decision on new (used) ride-NEED HELP!

[YARP]

I've been working on a woods buggy for awhile now, but after going over all the stuff I need to complete this project (I've been staring at the frame for months now) and seeing how long it's going to take to put this together, I need something for "in the mean time".
I have it narrowed down to 3 vehicles.
1.Chevy Suburban-this isn't my first choice, actually my last but they are decent.
2.Ford Ranger-I've owned two of these, one was lifted and one was dropped. Liked'em both
3.Ford Bronco-I grew up riding in these and have always dreamed of owning one.

Of the three, the Bronco seems like it's the right mix of space, ability and off road fix-ability. The Ranger would obviously get the best gas mileage, plus I've worked on them in the past extensively. The Suburban and I have a love hate relationship due to the amount of wrecks I've been (not driving) in, I did walk away from each one without a scratch on me to include a rollover that ended on the roof. Plus it has a ton of space to work with.

For you folks that own/have owned these what are your thoughts. What are some simple and cheap mods that I can do to put these vehicles to better use? Lift it or leave it alone (I'm a redneck so......)?

[YARP]

Scratched it down to just the Ranger or the Bronco at this point. Would love to hear from you Bronco owners out there!

[CaptBeach]

Broncos are awesome...so are Rangers...if your considering the Ranger also consider the Explorer Sport-Trac...Americas version of a Crew Cab Ranger...

If you end up buying a Bronco...go south...looks like you live in Michigan...SALT...RUST...use Craigslist and find a good southern Bronco in Texas or AZ

I'm partial to Rangers owned 3X...one Supercab with a heavily massaged 3.0 motor and a 10" lift running 35's...it was a beast...pulled a few Chevys/F150/F250 out of a ditch...it was a BEAST...although as a BUG OUT truck I would not have lifted it that far...got it that way from a Ford Mechanic...I literally had to JUMP into it...

[Czechsix]

Well, I own a Suburban with, uh, a couple of mods. Also a one ton Ford. I agree with CaptBeach, get out of the state to deal with the salt issue. I'd vote small lift if you need to clear tires, or no lift if you don't. KISS. stock is usually more reliable, and reliable is a primary thing to think about in a outback vehicle. Of course, I hate working on my trucks, but I've been doing it over thirty years now....I'm in the mode I just want stuff to work, not work on.

[YARP]

I'm keeping my eye on the salt problem. Here in MI people advertise the fact that "this car is from AZ or TX" and I've been bringing my mechanic buddy along to take a look. So CaptBeach what did you do to the engine to give it more power? I had a 2000 ranger 3.0l V6 and that thing was peppy (2wd) but it wasn't that powerful. It will be getting raised if I get one, not by much though. No reason to make a roll over prone vehicle.
Czechsix-after spending the weekend looking at trucks a used burban is out, the ones in my area have been pretty thrashed with salt. I totally agree with not wanting to spend time fixing stuff.

[TomG]

I love my Ford F-150 4x4.
But Im considering a Suzuki Samurai for my woods vehicle.
my neighbor is a mechanic and has fixed up an older one, painted in cammo.
That thing has such a narrow wheel base that it can go anywhere, never seen anything like it.
Seen him take it down my walking trails with no problem.
Not much room for gear though.
Have to put a luggage rack on the hood and top to carry more gear I guess.
That little thing goes over downed trees like their not even there.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_Samurai

[CaptBeach]

I'm keeping my eye on the salt problem. Here in MI people advertise the fact that "this car is from AZ or TX" and I've been bringing my mechanic buddy along to take a look. So CaptBeach what did you do to the engine to give it more power? I had a 2000 ranger 3.0l V6 and that thing was peppy (2wd) but it wasn't that powerful. It will be getting raised if I get one, not by much though. No reason to make a roll over prone vehicle.
Czechsix-after spending the weekend looking at trucks a used burban is out, the ones in my area have been pretty thrashed with salt. I totally agree with not wanting to spend time fixing stuff.

K&N Filter Charger
Heads shaved to bump compression up, it was probably the biggest increase in performance.
Headers and a very free flowing exhaust

These got me to the point where from a dead standstill, not power braking I could turn over the NEW 35's

One way to deal with the salt is buying a southern vehicle and then undercoating the hell out of it, also taping off lower portion of body panels and LINEXing them...

