iv got the full width dana 44 to go under an 87' ranger. im going with 40 or 44's on it which is going to cause some fender issues. the suspension is going EB lift coils all the way around with 3-link front and rear. i was thinking about cutting the front fenders out as much as possible, then moving the front axle forward to give me more room for the tire. i was also thinking by doing this, when going up a hill, i will be less likely to flip backwards since the engine will be somewhat behind the axle. has anyone done this before? am i on the right track on my ideas here? any and all input is appreciated...thanks!

I guess it sounds ok. Might have to move the steering box dependoing on how far you go forward. The 44 ujoints might not like the 40 or 44" tires though. That might be an issue. Guess it would ba a good way to test the CTM and warn shaft setup.

Do you have any pics of your exocarge on the ranger?

Matt

im going to be running full ram steering, so no box to worry about. right now, the project is at a stand still until i can get a engine and tranny. im basically left with everything origianal on the ranger. as soon as i get stuff done, ill throw some pics out. the d44 up front is just temporary until i can find a 60 or i may just build the 44 up with some ctms and go that route...but thanks for the input!

A ranger allready has a great approach angle, your main problem will be in the rear. If you plan to stuff the tires at any point, begin by moving your front axle just past the engine crossmember. This will keep your tires from smacking the firewall/core support system that is not to be removed. Your best bet would be to pull youre rear axle back somwhat. Im not too shure what wheelbase your looking for, but with 44's, i would think that somthing in excess of 110" would be your best bet. In that case, just box in a section of the bed, about where the body lip is on the rear fenders. Um, you will be creating new fender wells. After that, hack to your hearts content. What ever you can do to make thoes meats fit! And FYI, you will need a wee bit more power than the 302. I would suggest looking for a 351.
Have fun man, and send us alot of pictures!

i took the bed off, so no worries with tucking there, itll be a flat bed. i have always got hung up with approach/departure angles, thats why im wanting 90+ degress front and rear. right now, the wheelbase is 125", by the time i move the front axle forward, im prolly going to be looking at around 130-135", should i go ahead and move the rear axle forward? my plans were to go with a 302, but now iv got my mind set on the 350 TBI. i know its chevy, but i can find any parts for it i could think of. well, let me know what you think.

Why the NP205? Going thru all that trouble and still gonna end up with a crappy crawl...What tranny you runnin? Is this LittlebII?

I moved my front axle on my eb forward a couple of inches 3"-4".
I just made the brackets that hold my radius arms and spring cup long enough back to allow the axle o be move forward with everything lining up straight.
here (http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/scottsbent70/vwp?.dir=/&.src=ph&.dnm=front+end+012.jpg&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/scottsbent70/lst%3f%26.dir=/%26.src=ph%26.view=t)
I can make better pics and a side profile with 40's on if you want.

yeah, this is lilbII up in kokomo. well, im goin with the 205 mainly cuz its strong, its divorced, and i got it free. the crawl ratio in 205's are bad, something like 2.25, but i figure just run a really low gear and i should be alright. the only time i would get a chance to run on rocks would be at the badlands. so its mainly going to be a mud truck. im really trying to keep this rig really simple.

bent70, i would like to take a look at a side picture with your 40's. let me know where i can find it or u can email it to me...thanks!

350 :D Sounds fun Send a write up this way when you get to it.

If you move the front axle foward, you will have to make a new connection to the raidiator core support. Meaning, you will have to remove the inner fender from the firewall to the foward core support. And then run some tubing from the top of the support, to the fire wall. This is so your tires will not self clearance themsleves on that. Get a set of pre 85 f150 coil buckets. They will bolt right onto the frame when you scoot the axle foward, and will also move the coil itself out far enough to align with fullsize radius arm locations. Thats about it. Dont forget to box the frame around linkage points, and on the panhard bar mount point on the frame. WIth thoes big tires, your ranger's frame will twist like a pretzel. :flipoff2:

i took a look at the ranger, and your right, i will have issues with the core support. never even dawned on me that would be in my way. since i plan on the radiator being the back, i should have enough room to suport the the coresupport some other ways. ill have to see how it turns out before i do inner fenders. thanks for bringing that to my attention!

here are the pics (http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/scottsbent70/lst?.dir=/new)

97in" wb
1" back
4" forward

I'm not going to say this isn't something that can be altered but just to mention. If you look at the Ranger's Frame on the Driver's Side. Just in front of where the stock Coil Bucket is located the frame moves approx 1" outward and stays that way up towards the front of the truck. So when locating your coil buckets you go just an inch or so you will run in to some issues with mounting it on a flat surface.

Just something to think about.

that looks real good. is there any fender clearence issues when u flex front? not neccesarily on the front half of the fender, but on the top of the fender? thanks for the pics!

hey dangerranger, didnt notice the difference, but when i dig into it, ill keep it in mind..thanks!

Originally posted by dangerranger33
I'm not going to say this isn't something that can be altered but just to mention. If you look at the Ranger's Frame on the Driver's Side. Just in front of where the stock Coil Bucket is located the frame moves approx 1" outward and stays that way up towards the front of the truck. So when locating your coil buckets you go just an inch or so you will run in to some issues with mounting it on a flat surface.

Just something to think about.

You use a coil bucket from an f150/bronco. They are built to mount to a flat surface, and they are also angled outward. So you do not have to push the coil bucket outward at all. They will be in the right place for a fullsize solid axle. I wish i had thought about that before i put mine in. :D:D