1993 Ford Ranger Prerunner: Building Custom Single-Swing Steering

Wings World’s 1993 Ford Ranger prerunner reaches a big milestone in this build update: fabricating a custom single-swing steering system from scratch, with a March 1st deadline looming.

Featured in “Building COMPLETELY NEW Steering For the Ranger Prerunner” by Wings World.

Coming into this stage, the front suspension is largely sorted: frame plates and beam pivots are in, an engine cage is built, and shock mounts and bump stops are placed to protect the pricey shocks. A removable crossmember above the engine keeps maintenance access easy. The setup cycles around 18 inches of travel without the bump stops and limit straps, which are there to cushion full compression and stop over-extension.

The centerpiece is the single-swing steering. Using templates and custom parts, the build ties a pre-made pitman arm (which fits various Ford models) through the swinger to the tie rods and wheels, working with two-inch 250-wall tubing and bronze bushings. To dial in geometry before cutting expensive material, the tie rods are mocked up with electrical metallic tubing, cheap, bendable, and reusable, though its galvanized coating means care when tack welding.

Build highlights

• Platform: 1993 Ford Ranger prerunner
• Suspension: ~18 in. travel, custom shock mounts and bump stops
• Steering: custom single-swing, 2-inch 250-wall tubing, bronze bushings, Ford pitman arm
• Alignment: homemade tool, 1/4-inch toe-in set with 35-inch tubing

Because custom steering like this stumps most alignment shops, the builder set the toe himself with a homemade tool, dialing in a quarter-inch toe-in for stability at speed. Next up before the deadline: the front bumper, fenders, and bedside mods to clear larger tires.