good for 35" tires.

As far as wheeling, The BII is a better tight trail vehicle due to phenomenal agility and a better front/rear weight balance. Ranger is a better hill climber due to wheelbase.

In mud, an edge goes to the solid front axle of the Jeep. The TTB is known to be a bit of a mud plow.

The 4.0 engines in both are good, with a slight edge to the Jeep inline 6.

In a nutshell, if you want an out of the box vehicle that can be easily modded to beat a Jeep, get an Explorer Sport since it already has the good stuff.

All the good stuff can be added fairly easily to any RBV. If your Ranger is a 4.0 all you need to add is the 31 spline 8.8 and you are good.

 

[Roger]

I'm going to argue on the Explorer Sport. It will be heavier by a lot over an XJ, but it WILL be a more solid stiff platform than the Jeeps. But the EX will be wider, taller and heavier.

The Ranger is going to be a bit lighter than the Jeeps so you will have an edge.

But I agree, not what you bought but what you build... There is a guy on Pirate with a seriously budget built Ranger that he takes everywhere...

 

[Jay FX4]

19189 TRS members can't be wrong.