backwoods
New Member
- Joined
- May 11, 2012
- Messages
- 126
- Reaction score
- 5
- Points
- 0
- Location
- Wadsworth, Ohio
- Vehicle Year
- 1994
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Engine Size
- 4.0
- Transmission
- Manual
Just bought a 4wd 4L Ranger. Got a handful of issues but the body/frame is solid. (paid $800)
I've always been a muscle car guy (got a '67 mustang ), helped build a few wranglers (had one myself). I'm not too shabby with a wrench and a grinder, but I leave the welding to friends.
Here is my issue.
Looks like the passenger side axle housing is bent, along with the radius arm. Axle appears to be fine. The Axle pivot bushings look shot along with every other bushing on the truck. I"m assuming the shocks need replaced and the springs look original.
The truck has a body lift on it and 32x11.50 tires. Tires were around 6 months old and are crowned something fierce up front. They are leaning a massive amount.
Here's the question that I just can't decide.
Is it worth it to try and repair the stock front end, or should I just jump right in and convert it to a solid axle?
This site has a ton of info, but I can't decide how much I want to invest into this truck. 98% of the driving is gonna be on road for a year then hopefully it'll become a part time work around the ranch vehicle and wheelin rig.
how much money (avg) have you guys had to invest for the swap? Will I regret the swap while driving it on the street? Should I just invest in upgrading the TTB and be happy?
I understand this is more of a personal choice, but I've been driving myself crazy trying to decide.
I've always been a muscle car guy (got a '67 mustang ), helped build a few wranglers (had one myself). I'm not too shabby with a wrench and a grinder, but I leave the welding to friends.
Here is my issue.
Looks like the passenger side axle housing is bent, along with the radius arm. Axle appears to be fine. The Axle pivot bushings look shot along with every other bushing on the truck. I"m assuming the shocks need replaced and the springs look original.
The truck has a body lift on it and 32x11.50 tires. Tires were around 6 months old and are crowned something fierce up front. They are leaning a massive amount.
Here's the question that I just can't decide.
Is it worth it to try and repair the stock front end, or should I just jump right in and convert it to a solid axle?
This site has a ton of info, but I can't decide how much I want to invest into this truck. 98% of the driving is gonna be on road for a year then hopefully it'll become a part time work around the ranch vehicle and wheelin rig.
how much money (avg) have you guys had to invest for the swap? Will I regret the swap while driving it on the street? Should I just invest in upgrading the TTB and be happy?
I understand this is more of a personal choice, but I've been driving myself crazy trying to decide.