[ProjecT] LoW RangE

[83LOWrange]

ok fine... since im keeping everything factory i guess i will... eventually it will be painted, (1-3 years) same colors and scheme... but i want some help for the SFBD... i can get the 2x3 from my work and i have welders.. but id love some help... whats the easiest way to start? put the 2x3 in the channel, tach it it, cut out the stock channel and all i got... but now how will i get all the mounts back right and stuff?

also.. it would prolly be easier to pull the motor and tranny, does all of this have to be done? could i "Z" the frame? i will use the i beams... and im trying to keep AC/HEAT figured keeping it original i should at least do that... ive read the BD section alot... but always have second thoughts... could i be BD on 18's and keep AC? ill get a pic of the engine compartment tomorrow, so hopefully someone could help me with this... id love to be BD too

[rocknthehawk]

i'm not sure about keeping the ac/heat. It has been done, my truck was originally set up to keep it, but it's not easy. Not positive on a first gen though...not a lot of room. mine's on 17's, bodydropped 4"

[83LOWrange]

hmmm... well id like to keep it, i could do a vintage air if i cant squeeze by the compressor and stuff, theres room in there now, but id have to set the blower box on the tub... move some more stuff, but my truck also has the smog pump and components still on it. so thatll free up some more room..

would i need to "z" the frame at all? i know ill have to drop the frame horns, but how much? the ford frame is supposed to be 6.5 inches tall... so if i build a frame from firewall back out of 2x3 thats 3.5"s gone... so a 3.5" Body Drop... so would i drop the horns that much? is there a trick to lining up the body and bed mounts? i will order my 2x3 tomorrow and my work will have it in by thurs. so ill start taking it all apart... i wished there were some people that lived around me who could help

[83LOWrange]

well... idk about a body drop if i cant have ac... my 91 i want 20's, itll be JUST show.. but this one i wanna drive ALOT! so i might not bd it... i think if i can get it to lay frame all the way, then i should be ok... or i could try a traditional... id be able to slant the filler plates ALOT cause the frame rails are so far to the inside on this truck.. idk, maybe just bag and some wheels... that should look pretty good i think

[rocknthehawk]

mine is traditional, with angled fillers. It's hard to see, but that's the best pic i've got at the moment.

with 17's and a small tire, i think you can leave it...the tire would come close the the box though.

The frame horns need moved, but other than that, you may need to notch the frame for the tie rods and/or beams.

[83LOWrange]

ok... well i still wanna stock floor it, but i really didnt wanna get into all of it..
THEN i run across this: http://www.fullsizechevy.com/forums/...ay-rocker.html

it showed me that its not RIDICULOUSLY HARD! so ill just go ahead and do the SFBD... i know i have to notch for tie rods, thats ok, dont know about the beams yet, and ill drop the horns too, i am gonna try my best to make it all fit ac and all... ill notch the box if i have to, i dont care... ill run the smallest tires in the world! lol JK...

and ill keep the long bed for nopw and see how i like it.. i can always change it and go back and shave everything

[83LOWrange]

SMC Water Trap 3/8" 29.99
CUSTOM KIT
SMC 3/8" Fill Valve
SMC 3/8" Dump Valve
SMC Water Trap 3/8"
Viair 480 200 PSI Compressor
50ft of 1/8" DOT Reinforced Air Line
Slam Specialties 7" RE 200 PSI Single Port (Rear Bags)
50ft of 1/2" DOT Reinforced Air Line
KP 200 PSI Dual Needle
AVS ARC-9 Black 9 Rocker Switch w/lock
Viair Pressure Switch 110/145 PSI
Viair 480 200 PSI Compressor 2
KP 200 PSI Single Needle
Black 5 Gallon 8 Port
Slam Specialties 7" RE 200 PSI Single Port (Front Bags)
1,210.00
Super Lift, Super Pivot 4-Link Kit 429.99
SMC 3/8" Check Valve with Fittings 47.98

these are the parts that i will be ordering... now for the rear tubs and notch idk if i want to do all round, round tubs hex notch, or all hex... i was thinking all hex cause everything on the truck is square nearly...

