89 ranger 4x4. aka the rattlin ranger Build.. pic heavy

[Bennybooster]

wow, you need to ditch those auto hubs, I broke mine with stock 29in tires

 

[bobbywalter]

i use a shear when possible, it makes a nice soft edge with minimal paint issues.

 

[Crashtest84]

wow, you need to ditch those auto hubs, I broke mine with stock 29in tires

Oh trust me they will be gone soon it was just time for the 28 to come out and the lift to go on. lock-right and the jeep hubs are the next for the front

 

[Bennybooster]

i use a shear when possible, it makes a nice soft edge with minimal paint issues.

I used a air chizel with a shear type bit, it worked really good but it did have a really long stroke so when I hit the weird angles in 3rd gen ranger fenders we had to break out a cut off

 

[Crashtest84]

Well since my last post I got my trans cross member fixed for now. Im still thinking about going auto when I do the 4.0 swap is the auto trans mount different? I also got the front set up and kinda alined. It was way off I had to do some spring shims to get the height set. Anyway so today I got started on my front bumper build. I got my sheet metal bender done this week so it was time to try it out and "brake" it in.
first I will post a few pics of my bender

that is 3/16th mild steel 3inches wide took a lil bit but it got it done just a test!

Now for the bumper first few bends I forgot to take a pic of the flat steel before I started it oh well I have a paper template if anyone wants a pic

The center part has plans for a winch so its going to sit a little lower in the center part but thats all I have for now. Had to wait for the rest of my steel.

 

[bobbywalter]

awwesome

 

[Sunk]

Nice work!

 

[Crashtest84]

few more update pics, I don't know if I like the look of the middle now it might get changed.

I ran out of wire in the welder or it would have all been welded

 

[Crashtest84]

Not much to update here the bumper project got put on hold. Im waiting to get some new tool toys !! Over my Thanksgiving break from work I figured I would try and fix the fuel gauge. It really hasn't ever worked since I got the truck but never bothered me much. Till I ran outta gas with it still saying I had a 1/4 tank. Lucky for me I just happened to have a gallon in the bed. Hows that for luck. I pulled the bed off to check the plug on top the tank. I was pretty dirty cleaned it but didn't fix the problem It seemed to help a little though.

So what do you guys think sending unit? I think I remember seeing a post about cleaning the sensor in the tank or something I don't remember if that was for a ranger or not. But the gauge seems to read high meaning at empty it still reads 1/4 and if I fill the tank it will read way past full. Anyway a few pics for entertainment!

before

After

Making the best use of a engine hoist

Oh I also forgot I had this lil guy, saving it for a rainy day the 4.0 might just get a little forced induction

 

[94power_ranger]

dang bub, this truck looks sweet

 

[Crashtest84]

little update no pics to prove it yet but started a cut and turn on the extra set of beams I had. I figured what the heck why not try it and see what happens. Pics should happen tomorrow !

 

[Crashtest84]

So I remembered the camera tonight and snapped a few. Did a lil with the new to me welder. I got a Miller Maxstar85s been a long time since I have burnt a rod. I had hopes of getting an inverter for the truck and have a small package welder for trail repairs. Well after looking I found a $850 inverter that might be big enough but not sure. Dual battery's would be a must and a hi output Alt. after all that is added up. Its probably more the one of the welders made for that purpose. Oh well I now have a pocket welder lol

Ya, thats the front seat!

Anyway back to the subject, so I took some ideas from the Zimmerman Ex. On building a jig to keep things kinda inline. just took some scrap angle and drilled holes to use the sway-bar mount holes and another for the axle pivot. After I had the beam mounted in the jig I marked the pivot hole then measured up 4inches and drilled my 2nd hole for after the cut. All that got me to this point here.

The top was just about perfect to weld back in place in the jig with no filler so that part got welded and then the fun started on making the filler plate. and bending in into place.

after all that got it welded and ended up with this

I quit for the night tomorrow I will make some fish plates up and burn them on and then its beam swap time !

 

[kris97ranger]

Dont most people cut.qt the ball joint? Hows that gonna work out for the axle shaft?

 

[Crashtest84]

The deseret guys do both but I got most of all my info right here http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/zimmerman_ttb.htm

 

[olranger]

bad ass i like that break, can you post some pics of it or give a break down for those who want to build on ourselfs