2008 Ford Ranger - Race Truck - Off-Road Magazine

We're not in the habit of revisiting past feature trucks, but this situation's a little different. Aside from a few feet of framerail, this truck is a whole new build. It's hard to imagine by looking at the most recent photos, but you've seen this truck before. "Stretching for Success, " August 2006, showcased Shawn Giordano's Toyota, which sported Ranger bedsides, a 22R four-cylinder engine, and a wheelbase stretched to 112 inches.

After that first photo shoot, big changes took hold of the Toy. The 22R was shelved in favor of a 3.4 Toyota V-6. The leaf sprung rear suspension was ditched and a four-link took its place. These upgrades combined with Shawn's driving skill and a little luck took truck and driver to an overall win at an MDR race. It was time to jump up to a bigger league: Best In The Desert.

Best In The Desert (BITD) is a pro-level series that offers competitors the security of racing exclusively in the United States, entry fees that fall midway between MDR and SCORE, and chasing and pitting rules that create the safest racing conditions we know of. There's a lot to like.

Shawn's speed in BITD races raised some eyebrows, most notably those of Ford Motor Co. The Blue Oval approached Mr. Giordano and asked him if he'd be interested in campaigning under its banner. Shawn knew a good thing when he saw it, and the two parties inked a deal.

Since almost everything's been changed, we'll leave the details to the photos and captions. There are times we lose track of feature trucks and their drivers, so it was good to check back in and see that Shawn and his truck are still soaring.

It's all Ford under the hood these days. The 4.0 SOHC V-6 is already good, but this one benefits from a custom exhaust built by Richards Performance. There's a Culhane-built Turbo 400 transmission behind the 4.0, mated with a custom adapter.
It's all Ford under the hood these days. The 4.0 SOHC V-6 is already good, but this one be
Sometimes it's easy to miss the little stuff, hence the close-up of the custom-fabbed throttle cable brackets.
Sometimes it's easy to miss the little stuff, hence the close-up of the custom-fabbed thro

The framerails and front suspension pickup points are still Toyota, so JD Fabrication's Toyota long-travel front suspension leads the way on the racecourse. Jesse and Dave (JD) made a special version of their long-travel kit for Shawn's truck, TIG-welding the entire thing and incorporating extra doubler plates. Eighteen inches of clean travel are on tap.
The framerails and front suspension pickup points are still Toyota, so JD Fabrication's To
Giordano TIG-welded his own four-link rear suspension using chromoly tubing and plate. There are 28 inches of travel at the ready.
Giordano TIG-welded his own four-link rear suspension using chromoly tubing and plate. The
Way back when, this truck was a door slammer with a steel cab. It's all fiberglass on the outside now, an advantage of which is easier body repair after mishaps. Without stock sheet metal in the way, Shawn was able to build a roomier interior for himself and his co-driver.
Way back when, this truck was a door slammer with a steel cab. It's all fiberglass on the

A custom steering knuckle is part of the JD front end. There's a Desert Specialties hub in place of the stock item, and the same goes for the brake caliper, which is Wilwood instead of Toyota.

A custom steering knuckle is part of the JD front end. There's a Desert Specialties hub in

Specs
Vehicle: 2008 Ford Ranger built for BITD's Class 7200
Owner: Shawn Giordano, San Marcos, CA
Engine: Ford SOHC 4.0 V-6
Induction: Stock EFI
Exhaust: custom headers by Richards Performance, Magnaflow muffler
Transmission: Turbo 400 built by Culhane Transmissions, TCS torque convertor
Front suspension: JD Fabrication long-travel kit, Fabtech Dirt Logic shocks and bumpstops,18 inches of travel
Rear suspension: Owner-built four-link, Fabtech Dirt Logic shocks and bumpstops, 28 inches of travel
Rear axle: Dirt Tech 9-inch with 3.5 inch axle tubes, full spool, 40-spline shafts, Desert Specialties hubs, Wilwood brakes
Tires & wheels: 35x12.50R15 BFGoodrich Baja T/As on 15-inch Raceline Monster beadlocks
Other: KC Hilites, Momo steering wheel, Lowrance GPS, Mastercraft 3G seats, J.E. Reel driveshaft

You can't have the mother of all pitman arms without having the mother of all idler arms. JD Fabrication built a steering kit on par with the front suspension kit. Just in case, a spare idler arm and a spare tie rod are on board.
You can't have the mother of all pitman arms without having the mother of all idler arms.
The older version of this truck had a Lincoln Versailles Ford 9-inch rearend. Currently, you'll find a 4130 chromoly Dirt Tech 9-inch back there instead: much, much stronger. The full-floater is equipped with 40-spline axle shafts made from 300m, Desert Specialties hubs, and Wilwood disc brakes.
The older version of this truck had a Lincoln Versailles Ford 9-inch rearend. Currently, y
Fast then, and faster now.

It's roomier inside now, although ingress and egress have become trickier because you now have to climb through the window opening instead of opening the door and stepping over low-slung door bars. The chassis is stronger this way, and the occupants better protected against side impacts.
It's roomier inside now, although ingress and egress have become trickier because you now
The rollcage structure is 1.75-inch, 0.120-wall 4130 chromoly tubing. Sheet metal adds intrusion protection beneath the fiberglass roof skin. The substantial tubing cluster at the back of the cab is one of the reasons this truck goes confidently through the rough.
The rollcage structure is 1.75-inch, 0.120-wall 4130 chromoly tubing. Sheet metal adds int
Mastercraft 3G seats would never have fit in the old Toyota cab, but there's plenty of room between the 'cage tubing and the Ranger fiberglass. Yes, they're as comfortable as they look.
Mastercraft 3G seats would never have fit in the old Toyota cab, but there's plenty of roo

Shawn's '86-to-'95 Toyota 4x4 power steering box is plumbed for a hydraulic ram assist but is otherwise stock. That's gotta be the mother of all pitman arms!
Shawn's '86-to-'95 Toyota 4x4 power steering box is plumbed for a hydraulic ram assist bu
Damping duties front and rear are handled by Fabtech Dirt Logic shocks. Coilover and bypass shocks are Dirt Logic 3.0's while the bumpstops are Dirt Logic 2.5's.
Damping duties front and rear are handled by Fabtech Dirt Logic shocks. Coilover and bypas
The truck rolls on 15-inch beadlocked Raceline Monster wheels and 35-inch BFGoodrich Baja T/As. Although larger wheels are becoming more and more popular, 15-inchers give you taller sidewalls: an advantage for hitting rocks and square-edged bumps at speed.
The truck rolls on 15-inch beadlocked Raceline Monster wheels and 35-inch BFGoodrich Baja