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

Throttle slack fix.

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Old 08-15-2006
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Throttle slack fix.

My 2004 Ranger had about 1/4" of slack. It runs much better now that I took the slack. Now I have true WOT, no more "detatched" throttle feeling, and much better throttle response.
 
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Old 08-15-2006
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hows you get rid of the slack?
 
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Old 08-15-2006
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I learned from a member of another forum that there is sometimes slack in the trottle cable on the 4.0 SOHC that will prevent it from getting full throttle and hamper throttle response. Well, my new 4.0 Ranger (I have had for about 2 weeks now) had a sort of "detatched" feeling to the throttle. I.E. it seemed you had to push down on the throttle a little more than need be to get her rolling. So I checked my throttle body and I wasn't getting full throttle. There was about 1/4" of slack in the throttle cable when measured back at the pedal (and it was very noticable at the throttle body too). So I did what the gentleman who told me about this did and used simple zip-ties to take up the slack (while leaving a little in to keep from stressing the throttle cable and the throttle body). Now I have WOT, and the throttle response is GREATLY improved. More hp too? Who knows, but it sure is nice to have WOT (and yes it does come-on much better when you put the pedal to WOT :) ).

Sorry about the terrible pics (I couldn't fit under the dash enough to get a good pic with light, etc. But you get the idea.

 
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Old 08-15-2006
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Nice, this mod is all over RPS.

They swear by it!!!
 
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Old 08-15-2006
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um better pics and instrctuions????? Like to do this on mine!
 
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Old 08-15-2006
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Old 08-15-2006
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What I did was take a crimp type eye connector, cut the eye off, remove the plastic insulation, open the end up enough to slip over the cable & re-crimped. It only removed about a 1/4" of slack but was enough to make full throttle.

Rick
 
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Old 08-15-2006
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but you can def tell a difference?
 
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Old 08-15-2006
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mine only has like 1/16th of and inch of slack so i dobut it will even be worth it for me...
 
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Old 08-15-2006
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Well, when pushing down on the pedal it takes less pedal now, seemed like before I had to push the pedal down half way for the truck to move. As far as full throttle get up & go I can't really tell.

Rick
 
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Old 08-15-2006
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Wow, you have a tight one! Mine has 15K on it & when I pulled the pedal up it had almost an inch. Ford quality @ its best...

Rick
 
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Old 08-15-2006
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Does this also work on the 3.0.??
 
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Old 08-15-2006
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It should work on anything with a throttle cable be it 3.0-4.0, 4-6-8 Cyl, or EFI-Carb it should work if you have slack in the throttle cable.
 
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Old 08-15-2006
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I did this mod because my acc pedal was starting to sag real bad. My way is kinda hard core but it works well. here is the thread
https://www.ranger-forums.com/forum2...ad.php?t=12829
 
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Old 08-15-2006
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Originally Posted by RHuckster
What I did was take a crimp type eye connector, cut the eye off, remove the plastic insulation, open the end up enough to slip over the cable & re-crimped. It only removed about a 1/4" of slack but was enough to make full throttle.

Rick
Good idea. What gauge eye connector did you use?
 
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Old 08-15-2006
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Originally Posted by CAW
I did this mod because my acc pedal was starting to sag real bad. My way is kinda hard core but it works well. here is the thread
https://www.ranger-forums.com/forum2...ad.php?t=12829
Nice. I'll have to fire up the lathe/mill in my garage and try this. I was going to eventually do something better than the zip ties, but have not had time to try it. I like all of your ideas. Keep 'em coming.
 
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Old 08-15-2006
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BTW, at WOT my '04 is a beast compared to before.
 
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Old 08-15-2006
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I used the yellow connectors which are what 10-12G? or 12-14g?

Rick
 
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Old 08-15-2006
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My spacer took up a little under 1/2" slack. I was needing it bad. I have noticed better acceleration as well as driveability. It helps when your gas pedal doesn't hit the floor
 
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Old 08-15-2006
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Yep, it really does improve everything.
 
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Old 08-15-2006
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Did it and a huge difference just in passing other cars, not near the Foot to the floor as I use to need!
 
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Old 08-15-2006
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This is a good mod, especially since there is no factory adjuster to adjust the slack. One small word of warning - it is possible to overdo it. Just take out what you need to get the throttle to open fully when floored, no more. You can put a tremendous load on that small cable if the throttle arm hits the stop before the pedal hits the floor. A few owners have broken cables after the mod, 4.0L's in particular.
 
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Old 08-15-2006
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i did this a few months ago, but i used a scotchlok and put a wiretie over it so it wont pop off.
it made it sooo much better.. plus i have rubber floor mats..
but my pedal was laying on the mat before i did it.. so i never had WOT..
to old cables.
 
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Old 08-15-2006
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whats wot lol...?
 
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Old 08-15-2006
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Originally Posted by 4X2XLT
whats wot lol...?
me taking a guess but i think its wide open throttle
 


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