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My 1996 Ford Ranger 4x4 (TRS-2) Re-Build


Grunizzle

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Location
Albuquerque, NM
Vehicle Year
1991
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
4.0L V-6
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Manual
Well its been at least 10 yrs since I owned that truck so im a little foggy on my 4.0 knowledge now....Im not sure Id run a stock spring with any aftermarket cam. On my 422 I went with what Comp recommended and just dropped everything for the heads off at my engine builders. I will say the power gain was very noticeable and in hindsight I think a bigger set of injectors and a tuner would have been a really good idea for that truck to take full advantage. Had the transmission issues not plagued the truck that would of been my next step for sure.



I try to focus more on whats the most reliable setup over whats the most power per dollar anymore. I have spent to many days and dollars fixing stupid little things on my of road trucks in the past that could have been avoided if I just spent my money smarter.



You have seen my truck and Im not embarrassed to say I am easily well past $10K into building it. Crazy? Stupid? I say no. But I spent the money in the best places I feel.

Bare bones interior with junkyard seats? Yep so I could spend $1k on good gauges and radio.

I spent over $2k just with DUFF so I knew my suspension was the best I could get. No junkyard parts.

I rebuilt my own 5.0 back to stock for less than $800 and only have maybe 250hp. Dumb? Not when that meant I could put the money saved into a bullet proof c4 trans Id never have to worry about.

I have $1500 RCV axles in my d44 and a full spool and Superior chromoly shafts in my 9". I have gotten crap from people saying it was stupid to spend that kind of money on those axles when I could have just used 1 ton axles. Well for a truck only on 35s I dont see the need for the bigger ,heavier,more expensive axles and now mine are 100% new with life time warranty on many of those parts. Worrying about my axles is the last thing on my mind when Im wheeling now.



Spend the money wisely and you wont care what the total is in the end. The reward is a truck that wont end up frustrating you and be so much more enjoyable!


So many words of wisdom right here. I feel the same way!
 


bobbywalter

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Location
woodhaven mi
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
FORD mostly
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
BIGGER
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
sawzall?
Tire Size
33-44
My credo
it is easier to fix and understand than "her"
i wish i would have read this before responding to the other thread.



:huh:
 

Tazmaniman

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I have the Cooper stt 35s with 4.56 gears and I am within 2mph at 75mph with Speedo so its very close to stock feel with shifts. That said if you like to do any amount of rock crawling you should opt for 4.88 gears. There have been times wheeling when I would just like to crawl even slower than stock lo range.
 

Jim Oaks

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Location
Nocona, Texas
Vehicle Year
1996 / 2021
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0 / 2.3 Ecoboost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6-inches
Tire Size
33x12.50x15
Bobbywalter is in PA now. TRS-2 is still in Michigan, but hopefully it will be heading to his place in PA (north of Scanton) within the next week or two. I'll be heading out there to start working on it.

It looks like I'll be replacing the front springs and all 4 shocks, and I really need a drivers side axle beam. If anyone has a set of axle beams between Texas and PA that they can spare or sell cheap, please let me know.
 

85_Ranger4x4

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Location
SW Iowa
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1985
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Ford
Engine Type
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5.0
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I was doing some cleaning today and came across this:







I was bummed I couldn't find however many other issues it took to complete the build.
 

Jim Oaks

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Location
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Vehicle Year
1996 / 2021
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0 / 2.3 Ecoboost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6-inches
Tire Size
33x12.50x15
I think I have them all..... Not sure if I have the final one though.

Sadly, the truck is still sitting in Trenton, Michigan :(
 

Jim Oaks

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Location
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1996 / 2021
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0 / 2.3 Ecoboost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6-inches
Tire Size
33x12.50x15
This is turning in to one of those "It takes a village..." situations.
 

1996xlt

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I was doing some cleaning today and came across this:







I was bummed I couldn't find however many other issues it took to complete the build.
I had most of them (there were six I think), I know I had the completed build copy but it's long gone sadly, it was a cool build to follow along.

