I am once again re-building my truck. I had a pretty good combo last year that performed quite well. It did however have its weaknesses and areas that needed improvement. Instead of just fixing the few things I decided to start from ground zero again and use my 79 F-250 frame and powertrain as a platform instead of the weak ranger frame. I will be moving to 42" TSL's on H1's, Dana 60 Frt w/ 5:13 and detroit locker, Dana 80 rear w/ 5:13 and detroit, 460 CI BBF, built C6 manual, and np205.

Other Mods will be a 12 pt roll cage, winch, crossover highsteer, 4 wheel disc brakes w/ hydroboost.

I am hoping to have this done by April/May 2010.

These are some pics of the start of the project which meant a complete disassembly of the truck and scrapping out the unneeded parts.


How it looked last year w/ 38" boggers:

http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/tt351/deranged57/Deranged/P4240010.jpg

Teardown:

http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/tt351/deranged57/Deranged%20V3/teardown_1.jpg

http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/tt351/deranged57/Deranged%20V3/teardown_2.jpg

http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/tt351/deranged57/Deranged%20V3/PA190116.jpg

After It was tore down I moved the F250 frame inside and shortened the frame 6" to get the same wheelbase as the ranger in order to keep the wheels inside the fenders.

http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/tt351/deranged57/Deranged%20V3/PA190116.jpg

http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/tt351/deranged57/Deranged%20V3/PA190116.jpg

The frame does have fish plates on it I just dont have pics.

Then I got started on the Ranger Cab

Gutted ready for tube

http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/tt351/deranged57/Deranged%20V3/CAB_1.jpg

Install Hydro-boost off a 99 superduty that I got for $20

http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/tt351/deranged57/Deranged%20V3/HYDROBOOST_1.jpg

Got rid of the A/C heater box and installed a non a/c version for clearance.

http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/tt351/deranged57/Deranged%20V3/NEW_HEATER_BOX.jpg

Test fit the cab on the frame and made new body mounts

http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/tt351/deranged57/Deranged%20V3/PC290085.jpg

http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/tt351/deranged57/Deranged%20V3/PC290087.jpg

http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/tt351/deranged57/Deranged%20V3/PC310091.jpg

It was about here that I decided to change routes a little bit, I am now fully committed to building a truggy instead of a truck. The biggest reason for the change was to be able to get the overall height as low as possible but still be able to clear 42's. This wasn't going to be possible with a full box.

Hacked off the frame behind the cab

http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/tt351/deranged57/Deranged%20V3/PC310089.jpg

Plated the rear of the frame and then boxed the inside

http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/tt351/deranged57/Deranged%20V3/PC310092.jpg

http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/tt351/deranged57/Deranged%20V3/P1070093.jpg

http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/tt351/deranged57/Deranged%20V3/P1070094.jpg

As for axles I have a 79 HP Dana 60 W/ Ballistic Fab Double-shear high steer.

http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/tt351/deranged57/Deranged%20V3/D60_HIGHSTEER_2.jpg

http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/tt351/deranged57/Deranged%20V3/D60_HIGHSTEER_1.jpg

Dodge Dually dana 80 with disc conversion

http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/tt351/deranged57/Deranged%20V3/d80_disc_2.jpg

Tires and wheels - 12 bolt HMMWV wheels with rubber beadlocks/42" TSL's

http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/tt351/deranged57/Deranged%20V3/TIRE_1.jpg

http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/tt351/deranged57/Deranged%20V3/PC150071.jpg

i have seen those rear springs a couple times on trucks but never used them. are they soft? worth a damn? where can you find them?

Leaf springs will not be a part of the finished product, I will have triangulated 4-link front and rear w/ SAW 16" travel 2.5" Coil-overs. The front axle is being moved forward 8-10" to achieve a better approach angle and the rear will be about moved as far forward as possibly but still keeping the tires 4" from the back of the cab.

i have seen those rear springs a couple times on trucks but never used them. are they soft? worth a damn? where can you find them?

There is a local company here in MI that makes them that way. They aren't worth a damn. These have never been driven on, but I heard from those who have ran them before (unfortunately after I had already bought them) that they are really stiff and have nasty rebound characteristics. They would be fine for a mud truck but I am looking for a good amount of flex from this truck so they had to go.

That is pretty much where the project sits right now. It has been very cold the last couple weeks here and that makes it hard to find the motivation to go work out in the garage.

Start of the cage:
http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/tt351/deranged57/Deranged%20V3/P5180002.jpg

Front D60 with Trail-Gear Hydro steer:
http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/tt351/deranged57/Deranged%20V3/P5090147.jpg

Custom High Steer Arms I built:
http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/tt351/deranged57/Deranged%20V3/P5032119.jpg

Orbital Mount:
http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/tt351/deranged57/Deranged%20V3/P6300002-1.jpg

Transfercase X-member:
http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/tt351/deranged57/Deranged%20V3/P5090148.jpg

Rear 4-Link:
http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/tt351/deranged57/Deranged%20V3/P7110009-1.jpg

Beginnings of front cage:
http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/tt351/deranged57/Deranged%20V3/P6300001-1.jpg

Back-Half 75% complete:
http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/tt351/deranged57/Deranged%20V3/P7110007-1.jpg

Front Links:
http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/tt351/deranged57/Deranged%20V3/P5042125.jpg

Winch and mount:
http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/tt351/deranged57/Deranged%20V3/P4162115.jpg

Pretty much it for now, working on mounting the SAW 2.5" coil-overs and buttoning up the cage.

Looking good specs on motor?

Looking good specs on motor?

.030" over D3 block/heads. Comp 262 cam with dual rate springs, Edelbrock 750cfm carb sitting on a performer intake. Stock rotating assy, with sealed power forged pistons. Engine was rebuilt by my dad and I 5 years ago but has very little time on it. It runs great and has excellent torque and power.

there is a lot of sex in this build.

you got my attention!:p

Cool build, but I would seriously reconsider your front link design. Those links will either bend or break as soon as you try to flex that thing out.

I would do a 3 link or a non-triangulated 4 link, because what you have is not going to work.

i dig the tube work!