4.0L OHV & SOHC V6 Tech General discussion of 4.0L OHV and SOHC V6 Ford Ranger engines.

Cheap performance mods? Help

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Old Feb 29, 2012
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Cheap performance mods? Help

Well has prices are going up but I don't care lol I want alittle better performance for a cheap price if at all possible? Even some gas performance tips would help. Just really anything to make my ranger more unique
 
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Old Feb 29, 2012
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Originally Posted by andrew_deaton
Well has prices are going up but I don't care lol I want alittle better performance for a cheap price if at all possible? Even some gas performance tips would help. Just really anything to make my ranger more unique
What motor do you have? Edit: didn't see it was in the 4.0 thread.

A good Tune up and a tuner can go a long way.
 

Last edited by Vonhanson; Feb 29, 2012 at 11:00 AM.
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Old Feb 29, 2012
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Not exactly sure but I have a 1998 ranger xlt 4x4 4.0L
 
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Old Feb 29, 2012
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SOHC.

E-Fan, tuner, K&N filter, plugs and wires, screaming demon coil pack.

if youve got the money, grab the 4.3 stroker kit and a set of heads. then bolt on a pro-charger and blow out 350-400hp.
 
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Old Feb 29, 2012
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My vote is for a tuner, simple underdrive kit would be something you'd notice
 
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Old Feb 29, 2012
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Best bang for the buck is a 5.0 swap.
 
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Old Mar 1, 2012
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He has an OHV. Fuel mileage...air tires up to max inflation listed on tire. Center treadwear may be an issue for some, but I have never had an issue. Power...I'm going with 5.0 also.
 
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Old Mar 1, 2012
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I think I'm gonna change filters and do a basic tune up on errything
 
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Old Mar 1, 2012
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a good start... than for more power, get an SCT tune, an electric fan, headers, CAI, etc...
 
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Old Mar 1, 2012
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What's a CAI?
 
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Old Mar 1, 2012
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cold air intake... on another note, have you done the "free mods" yet?
 
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Old Mar 1, 2012
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E-fan will get a tad better throttle response the biggest gain will be colder ac sitting in the drive through. I doubt you will see dyno number showing an increase in hp.

CAI for ranger do not exist they are fancy tubes with cone filter pulling air from the stock location behind the headlight. They will sound different as they don't have the silencer in them, you can pull the silencer from the air-box and get the same sound.

Headers make more noise and don't seem to do anything other the rob you of some low wend toque. For the money they aren't worth it either.

The 4.0 OHV suffers heavily from not enough airflow in the heads. It really needs head work and cams before any other boltons will bring improvement. If you port the snot ouf the heads and stuff in the biggest cam with a tune you will see 40 hp and really wake the engine up, downside is a 5.0 is cheaper and has far more potential.

My advice is either plan a 5.0 swap or get a tuner and be happy with it. Some will say a 5.0 swap isn't cheap, but I have about 100 bucks into mine. I picked up a wrecked expo for 650 delivered, gutted parts I didn't need and sold them. Still have all the HVAC stuff, front seats, and a fender. Not to mention I have the expo center console to go in my truck. I even gave away the body/frame to someone else to scrap. The choice is yours don't let us tell you how to mod you're truck do what you want.
 
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Old Mar 1, 2012
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No I haven't done any free mods. What free mods are there? and I'm really starting to think a 5.0 is the way to go. And thanks for all that info it really helps me make my decision.
 
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Old Mar 1, 2012
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Yeah where is that info? Free mods are my favorite kind of mods.
 
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Old Mar 1, 2012
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throttle cable mod, airbox mod... i know there are stickies about them...
 
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Old Mar 1, 2012
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The air box mod will perform very similar to a CAI. FWIW, the air box is the same as the 5.0 explorers, just they have a larger MAF. Food for thought.
 
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Old Mar 1, 2012
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im looking all over for this air box mod and cant find any how to's
 
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Old Mar 1, 2012
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Originally Posted by andrew_deaton
im looking all over for this air box mod and cant find any how to's
https://www.ranger-forums.com/engine-drivetrain-122/how-air-silencer-removal-10455/
 
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Old Mar 1, 2012
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Pull the top of the box, spray some lubricant into the grommets at the bottom. Slide the lower box side to side and pull up.

There is a plastic horn that will slide out, now your choice to make the hole in the front larger.


Found this incredibly boring vid via Google.

 
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Old Mar 1, 2012
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Perfect thanks. I will start that tomorrow
 
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Old Mar 2, 2012
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Just did the air box mod today. I need to take it back out later today and clean out the mud. Next up though is the throttle cable mod. Ive noticed I have alot of play in my gas pedal. I might get paid today and if I do I will also be picking up a k&n air filter. I was wondering if anyone has taking a Y pipe and made a make intake ontop the engine just for show
 
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Old Mar 3, 2012
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i guess it depends on your engine... but, i did a K&N intake and noticed no difference in power or sound.. so waste of money. Headers were one of my best mods, about 600 bucks for the headees and install included. noticed big gain in throttle response and no difference in sound.

Exhaust combined with the headers helped a bit too you can feel it breath way better... and the best mod of all i have done is the gear swap to 4.56's and a Superchips programmer to reprogram the ECU and recal the speedo and tranny shift points, as well as do the performance tune :)

i can roll 35s on the highway no problem now
 
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Old Mar 3, 2012
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The best mod I have done is the torque converter and shift kit. Really wakes the engine up allowing it to rev faster.
 
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Old Mar 3, 2012
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i just noticed that when im going up hill and i step on the gas my water temp sky rockets. is this from the air box mod? and i also did the throller cable mod and wow. Huge Diffrence. Im now thinkng about getting some autobot logos and valve caps and everything i can get to make my truck an autobot.
 
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Old Mar 4, 2012
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I did the airbox mod and I think my gas mileage got worse!!! Anyone else have this? Or am I just putting my foot in it to much?
 
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