Tim Nichols was cross-rutted, stuck in two-wheel drive, and banging on the limiter. First gear, Reverse, First, Reverse, thinking “No way am I getting pulled out by my buddy’s Toyota,” as he tried to rock his way free of the muddy mess. That’s when Reverse exploded. But that’s the middle of the story.
Back in his high school days, Tim’s ’99 Ford Ranger sported the closest-to-stock running gear it would ever see. After he purchased the truck he did some engine work to get the 4.0L V-6 running and lifted the truck’s independent front suspension four inches. Outback he swapped in an 8.8-inch axle from a Ford Explorer and put a Detroit Locker in the differential. The front diff got an Aussie Locker and the Ranger sat on 35-inch tires. This setup was plenty of fun, but it had a nasty habit of blowing CV ’shafts and rack-and-pinion assemblies.
This story is from the August 2020 edition of Four Wheeler.
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This story is from the August 2020 edition of Four Wheeler.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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