Luke's Baboon Ranger

[luke]

I don't even know where to start on making a comprehensive and legible build thread, so I figure I'll start with what I have now and make posts when I change something (that's how it's done, right?).

As it sits right now:

Suspension and tires
Skyjacker 6 inch lift up front
Chevy 64in shackle flip with Belltech 6400 in back
Skyjacker shocks
33 inch Toyo MTs
3 inch body lift

Engine and drivetrain
All stock except for 1 piece driveshaft

Axles
D35 4.56 gears
Ranger 8.8 with 4.56 gears and ARB

Other stuff
Red tailgate (Red butt). Reason my buddies call it the Baboon!
Hella 500s
Rock Sliders
Booger welded bumpers
New driver side door with electric window delete
Custom window switch
Bunch of small stuff I'm forgetting



My driver side door got smashed on some rocks so I installed one from a brown 88 ranger. I tried to match the paint.


Interior is still brown and manual, so in order for my passenger side window to work I had to jerry rig the driver side switch.


Custom...


Found these sliders on craigslist. They're for a 1998 or later Ranger, but I made them work by chopping the rear mounting leg off. It was pointing right at the leaf spring mount.


You can also see my body lift in this pic. I'll probably end up lowering it from 3 inches to a 1 inch lift.


Due to the body lift, my 4x4 shifter sat too low so I booger welded an extension together.


My red tailgate. My tail gate collapsed after a heavy load was applied, so I switched it out for this one.


So that's how it sits now, but I have plans for this beat up Ranger.


I'm sure some of ya'll recognize what these are...

 

[prerunner]

Very cool build so far.

 

[luke]

Thanks! Like I said above, I got plans for the Baboon. Right now I'm waiting on the shop to finish up my axles. They're installing the 5.13s in a narrowed HP Dana 44 and welding on perches and shock mounts on an explorer 8.8. I'll be installing a C-clip eliminator kit on the 8.8, chromoly shafts in the front and ARBs front and back. I want those things to be stout!

 

[luke]

Took the ranger out to Tahuya today. Even with all the trimming of the fuel tank skid plate the driveshaft still rubs against it when I'm flexed out. Screeches like a banshee.



mud is always fun

 

[luke]

Got a call from Les Schwab today. Turns out they lost the black wheels I ordered so now I have to get a different set. The only set they have in my size and price range have a polished (almost mirrored) surface. Like that will look good, a beat up, rusty, old @$$, dirty truck riding on chrome . Oh well, they'll get scraped up soon enough.

 

[luke]

The last of the SAS parts showed up today (I think). Now I'm just waiting on my tires and my axles to get out of the shop.

 

[SenorNoob]

Hey! Goin' SAS.

Have you got plans for the parts you'll be taking out?

I like the way it looks so far. The body lift drop should help too. (If you don't end up with rubbing.)

If they lost the wheels, they should have to order exact replacements.. If not, you could always paint them while they're off.

 

[luke]

Hey! Goin' SAS.

Have you got plans for the parts you'll be taking out?

I like the way it looks so far. The body lift drop should help too. (If you don't end up with rubbing.)

If they lost the wheels, they should have to order exact replacements.. If not, you could always paint them while they're off.

I'll probably try and sell the parts if none of my buddies want them. The wheels I'm having them replace are a little cheaper but even then, I'm not too sure how I feel about scuffing up a brand new set of wheels haha. If I don't like the way they look I'll probably just paint them.

 

[luke]

Figured I'd start cleaning up the knuckles and hubs today, man are they greasy!


Tub full of parts.


Noticed some issues with the hubs and spindles. The guy I got them from said they might be compromised, but I thought I'd give'em a chance.


Both spindles threads are completely smashed.


And this hub has a big groove carved into it.

But I was able to clean up my shock mounts. They're off an F250. Got them from the junk yard for $20


Cleaned up so nice I don't think I need to paint them.

 

[luke]

Was shopping for hubs and spindles on Bronco Grave yard and saw these, are they worth the money? I do battle with loose spindle nuts all the time on my D35 but $55 seems pretty pricy for some nuts. Any one have problems with loose nuts on your D44?

http://shop.broncograveyard.com/Stage-8-X-LOCK-Dana-4430-Locking-Spindle-Nut-Assembly/productinfo/12223/

 

[luke]

Picked up my 37s today. As I was loading them up in my truck I was beginning to think I was taking this build a little too far, because they are HEAVY! (then the 5 year old in me pushed that idea out fast) I don't know how guys with 40s and bigger don't throw their back out when changing a tire.

4 tires took up all my bed space





And because I'm 5




These things tower over my balding 33s



And because I'm still 5


^^^My Mom's Jeep

 

[luke]

Took a page out of SenorNoob's playbook yesterday. My paint job didn't turn out as well as I hoped, but I think it looks OK.

Before (Get out of here Taco!)




During



After

 

[SenorNoob]

Nice! It looks better than mine. Wonder if we can start a new fad? Lol!

 

[luke]

Nice! It looks better than mine. Wonder if we can start a new fad? Lol!

We can call it the "rattle can special".

 

[SenorNoob]

It has begun. I saw another in Lafayette a couple days ago.