"DRIFT TRUCK" Im gonna Do It!!! Goods and Bads?

[Justin Banner]

When looking into this, that's when I noticed how flimsy the bed was right above the axil and the frame right there is a pretty small mounting point.

Ok, I understand now. Those are still sold and it's a bolt on, some drilling, but easy affair. Trust me, you've got enough frame to install it.

God, look up all this Ranger stuff is nearly making me want to drop my RX7 and go Ranger again. I've even found a '87 for $500, I've also found wide fenders that are used for off road that could look good on it with some 17's and a modest 2/4 drop. Ugh, projects... floating... in.. MIND.

[eomund240]

You misunderstand me on the bags. I had no intention of removing or altering my stock suspension or changing my ride height. From what my Dad told me, there's an old school trick to put bags between your leaf springs and frame and when you're hauling a load, you bump up the pressure to help it ride more level.

When looking into this, that's when I noticed how flimsy the bed was right above the axil and the frame right there is a pretty small mounting point.

It would probably be similar to putting on a bag setup, meaning as usual, I'm over complicating it in my head.

And ya, I know what a flip kit is. On the old Chevy Scottsdales, this was a trick to actually raise it because the axils were on top on those.

[Justin Banner]

One thing I am curious about is the suspension setup. I do some heavy hauling in my truck so I was looking to put some air bags in there about a year ago. I ended up never doing it 'cause the metal where you would mount it was really flimsy and not meant for that, and the frame there would've been a *Censored**Censored**Censored**Censored**Censored* to mount to. And I didn't want to mess with the stock damper mounts. I wonder how much fabrication it would take for a setup like this to work. Possibly run a modified off road setup?


Something like this to help keep it low, but still have realistic travel.

I don't quite get what you're asking. Usually, going to a full bag setup requires a 3- or 4-link suspension and installing your mounts by bolting them on or welding the mounts in. Depending on which way and how low you go, you'd cut and install a new "C"-notch in the rear frame where the axle tubes sit. My dad and my brother even had to do this when they flipped the spring perch from above the axle tube to below it (thus getting a 3-4" drop from just that). So, you're looking at a fairly expensive kit and some long labor times.

Oh, just a note from DJM:

"The term "Flip Kit" is sometimes misunderstood. Nothing is actually "Flipped". In fact what really happens is the rear axle is moved from beneath the leaf spring to on top on the leaf spring. This will typically result in a 5" to 8" drop depending on the thickness of the leaf spring."

[eomund240]

The 4.0L in my brother's old '94 Ranger wasn't gutless, the 2.3L was another story. The newer 3.0Ls were better, but just don't still make enough power. If you turbo the 2.3L, it comes alive. Haven't heard much about 2.5Ls being turbocharged, but I've been out of the Ranger loop for a few years now.

I have the 2.5. Don't touch it, don't even service it. I decided to do plugs and wires about 3 months ago being as it was due, and it's the most retarted setup in history. The intake manifold wraps over the entire top of the engine, not only making it almost impossible to work on, but very painfull to do certain tasks. The plugs are BEHIND the intake manifold, who does that? On top of that, who ever heard of a 2.5L engine that only makes 120hp (closer to 100 IMO) new, with even less torque? And this is in 1998. My 1990 SOHC 2.4L Nissan makes way more than that.

Sorry, done ranting on my Ford.

One thing I am curious about is the suspension setup. I do some heavy hauling in my truck so I was looking to put some air bags in there about a year ago. I ended up never doing it 'cause the metal where you would mount it was really flimsy and not meant for that, and the frame there would've been a *Censored**Censored**Censored**Censored**Censored* to mount to. And I didn't want to mess with the stock damper mounts. I wonder how much fabrication it would take for a setup like this to work. Possibly run a modified off road setup?


Something like this to help keep it low, but still have realistic travel.

[Justin Banner]

As long as you plan on changing the motor. 'Cause I will tell you this, the stock Ranger motors are GUTLESS (I have one and it's nicknames the gutless wonder). And yes I'm saying this knowing you said 4.0L.

The 4.0L in my brother's old '94 Ranger wasn't gutless, the 2.3L was another story. The newer 3.0Ls were better, but just don't still make enough power. If you turbo the 2.3L, it comes alive. Haven't heard much about 2.5Ls being turbocharged, but I've been out of the Ranger loop for a few years now.

[eomund240]

As long as you plan on changing the motor. 'Cause I will tell you this, the stock Ranger motors are GUTLESS (I have one and it's nicknames the gutless wonder). And yes I'm saying this knowing you said 4.0L.

[Justin Banner]

Don't waste your breath, Justin, I just checked the PRO-AM site, SpeedHunters and Google . . . there aren't any truck drifters who are licensed for 09 comp, at all! He's lying.

-Dave

Yeah, just realized it was the same fool. His last post confused me for a moment.

But, still, if you were going to use a pickup, a three link or torque arm setup would be enough and you don't have to get rid of the live axle. I still eventually want to do a 4.0L or Turbo 2.3L Ranger "Drift-Up" someday.

[hunterd557]

Don't waste your breath, Justin, I just checked the PRO-AM site, SpeedHunters and Google . . . there aren't any truck drifters who are licensed for 09 comp, at all! He's lying.

-Dave

[Justin Banner]

uh, who are you?? You went through the pro-am series and got your FD license? If no, how do you think you are going to be in FD in 09
that was the easy part i cliped the rear and got to switch the rear end for an s13 you can drift with leaf springs but i wouldnt

Why not just do a three or four link and coilovers, or even a torque arm setup? You don't have to lose the live axle.

[hunterd557]

uh, who are you?? You went through the pro-am series and got your FD license? If no, how do you think you are going to be in FD in 09
that was the easy part i cliped the rear and got to switch the rear end for an s13 you can drift with leaf springs but i wouldnt

ROFLMAO! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Okay! The question was, do you have your FD license? Not what imaginary modifications have you done to your truck, HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

-Dave

uh, who are you?? You went through the pro-am series and got your FD license? If no, how do you think you are going to be in FD in 09
that was the easy part i cliped the rear and got to switch the rear end for an s13 you can drift with leaf springs but i wouldnt

[hunterd557]

and i will be in F D 2009 with a 1990 nissan d21 aka hardbody mini truck, to all those that never did it i did

[Toycoma]

uh, who are you?? You went through the pro-am series and got your FD license? If no, how do you think you are going to be in FD in 09?

its now 2008

and i will be in F D 2009 with a 1990 nissan d21 aka hardbody mini truck, to all those that never did it i did

[JonnySlick]

odd thing is that if you search local threads you'll see random pics of 'yota and nissans trucks at drift events. there was a guy on DC that drifted his tocoma for past 2 years ... his vids were fun to watch. no where at the caliber of a silvia or hachi driver ... but still neat.