BBR's '88 Ranger. A semi-serious race truck build.

[DanStokes]

https://youtu.be/8x56WckDJAU?si=wBAdDPk2WVJOwg4N

I wasn't finding them several years ago when I was looking, at least not for that price. I got my 70K miles Ecotech 2.4 for $700 w/all the support stuff (harness, computer, throttle pedal, etc) which was less than half of what I found for an Ecoboost. It would have been nice..... Sounds like more of them have hit the salvage yards.

[BBR]

This thing has the possibility of taking off in an interesting direction..... more later.

[BBR]

So, what is the interesting direction?

Well, yesterday I was contacted by a suspension mfg about doing some pre-production part install/feedback and videos. I talked with him on the phone today and he said he randomly saw my post about the new truck in a FB V8 Ranger group and decided to see if I was interested. The details are still forth coming and I don't know how much I will be able to initially divulge, but suffice to say I am very excited about the opportunity.

[DanStokes]

Groovy! A sponsor!

[studemax]

This thing has the possibility of taking off in an interesting direction.....

A wheelstander?
A 500 HP cheese grater?
A flying boat?

[SuperBuickGuy]

So, what is the interesting direction?

Well, yesterday I was contacted by a suspension mfg about doing some pre-production part install/feedback and videos. I talked with him on the phone today and he said he randomly saw my post about the new truck in a FB V8 Ranger group and decided to see if I was interested. The details are still forth coming and I don't know how much I will be able to initially divulge, but suffice to say I am very excited about the opportunity.

don't forget us little people when you're world famous

[BBR]

I've been famous for years and have I forsaken yyou yet?

No really, this looks like a fun opportunity, really surprised that I was singled out.

[silver_bullet]

I've been famous for years and have I forsaken yyou yet?

No really, this looks like a fun opportunity, really surprised that I was singled out.

Never doubted you for a second....

[BBR]

Ok, this is not super hush hush so I can kinda fill y'all in on what's happening. Anthony Jones of AJE Suspensions is who contacted me and they are in the process of designing some front clip kits for mid-size pickups. I believe the plan is to have a Ranger kit, an S-10 kit and a Dakota kit. All will be using Ford Mustang (Fox/SN95) front suspension geometry, struts, spindles, steering racks, etc. It will be very very similar to the Chevy II kits they already sell. Basically you lop off the stock front frame rails & suspension and this kit will weld/bolt to existing frame and to the firewall/roll cage front down bars. Advantages are: weight reduction, suspension adjustability, better brake selection, rack & pinion steering and of course, and more room for headers and engine peripherals.

They crazy part is, I actually had been looking at doing a Mustang II front end on this truck to get rack & pinion steering and a more adjustable ride height. I even looked at front frame stub kits, but decided they were a little too expensive for what I was doing. I had just decided to buy some lowering I-beams and go on. In fact, I was just about to order a set when Anthony initially contacted me. So this opportunity came along at just the right time. It is going to bump up my project time frame a little more than I had planned, but that's fine.

Admittedly, this is pushing me a little more to the "racey" side than I had really planned. It's honestly where I have always wanted to go with a Ranger, but never had the combination of time, right truck or the resources to do so. Now I do.

So there you have it. This is going to be somewhat of an adventure seeing that this will be a pre-production front clip, so it might fit great or it might need a bit of work to fit the truck just right, but that's ok, I'm game.


EDIT

This is the truck that has been in my brain for years. This would be sort of the look I am looking to achieve. Maybe not quite this low, but close.

[silver_bullet]

This just popped up on my Facebook I used to work with the guy that originally put it together… now for sale by a later owner? Was an outstanding truck when it was first built, but looks as though it needs bodywork as it is Rough around the edges.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1EyAgdonpD/?mibextid=wwXIfr

[BBR]

I bet that was a nice truck when it was built! Like something straight out of Fourwheeler Magazine!

[SuperBuickGuy]

So a mustang suspension under a ranger.... a MUff truck?

[BBR]

So a mustang suspension under a ranger.... a MUff truck?

or Mustranger

[BBR]

The most disturbing part of this whole endeavor is that this front end eliminates most of the obstacles involved with a BBF swap..... Must. Maintain. Focus.

[silver_bullet]

or Mustranger

in any case, a much better looking body on a MII suspension