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

[BBR]

I got one hanger off yesterday, but the angle grinder opted for an early retirement. I took the leaf springs off the diff and started looking at the step notch closer.

The frame has a depression right over the axle area so I am thinking I will build my step to span and avoid this area. The Explorer hangers arrived today and the look as if it will fit the frame perfectly.

[BBR]

3d printed roll cage trim pieces. These will bolt in with 1/4" bolts and I might seal up with rtv or some sort of goo.

[BBR]

One side is all cleaned off. The Explorer brackets looked like they were going to fit with no modifications. But once you slide them far enough forward (jack stand previously was in the way), they are going to need a minor amount of tweaking to fit the bottom of the frame properly.

Once modified, I think I am going to weld them in place and add the supplied bolts for peace of mind.

Flip flopping on whether to keep the big bottom leaf in this spring pack or not. Leaning towards keeping it.

[Captain]

That Thick bottom leaf is to keep from breaking the other leaves at the center bolt on a hard rebound or off canter flex. (Off Roading, opposite Axle Travel, side to side)
So I would keep it, and put a Spring Strap on the one End to fight spring rap up.

My Nickel.95

[BBR]

Leaf mounts installed!

[DanStokes]

Leaf mounts installed!

I can see why you wouldn't't want to leaf them where they were. (bad pun # 7, 321.)

[BBR]

IDK what shenanigans USPS is up to, but my shackles finally made it to Amarillo from California, and then did a big u-turn and now they are back in California.....

[BBR]

I'm going to need to make some sort of header for this sucker and I already told you I have flanges.
Why Ford chose oval ports is beyond me. It makes it difficult to make headers. So what's a guy to do? You bust out the 3d printer and make a die that's what.

I drew this up in AutoCAD and printed it with 100% infill. It took 19 hours to print. Haha.

I took a piece of 2" pipe, poked it in the hydraulic press and squished it into an oval. A darn good oval I might add. The die didn't even flinch.

[Captain]

Good Job there Scout !!
Now to Mass Market the mandrels
and pay for this project !!

[DanStokes]

EXCELLENT oval! Couldn't be more better. You've gotten pretty good with that 3D printer thingie.

[BBR]

Since I am waiting on parts, I decided to build the notches.

[BBR]

Shackle update: they made it back to Amarillo, then USPS tried to deliver when my business was closed and they marked the package as "refused".

So frustrating. Meanwhile, the shock brackets I ordered on the same day are terminally lost at the Ama Distribution Center...

At least the notches turned out nice. These will bridge the weirdo depressed area in the frame.

[Captain]

IDK what shenanigans USPS is up to, but my shackles finally made it to Amarillo from California, and then did a big u-turn and now they are back in California.....

The NEW Postmaster General stated the USPS has Lost Millions of Dollars last year !!! And he has Promised the President he is going to Put a Trace
on Every One of Them !!

Your shackles get there yet?!!

[BBR]

Your shackles get there yet?!!

Negative. Requested a refund and ordered from a different vendor.

Moving on. Fitted the notches today.

[BBR]

Ready to do some cleaning and welding.