I can't stop thinking about this...(prerunner content)

I have always had an interest in prerunner trucks, but it didn't really blossom until I spent a short time living in AZ and saw several extremely badass trucks. I am sure you guys understand what its like to start planning your next project before you are even close to done with your current one, so I feel that I am in good company here!

Does anybody have experience with a mildly built prerunner/street truck? Any words of wisdom you can offer? I am stuck trying to decide between 2wd and 4wd, but leaning towards 4wd as I feel it would perform better in the sand which is about the only place to use something like this in the NW.

I am picturing a ford/mazda ranger, with crazy suspension travel and a badass motor. A 5.0 is tempting, but I don't want all my vehicles to have the same engine so I am leaning towards a built N/A rotary...I am sure this swap has been done before, it seems so natural!

Anyways, just want some feedback, etc on the prerunner truck subject. And with that, I give you prerunner porno..

I don't now anything about them, but this is my buddies build thread on a Ranger

http://www.dezertrangers.com/vb/dr-rides/168579.htm

Not sure rotary would have the torque you need.

Interested in the build

Ranger or Tacoma 2WD are the best platforms to start with. In any case you'll need a long travel suspension kit which is fairly big $$$$. Being 2WD you'll want a locker, once you have all that, you can add on goodies and more power is better.

Do you want 2WD though? That's what "prerunner" implies. IMO there's no reason to build them except to meet prerunner class rules, I'd go with 4WD.

Growing up in Southern California, I saw my fair share of badass prerunners. I still want to build a Nissan Frontier prerunner or a 97-02ish F150 with SVT Cobra motor in it. A lot of my friends I went to school with now work for Trophy Truck teams and have their own businesses making control arms and fab kits.

MmmmmMMMmmm....

In reply to DukeOfUndersteer:

That is a NICE truck. I like your F150 idea. That thing would be sweet.

I understand that prerunners are 2wd, but I never understood the reasoning behind that. Can someone explain the original premise to me?

singleslammer wrote: In reply to DukeOfUndersteer: That is a NICE truck. I like your F150 idea. That thing would be sweet.

Wouldn't that just be the Raptor?

MIn reply to Zomby Woof: Thanks for the link!

In reply to Giant Purple Snorklewacker:

Yea, but I'm sure I can build one for cheaper than a Raptor

GameboyRMH wrote: Ranger or Tacoma 2WD are the best platforms to start with. In any case you'll need a long travel suspension kit which is fairly big $$$$. Being 2WD you'll want a locker, once you have all that, you can add on goodies and more power is better. Do you want 2WD though? That's what "prerunner" implies. IMO there's no reason to build them except to meet prerunner class rules, I'd go with 4WD.

I guess what I really mean is built in what I consider a prerunner style. I was debating between 4wd and 2wd and I think 4wd would be better in my application. I would be worried about 2wd getting stuck in deeper sand.

With the price of those suspension kits I'd consider finding an uncompleted truck in AZ or socal and flying down to get it. I definitely want plenty of travel, cause it would be jumped from time to time.

DukeOfUndersteer wrote: Growing up in Southern California, I saw my fair share of badass prerunners. I still want to build a Nissan Frontier prerunner or a 97-02ish F150 with SVT Cobra motor in it. A lot of my friends I went to school with now work for Trophy Truck teams and have their own businesses making control arms and fab kits. MmmmmMMMmmm....

That frontier is SICK, love it! Love the f-150 one too, and with a terminator engine would be a blast...

Woody wrote: I understand that prerunners are 2wd, but I never understood the reasoning behind that. Can someone explain the original premise to me?

Also interested in the reasoning behind this, I heard they used to use a 2wd truck to "pre-run" the course before the trophy trucks and it evolved into its own class but I am unsure of the validity of that...

DukeOfUndersteer wrote: In reply to Giant Purple Snorklewacker: Yea, but I'm sure I can build one for cheaper than a Raptor

I'm not sure I could. My BIL has one - the thing is pretty sweet. I don't know what he paid for it but... it has dual lockers, boat loads of ground clearance and tons of power along with a really cool dash app that comes on with angles and clearance data, BT, awesome seats and very good audio. Gots ta have loud tunes when rock climbing! The backup cameras are great for backing down a single track you are too afraid to follow further for fear of taking all the paint off your new truck too.

We were hammering it thru a swamp after a little climbing over the weekend like it was just a little mud puddle. The goo was up over the door sills and it felt like we could stop and just pull out again. It has some decent chops. This is the 3rd Ford product I've been in in the last year that made me happy.

It looks like it is wearing a speedo.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote:

It looks like it is wearing a speedo.

it can wear a speedo all it wants.. it's got the package to fill it

If you're going 4WD (recommended) then go with a 4runner or Ranger 4WD, in that order of preference. For prerunner stuff there's better aftermarket support for Rangers but for 4WD there's better support for 4runners, and it's a better truck IMO.

CLNSC3 wrote:

Woody wrote: I understand that prerunners are 2wd, but I never understood the reasoning behind that. Can someone explain the original premise to me?

Also interested in the reasoning behind this, I heard they used to use a 2wd truck to "pre-run" the course before the trophy trucks and it evolved into its own class but I am unsure of the validity of that...

That's what I thought as well. Originally in some offroad rallies (Baja series for example) teams were allowed to "pre-run" the course in a 2WD truck, the prerunner. And eventually prerunner racing spun off into its own event.

i think thats a cool idea. rangers are getting cheap as heck.

can you do a less hard core version for the street? i doubt you would need all that travel even for the heaviest street pounding....plus no jumps...well except those train tracks

You can do less hardcore for sure. Prerunners used to be mostly 2wd for reliability and more travel its less of an issue now. Plenty of 4wd prerunners. Not so many in racing however.

A good alternative for a capable all round vehicle that fits in this similarly is called Jeepspeed

I'd love a true 4 seat capable 4wd prerunner style rig. Like the raptor but something I would not be afraid of getting banged up/scratched/ or broken on occasion

prerunner classifieds

http://www.spike.com/full-episodes/t18lpd/powerblock-xtreme-4x4-half-price-raptor-part-i-season-3-ep-164

Know what's more badass? Pre runner/baja style cars.

Kenny_McCormic wrote: Know what's more badass? Pre runner/baja style cars.

didn't Mickey Thompson win the Baja with one of those?

I have personally built and owned a couple Ranger and Tacoma Pre-Runners. 2wd is a better all around platform to use and modify. It's cheaper and easier to work on. These are not mud trucks and as far as your concern in deep sand paddle tires are used. A Ranger with a 5.0 is a very hard setup to beat, however most Pre-Runners focus on the suspension/safety. Most run the stock engines with minor mods like exhaust.

Where do you plan on taking this truck out at? Would this be your 1st trophy truck? Are you capable of doing your own fab work?

Just bought a Ranger and you're giving me dirty ideas. I'd be more likely to go car, though.