but the front bag brackets and radius arm relocators i will be getting from Gravity-Werkz

if anyone has any suggestions please let me know, thanks

[83LOWrange]

ok, not an update really, but i have one month till i can order all of my parts... so "downtoearth" be ready

but im thinking about running the series 10 smoothies on wheelvintiques in a 15x6 and some 195/60R15 diamond back white walls

the tires are 24" tall but only 7" wide... ill run a 6" wide wheel, but i was wondering if ill still be able to run my stock a/c with this tire/wheel

[stepasyd]

Sweet Find!

I have an '84 single cab long bed Ranger, you got lucky mine is rusty and dented. The red on in MT is bad a**

[83LOWrange]

yea, that truck pissed me off, but kind of in a good way, i wanted to see a reg bab BDd finished... but im going to leave my handles and mirrors, hell im gonna just buff the oxidation off the paint and rock that! lol

does anyone knoe if i could run that tire and wheel?

[TrYiN2LaYaDiMe]

subscribed man looks good and get ya a lincoln from home depot thats what i got and thats what is being used on the frame we're building.

[83LOWrange]

yea, imma try and get my brother to go in and half it with me, ill go and order that 3x3 from work too..

[TrYiN2LaYaDiMe]

cool deal man. btw if u bring me that truck how are you gonna help im in tennessee would u beable to come and help or?

[83LOWrange]

yea this winter i would be able to come to TN, it aint that far from me


**UPDATE**
yes its all on its way...

_-=GRAVITY WERX=-_

Universal Super Pivot Mega Lift 4 Link KitPORTSINGLE
Airlift Dominator D2500 qty: 4
VIAIR 2" 90083 Dual Needle, White Face, 160psi qty: 2
8 Port 5 Gallon Air Tank qty 2
Viair 480 Two PAck, With Relays & PRessure Switch, Chrome, 200psi qty: 1
I-Beam Ranger Radius Arm Relocators qty: 1
SMC 3/8" 10mm Valve w/ bracket qty: 8
SMC 3/8" Water Trap qty: 2
50' Black 1/8" DOT Airline
Black 3/8" DOT Airline, By The Foot qty: 65 FT.
Standard 8 Pc Notch
SMC 3/8" Check Valve qty: 4
Rear Shock Tab Kit
AVS-ARC-7-RED-ROCKER

Subtotal$1,946.87

i already have the DIY front cup kit from SD and the tranny crossmember... so im just waiting on this now

[83LOWrange]

ok ill post pictures in the morning of my parts, im starting the notch tomorrow night when i get off...

now i need some help with the offset for my wheels... im gonna run a 14 or 15 inch wheel


i am leaving the bed alone and the body (no shaving)... bone stock on some small chrome smoothies... it will be done for pandemonium in Pineville Louisiana July 11th... IT HAS TO BE THERE!!!



oh and im buying my Millermatic 180 with autoset in the morning too! yea ill have ALOT of pics, STAY TUNED

[83LOWrange]

ok got the bed off and everythings going down this weekend! so i will have updates about every 2 - 4 hours... so watch for the updates

im shakin' but i guess thats a good thing... hahaha it took long enough to get here!

[83LOWrange]

ok well i waited to upload alot at once o-well
friday at like 8 o'clock to about three hours ago... enjoy




i didnt catch this (but ive never messed with any of this) i bought superpivot joints, well thats only two super pivot ends and two poly bushings WTF??? well hes gonna send me the others




MY FUEL CELL... nice

[83LOWrange]

and now some work!

some metal i took from work...




for it being 25 years old, the frame coating still hasnt let it rust.. nice

[83LOWrange]

then to stripping the frame
spare tire and rack gone


covered the cab with a tarp for the glass, thnx to the forums i would have never known

[83LOWrange]

the notches



Wendys is the shit till 2! hahaha
MHMMMMM


no turning back now lol

[83LOWrange]

rest.. thats a good thing (if you dont wanna finish lol) 5 min break


a little grinding i did, dont worry theres enough weld still there

[83LOWrange]

plating...