[Pokeguyjai]

Broncos are bad ass in my book!!

[YARP]

Broncos are bad ass in my book!!

They are in mine to bro, if only I could find one in decent shape around here. IMO the best blocky lookin truck still on the road today.

[YARP]

Starting to look like the Ranger is the all around better choice for what I'm looking for. Any suggestions on good after market lift kits? I want to do it all with the suspension, I don't care to raise the body.

[Superman]

Ranger would be my choice. Actually I'ld choose an explorer over the ranger. I have a Bronco II with a V8, 1-ton axles and 43" tires

What year ranger you looking for?

If it's 83-97 then skyjacker and james duff are really the only choices. Their lift brackets are the strongest.

If it's 98 or newer I have no idea never messed with any of those.

[YARP]

R keith-My thought was to get an extended cab Ranger so that my dog has his own space (he's spoiled) and the wife can still ride up front. She tends to get pissed at me when I let the dog sit in the front seat and she has to sit in the back! LOL! joking, I'm not a jerk.

I could then buy a top for the back if I ever wanted carrying space for stuff in the elements. There was at one time a bench sold for the bed of the ranger that folded out in to a bed (great for camping and in my younger years it was great for......well we don't need to go there), I would consider getting another one of those.

[CaptBeach]

Look for a Supercab FX4 Level II as a base...they were awesome trucks...

[YARP]

Picked up a 1998 Ranger extended cab 4x4 with a 4.0l V6! What vital modifications should be made first?

[Czechsix]

Picked up a 1998 Ranger extended cab 4x4 with a 4.0l V6! What vital modifications should be made first?

Basic maintenance first, and don't install a K&N :).

Past that, I do fire extinguishers, spare parts and tools stored on board, more storage, extra spare tire/wheel, better fuel capacity, good tow hooks front and rear, upgrade filtration and cooling (to include a auto tranny cooler if you're not running a manual), rear locker/LS, small lift (2-4", suspension)upgrade driveshafts and upgrade rubber/tire size if necessary, bed shell, front and rear heavier duty bumpers, possibly a winch, upgraded charging system, comms and on and on.

Pretty much in that order.

Note that I didn't say anything about increasing engine power hehe. Keep it stock, and keep it reliable. First thing is get it working right, second thing is make it more reliable, third thing is increase capabilities.

[YARP]

Thanks Czechsix! I wouldn't mind adding a little more power, just don't have the need for an engine swap. Basic maintenance taken care of half an hour ago (great mechanic friends!:cheers:). Already has some mudders on her, I'll have to go look to see what kind.
What would you suggest for cooling? It's a an automatic.
Drive shaft?
Lift kit?

Does anybody know who makes the bed shell that has the hatchback style door? it replaces the tailgate. I can't for the life of me remember the brand name.

[Czechsix]

Yep, I'd pass on engine swaps, unless you really really like working on it. KISS.

There are plenty of tranny coolers out there, just look for one from a reliable company like B&M, TransGo, or similiar. It should be a thermostatically controlled one too, it's possible to overcool the tranny fluid. Which is the reason that the stock system runs through the radiator tank, theoretically it keeps the tranny fluid at a constant temp...until you're in a high load, low speed situation, and then everything overheats at once. LOL.

Don't bother with drive shaft until you deal with lift, pinion and dealing with some kind of locker or LS install. The other thing to remember with replacing all this stuff is that often your u-joints act like the shear pin in a PTO winch - it's a known failure point, and that's a good thing. You need to have something easily replaceable that will self destruct when too much torque goes through it. Just saying that it's something you have to approach as a system, not as individual components, and all the manufacturers that advertise in the magazines don't tell you about that minor point.

One of the national manufacturers that does the hatchback style door is A.R.E., look at their DCU style shell. Out where I am, on the other side of the country from you (Southern California), I've gone with a local manufacturer that does custom steel framed campers and camper shells. Their name is Callen Campers, you might even try finding something local to you that does the same thing, but it'll be a tough thing to find. Callen does well here because of all of our desert off road racing, you see many of their shells out on support trucks, and they last forever.

[randyho]

The other thing to remember with replacing all this stuff is that often your u-joints act like the shear pin in a PTO winch - it's a known failure point, and that's a good thing.

That's a really good point. I always thought of them being a fuse for the system. And they're a lot easier to buy, store, and replace than, say, axles.