This is Probably a dumb question but....

What is a prerunner. I see it here and there, but The only difference I saw was on a ford ranger, and it looked like a baja truck. So could someone plz define Prerunner for me and let me know the difference.

Also I'd like to know the variouse engines, transmissions,t-cases, and axles that come on a 2nd gen ranger (years 1989-1992. The only engines i know off are 2.3 I4, 2.9 V6, 3.0 V6, and the 4.0 V6. The only transmissions I know of are 4spd A4LD auto, and a 5spd manual (I don't know the models). I don't know any t-cases or axels.

Any info or comments would be greatly appreciated.
Josh  
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1988 Dodge Power Ram 250 5.2L 318CID EFI, Granny Geared 4spd manual,8 bolt Dana 60 Back and 8 bolt Dana 40 front, 4x4, Custom Rear and front bumper, CB, Has electric trailer brake module, Motor Replaced with napa Rmfd engine last year, new cluth along with new u-joint on entire truck.

(SOLD)1992 Ford Bronco XLT 5.0L 302 CID swaped for 5.8L 351W CID, auto trans, Electric transfer case w/ manual lock hubs, dual cherry bomb exhaust,

This is an easy one.

A "Prerunner" by definition a is a vehicle used to pre-run the course of an Off Road Desert Race. Typically they are outfitted with a long travel suspension, race shocks, roll cage, ect just like the race vehicle.

A "Prerunner" is NOT a truck with the front lifted higher than the back.

You are correct on the engines.

Transmissions available were the A4LD Auto, and manuals were the M5OD-R1 and Mitsubishi FM132 and FM146

Axles were the Ford 7.5" and 8.8" and the front were TTB either Dana 28 or 35.

Transfercase was the Borg Warner 1354 or 1350, either came in an Electric or Manual shift.  
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Ok that cleared things up. So I was right about a "prerunner" being a baja truck?
Are the dana 28 and 35 good axels?
Could The Dana 28 and 35 handle up to 33's or 35's?
Are the 7.5" and 8.8" gonna handle 33's or 35's?
Are the 1354 and 1350 good t-cases?
Could it be possible to put the whole rear end and ttb D44 of an f150?
What would Be some problems with that?

I am aware of the different lengths of ranger axels compared to f150 axels. I Figure the extra length would look cool and make the vehicle more stable.

I'm just tossing some ideas around cause I would really like to get started on a build, but I don't want to rush into something that I get stuck on. I want to know what i can do so i know what to look for.

Thanx for the help.
josh  
Fixed
Or
Repaired
Daily
  But you gotta love em.

1988 Dodge Power Ram 250 5.2L 318CID EFI, Granny Geared 4spd manual,8 bolt Dana 60 Back and 8 bolt Dana 40 front, 4x4, Custom Rear and front bumper, CB, Has electric trailer brake module, Motor Replaced with napa Rmfd engine last year, new cluth along with new u-joint on entire truck.

(SOLD)1992 Ford Bronco XLT 5.0L 302 CID swaped for 5.8L 351W CID, auto trans, Electric transfer case w/ manual lock hubs, dual cherry bomb exhaust,

Oops I messed a question up. I meant:
Could it be possible to put the D44 Front and rear axel off of an f150 onto a ranger?
I know the rear axle will fit fine. But will the ttb bolt up or will something need to be modified. Or would it just be easier to put a solid axle upfront?  
Fixed
Or
Repaired
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  But you gotta love em.

1988 Dodge Power Ram 250 5.2L 318CID EFI, Granny Geared 4spd manual,8 bolt Dana 60 Back and 8 bolt Dana 40 front, 4x4, Custom Rear and front bumper, CB, Has electric trailer brake module, Motor Replaced with napa Rmfd engine last year, new cluth along with new u-joint on entire truck.

(SOLD)1992 Ford Bronco XLT 5.0L 302 CID swaped for 5.8L 351W CID, auto trans, Electric transfer case w/ manual lock hubs, dual cherry bomb exhaust,

Yea, a Prerunner would be a Baja Truck.

If you had the older 28 front end I wouldn't put to big of a tire on it.

