1993 4.0 4x4 - Service points/Reminders
#1
1993 4.0 4x4 - Service points/Reminders
Hi, love my new to me 93' 4.00 4x4 - hope to enjoy the legendary benefits of this engine (130,000 orig miles!) So, while sad to let my little Red Mits MightyMax aka Dodge D50 go to a earnest new owner, I look forward to servicing this new vehicle -roll call please, things to check, clean, lube, etc? Oh, any greasable areas or areas that could /should take a zerk? Body drains, FI maintenance, mods, by passes, other? I do know that at some point, I will be pulling out my rusted-out exhaust mani's and will prob ceramic coat and replace along with exhaust studs -
Last edited by warmblood58; 11-09-2017 at 07:32 PM. Reason: typos
#2
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The 4.0l OHV was used in Rangers from 1990 to 2000 then Rangers got the 4.0l SOHC engine, no relation.
4.0l OHV was a good long lasting engine, one failing is that it can NEVER BE over heated, it WILL crack a head, maybe both, weak spot in the casting.
So pay attention to the cooling system, if a hose "looks" bad, replace it
There are only 4 so not hard to check, lol.
Always use 190-195deg thermostat, there is a popular MIS-conception, that lower temp t-stat is better, it isn't, SAE proved that back in the 1970's, automakers finally accepted it in the 1980's, home DIYers and some mechanics still struggle with it, lol.
In 1993 the heater core is the cooling system by pass, it always has coolant flowing thru it.
If heater temp feels only luke warm then replace the core, 2 hose clamps and 4 screws, very easy to do on earlier Rangers, core is not to expensive.
Use Motorcraft or Autolite spark plugs, 4.0l "eats" other brands, short life
Use only regular copper or Double Platinum spark plugs, never single platinum, you have a "waste spark" system, so single platinum will wear out the same as regular copper on one bank of the engine, so a waste of money
Watch the rear leaf spring hangers, they tend to rust out, on ANY pickup truck
Manual hubs are a good upgrade, the automatic hubs can be finicky.
Auto hubs only need a light coat of oil/grease, very light, people tend to pack in grease like its a standard wheel bearing grease cap in there, but the will prevent auto hubs from engaging or disengaging, and you get the "click, click, click" noise from one of the front wheels, and no 4WD
The electric 4WD transfer case shift motor will work fine if you use it once a month, you don't have to drive it just shift it from 2WD to 4hi and then 4low and then back to 2WD.
This keeps the electric motors brushes clean and the lube in the gear housing spread out.
These tended to fail if they sat for most of the year, unused, and of course you wouldn't know they have failed unless you needed 4WD, so bad timing, lol.
4.0l OHV was a good long lasting engine, one failing is that it can NEVER BE over heated, it WILL crack a head, maybe both, weak spot in the casting.
So pay attention to the cooling system, if a hose "looks" bad, replace it
There are only 4 so not hard to check, lol.
Always use 190-195deg thermostat, there is a popular MIS-conception, that lower temp t-stat is better, it isn't, SAE proved that back in the 1970's, automakers finally accepted it in the 1980's, home DIYers and some mechanics still struggle with it, lol.
In 1993 the heater core is the cooling system by pass, it always has coolant flowing thru it.
If heater temp feels only luke warm then replace the core, 2 hose clamps and 4 screws, very easy to do on earlier Rangers, core is not to expensive.
Use Motorcraft or Autolite spark plugs, 4.0l "eats" other brands, short life
Use only regular copper or Double Platinum spark plugs, never single platinum, you have a "waste spark" system, so single platinum will wear out the same as regular copper on one bank of the engine, so a waste of money
Watch the rear leaf spring hangers, they tend to rust out, on ANY pickup truck
Manual hubs are a good upgrade, the automatic hubs can be finicky.
Auto hubs only need a light coat of oil/grease, very light, people tend to pack in grease like its a standard wheel bearing grease cap in there, but the will prevent auto hubs from engaging or disengaging, and you get the "click, click, click" noise from one of the front wheels, and no 4WD
The electric 4WD transfer case shift motor will work fine if you use it once a month, you don't have to drive it just shift it from 2WD to 4hi and then 4low and then back to 2WD.
This keeps the electric motors brushes clean and the lube in the gear housing spread out.
These tended to fail if they sat for most of the year, unused, and of course you wouldn't know they have failed unless you needed 4WD, so bad timing, lol.
Last edited by RonD; 11-09-2017 at 10:11 AM.
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