i found a 86 2wd ranger for cheap i already have a d44 (pass side drop) and dana 60 from a late 80's chev. what am i going to need for the swap, would the steering box work? the truck has a 2.3L and i will be upgrading to a 5L down the road. what tcase should be used?

unless someone swapped a Dana 60 in, that rear axle you are referring to is a GM 14 bolt.

... do yourself a big favour. Spend the $$$ get a star and search. This has been covered over and over. Chances are if you have thought of doing something related to wheeling, it has already been done here.

i have searched, and couldn't find what i was looking for all i need to know is, will the 2wd steering box work and which t-case would be desirable as i know nothing about tcases

I would think the P/S box would work. With a pass drop diff you wouldn't be able to use a Ford t-case Fords are all drivers drop front diffs.

yeah i wouldnt use the chevy stuff either. its gonna be more work than its worth