Definitive Ranger/Explorer Frame Swap Vehicle List

bigtumtum is posting drawings of bed mounts here:
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=283377

Although they're for an S-10 (they're on page 3), you folks doing truck swaps may find them handy!

The few I saw look like you could drop the drawing off (they have measurements) at a machine shop and have 'em made!

~Jason

 

Stragedy if you could take a couple measurements on that explorer chassis. Outside width of rails at midpoint or around say mid door and same at the rear. Also some of the rear suspension pockets appear to be above frame height, how much? And if you could provide front and rear track width would be helpful.
TIA

Zap

 

I see no mention of price for the kits, just for the brochures. My dad has talked about doing one, but I bet the price would scare him off.

 

LOL! No doubt!

All of us guys that posted links to them all posted links to the same place, by the way.

~Jason

 

we have had some of the guys who call here say they put the ranger chassis under a 40 ford coupe was told it works ok except the rear floor were it rises over the axle gets notched to allow for frame clearence. but alot of the callers use s/10 or ranger frame this whole concept is very popular

p.s. i like the idea of the all wheel drive frame, gonna be looking for those

 

FYI, we've been exploring a type of universal mount in the S-10 sister thread to this one:
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=274702

ANd to a greater extent here:
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=283377&page=4

bigtumtum has been making and posting bracket blueprints, and some of them seem like they'd be pretty universal, save for the holes.

To make them truly universal, I suggested slotted holes for the cab mounts for example. He suggested making the tops of the brackets have the same bolt pattern, allowing you to drill out your custom bolt pattern for your application, and bolt it to the bracket top.

Check out the second link to see what he's talking about.

I'd come up with an "open source" truck swap idea. I thought it would be cool if someone posted a blueprint of a topless universal body, bed or cab mount online free for all, then folks could submit drawings of the mods they did to it to see if over time a library of sorts could be built up for about every custom application. Since everyone uses the same bracket, but has a different plate with their bolt pattern bolted to the top of them, it's certainly a do-able plan!

~Jason

 

I'm quite sure that a Bronco II would be way too short since it has a 94" wheelbase. You'll need a frame with a wheelbase of 113"-114" for your shortbed flareside.

 

BTT M'r F'n top for Labor Day! Whoo Hoo!

~Jason

 

Quick bump - why should the S-10 thread have all the fun?

~Jason

 

Well, I sold the corn binder over the weekend so this chassis swap won't happen for me but the young lad that I sold it to was all ears when I was telling him the idea about it. I told him about this post and the knowledgeable folks on here so don't be surprised if ya get the lad on here and he wants to pick yer brains about this swap. Y'all are the best!

 

No, chopd top... YOU'RE the best.

~Jason

 

Still hoping to get these dimensions, anyone have them? Thanks!

 

You might try sending Stratagey a PM or regular 'ol email. I don't have access to a chassis at the moment.

Kudos for giving away that 3x2, man.

~Jason

 

The company is Thoroughbred Coach Builders INC. P.O.Box 171 Mount Dora FL. 32757
Phone # 352 735 4607. Their package was for a 36 pickup onto an 83 Ranger long wheel base. That is the regular cab, long box. They are still around as they advertise in Hemmings.

 

Jason.. you know if you send me a scetch-drawing i will make a nice drawing for you.. i realy enjoy the swap all kinds because it gives me so much ideas for example i was talking on the S10 swap that i want to try Nylon for the rubber mounting now i have found on my work rubber round 110mm im going to use that

 

Believe it or not, my lawnmower's engine is mounted with nylon.

~Jason

 

Here's some info on rear ends:
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=188849

~Jason

 

Great Post Guys,





Two Thumbs Up and a 'tip of the hat'






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Hey, did you guys know that the old Flathead Forum is Moving?

The All New/Old Flathead Forum....


don't forget to checkout the Tech Section....


.

 

Thank you, Sir. And a return tip-O-'th-hat to you and your penguin buddies down in Antarctica.

~Jason

 

Posted by TagMan here:
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=172723

I'm posting it up for others. It's beautiful!

Enjoy!

~Jason


TECH: Lifting a Pick-up cab off the frame

I finished the mock-up on my '46 Chevy 1/2T and started tearing it apart. I got down to lifting the cab off, but nobody was around, so I used what I had available. Maybe this has been done before and I just "re-invented the wheel", but maybe it'll help somebody ......

First off I found a 2"x6" about 6' long, measured it, marked the mid-point and drilled a 3/8" hole about 1-1/2" from the edge.

I then made up a bracket out of 3/16" steel scraps I had laying around and welded it together.

I next took a 12" scrap of square tubing, that just fit inside the boom on my cherry picker, and welded the bracket to one end of it. I inserted the tubing into the boom, marked & drilled a 3/8" hole for a bolt to secure it. The bracket had to be tall enough to allow the beam to pivot and stay level as the boom was raised.

I screwed on a couple of small angle iron scraps on opposite edges of the 2"x6", to prevent and slipping, and covered them with a piece of bicycle tubing and taped 'em with electrical tape.

