I have about 125,000 miles on the truck now and want to do some maintenance. First thing I want to get out of the way is the plugs and wires. I have read up and found to get motorcraft, and not Bosh plugs. Now, I will get 6 plugs, a set of wires, and what else. On my jeep i did plugs, wires, distributor cap and rotar, i think. What do i need besides the plugs and wires for the ranger?

 

Plugs and wires....we have distributerless ignitions.

Motorcraft is comparable to Autolite. I run APP5144's in my '01 4.0L SOHC and they've served me very well. APP designates Autolite Double Platinum.

*how long has it been since a fuel filter???

 

I dont think the fuel filter has ever been replaced, Ill pick one of those up too. What about that coil pack I remember hearing about? does that need to be replaced?

 

they last a long long time...can't really beat the factory coilpacks.


you will see a HUGE improvement with the fuel filter change....in drivability, fuel economy, and power. I do mine every 30-40k.

 

nice! Good to know Ill do it tomorrow if autozone is open. The how to on replacing the fuel filter indicates that an 03 4.0 might need a special tool to remove the filter, is this true? the poster said he wasn't sure.

 

no tools needed, just look at a how-to for a 01+ filter swap. 01+ do not require any special tools like the '00 andolder do. pull your fuse, let it run til it almost dies, then push the colored things in with your thumbnail. the front hose, use a small screwdriver to get the clip out, then pull on the line. I like to pull the back hoses off first, then leave the front hose for last, install in reverse.

 

Alright cool thanks man! and just something I never understood, is why do we need to replace the ignition wires, if were not upgrading for performance. Its simply cable, and unless they are corroded or cut, there seams to be no reason to replace them right?

 

I'm at 106k on the stockers, I see no need to replace them yet for me. If the insulation is still good and not rotted, I'd rock 'em. But it doesn't hurt to replace them with some OEM grade stuff....I'm going to go motorcraft when I do mine. But I'm no professional in that department. I imagine here by 150k I'll replace them.

 

When you're pushing an electrical current through a wire for so long, they start to just wear out. If you ever get a code for a bad spark plug, it is most likely the wire, and not the plug itself.

I went with the Autolite double plats in my Ranger, and I didn't noticed a HUGE improvement, but I also had the Bosch ones in my Ranger. Terrible plugs.

I also changed my fuel filter when I did my plugs, and I didn't need any special tools. Just a screw driver, and a pair of pliers. Maybe that's something they changed in the later years?

I'd also check out your air filter and your PCV valve.

 

I picked up a fuel filter and plugs today, they didn't have double platnum but I got autolite platnum, are these ok to use? They did not carry motorcraft plugs

 

Those will be fine. As long as you NEVER EVER EVER NEVER NEVER put Bosch plugs in a ford truck.

 

When was the last time you changed your air filter?

 

why are bosch plugs so bad? I have never had any problems with mine.

 

I changed the air filter last oil change, Im doing another one soon. Why the pcv valve? is that a normal wear part that needs to be replaced? I figured you don;t touch it unless your having problems right? They had a deal at autozone 5 quarts of oil and a fram oil filter for 11$

 

PCV valves eventually get gunked up over time - it's a regular replacement item.

Get a new one to have it handy, they're not that expensive - pull the old one, and test it - just shake it and if it's good, you should hear the valve "rattle" - if it's bad, replace it.

 

The bosch plugs are not "bad" plugs, they are just not the correct heat range for these engines. The autolite and motorcraft plugs will work much better.

I used JBA plug wires on the 97 explorer when I replaced them around 100k miles or so. I would say as good as (if not better than) OEM.
The "normal" things are plugs, wires, air filter, fuel filter, PCV valve.
It's also a good idea to change the coolant out with fresh stuff, definitely axle gear oil if they have not been done, transfer case and transmission fluid.
I never bothered with running cleaners through anything but people love seafoam it seems like.