With the 35, what a majority of them are, you're fine with a 33 or 35. Same with the 8.8. I wouldn't run them on a 7.5.

You can't put the F-150 beams on the Ranger, they don't work, but you can put the F-150 Dana 44 ends on the Ranger beams. However you need to ream out the ball joint holes.

Rear axle, sure what the heck. It's going to be a lot wider though.  
-------------------------------------------------------------
Long Travel 4WD - The best of Both Worlds

Questions? Comments? Concerns? PM Me!

Lol Thats Ok atleast I wont get my tires digging the same rut lol.  
Fixed
Or
Repaired
Daily
  But you gotta love em.

1988 Dodge Power Ram 250 5.2L 318CID EFI, Granny Geared 4spd manual,8 bolt Dana 60 Back and 8 bolt Dana 40 front, 4x4, Custom Rear and front bumper, CB, Has electric trailer brake module, Motor Replaced with napa Rmfd engine last year, new cluth along with new u-joint on entire truck.

(SOLD)1992 Ford Bronco XLT 5.0L 302 CID swaped for 5.8L 351W CID, auto trans, Electric transfer case w/ manual lock hubs, dual cherry bomb exhaust,

Trust me, it gets old. Trucks with different track widths drive funky off road. I ran mine with the front 8" wider than the rear for a couple years, it's annoying.  
-------------------------------------------------------------
Long Travel 4WD - The best of Both Worlds

Questions? Comments? Concerns? PM Me!

lol..Ok i'll take your advice on that.  
Fixed
Or
Repaired
Daily
  But you gotta love em.

1988 Dodge Power Ram 250 5.2L 318CID EFI, Granny Geared 4spd manual,8 bolt Dana 60 Back and 8 bolt Dana 40 front, 4x4, Custom Rear and front bumper, CB, Has electric trailer brake module, Motor Replaced with napa Rmfd engine last year, new cluth along with new u-joint on entire truck.

(SOLD)1992 Ford Bronco XLT 5.0L 302 CID swaped for 5.8L 351W CID, auto trans, Electric transfer case w/ manual lock hubs, dual cherry bomb exhaust,

4WOR Web Editor:
Yea, a Prerunner would be a Baja Truck.

If you had the older 28 front end I wouldn't put to big of a tire on it.

With the 35, what a majority of them are, you're fine with a 33 or 35. Same with the 8.8. I wouldn't run them on a 7.5.

You can't put the F-150 beams on the Ranger, they don't work, but you can put the F-150 Dana 44 ends on the Ranger beams. However you need to ream out the ball joint holes.

Rear axle, sure what the heck. It's going to be a lot wider though.


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Actually... the F-150 D44 beams can be bolted right into the brackets on a Ranger (having the 1.5" STX Highrider brackets will greatly improve available travel). Ideally you would want to lengthen each beam 1" right next to the pivot though.

Where you will run into some need to fabricate is at the coil spring mounts (they will need to be spaced out 1-2"), and the radius arm mounts, both these items due to the axle's extra width. Of course the steering linkage will need to be dealt with as well.


D28 = stock tire size max (it's that weak)
D35 & D44 both will handle a 35" tire no problem. 35" is quite a bit of tire for a prerunner however, I think most guys stick to around a 33" tire.

Rear 7.5" is good to about a 33" tire, the 28 spline 8.8 should be fine up to 35". A 31 spline 8.8" should handle 38s well.  

Thanx that was helpful  
Fixed
Or
Repaired
Daily
  But you gotta love em.

1988 Dodge Power Ram 250 5.2L 318CID EFI, Granny Geared 4spd manual,8 bolt Dana 60 Back and 8 bolt Dana 40 front, 4x4, Custom Rear and front bumper, CB, Has electric trailer brake module, Motor Replaced with napa Rmfd engine last year, new cluth along with new u-joint on entire truck.

(SOLD)1992 Ford Bronco XLT 5.0L 302 CID swaped for 5.8L 351W CID, auto trans, Electric transfer case w/ manual lock hubs, dual cherry bomb exhaust,