ReliableRed
New Member
- Joined
- Jan 14, 2019
- Messages
- 7
- Reaction score
- 2
- Points
- 3
- Location
- Fernandina Beach, Florida
- Vehicle Year
- 1997
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Engine Size
- 2.3
- Transmission
- Manual
Here's my crack at a build thread, starting out with a little bit about me, I'm 19, coming from the vw scene which I am still in, bought my 1997 2.3 5 speed 2wd red single cab flareside ranger because I needed a daily to commute to my auto technical college being that my vw was a little too modified to reliably drive 110 miles 3 days out the week. Besides going to a auto tech school I also work as a detailer at ford dealership, my work space is next to the diesel tech so he's the one that actually got me into a ranger. I bought this truck in august 2018 with 228k on the odometer and now at now at 237k. I daily this every day with no issues, even drove it 800 miles one weekend to Atlanta and back. There was only a couple things I've had to fix or do preventive maintenance on. Even treated it to a few modifications.
Parts of now before the sas swap:
Rough country level springs
pro comp es9000 shocks
moog camber adjustment
moog sway bar endlinks and bushings
new rockauto headlights
junkyard hitch
facebook market place toolbox
15x8 -19 trailmaster steelies
30x9.5 bfg ko2's
ranger 8.8 4.10 rear end swap
solid rear diff cover
fabtech front desert guard
2x pro comp spot lamps
coolant flush with walmart 50/50
trans changed with ford mercon iv atf
rear end fluid changed with vavoline 75-140
oil changed with mobil 1 5w-20, motorcraft FL-1A
fram air filter
cruise control buttons
walmart 20 dollar dual headunit with the walmart kit, put new rear scosche because they were cut out
acdelco front pads
f150 shift knob
Sas swap plans
onto the sas swap plans, I have a high pinion xj dana 30 with a 3.55, I plan on putting in 4.10 to match my rear end for now. Found 4x4horses early Bronco 3.5 lift coil springs on facebook, bought a rough country long arm kit from work. I have divorced transfer case dana 24 from a early f250. Got some f150/bronco spring retainers from the junkyard. Ballistic fabrication long arm frame mounts. To cut costs I'm rebuilding the xj brakes by leaving them in and alot of the other rusty parts in vinegar, painting them, and rebuilding them with a piston kit. Trying to do this low budget as possible, using my work discount with rough country so I will be using them as much as I can cause it will be the lowest price I can get these items, also plenty of trips to the junk yard and craigslist/facebook market place finds. Still debating running 33's or 35's but I'll have to see when everything is together. I am no fabricator but the diesel tech at work as done a couple sas swaps on rangers and plently of bigger trucks I've seen in person. Still trying to do as much bolt on parts as I can so I will be doing skyjacker lift leaf springs, most likely will keep my stock buckets and modify them, adding truss to the dana 30 knowing that they are weak when beat on, using bolt on 1 ton steering, rebuilding the axle with all spicer parts, debating a fuel cell to have extra space to work with. I have many plans and taking this little by little. Any info from experienced guys would be much appreciated! I will try to update this thread when I make progress.
Ranger before sas swap by Cole Hannah, on Flickr
Dana 30, long arms, springs by Cole Hannah, on Flickr
Dana 30, long arms, springs by Cole Hannah, on Flickr
Dana 24 by Cole Hannah, on Flickr
Dana 24 by Cole Hannah, on Flickr
Long arm mounts by Cole Hannah, on Flickr
Parts of now before the sas swap:
Rough country level springs
pro comp es9000 shocks
moog camber adjustment
moog sway bar endlinks and bushings
new rockauto headlights
junkyard hitch
facebook market place toolbox
15x8 -19 trailmaster steelies
30x9.5 bfg ko2's
ranger 8.8 4.10 rear end swap
solid rear diff cover
fabtech front desert guard
2x pro comp spot lamps
coolant flush with walmart 50/50
trans changed with ford mercon iv atf
rear end fluid changed with vavoline 75-140
oil changed with mobil 1 5w-20, motorcraft FL-1A
fram air filter
cruise control buttons
walmart 20 dollar dual headunit with the walmart kit, put new rear scosche because they were cut out
acdelco front pads
f150 shift knob
Sas swap plans
onto the sas swap plans, I have a high pinion xj dana 30 with a 3.55, I plan on putting in 4.10 to match my rear end for now. Found 4x4horses early Bronco 3.5 lift coil springs on facebook, bought a rough country long arm kit from work. I have divorced transfer case dana 24 from a early f250. Got some f150/bronco spring retainers from the junkyard. Ballistic fabrication long arm frame mounts. To cut costs I'm rebuilding the xj brakes by leaving them in and alot of the other rusty parts in vinegar, painting them, and rebuilding them with a piston kit. Trying to do this low budget as possible, using my work discount with rough country so I will be using them as much as I can cause it will be the lowest price I can get these items, also plenty of trips to the junk yard and craigslist/facebook market place finds. Still debating running 33's or 35's but I'll have to see when everything is together. I am no fabricator but the diesel tech at work as done a couple sas swaps on rangers and plently of bigger trucks I've seen in person. Still trying to do as much bolt on parts as I can so I will be doing skyjacker lift leaf springs, most likely will keep my stock buckets and modify them, adding truss to the dana 30 knowing that they are weak when beat on, using bolt on 1 ton steering, rebuilding the axle with all spicer parts, debating a fuel cell to have extra space to work with. I have many plans and taking this little by little. Any info from experienced guys would be much appreciated! I will try to update this thread when I make progress.
Ranger before sas swap by Cole Hannah, on Flickr
Dana 30, long arms, springs by Cole Hannah, on Flickr
Dana 30, long arms, springs by Cole Hannah, on Flickr
Dana 24 by Cole Hannah, on Flickr
Dana 24 by Cole Hannah, on Flickr
Long arm mounts by Cole Hannah, on Flickr