Ford Ranger cage questions

I want to move on to stage rally, while continuing to compete in rallycross.

The rAnger was what I thought to be a good starter because of the lack of complexity, cheap and abundant parts, and 2wd generally being cheaper to run than awd.

I've been racing rx, and am in my second year there, but come from racing motorcross and road racing motorcycles. Being competitive is important, so having a vehicle that has zero shot with the driver being competent is something I'd like to avoid. That's not to say I'll be fast, but knowing that the car can be is important.

My budget is limited, as is my desire to create a project that will never get off of the ground. My trust fund dried up with the sheets back in 1983 haha.

The other big issue with cage in small trucks is that taking the cage feet to the normal points in the cab floor still leaves you with work to carry the cage loads on into the frame and vice versa. The frame and cage and cab need to be made one unit; if they're not, in a crash, the frame can rip off the cab mounts at the cab floor attach points; this leaves the frame, motor, trannie, and axles as a separate loose structure to bash against the cab/cage unit; that downright dangerous.

AngryIron's cage takes the rally cage sandards for unibody and work them differently for a small truck. All of the odd stuff is there to take impact loads on the cage to the frame and vice versa, and to tie the cage, body, and frame together. The tubing loops out of the frame sides supporting the 'feet' of the cage needed some reinforcing plates to keep them from bending them down vertically and ripping out frame sides. It also stiffened the frame both longtudinally and for twisting loads, although less attention was paid to that.

Just one thing to keep in mind: Driving an underpowered car well will beat at least half the field in most rallies.

Basically, it sounds like a truck frame lacks rigidity in some very important ways. This, combined with the added complexity of a frame/cab/cage combination could make this a project best bypassed. Could still be fun, but bang per buck may be elsewhere.

Oh good, another ex-moto-cross guy....

Good.
Go simple...just like on the bike the biggest variable is the driver..
You've seen it a million times that a good 125 guy can stomp plenty of 250 or 500 class guys....

So it ain't MAX power that makes the thing go quickly.....

It's being basically "correct" with good suspension, good BRAKES, , some power but with right gearset in the box and final drive....
and then somebody to nail the throttle open HOLD IT OPEN to the last second, then slam it shut BRAKE, turn and go...

Now imagine for a moment the nice shiny (don't know what you rode but I rode 20 years mostly Husqvarna and 2 season on KTM, finshed riding career with a nice little KDX 200) thang has 65% of the weight on the front---and is geared for Bonneville.....

ain't going to work too well, is it..
Point I'm hinting at is we need the cars not to be like the latest way bad YZ450F---we need it more like the KDX200: solid, reliable, flexible and "pretty darn good" as an all rounder....(it used to be funner than hell to outbrake local 250 "Pro" guys, putter around an inside line they never even looked at (cause they trying too hard) and pass 'em with my drum braked KDX...

So something simple and reliable (cause DNFs are expensive in money and worse on losing seat time) that you don't have to give a lotta thought to making a motor go, but is fun enough that the fun you're having sustains you thru the bad times when you smack something...

something with good steering cause you're used to 90^o full left to full right, OK ratios matched to the engine, and something you can afford to get a shorter final drive.

Yep sounds like Tim Chevalier's car is what you want.. It's done, it goes good, it's available..

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John Vanlandingham
Sleezattle, WA, USA

Vive le Prole-le-ralliat

www.rallyrace.net/jvab
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That is a ton of good advice, John.

That you can do well with steering, balls, and skill are what attracts me to rally. More like motocross than autocross in that regard.

I spent most of my time on Suzukis. My last one was an RM 125, so I know exactly what you mean.

The Merkur is looking more and more appealing, but 10k is beyond my current budget, so back to the piggy bank I go.

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Neronymous
That is a ton of good advice, John.

That you can do well with steering, balls, and skill are what attracts me to rally. More like motocross than autocross in that regard.

I spent most of my time on Suzukis. My last one was an RM 125, so I know exactly what you mean.

The Merkur is looking more and more appealing, but 10k is beyond my current budget, so back to the piggy bank I go.

Keep saving those pennies...You're gonna be in for $10k for just about anything that's stage rally ready nowadays, whether you build it or buy it...which is why instead of rally, I own half-interest in a LeMons car. Is it as fun as pitching a car on gravel? No? Is it waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay more fun than spending an entire day standing in a parking lot (be it asphalt or dirt) shagging cones for 5 minutes of seat time? Hell yeah!!!!

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Andrew Steere
Lyndeborough, NH
KB1PJY

I have a few friends who race LeMons. Looks like a great time, and you are right about standing in parking lots all day sucking.

The appeal of building is being able to at least run rx until it's complete. Down time feels like such a waste.

Under 10 grand?

buy this (the lada)

http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?7,69986,73284#msg-73284

Knowing it's ready to go for another decade... and then maybe it will be used enough I'll buy off you.

Matt

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Mad Matt F
Under 10 grand?

buy this (the lada)

http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?7,69986,73284#msg-73284

Knowing it's ready to go for another decade... and then maybe it will be used enough I'll buy off you.

Matt

Four more years to bring that stateside without risking Fortress Amerikkka smooshing it for being a communist, Taliban car.

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Andrew Steere
Lyndeborough, NH
KB1PJY

all those desert racers cant be wrong

if the ranger makes you smile go for it!!!

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I would rather drive a slow car fast as a fast car slow!
first rule of cars: get what makes you happy, your the one paying for it!

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fiasco

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Mad Matt F
Under 10 grand?

buy this (the lada)

http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?7,69986,73284#msg-73284

Knowing it's ready to go for another decade... and then maybe it will be used enough I'll buy off you.

Matt

Four more years to bring that stateside without risking Fortress Amerikkka smooshing it for being a communist, Taliban car.

Vat are you talking about?! Seriously??? I knew they were never imported there, but you still can't bring them in?

No, because they were never tested to meet DOT safety and EPA emmisions standards. It's possible if the car is over 25 years old going through an approved import agency, I believe.

I've looked quickly when I thought about bringing over a Lancia from Europe.

EDIT: Looks like Canadian cars are easier...

Tim.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/19/2013 09:29PM by TronDD.

And for anyone looking at Tim Chevalier's Merkur, I'll vouch for Tim and his being a straight up guy. He gives a good description of the car and I would take his word as being true. And Don Taylor issuing the logbook should mean the cage is all A-OK. Tim grew up rallying with his dad, and is a long time rally guy. So I would not be scared to get serious about this car.
Mark B.

I've seen Tim's car. It's worth the price. I sold him his street XR4, as well as the T5 gearbox and a bunch of other stuff for the rally car. Tim's a top-shelf guy, always looking to help you out at a rally.

Shell is good, cage is good, it's not tied to the front strut towers though. Tim wanted to keep it a runner during the build, and the wiring harness and fuse box need to be relocated to put the tubes to the front strut towers. Also, some people would rather sacrifice the shell with a less-rigid cage.

Medcroft's (former) car is probably nicer (only seem pictures of his builds), but this is at least 2/3 the car at 2/3 the price.

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Andrew Steere
Lyndeborough, NH
KB1PJY

Sorry for the completely unrelated post, Jesse. But if your user name a play on the name "Euronymous" from Mayhem?

Good luck with the project.

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Why do you even need brakes? Are you some sort of pansy or something?