TRS-3 20th Anniversary Ford Ranger

[BlackBII]

I think a '97 with the TTB, a swapped in 2.3 Duratec and a turbo would be a sweet truck.

You could even put a 2011 front end on it to make it look modern.

 

[Craig0320]

All of these comments is why I joined this site. There is a wealth of information and always someone thinking of new ways to transform a ranger with an engine mod. Plus the ones that have been converted already. I have read many post with a (that would be cool reaction).

 

[Jim Oaks]

I think a '97 with the TTB, a swapped in 2.3 Duratec and a turbo would be a sweet truck.

You could even put a 2011 front end on it to make it look modern.

I would want the 1997 4x4 frame with the Dana 35 TTB front, and a 1998-2011 4-door cab.

I really want these bedsides, but I can't find them narrower than a 5-inch bulge. I'd have to run a full width 8.8 to fill them in, and then they'd probably look funny unless I widened the front.

 

[Jim Oaks]

Those bedsides would look cool with this front:

 

[Jim Oaks]

I found this 4-door Ranger 4x4 for sale locally. It reminds me of TRS-2 (the two small photos), my 1996 Ranger 4x4 when I first got it.

 

[Jim Oaks]

Then there's the Ford Ranger Raptor Options.

I don't care for the 1-piece front clip design. In the last photo, you can see where someone is converting a Ranger to a Raptor, but with separate fenders and a hood that will open. I have not found any more photos or info on that build.

It would be nice to find a company that would give me a screaming deal on some fiberglass and let me run around the country promoting it.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I find Rangers for sale, but it seems like they all have the 4.0 with over 200,000 miles. I would propably have to do some type of basic overhaul, timing chain, etc on anything I find to feel comfortable driving it all over the country. The only thing that makes me apprehensive about 5.0 swaps is keeping them cool on the trail.

That new of a truck an Explorer radiator would be easy to fit. With a bodylift I THINK I could get an Explorer radiator in mine and have it all above the frame. '95+ the radiator is the same physical size as a 5.0 Explorer but half as thick, fab new lower mounts and you are done.

But for what you are going to be doing with it potentially running around the country with it in less than a year an engine swap is a lot more work in addition to suspension work and proposed frame swapping. Powertrain wise you about need turn key rather than "some assembly required"

I would want the 1997 4x4 frame with the Dana 35 TTB front, and a 1998-2011 4-door cab.

Too bad you couldn't go a little farther south and sneak back a real four door for your "combining all the best parts of a Ranger" build.

I found this 4-door Ranger 4x4 for sale locally. It reminds me of TRS-2 (the two small photos), my 1996 Ranger 4x4 when I first got it.

It looks like a nice truck, bummer the bug shield is broken though

 

[fastpakr]

The stock 5.0 Explorer radiator should simply slide right in on a '98-11. No - I haven't had a chance to test that yet, but it will be disappointing if it doesn't. It certainly shouldn't have any trouble cooling the motor, it's a huge unit.

To me, it seems like you need to choose between an OHV 4.0, D35 TTB truck from the mid 90's or doing a SAS on a newer rig. Doesn't sound like the SLA is really something you want to fool with, and why bother with a TTB swap?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

The stock 5.0 Explorer radiator should simply slide right in on a '98-11. No - I haven't had a chance to test that yet, but it will be disappointing if it doesn't. It certainly shouldn't have any trouble cooling the motor, it's a huge unit.

Someone told me the lower mounts are different between a Ranger and an Explorer. After doing the rest of the V8 swap I don't think it would be rocket science to swap in the mounts.

Mine isn't that new and not much interchanges with mine so I don't follow info for them as close as I do the older ones though

 

[Jim Oaks]

The stock 5.0 Explorer radiator should simply slide right in on a '98-11. No - I haven't had a chance to test that yet, but it will be disappointing if it doesn't. It certainly shouldn't have any trouble cooling the motor, it's a huge unit.

To me, it seems like you need to choose between an OHV 4.0, D35 TTB truck from the mid 90's or doing a SAS on a newer rig. Doesn't sound like the SLA is really something you want to fool with, and why bother with a TTB swap?

I could surely do the SAS, although I feel like that's the easy path of following everyone else. I like the TTB over the SLA because it has stronger axles and no CV joints. I even like the Dana 44 ttb because it is a full size axle, but still looks like a Ford Ranger suspension set up. I just like the ideal of building something that looks like it could have came from the factory. I'm not hundred percent set on anything, and I enjoy seeing everyone's feedback.

Do I want to build something that looks like something someone else is already built? Or do I want to build something that's unique.

If I had a 4-door Ranger with an sas, people would just look at it and say that guy did a solid-axle swap. It wouldn't be anything they haven't seen before. If I had a four door and a ttb, people may look at it and wonder what they're looking at

 

[fastpakr]

Someone told me the lower mounts are different between a Ranger and an Explorer. After doing the rest of the V8 swap I don't think it would be rocket science to swap in the mounts.

Hmm. I should really check and take notes on that soon. The Explorer is leaving me tonight or tomorrow.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Hmm. I should really check and take notes on that soon. The Explorer is leaving me tonight or tomorrow.

Might want to and make sure you don't need to nab the brackets.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I could surely do the SAS, although I feel like that's the easy path of following everyone else. I like the TTB over the SLA because it has stronger axles and no CV joints. I even like the Dana 44 ttb because it is a full size axle, but still looks like a Ford Ranger suspension set up. I just like the ideal of building something that looks like it could have came from the factory. I'm not hundred percent set on anything, and I enjoy seeing everyone's feedback.

Do I want to build something that looks like something someone else is already built? Or do I want to build something that's unique.

If I had a 4-door Ranger with an sas, people would just look at it and say that guy did a solid-axle swap. It wouldn't be anything they haven't seen before. If I had a four door and a ttb, people may look at it and wonder what they're looking at

Maybe im out in left field here, but have you thought about maybe mounting a ranger body on a 150 frame/running gear?

If you found a 92-96 150, youd get your TTB D44, 302, 8.8, and stronger frame/t case, etc to boot. Not to mention having the option of dropping in a 460 radiator.

I know not the best for ranger purist, but makes alot of sense if a ranger body wasnt to hard to adapt to a Fseries frame.

If you want uniqueness use a 300 inline 6

 

[Jim Oaks]

Maybe im out in left field here, but have you thought about maybe mounting a ranger body on a 150 frame/running gear?

If you found a 92-96 150, youd get your TTB D44, 302, 8.8, and stronger frame/t case, etc to boot. Not to mention having the option of dropping in a 460 radiator.

I know not the best for ranger purist, but makes alot of sense if a ranger body wasnt to hard to adapt to a Fseries frame.

If you want uniqueness use a 300 inline 6

Actually I have. The 1998-2011 Ford Ranger extended cab has a 125.9" wheelbase, and an '80's-'90's Ford F-150 long bed regular cab is 133", and the short bed is 117". The newer models are much closer in wheelbase, but have the wrong suspension / axle in the front.

I helped a friend mount an S10 on a Blazer frame, so I have a general idea what these swaps involve.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Actually I have. The 1998-2011 Ford Ranger extended cab has a 125.9" wheelbase, and an '80's-'90's Ford F-150 long bed regular cab is 133", and the short bed is 117". The newer models are much closer in wheelbase, but have the wrong suspension / axle in the front.

I helped a friend mount an S10 on a Blazer frame, so I have a general idea what these swaps involve.

If it were me, this is the route i would take. You would have so many options of what to do, and so many more engine choices, etc, and it would all come bolted in the truck, EFI and trans electroics (if you go auto) already pre wired....itd make alot less headache.