ranger 044.jpg
663 hits | 71.16 KB | Posted: 3/20/05
Rear shackles; on top, stock Ranger shackle, below is GM shackle that came with my 63" rear springs....

ranger 046.jpg
621 hits | 77.98 KB | Posted: 3/20/05
..... it's hard to make out but the GM shackle uses slightly thicker legs

ranger 047.jpg
750 hits | 81.2 KB | Posted: 3/20/05
A stock Ranger shackle is already in compression from the factory, but I figured I'd like to gain so...

ranger 048.jpg
586 hits | 69.31 KB | Posted: 3/20/05
like this. Of course you've weakened the hanger substantially so some sort of guessetting is requir...

ranger 049.jpg
527 hits | 51.48 KB | Posted: 3/20/05
I chose to box/gusset with 2.5" square. This is yet another thing I thought might come out looking ...

ranger 056.jpg
645 hits | 71.34 KB | Posted: 3/20/05
Rear/rear hanger installed

ranger 052.jpg
524 hits | 61.04 KB | Posted: 3/20/05
Now, for the front hangers for the rear springs, I determined where I wanted them and found one of t...

ranger 053.jpg
588 hits | 65.25 KB | Posted: 3/20/05
The hanger would need to bolt on an uneven area of frame here, so I welded in some scrap and ground ...

ranger 054.jpg
545 hits | 63.39 KB | Posted: 3/20/05
there's the idea (yeah, I cut the stock hanger some)

ranger 055.jpg
568 hits | 75.08 KB | Posted: 3/20/05
Done. If I decide three bolts isn't sufficient I'll weld it the frame, but I suspect it'll be fine.

ranger 057.jpg
586 hits | 61.93 KB | Posted: 3/21/05
Right side 63" Chevy installed

ranger 059.jpg
627 hits | 76.64 KB | Posted: 3/21/05
Great shot of me, huh? I cut 10" off the rear frame. Note the factory rear xmember has been moved ...

ranger 060.jpg
717 hits | 78.47 KB | Posted: 3/21/05
A shorter Ranger with rear leafs installed. I believe this reduced the wheelbase by about 10"

ranger 064.jpg
1300 hits | 58.07 KB | Posted: 3/23/05
Rear axle is in. Never mind brakes, parking brake, anti-wrap, driveshaft, etc etc

ranger 066.jpg
858 hits | 79.53 KB | Posted: 3/23/05