[83LOWrange]

me grinding on the left trey on the other

[83LOWrange]

for some dumb ass reason the 1 1/8th nut and bolt that was welded on the lowers would not screw together, i cleaned the threads and still nuthin! so i just simply went and got 2 3" long 1" bolts and nuts...

o and dont worry, i welded it on the bar and end link more...
moved them up 2.5 more incehs

[83LOWrange]

the bottom back of the bumper is rolled down, so thats what its resting on, not those 1 1/8th threads lol





ok im running the new dominator 2500 bags, and they will fit, but i have to pocket the frame in the back and front because when they compress they would rub the side of the frame, no problem really, just a little more time

now i will have to wait on the djm beams to get here wed.! but ill still be smoothing everything out, but i will be needing help with fittings and stuff

[83LOWrange]

i know its a ranger and all...

but no replies???

[Innis]

i just found this thread and i think at the right time cause all the cutting up pics are being posted now haha, but seriously looks like you got it a long way, but i gotta tell you to just bag it and keep it bone stock, itll look so awesome!!

[83LOWrange]

Quote: Originally Posted by Innis

i just found this thread and i think at the right time cause all the cutting up pics are being posted now haha, but seriously looks like you got it a long way, but i gotta tell you to just bag it and keep it bone stock, itll look so awesome!!

lol yea, i told everyone id post as current as possible, but it looks like i got alot done quick this way! hahhaha

yep bone stock as possible, thats the plan, just laying rocker at the same time, which i will have some pictures to post and questions to ask about a certain way to body drop it... you will see later tonight

thanks for the complements tho man, im going now to start some more smoothing on the rear

[98layinframe]

god damn it must be nice to live down south where theres no salt and also must be nice to find an old mini like that in such good shape! I would love to build something exactly like that keeping the old school look thruout.


Progress is lookin good so far but the only problem i see is the upper link bars...no way thats enough triangulation to hold the rearend from walking around. Is there any way you guys would consider switching the way the bars run? As in making a little bridge bar over the center pumpkin so that the bars are attached really close together in the back on the rearend, then run outwards to the frame rails in the front? That would allow you to get alot more triangulation on the link. Just an idea.

[83LOWrange]

Quote: Originally Posted by 98layinframe

As in making a little bridge bar over the center pumpkin so that the bars are attached really close together in the back on the rearend, then run outwards to the frame rails in the front? That would allow you to get alot more triangulation on the link. Just an idea.

hmmm haha i knew it wasnt enought, but i thought thats all i could do, well thats what 6 hours of sleep in 3 days will do, yea i can do that... that makes alot more sense, ill go out right now and lay it out and make sure ill have enough room for the uppers to clear the bridge bar

thnx for the comment on the truck... true about the salt, BUT our humidity is a bitch, it helped that she ALWAYS kept it under a roof so that helped...

[Wicked Mayhem]

lookin good.. but im with dave, add some more triangulation to those uppers...

[kevdog]

Awesome work, looks like you made some great progress.

[83LOWrange]

yea im going to, im going to cut the front bridge barin the center and cope it to the back one, then build a bar over the pumkin and weld the tabs to the bar over the pumkin, cut the driveshaft hoop move the other tabs out to the inside of the frame, and just do a small square hoop, itll be easier... and like ya'll said more triangulation, which is why i bought a triangulated link kit.

but ill get on that tomorrow, im hoping that by a week or two i can drive it. but i will need help with wiring and plumbing

[83LOWrange]

Quote: Originally Posted by kevdog

Awesome work, looks like you made some great progress.

thanks bro! ive waited for a year or so for this

[tolowinorlando]

i like it i havent read the whole thred but pleeeeeez tell me ur keepint this paint i think that would look saaweeet lol but thats just me

[83LOWrange]

Quote: Originally Posted by tolowinorlando

i like it i havent read the whole thred but pleeeeeez tell me ur keepint this paint i think that would look saaweeet lol but thats just me

no doubt bro... dumbo mirros and all! even the little chrome hooks on the bed!

