i have a 98 with a 4.0 ohv and when i go uphills in the summer my tempeture sky rockets. it wouldnt be a big deal but i drive hills everyday at 40 mph and i dont want to overheat when i hit the top. i know this is a common problem with rangers so whats the fix?

 

Check your coolant.

Only time rangers overheat is when they have cracked heads or blown head gaskets. When they do get hot they will crack heads.

 

get a new thermostat too.

 

well i just put some antifreeze in it and its fine unless i am pulling a hill so i figured it had to be not getting enough cold air flow somewhere

 

If you are loosing coolant and cant find the leak odds are you have a cracked head.


Check your plugs in the middle cylinders.

Once you go over about 30 the is enough airflow to keep the truck cool without the fan.

 

I blew a heater hose a few years ago at the top of a long uphill. Overheated instantly and cracked a head. After replacing the head, gaset, thermostat, water pump, fan clutch, and radiator, it still overheated when I went up a hill. Thought I cracked the block, but it turned out the sending units were wacked. Replaced the sending units (one for the computer, 1 for the gauge), it never got hot again. Check your sending units. I also installed a water temp and real oil pressure gauge just to be sure.