Definitive Ranger/Explorer Frame Swap Vehicle List

Ranger and the earlier (pre-2002) Explorer never came with the 4.6, pretty wide to try to fit in that engine bay. The 02-up 4-door Explorers had the 4.6 optional. That was the first year for the redesigned chassis that included IRS. But the Ranger soldiered on with the previous gen. Explorer style chassis up to current model year.


cheers
Ed N.

 

Thanks, Ed!

Adding info like that really does make this post definitive. Likely, there's 125% more info about this in this very thread than there is all over the 'net!

~Jason

 

Drop that Ranger Chassis!

"How-To"s as well as links to products (even 4-links) and lots of pics here:
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Drop.html

Here's a 3" Flip Kit from DJM:



They sell LOTS of lowering stuff for the Ranger/Explorer. Here's their link:
http://www.djmsuspension.com/Menus/OpeningMenu.htm

~Jason

~Jason

 

No problem Jason, later model Ford info is what I can help with (20 year Ford parts guy).


cheers
Ed N.

 

Wicked!

And hey, anything you've got to add, go for it!

~Jason

 

Strategy might.

If'n you're out there man, hook us up with what you can!

~Jason

 

I saw mentioned Rangers rear ends are axle under the spring.
My wifes 94 Ranger has the axle on top of the spring and the springs are carbon fiber.
Just for those scoring at home.

 

Hey Ed, did they change in 1998 or something?

~Jason

 

Not sure if this has been reported yet, and if someone tells me how, I will post pics, but I have a 00 Explorer torsion bar 2wd frame under my 38 Ford pickup, damn neared an EXACT fit. Wheel base is perfect, and the frame taper is nearly identical. Another thing to note, is the AWD / 4x4 frame is identical to the 2wd w/torsion bar frame. Remove or add the front differential as preffered. I can get these frames for Hamb'ers for around $400 complete with rear end. I love this chassis and would (and have) recommend it to any builder.

Dan Beyer
Beyer Auto Salvage
352-463-2002

 

Here's pics from Dan he sent me to upload!

Dan, these are awesome, and you're right - it fits pretty good!

Man, anything you want to add, picture-wise or somment-wise about 'em (what was easy, what was hard, etc) you go for it. Hell, email the pics with comments and I'll post 'em up!

Thanks a lot! We really appreciate it!









~Jason

 

I just cheat and look for the external EGR port. Also the GT40-P's have a 'P' cast into the front of them.

 

That sounds like an 2wd thing, also the 2 door sport Explorer from 95 to 01 had mono leafs like that, perhaps it'd been converted ? The 4x4 1993 model a friend has has spring over axle and regular springs.

 

Finally someone else who's noticed how good this chassis is !
I have two sets of spindles and suspension arms, both 2wd and AWD. Mine is a V8 AWD chassis, but I grabbed all the conversion stuff just in casse I have any issues with breaking the transfer case down the road.

Thats 38 sounds awesome.

 

My buddy has a '65 Ranchero on a Bronco II frame. Even has the Bronco dash in it! Cool little truck!

 

I posted a similar link at the sister thread to this on S-10s.

Nobody wants to think about their ride crashing, but here's a link with crash test safety ratings on the Rangers and other light trucks: http://www.iihs.org/news/1998/iihs_news_051298.pdf

This report, from 1998, mentions that the Ranger chassis is in the "acceptable" range, versus the S-10, which has frame rails that buckle. Food for thought...

~Jason

 

I have been looking around for some information about the 65 f100 frame vs the ranger...havent come up with much...any of you guys got any ideas? Someone mentioned earlier a bronco 2 frame... just wondering if I wouldnt be better off with the 65 frame than the bronco 2.

 

I know from an earlier post that the '48 - '50 F-1/2/3 rear ends are swappable with any up to '72. What's more, they're bolt-ins.

Taking that into account, the frames are likely the same width until they widened them the 1973 model year.

As for pre-'48, I am not sure as to the frame width, but it's got to be real, REAL close...

~Jason

 