I then moved the balance beam into position and, after a couple of tried to balance the cab, lifted the cab and pulled it off the chassis. I previously had made up a dolly for the cab, making sure the legs of the cherry picker would fit under it, so I laid the cab on the frame and bolted it in. Worked like a charm and I saved calling in some favors for something important !!

Here's a few pics that'll prolly explain it way better than I tried to with words - hope it helps...............................











...I was also a little concerned about stability, but was amazed at how well it stayed balanced, even when rolling it around, hanging from the cherry picker - never wavered a bit.

 

Dude!

Ford is actually SUING The Ranger Station ( http://www.therangerstation.com/ ) over trademark infringement! WTF?!?
http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-re...s-web-sites-over-trademark-infringements.html

They're about the best Ranger forum out there!

~Jason

 

Looks like I will be thinking about the explorer swap with the ol' 48 ford truck that has been hibernating in the barn for the past few years,,,

We just put a new jasper engine in my daughters explorer and with less than 50 miles it was stolen and wrecked,,,she had just carried the baby in the house and got her fed and didn't think about the keys,,,

Not my first pick for a hot rod but we got too much cash in the V6 engine and she didn't have colission,,so I'm Kinda screwed,,,

We carried it to the auction and some nice guy offered us 500 bucks,,,so it didn't sell,,,HRP

I won't be starting this project right away but I will keep an eye on this thread. HRP

 

I have a '50, but I actually kept the stock chassis, as it was completed when I bought it!

Make sure to look over this thread - and to look at any links to The Ranger Station forum ASAP before they take it down. Jere's the letter Jim (the guy that runs it) sent out last night:

Dear Member,

I appologize for this email. I don't normally email the members but this is an emergency.

Today, (December 9, 2008) I received a letter from the law offices of Howard, Phillips & Andersen that represent the Ford Motor Company. Ford is forcing us to surrender the name 'therangerstation.com' to them and stop using it. Ford states that using the name 'Ranger' when used in reference to the Ford Ranger is a trademark violation. In addition they are wanting me to pay them $5,000.

As you may know, The Ranger Station has been around for the past 10 years and has been a valuable resource to Ranger enthusiasts.

If Ford does this to us, where will they stop?

I have 10-days to surrender the name and pay them $5,000. I'm asking that you contact Ford online and ask them to reconsider making us change our name and prohibiting us from using the word 'Ranger'.

You can contact them at:

https://secure.ford.com/footer/contact-ford/contact-us-email?contactMainTopic=PublicAffairs

a sample of what one of the members wrote is:

"To whom it may concern:

I am writing concerning your recent legal attacks on various "fan" websites for vehicles such as the Mustang and Ranger. I am insulted by this careless misuse of our legal system and am reconsidering any further vehicle purchases from your company until you cease and desist from any further legal action concerning this subject. I have been a Ford owner for many years and I had hoped to stay that way. These attacks are morally wrong since they are geared towards your customers, and do not instill the least bit of confidence in your brand. For the sake of your business, I ask you to please reconsider immediately.

Thank you."

Thank you for your support and I applogize for this email.

Jim Oaks
TheRangerStation.com

 

Has there been any activity lately?

I have a 94/95 ranger at the house that I am going to investigate now that this thread was started. I'm beginning a 52 Chevy coupe project and would love to upgrade the suspension/chassis/brakes in one single cheap blow. BWAH HAHAHAHAAA!!

I'll take some measurements of the frame rails and such and try to post tomorrow.

 

There's not a PDF for 2003 or later explorer with independent rear suspension. There is one for 2003 ranger and later but from what I've read here those are just carrying over from the earlier explorer with leaf spring rear.

Anybody got a 2003 or later explorer frame with the independent rear suspension? I am interested in many measurements but specifically the width measurement of the frame at the rear axle center line.

Would be nice to see a picture of how that all connects as well.

These alternative frame threads are great for getting parts turned back into projects, and eventually hot rods!

 

Can you send me pics of how the cab sets on the frame
I trying to get info on what frame would work best for a retro on a 49 FORD F2 CAB
the bed is shot.
I realy like the look, Real Nice
My Email is: jimr1963@gmail.com
Thanks for the help..
olyrailman

 

As mentioned in another thread, find a '67 - '72 F250 chassis. It may work better for your needs...

And sell what bed parts you can before you scrap - even small pieces of the Express bed are hard to come by.

~Jason

 

Anyone know if Ranger 2WD front spindles or A-arms will swap straight into a 96 4WD front end? Want to end up with 2WD but got too sweet a deal on a 4WD rig and it seems like 2WD explorers are a bit scarce around here.

 

2WD Rangers were still I-beam front end through 1997. Then everything was revised in 1998 on the Rangers. The 4WD got the same style front end as the 95-up Explorers (which used a torsion bar setup for 2WD and 4WD), while the 98-up Ranger 2WD got double A-arms.

So what combination of chassis and suspension (year and vehicle) are you thinking about trying to mix?


cheers
Ed N.