[tolowinorlando]

Quote: Originally Posted by 83LOWrange

no doubt bro... dumbo mirros and all! even the little chrome hooks on the bed!

o man that gunna look nice

everyone is guna be like o man thats a cleen stock ranger and youll be like watch this (psssssssst) and they will be like o crap man thats rad and youl be like ya i know


hahahahahahahaha sry thats the 13 year old in me speeking

[Project"Bag&Drag"]

sick build i love a nice old school mini!!!

[83LOWrange]

Quote: Originally Posted by tolowinorlando

o man that gunna look nice

everyone is guna be like o man thats a cleen stock ranger and youll be like watch this (psssssssst) and they will be like o crap man thats rad and youl be like ya i know


hahahahahahahaha sry thats the 13 year old in me speeking

LMAO thats WORD FOR WORD what i want... i was thinkin about covering my bed up some how and drop it at the show, then when i lay it out take off the cover.. HAHHAHAHAH

[83LOWrange]

Quote: Originally Posted by Project"Bag&Drag"

sick build i love a nice old school mini!!!

thnx for the props man, i wanna try and keep that old school touch...

but i will start to redo the uppers soon, but i have to refill my bottles first

[556mm]

lookin pretty slick so far dude. good luck with it.

[droppedss]

gonna be cool as fuk layed out!

[83LOWrange]

Quote: Originally Posted by droppedss

gonna be cool as fuk layed out!

thanks dude, hopefully one day it will lay rocker all around

a few questions... i dont have a notch cover for the bed yet, so im smoothing it all out and painting it, do yall have any tricks on cutting it tight around everything that will come out of the bed? and on my fuel cell? i know i have a vent and stuff, but i think it only had one fuel line going to it, it has a mechanical pump, so its just the pressure line right?

[83LOWrange]

Quote: Originally Posted by 83LOWrange

o and dont worry, i welded it on the bar and end link more...
moved them up 2.5 more incehs

now ive never done this, and this is the back layed out, is that angle ok on the drive shaft? doesnt look like it

[phillip7]

I would body drop the bed so that you don't have to cut a whole in at all.

[83LOWrange]

Quote: Originally Posted by phillip7

I would body drop the bed so that you don't have to cut a whole in at all.

yea thats what im thinking too, because i want to keep the ribs on the floor of the bed, and sheetmetal the sides and back, but i need it done before july 11th... i was going to traditional the bed sooner or later anyway, and if i cut it now id have to have another floor! hmmmmm

idk yet, hopefully we can figure somethig out

[83LOWrange]

ok this would be a good time to ask about the body drop...

BEFORE YOU READ AND THINK ABOUT IT, im asking, just an idea, me and friends dont see why it wont work

look at this picture

the frame is 6" tall under the cab, this is the only part of the frame that you can see laying down looking perpendicular to the truck, it hangs below the body right here 2.75"... which is how much id need to lay rocker

now if i was to weld 3x3 in the top of the frame here, and cut that bottom peice off, the radius are relocators these.

would still work, if worse comes to worse i could bend and reinforce the tabs on the radius arms to compensate for the extra FEW degrees of an angle they would be at, they will be moved to the outside of the frame already...

the only thing that hangs lower than that peice is the exhaust...

but i would like ya'lls input on this. ive asked some (NO PICTURES) on RPS and no one will give me a straight answer...

plz help more pics to help..



ok the "idea" it would be like an old fullsize bd...

if it would lay 3/4 - 1/2" at least to rocker thats good enough

[S10wannabee]

just looked through your whole topic, looks good

[phillip7]

If you cut a whole in the bed you will probally regret it later I know I do.

[83LOWrange]

Quote: Originally Posted by phillip7

If you cut a whole in the bed you will probally regret it later I know I do.

yea, im trying not to, but if my idea to body drop it wont work, ill have to because i wont be able to get the cab stock floored before july 11th unless i had some help