So was the editor out to lunch that day? A 1992?
 

85_Ranger4x4

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1985
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5.0
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Manual
I had most of them (there were six I think), I know I had the completed build copy but it's long gone sadly, it was a cool build to follow along.

So was the editor out to lunch that day? A 1992?
It was neat to follow, it gave me a reason to go check the mail in my college dorm. For a freebie it was quite a magazine.

I also see it has a BW1350 t-case...

Oh well, I am glad I found it anyway.
 

Jim Oaks

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Location
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Vehicle Year
1996 / 2021
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0 / 2.3 Ecoboost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6-inches
Tire Size
33x12.50x15
The article said it got a 4-inch lift instead of the 6-inch. I was a true poser. Holding parts or a wrench while he took a photo, checked it, and re-shot it if necessary.
 

Jim Oaks

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Location
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Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0 / 2.3 Ecoboost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6-inches
Tire Size
33x12.50x15
The Ranger is at bobbywalter's in Springville, PA (18844). I have been ordering new shocks and a winch for it today. I plan to leave next week and start my trek to PA to work on it, and then tow it to the 20th Anniversary Trail Ride with the 2019 'Loan Ranger'.

I still need to find a drivers side axle beam, spare axle shafts and a spare hub, and get some new tires put on it when I get to PA. If anyone's coming to the trail ride and has any extra front shafts they want to sell cheap, bring them with you.

My goal is to get it sorted out mechanically, and put the TRS decals back on it. I'll redo the interior and repaint it after I get it back to Texas.
 

PetroleumJunkie412

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Location
Dirtman's Basement
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ranger
Engine Size
2.9l Trinity
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
Give 'yer balls a tug. Fight me.
The Ranger is at bobbywalter's in Springville, PA (18844). I have been ordering new shocks and a winch for it today. I plan to leave next week and start my trek to PA to work on it, and then tow it to the 20th Anniversary Trail Ride with the 2019 'Loan Ranger'.

I still need to find a drivers side axle beam, spare axle shafts and a spare hub, and get some new tires put on it when I get to PA. If anyone's coming to the trail ride and has any extra front shafts they want to sell cheap, bring them with you.

My goal is to get it sorted out mechanically, and put the TRS decals back on it. I'll redo the interior and repaint it after I get it back to Texas.
Let me know when you pass through Pittsburgh, PA. Lunch is on me.
 

Bird76Mojo

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Someone locate him a front axle beam at a local U-Pull it or similar yard in PA.. Should be dirt cheap.
 

PetroleumJunkie412

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Give 'yer balls a tug. Fight me.
Someone locate him a front axle beam at a local U-Pull it or similar yard in PA.. Should be dirt cheap.
I'll see what I can do. Should be heading over to U Pull and Pay within the next week or so.

Which axle and parts am I looking for? I know very little about Rangers built after 1992.

Edit: Nvm. Dana 35. I'll look ifni get rhe chance this week/weekend.

Also, I can't remember I offered in the past (I don't remember age 20-24, so remembering a forum post? Nope.), but I have a near perfect set of grey 40/60 seats out of a 2000 here that you can have if you haven't found any.

Cloth and foam is perfect and has been cleaned. Drivers back frame needs tack welded, and passenger side track needs touched up. I have two center consoles (one with cupholder, one without) that go with them as well. Busted plastic top (of course), but wooden replacement for the cupholder one.
 
Last edited:

Jim Oaks

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Location
Nocona, Texas
Vehicle Year
1996 / 2021
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0 / 2.3 Ecoboost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6-inches
Tire Size
33x12.50x15
Thanks. The Ranger had nice seats, but apparently the last owner broke the drivers side. I'm hoping we can temporarily fix it for me to use it for the trail ride. I'll redo the interior when I get it back to Texas.

In the meantime....parts have been getting delivered. One item was actually shipped to Bobby's. Hopefully he has his welder. :icon_welder:
 

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