Im working on building up my 03' ranger 4.0 4x4 for some moderate trail running, and I was wondering what parts other members have broken when out wheeling, or have heard of breaking, what the weak links are, and what spares should I carry other than the obvious U-joints? I just want to be prepared haha, thanks.

 

I the 7.5 axle isnt the strongest so maby upgrade to an 8.8 with a limited slip if you dont already have one. Looking at your avatar it look like you have a fx4 so you probably already have an 8.8 with a l/s.

You should put your truck info in your signature, it will make it easier to help you with questions.

 

ifs lol thats a weak point so i heard


ball joints, wheel bearings, seals

 

IFS is the weak point.. depends on how big you go and how hard you are on the truck.

U-joints, CV shafts, rear drive shaft(i'm on my second) thats about all you can carry with any practicality. I broke my carrier, but your not gonna be fixing that on the trail most likely.

Ball joints and wheel bearings will be wearing out a lot faster too.

 

i've broke my trans on the trail, er, in the pit. cv's are the weak spot. your truck isn't very built judging my the avatar, so your not going too 'hardcore' on it i suppose.


Guy above me...knows alot about breaking crap on the trail.

 

Yup I know the IFS is the weak point, I've already bent the lower control arm mounts on both sides and Im just waiting to blow a CV, im just getting into wheeling but I already have some body damage just no broken parts, I cant afford a SAS at this time so the IFS will have to do for a while until I can afford to do an SAS.

 

and in parking lots


i just say, carry a CV shaft for both sides along with the axle nut socket to change them out. A rear drive shaft and u-joints for the front and back, along obviously with the tools to change them out, weather you prefer the hammer method or the more careful way with a c-clamp. Hell toss some c-clips in there just in case, maybe some spare axle shafts if you have the money, then you need a 6pt 5/16" wrench, some gasket maker and some gear oil, and a way to clean up your mess/catch the fluids.

My lower control arms were beat to hell, I was on my second passengerside LCA, what do you play in the most, rocks? dirt/rock trails? mud?

 

I was thinking I would make a trip to the junkyard soon for CV shafts and a spare front drive shaft, as for the hub nut I have tried 3 different parts stores and even the Ford dealership but no one can tell me what size hub nut I have. As for the tools and fluids I have a tool box full of them I think im prepared in that sense. I run rocky, muddy, rooty narrow trails and I would like to build a capable rig that I can still drive to work every day, next on my list of upgrades are skidplates, rock sliders, headers and exhaust, flex-a-lite electric fan, and a rear locker, a front bush bumper and winch. Once I get that I think it would be a pretty capable rig. Has anyone ever broken their tie rod? I noticed how small and weak looking it is today.

 

Matt your forgetting radiator haha

 

My weak point has been that crappy Torsen L/S in my 02 FX4 (same as your truck). Replace it ASAP, even though you arent part of the recalled Torsen's. They're crap compared to the Trac Loc I have now.

 

If someone was going to break one, I think it would be me, ask Casey and Pete and a few other guys who saw me cranking on the steering wheel (with the passenger helping) out at BVORR.. they were still in amazing shape when I cut the R&P out, they're probably cheap enough that it wouldn't hurt to carry an extra outer tie rod.

I wouldn't bother with the front drive shaft, even though it wouldn't be a bad thing to have. The rear drive shaft is just so much easier to beat up. Maybe look into a front locker too, it's a night and day difference.

idk what size it is, it'll probably be in the 30mm range, search around here or post up a thraed if your search reviels nothing.

well damn.. He did say skid plates, hopefully he wont make the same mistake I did..


After saying that.. SKID PLATES!!!!!!!!!
-Gas tank
-T-case
-Radiator (not the junky ford one, build something beefy, you'll be hitting it quite often if your in rocks.)