newbie here with a new project

boggthis · Aug 25, 2011

hey guys im a newbie but im about to dive into a project thaat might be a little more than i can handle.

1996 ranger XL 5speed
current 14inch wheels. tiger paws.
shotty atempt at a flatbed. one dint,
a pissed off gf got pissed off at the hood. :thefinger:

one bad ball joint.

i just got the check engine light off, after the ball joint ill be ready to put some tlc into the looks and performability of it. i do wanna stay away from lifts on this project. but i do want bigger tires. what do you think will fit on it. i i deffinatly want some all terrains. and i need ideas for the looks. any help would be appriciated.

Dweano · Aug 25, 2011

If you do end up lifting it (and you will...I was once the same as you haha) I would start with a body lift. It retains all the suspension geometry and doesn't really make your life harder. Also they are cheaper. In terms of tires, check out treadwright, cheap good tires

Ranger Dave (B25) · Aug 25, 2011

First thing: get 15s or 16s.

That will make it look better right off the bat.

If you're keeping the flatbed, put some step-down short walls on it and a tailgate.

4.0B2 · Aug 25, 2011

16's. more choices on rubber for 16's than 15's

boggthis · Aug 25, 2011

yeah..

i kinda wanted to stay away from lifting it. i just lifted that explorer in the backround. i love it but either way, whats the bigest tires you think i could pit on there no without a lift?

and i like the flat bed idea. i feel like it needs more though. i want to aleast find a way to put a metal frame around it. i would like to have it all metal, all steel with stel rails for my toolbox to sit on. diamond plate top and a roll bar. maybe extending all the way to the back. does anyone else have anything like this?

badmts · Aug 25, 2011

WHAT IS YOUR DREAM GOAL OF THIS TRUCK-i agree with body lift and add a leveling kit,15's rather than 16's ,get a better flatbed or return reg bed.

badmts · Aug 25, 2011

94lngbd is your guy! check his rig out and he is a great fabricator :icon_welder:

nuclassic · Aug 25, 2011

also, when you get started, don't forget to make a build thread, we likes pitchers

straycat · Aug 25, 2011

Ranger Dave (B25) said:
First thing: get 15s or 16s.

That will make it look better right off the bat.

If you're keeping the flatbed, put some step-down short walls on it and a tailgate.

^^what he said and get that hillbilly wood crap off there, Bro...lol Metal/ aluminum work for a flatbed is the only way to go. You want termites? lol

nine-teen91stxranger · Aug 25, 2011

it looks goofy

adsm08 · Aug 25, 2011

nine-teen91stxranger said:
it looks goofy

Your face looks goofy.

:icon_rofl:

Nah, it's all good. Just put a little work into it and it will be awesome.

I'm thinking 235/75/15 is about the biggest you can readily fit.

06RangerXLT · Aug 25, 2011

you can fit 31's with stock suspension. get a 15 inch rim, its cheaper for tires then a 16.

im running 32's on factory suspension. if you change your mind on lifting, get spindles. body lift are the worst thing you can do to a truck. ill never touch a truck with a BL

colby450xc · Aug 26, 2011

06RangerXLT said:
you can fit 31's with stock suspension. get a 15 inch rim, its cheaper for tires then a 16.

im running 32's on factory suspension. if you change your mind on lifting, get spindles. body lift are the worst thing you can do to a truck. ill never touch a truck with a BL

You have a different model truck, different front suspension. 31's will fit his truck unless he turns the steering wheel or hits a bump. He can not get a spindle lift either.

boggthis · Aug 26, 2011

this is what i want..

the bad news is im better at fabricating it on the computer than i am in real life

06RangerXLT · Aug 26, 2011

colby450xc said:
You have a different model truck, different front suspension. 31's will fit his truck unless he turns the steering wheel or hits a bump. He can not get a spindle lift either.

your right, dam one year off and he would be good.

OP, you can get a coil and shackle that will lift you 2" for about 300. but i dont see why you couldnt fit 31's

my factory tire size if 225/70/15. or a 27.5 tire. im now running my 32" mud tires.

ill show you what i mean.
27's

32's

what you have to measure is the height between the top of your tire and bottom of your fender. also check clearence when at full crank.

My friend has a 94 4x4 with sagging stock front springs, and he has 32x11.5's on it. honestly i got told 31's would rub. they didnt. not even close.

take your top measurement(tire to fender), subtract about 2.5 inches and add whats left to the height of your stock tire. thats how tall you can go.

now take the clearance you have at full crank(between tire and frame, at closest point), subtrack 1 inch and add whats left to the width of your stock tire. thats how wide you can go.

this changes if you get new rims, but these numbers will keep you from rubbing even if you hit a bump while cranked.

also, if your going to buy different rims, id get a 15x8. allows you to run not only a 31, but a 32 as well.

really easy way of figuring it out. thats how i knew my 32's wouldnt rub.

newbie here with a new project

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