I’ve been watching this thread from the start and I think that I may have found the chassis that I’ve been looking for. I have a 1938 International D2 that I’ve had in the classified section (shameless plug) for about a month now with little serious interest. I’ll give it a few more days, then its back to the stable for it. Since the original frame has some minor issues, I’ve been looking for a late model chassis to slide under it without 2 months worth of major modifications and my 401K being impacted. I’ve done some study on the S10 chassis and actually wound up buying one for another project. It’s the 117” standard cab-long bed chassis and would work well in a myriad of older cars and trucks but, the issue I have with it is the forward steering box and the chassis “balloons” out at the point where older cowl/cab mounts typically attach. Now, I can make damn near anything work and function as it should, but this set-up, in my opinion, is just plain ugly and creates a lot more work than what is necessary. The Explorer chassis that everyone refers to here appears to be the answer. I pulled the measurements and the tracking is dead-on. The Explorer has the bigger brakes, straighter rails and everything else that would make a frame swap with the old corn binder a cinch. With that in mind, I’m focusing on a 2WD, V8, 4 door chassis. From what I’ve read here, the better frames where from 1998-2002 if I wanted the straight rear end and 2002-up if I wanted IRS, is that correct? I know little to nothing about these frames and in the months to come, I may be tapping on some of you for your Genius. While I’m at it, I want to thank <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas:contacts" /><st1:GivenName w:st="on">Dan</st1:GivenName> and <st1:GivenName w:st="on">Jason</st1:GivenName> for getting these pictures posted on here, those were pretty much the selling point for me. Great pictures, guys!<O</O

 

Thanks, man - that's why this thread was started in the first place. As I've said before, there was a lot of info out there, just not all in the same place... especially about Rangers (and S-10s have been talked to death).

The S-10 isn't too bad a chassis, just not for everybody. If you need any help, check out our S-10 sister thread here:
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=274702

I'm glad we helped someone! Feel free to start your own progress thread and post a few links in here with some pics every once in a while!

~Jason

 

This may be of interest. Per:
http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/36-ford-pickup-ford-ranger-frame-104402.html

"The Ford Ranger frame is best suited to the Bonus Builts (48-52 Ford pick-up). There is a 1" to 1 1/2" difference in the position of the front wheels."

~Jason

 

Chopd,

Gen 2 - 1995 through 2001 (Explorer) and 1998 and up (torsion bar Ranger) are roughly the same chassis, and these are the straight rear axle models.
Gen 3 - 2001 and up is a wider lower frame with IRS, most likely not what you want because of the width.

Gen 2 Explorer with 2wd and a V8 are really cheap these days - they have a bad rep a being gas pigs, even thought they're not that bad. 95 through 97 1/2 have GT40 headed engines 97 1/2 up GT40P's. You can get them really cheap. Let me know what dimensions you need and I can measure some stuff off my chassis if you want.

 

Here's a thread about an F1 on an '02 Explorer AWD chassis:
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=154183




Here's the follow-up thread:
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=174298


~Jason

 

Abomination, did it occur to you that if I wanted people being directed straight to that picture page i would have posted the link myself ?

 

This project never got off the ground, the guy realized how hard it was going to be and dropped off the face of the earth.
He tried to sell me both the chassis and his F1, decent price too, but I was already quite far into mine.

The picture shown here is my truck with Ben Price, who did my roof chop, no that is NOT me Abomination. Since I don't know if Ben wants to be shown here, can you please take the link down ? *thanks*

 

I wondered about that.

I figured you wouldn't mind, as it was a public album, set up so that anyone could see or link to it. But the stuff's deleted (immediately), per request. Sorry, for the misunderstanding - not trying to piss anybody off here.

No offense intended, just looking online and posting every last shred of info I can find, and got carried away!

~Jason

 

Here's a couple of V8 ranger swap forums with loads of pictures and how-tos, as well as links to places to get supplies/parts do do this swap:

http://www.v8-ranger.com/

http://mercuranger.com/

~Jason

 

Thanks Stragety, much appreciated!!
Now, a wiring question. Let's say I yank that Explorer body off the chassis and leave all the plumbing and drive train intact. I get the body of the corn binder on the new chassis and ready to wire. How big of a deal is it to wire to the existing engine compartment harness from the Explorer? Will I have to just swap over the entire harness from the Explorer or is there some easy trick to plug in an aftermarket harness? I know, the typical route would be to strip everyting off the engine but I was just wondering if there was an easier way of doing it, plug-n-play if you will.

 

I just might do that once I get all the preliminary info that I need and get everthing in line to start. I don't like doing things without a solid plan.

 

There are three trains of though with this. Personally I am trying to use the complete Explorer wiring in it's entirety, but I like factory wiring and all the nice connectors. Mine is a 2000 model and therefore has PATS anti theft stuff on it meaning I will have to use all the solenoids and stuff from the steering column - so I am using the column too.... and on it goes. Mine was also a fully loaded Expo, so it has a ton of extra circuits that I might be able to use for other stuff.

The next way is to use a 95 - 97 non PATS explorer, less headaches all round. If you used a base model Expo you'd have a pretty simple harness.
I have considered getting a 2 door Explorer basic harness adding the 5.0 engine harness that I have and not much else.... we'll see.

Third way is to use an aftermarket style harness and convert the engine to run a distributor from an earlier Mustang or Thunderbird and then use a fairly conventional aftermarket injection setup for a mustang. Controllers are available to drive the electronic transmission, so again no problem there.

It really all depends how comfortable you are cutting and splicing and building a wiring setup.