From Commute to Competition: The Dual Life of Nick’s Stunning Ford Ranger

The desert racing scene has always been about pushing boundaries, but Nick’s ‘97 Ford Ranger proves that sometimes the sweetest builds come from unexpected places. This isn’t your typical weekend warrior project - it’s a daily-driven prerunner that somehow manages to balance race-ready capability with street manners, and the results are absolutely stunning.

What makes this Ranger special isn’t just the impressive suspension travel or the fresh paint job, though both certainly catch your eye. Nick’s truck represents something deeper in the off-road community - the dedication to building something that can handle both the morning commute and weekend desert runs without breaking a sweat. Originally built by TT Motorsports’ Tommy Tree, this Ranger has lived multiple lives, racing competitively before finding its way back to Nick’s garage for a complete refresh.

The front end setup tells the story of serious engineering. Those TT Motorsports Dana 44 equal-length beams paired with King 2.5x14" coilovers and 3.0x14" three-tube bypass shocks aren’t just for show - they’re pulling 19" of travel up front. The crossover steering keeps everything pointed straight when the terrain gets rowdy, while Bilstein 2.0 bumps handle the big hits. It’s the kind of suspension package that costs more than most people’s entire truck, but when you’re talking about a race-capable daily driver, compromises aren’t an option.

Under the hood sits the original 4.0 V6 with 170,000 miles on the clock! Most builders would have swapped in a V8 years ago, but this little motor just keeps ticking. It pushes 35" BFG Mud Terrains through a 5 speed automatic without complaint. Nick’s planning an LS swap eventually, paired with a 4L80E transmission.

The attention to detail becomes obvious when you start looking at the smaller touches. The fresh Cayman Blue paint - a factory Ford color that you rarely see on Rangers - transforms the entire truck. Nick replaced every piece of trim, every light, every mirror during the paint process. The result looks like a brand-new truck that happens to have serious suspension underneath. The Fiberwerx 6" over front end and McNeil hood maintain the original Ranger proportions while providing clearance for the massive travel.

Inside, the cage work is all 1 3/4" tubing with 0.120" wall thickness, welded 360 degrees at every connection point. It’s full race legal, which means Nick could theoretically line up at any desert race tomorrow. The interior balances function with livability - Corbeau suspension seats up front, a junior seat in the back for his 3 year old daughter, and a custom switch panel that reuses the factory A/C location. The PCI intercom system and rugged race radio are ready for race day, while the Alpine head unit with Bluetooth keeps the daily driving experience civilized.

The rear suspension setup is where the real magic happens. That full tube rear end houses a Camburg 3.5 assembly with a Currie third member running 6.0 gears and 35 spline axles. The King 2.5x14" coilovers and 3.0x16" three-tube bypass shocks deliver 26" of rear travel - about the maximum you can squeeze out of a Ranger platform while maintaining a two-piece driveline. Wilwood six-piston calipers provide the stopping power, while the 32 gallon fuel cell keeps the party going longer.

What strikes you most about this build is how thoughtfully everything comes together. The folding light rack, the dual spare tires, the trans cooler mounting - every detail serves a purpose. Nick’s planning to add carpet and a center console to improve daily comfort, but he’s not willing to sacrifice capability for convenience. This truck needs to work in traffic and in the desert, and somehow it pulls off both roles.

Nick’s planning to campaign this Ranger in desert races once the V8 swap is complete, but honestly, the current setup already looks capable of handling whatever the desert throws at it. Sometimes the best builds aren’t about having the biggest motor or the most exotic parts - they’re about doing everything right and not cutting corners where it matters.